Medical Marijuana vs Opioids — Which Is Safer for Chronic Pain?

Ryan Manser
1 day ago
4 min read

Chronic pain is one of the most common reasons people seek medical treatment — and also one of the hardest to manage. Traditionally, doctors have turned to opioid painkillers like oxycodone, morphine, or hydrocodone to help patients cope with severe or persistent pain.

But as the risks of opioid addiction and overdose have become painfully clear, many patients and healthcare providers are searching for safer, more sustainable alternatives. One option that is gaining increasing attention is medical marijuana.

In this blog, we’ll explore how medical marijuana compares to opioids for treating chronic pain — and which option may be safer in the long run.

The Risks of Opioids for Chronic Pain

Opioids can be very effective at relieving acute or severe pain, such as after surgery or a traumatic injury. However, they were never designed for long-term use to manage chronic pain conditions.

Over time, opioids come with serious risks, including:

Physical dependence — requiring higher doses to achieve the same effect
Addiction — even when taken as prescribed
Overdose risk — which can be fatal
Side effects — including constipation, nausea, sedation, and hormonal changes

The CDC estimates that nearly half a million people in the U.S. died from opioid overdoses between 1999 and 2019. In response to this crisis, many patients and doctors are seeking non-opioid alternatives for pain management.

Can Medical Marijuana Help Manage Chronic Pain?

Medical marijuana works differently than opioids. It contains natural compounds called cannabinoids — primarily THC and CBD — which interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) to help regulate pain, mood, inflammation, and more.

Research suggests that cannabis may help reduce pain by:

Decreasing inflammation
Modulating pain signals in the brain and nervous system
Promoting relaxation and better sleep, which can indirectly help reduce pain levels

A 2017 report from the National Academies of Sciences concluded that there is substantial evidence that cannabis is effective for treating chronic pain in adults.

Many patients with conditions like arthritis, fibromyalgia, neuropathy, and back pain report significant relief with medical marijuana — often with fewer side effects than opioids.

Medical Marijuana vs Opioids — Which Is Safer?

Let’s compare the two options head to head:

Factor	Medical Marijuana	Opioids
Addiction Risk	Low to moderate	High
Overdose Risk	Extremely low	High
Tolerance/Dependence	Possible, but generally milder	Common and severe
Pain Relief	Moderate to strong	Strong, but diminishing over time
Side Effects	Mild to moderate (dry mouth, dizziness, mood changes)	Severe (constipation, sedation, nausea, respiratory depression)
Suitability for Long-Term Use	Often suitable	Not recommended

Key takeaway:For many patients, medical marijuana offers a safer, more sustainable option for managing chronic pain — especially compared to long-term opioid use. While cannabis is not risk-free, it carries a much lower risk of addiction, dependence, and fatal overdose.

Can Medical Marijuana Be Used With or Instead of Opioids?

Emerging research suggests that medical marijuana may also help reduce reliance on opioids.

Some studies show that patients who use medical cannabis for chronic pain:

Lower their opioid doses
Are less likely to develop opioid use disorder
Report better pain control and quality of life

In some cases, patients are able to stop opioids entirely and manage their pain using cannabis alone. In other cases, they use marijuana alongside lower doses of opioids, reducing overall risk.

👉 If you’re considering this approach, it’s important to work closely with your doctor — never stop opioids suddenly on your own.

How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card for Chronic Pain

If you live in Michigan, Ohio, or Oklahoma, qualifying chronic pain conditions may make you eligible for a medical marijuana card.

At drkennabis, we offer same-day telemedicine appointments to help you get certified quickly and conveniently.

Here’s how it works:

Schedule your appointment online.
Meet via video call with a licensed medical marijuana doctor.
Get approved and receive your certification.
Apply for your medical marijuana card through your state’s program.
Visit a licensed dispensary and begin exploring cannabis products for pain relief.

Our doctors will also help guide you on safe and effective cannabis use, including the best products and dosing strategies for managing chronic pain.

Final Thoughts

Opioids have a place in medicine, but they are not an ideal solution for most chronic pain patients. The risks of addiction, dependence, and overdose are very real.

Medical marijuana offers a safer, plant-based alternative that can help many people find relief — often with fewer side effects and long-term risks.

If you’re struggling with chronic pain and looking for options beyond opioids, our team at drkennabis is here to help. We’ll guide you through every step of getting your medical marijuana card and finding the right products for your needs.