ST. PAUL, Minn. (KTTC) – Research conducted by the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) indicates that patients with autism participating in the state's medical cannabis program experienced reduced levels of anxiety and depression. The study focused on adult and pediatric patients from August 1, 2018, to July 31, 2024, analyzing data on program enrollment, medical cannabis purchases, symptom ratings at the time of purchases, and patient surveys.
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The findings revealed that 57% of patients reporting moderate to severe anxiety—88.3% of the cohort—experienced a reduction of at least 30% in their anxiety levels during the first four months of using medical cannabis. Among those who reported an initial decline in anxiety, 67.4% maintained this improvement over the subsequent four months.
For depression, results were even more pronounced. Within the same initial four-month period, 63.4% of patients with moderate to severe depression reported significant decreases in their symptoms, with 42.9% continuing to show lower depression levels thereafter.
Eric Taubel, Executive Director of OCM, described these results as "encouraging," emphasizing the importance of considering patient feedback and real-world data in understanding how medical cannabis can enhance quality of life. He highlighted the implications for those suffering from anxiety, depression, sleep difficulties, and other related conditions associated with autism. Taubel noted that ongoing research will help to further establish a solid evidence base as Minnesota's cannabis market develops.