PARE0014 CANNABIS – HOW TO NAVIGATE BETWEEN PRESSURE FROM PATIENTS, LEGISLATION AND NEED FOR EVIDENCE
Authors: N. B. Hartz
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2020)

Background: Around the world, focus on cannabis has been increasing immensely the last couple of years. Patients with RMD very often experience pain and many of these patients do not get adequate relieve from ordinary painkillers. Therefore, the pressure from patients wanting to try cannabis in order to ease their pain, is very understandable but also a difficult field to navigate in for a rheumatism association. Mainly because there are so many different interests in cannabis from many sides. Objectives: The Danish Rheumatism Association has taken a very active role in unfolding knowledge of the positive and negative effects of cannabis to patients with RMD. We want to show, that we are aware of our patients needs and interests and we wish to give independent information to patients with RMD about suitable pain relief also when this involves the use of cannabis. Methods: In order to get more knowledge about the need of the patients, the Danish Rheumatism Association has registered every inquiry from patients to our professional helpline in 2018 regarding cannabis. This information has been used in our political work with the Danish Ministry of Health and has given us a deeper understanding of the RMD-patients background and motivation for using cannabis. The Danish Rheumatism Association has supported cannabis research financially, and we have taken part in the public debate with editorials. On our website, we have fact sheets regarding cannabis along with a theme about cannabis in our magazine. The Danish Rheumatism Association has been very active politically in order to get RMD-patients to be part of a national project with medical cannabis to different groups of patients. We have an ongoing contact with the Danish Ministry of Health regarding RMD-patients experience in using cannabis and we pass on RMD-patients difficulties in even getting cannabis legally. In addition, to continuously gain knowledge about RMD-patients’ experience with cannabis, we have also conducted questionnaires and surveys both in collaboration with other patient organizations and through our own channels. Results: We have made it clear that we take an active role in the public debate regarding the use of cannabis and that we understand the desire from patients to have as many options as possible to choose from when it comes to relieve their pain. However, we also acknowledge the fact, that we need more evidence when it comes to the use of cannabis as an actual option for patients with RMD-related pain. We are a reliable partner that politicians and other stakeholders take very seriously. Unfortunately, patients with RMD did not get to be part of the national project in Denmark with medical cannabis, but nevertheless many of these patients are using cannabis and most of the patients buy it illegally. Conclusion: The use of cannabis is still a very “hot topic” in many countries and the legislation can vary a lot from country to country. It is important that the rheumatism associations across Europe have knowledge about cannabis so that they can advise patients with RMD in a serious, objective and evidence-based manner. References: None Disclosure of Interests: None declared