Dr. Terel Newton, MD

---

Chronic Pain Management: Case Studies in Medical Cannabis Therapy

Dr. Terel Newton, MD, Florida Medical Director, Trulieve, Medical Director, Total Pain Relief, LLC and Interventional Pain Consultant

Background: Chronic pain affects an estimated 20% of Americans, posing a significant challenge to healthcare providers and patients alike. The overreliance on opioids for pain management has led to a public health crisis, necessitating the exploration of alternative analgesic options. Among these, medical cannabis has gained attention for its potential in treating chronic pain without the adverse effects associated with opioids. This review aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of medical cannabis in chronic pain management, supported by current data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Institutes of Health (NIH), and relevant case studies.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted using the database such as PubMed with the search terms "medical cannabis," "chronic pain," and "case studies." This search was aimed at identifying peer-reviewed articles and case studies published within the last decade that examine the role of medical cannabis in managing chronic pain. Special attention was given to studies that provide evidence of efficacy, safety, dosing, and patient outcomes, with a preference for those addressing the most common pain syndromes such as neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, and chronic back and neck pain. The review also includes guidelines from health authorities and institutions regarding the use of medical cannabis for pain management.

Results: The utilization of medical cannabis in chronic pain management has shown promise in reducing pain intensity, improving quality of life, and decreasing the reliance on opioid medications. Case studies highlighted in this review demonstrate significant pain relief and functional improvement in patients using cannabis-based treatments. These findings are supported by clinical trials that show the analgesic effects of cannabinoids, primarily tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), through their interaction with the endocannabinoid system and modulation of pain perception pathways.

Conclusion: Medical cannabis represents a viable alternative for chronic pain management, with evidence supporting its efficacy and safety profile. By integrating cannabinoids into treatment plans, healthcare providers can offer patients effective pain relief while potentially reducing the risks associated with long-term opioid therapy. Further research and well-designed clinical trials are needed to establish standardized dosing guidelines and to fully understand the long-term implications of medical cannabis use in chronic pain management.

Keywords: Chronic pain, medical cannabis, cannabinoid therapy, opioid epidemic, case studies.

References:

1.  Slawek, D., Meenrajan, S.R., Alois, M.R., Comstock Barker, P., Estores, I.M., Cook, R. "Medical Cannabis for the Primary Care Physician." J Prim Care Community Health. 2019 Jan-Dec;10:2150132719884838. doi: 10.1177/2150132719884838. PMID: 31646929; PMCID: PMC6820188.

2.  Caldera, F.E. "Medical cannabis as an alternative for opioids for chronic pain: A case report." SAGE Open Med Case Rep. 2020 Feb 12;8:2050313X20907015. doi: 10.1177/2050313X20907015. PMID: 32110409; PMCID: PMC7016302.

3.  Maurer, G.E., Imperato, N.S., Juybari, C.M., Kincaid, H., Koons, A. "The Utility of Cannabis-Based Medicine in Chronic Pain Management: A Case Report." Cureus. 2022 Nov 15;14(11):e31555. doi: 10.7759/cureus.31555. PMID: 36540475; PMCID: PMC9757622.

4.  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). "Prevalence of Chronic Pain and High-Impact Chronic Pain Among Adults — United States, 2016." MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2018;67(36):1001-1006.

5.  National Institutes of Health (NIH). "National Pain Strategy: A Comprehensive Population Health-Level Strategy for Pain." U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2016.

6.  Dahlhamer, J., Lucas, J., Zelaya, C., et al. "Prevalence of Chronic Pain and High-Impact Chronic Pain Among Adults — United States, 2016." MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2018;67:1001–1006.

7.  Whiting, P.F., Wolff, R.F., Deshpande, S., Di Nisio, M., Duffy, S., Hernandez, A.V., Keurentjes, J.C., Lang, S., Misso, K., Ryder, S., Schmidlkofer, S., Westwood, M., Kleijnen, J. "Cannabinoids for Medical Use: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis." JAMA 2015;313(24):2456

Dr. Terel Newton is a dedicated medical director and physician in the cannabis industry, known for his unwavering passion. He is a summa cum laude graduate of East Carolina University in the Department of Biology, with a concentration of Anatomy, Cell Biology, and Genetics. He has completed extensive training at reputable institutions located in North Carolina, Vermont, Baltimore, Washington D.C, and Boston, in addition to attending cannabis conferences worldwide. Dr. Newton holds a board certification in Anesthesiology, is Fellowship-Trained in Interventional Pain procedures, and has earned certifications in Addiction Medicine, Medical Cannabis Recommending Physician, and Medical Marijuana Treatment Center Director.

Throughout his career, Dr. Newton has actively participated in over 100 events, including abstract submissions and reviews, continuing medical education courses, live and recorded conferences, webinars, TV interviews, dispensary tours, and clinic presentations. He is well-respected in the healthcare and medical cannabis industries as an advocate and educator for patients, providers, and support groups.

Currently, Dr. Newton serves as the Florida Medical Director for Trulieve, where he continues to advocate for the benefits of medical cannabis and promote awareness and education.