Medical cannabis is a highly cost-effective treatment for individuals with moderate post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), according to a new study.
The findings, published by researchers at Leafwell, suggest that even without comprehensive medical insurance, medical cannabis treatments could help reduce healthcare costs while improving patient outcomes.
Leafwell’s researchers examined the cost-effectiveness of medical cannabis when used alongside more traditional treatments like anti-depressants, comparing various cannabis products under four insurance reimbursement models.
The findings suggest that non-flower cannabis products, such as edibles, tablets and other oral solutions, were the most cost-effective, regardless of insurance coverage.
According to the study, these formulations met cost-effective thresholds commonly used by US insurers even at 100% reimbursement plans.
However, dried cannabis flower proved less cost-effective due to its higher price point, but was still considered cost-effective when insurance covered at least 50%-70% of treatment costs, dependent on product pricing.
One of the study’s most significant findings was that medical cannabis still led to health improvements even when patients paid out of pocket. Even at 0% reimbursement, patients experienced meaningful benefits at no additional cost to insurers.
“This study is a crucial step in demonstrating the economic and therapeutic value of medical cannabis in mental health care,” said Dr Mitchell L. Doucette, lead author and Senior Director of the Health Economics and Outcomes Research Division at Leafwell.
Dr Douchette added that the research highlights the need for more clinical research to determine whether medical cannabis could replace traditional PTSD medications.
