Study, Feb/17: Medical cannabis access, use, & substitution for prescription...

The full title of this Canadian study is "Medical cannabis access, use, and substitution for prescription opioids and other substances: A survey of authorized medical cannabis patients".

"RESULTS: Cannabis is perceived to be an effective treatment for diverse conditions, with pain and mental health the most prominent. Findings include high self-reported use of cannabis as a substitute for prescription drugs (63%), particularly pharmaceutical opioids (30%), benzodiazepines (16%), and antidepressants (12%). Patients also reported substituting cannabis for alcohol (25%), cigarettes/tobacco (12%), and illicit drugs (3%). A significant percentage of patients (42%) reported accessing cannabis from illegal/unregulated sources in addition to access via LPs, and over half (55%) were charged to receive a medical recommendation to use cannabis, with nearly 25% paying $300 or more."

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28189912