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  ## Breadcrumb

- [Home](/)
- [Advancing Research](/advancing-research)
- [Survey Data & Community Insights](/advancing-research/survey-data)
 
 #  Cannabis & Parkinson's Survey 

 

   

  ## 💡 Quick Summary 

 - A Parkinson’s Foundation survey explored how people with Parkinson’s use cannabis (or [medical marijuana](/living-with-parkinsons/treatment/medical-marijuana "Medical Marijuana")), capturing real experiences and attitudes toward its potential benefits and risks.

- About 25% of respondents had used cannabis in the past six months, often for symptoms like pain, [anxiety](/understanding-parkinsons/non-movement-symptoms/anxiety "Anxiety"), sleep issues, tremor and stiffness — yet most users (65%) did not receive guidance from a medical provider.

- Non-users mainly avoided cannabis due to limited evidence and concerns about side effects, showing a need for clearer research and medical guidance.

 

   ![Medical cannabis research](/sites/default/files/styles/no_sizing/public/images/cannabissurveyresults.jpg?itok=PR7W1ZYx)  Recently, there has been an increased interest in the use of [**cannabis**](/living-with-parkinsons/treatment/medical-marijuana "Medical Marijuana") to treat Parkinson’s disease (PD) symptoms. The [**Parkinson’s Foundation Survey**](/advancing-research/survey-data "Survey Data & Community Insights") titled *Weeding Through the Haze: A Survey on Cannabis Use Among People Living with Parkinson’s, Disease in the U.S*.*,* sought to capture community viewpoints and experiences with cannabis use.

### About the Study

Researchers from Northwestern, University of Rochester and University of British Columbia, all [**Parkinson’s Foundation Centers of Excellence**](/living-with-parkinsons/finding-care/global-care-network "Global Care Network"), collaborated on this study. Three people with Parkinson’s reviewed this study.

   25% 

of people with PD reported cannabis use within the previous six months.

 

  65% 

of cannabis users had not received a recommendation to use cannabis from a licensed doctor or provider.

 

 

 

 ###  Key Highlights 

- Nearly 25% of people with PD reported cannabis use within the previous six months and were more likely to be male and about three years younger than non-users.
- Among non-users, the primary reasons for avoiding cannabis included: 
    - A lack of evidence of the efficacy of cannabis (60%)
    - A fear of cannabis side effects (35%)
- Most cannabis users (65%) had not received a recommendation to use cannabis from a licensed doctor or provider.
- Cannabis was most often used to treat the PD symptoms: pain, anxiety, sleep disturbance, tremor and stiffness.

 

 [![ ](https://public.tableau.com/static/images/Ca/Cannabis_16111778801780/Dashboard1/1_rss.png)](#)

 var divElement = document.getElementById('viz1611178153635'); var vizElement = divElement.getElementsByTagName('object')[0]; if ( divElement.offsetWidth > 800 ) { vizElement.style.width='700px';vizElement.style.height='800px';} else if ( divElement.offsetWidth > 500 ) { vizElement.style.width='700px';vizElement.style.height='800px';} else { vizElement.style.width='100%';vizElement.style.height='900px';} var scriptElement = document.createElement('script'); scriptElement.src = 'https://public.tableau.com/javascripts/api/viz_v1.js'; vizElement.parentNode.insertBefore(scriptElement, vizElement); **Figure Description:** Geographic representation of survey participants. Shading within a state depicts the legality of cannabis as of October 2020. Black dots represent cannabis users and grey dots represent non-users. Rhode Island was the only state without survey respondents.

 ![Infographic about the cannabis survey results](/sites/default/files/styles/no_sizing/public/images/CannabisSurveyInfographic.png?itok=tJ2uFsmg)   ###  Get Involved 

Join the Parkinson’s Foundation Surveys initiative to make sure your voice is heard!

 [SIGN UP](https://redcap.parkinson.org/surveys/?s=YARFFXAHEN&_ga=2.265818639.1496261139.1652100031-1865381441.1638284903&_gac=1.94826606.1651676943.Cj0KCQjwyMiTBhDKARIsAAJ-9VuA9LhkaX_vw87zghONLlxOi2PWufaUbS5-XCl5kKzUcq_HbR7-nSEaAiOjEALw_wcB) 

 

  ##  Related Blog Posts 

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###  [ Weeding Through the Haze: People with Parkinson’s Share Medical Cannabis Experiences ](/blog/research/medical-marijuana-experiences) 

 

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###  [ What You Should Know About Marijuana and Parkinson’s ](/blog/research/marijuana-faq) 

 

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