To evaluate the prevalence of cannabis use for MS symptom management and factors associated with its use among current users in the North American Research Committee on Multiple Sclerosis (NARCOMS) registry.

The NARCOMS registry is a voluntary, self-report registry for PwMS. There is growing interest in cannabis use by PwMS for management of various MS symptoms, particularly as cannabis products become more accessible.

Active, US NARCOMS participants were invited to complete an online, supplemental survey regarding use of THC-containing cannabis for their MS symptoms. This analysis explored the incidence of, and reasons for, using or not using cannabis, as well as behaviors and attitudes of current users. Findings were summarized using descriptive statistics.

Of 6934 participants invited, 3249 (47%) responded; 31% reported using cannabis for MS symptoms. Among the 69% of respondents who did not use cannabis for MS symptoms, the most common reasons were insufficient efficacy (40%) or safety (27%) data, legality concerns (25%), insurance (22%), or prohibitive cost (18%). Overall, 20% of respondents reported current use (within last 30 days), on average 20 days in the past month. Of the primary administration modes for current users, the two most common were smoking (32%) or eating (20%). The most common target symptoms for use were spasticity (80%), pain (69%), and sleep (61%), with >95% finding cannabis very or somewhat helpful. Of current users, 51% reported using less cannabis than they otherwise might, with most common reasons being prohibitive cost (54%) or lack of insurance coverage (47%).

Although issues such as efficacy, safety, legality, and access constrain some PwMS from cannabis use for symptom relief, 31% have ever tried and 20% are currently using non-FDA approved cannabis products for MS. Of those currently using cannabis, most affirm it is helpful for treating spasticity, pain, and/or sleep. Funding: Greenwich Biosciences, Inc.