Impact of Anxiety Inclusion on Pennsylvania's Medical Cannabis Program

PITTSBURGH, July 7, 2025 — The recent addition of anxiety disorders as a qualifying condition for Pennsylvania's medical cannabis program has significantly altered the landscape of cannabis certifications in the state. According to a study conducted by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh and Johns Hopkins University, anxiety has rapidly emerged as the leading diagnosis for cannabis certifications, surpassing chronic pain and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) within months of its inclusion.

The study, published in the *Annals of Internal Medicine* on July 7, 2025, analyzed data from the Pennsylvania Department of Health covering 1,730,600 medical cannabis certifications issued from November 2017 to December 2023. Lead author Dr. Coleman Drake, an associate professor at the University of Pittsburgh's Department of Health Policy and Management, emphasized that the addition of anxiety as a qualifying condition has fundamentally transformed the program's demographic makeup. Before this change, chronic pain accounted for 67% of certifications, followed by PTSD at 16%. Following the inclusion of anxiety, these figures dropped dramatically to 41% and 11%, respectively, with anxiety now representing 60% of certifications.

"This is a significant shift, indicating that patients are increasingly turning to cannabis for mental health issues rather than traditional chronic pain conditions," Dr. Drake stated. The rapid increase in certifications, which nearly tripled monthly after the change, raises questions about the implications of such a shift in treatment focus.

Despite the rising prevalence of anxiety among cannabis users, the evidence supporting cannabis as an effective treatment for anxiety disorders remains limited. Dr. Drake pointed out that while cannabis may offer therapeutic benefits for some individuals, the lack of robust clinical evidence can create a misleading perception regarding its effectiveness. "Adding anxiety to the program may inadvertently signal to patients that cannabis is a reliable treatment option for anxiety, despite the scant evidence," he warned.

The lack of comprehensive research funding and regulatory hurdles have historically stymied the investigation of cannabis's effects on various conditions, including anxiety. According to Dr. Linh Tran and Dr. Matthew Eisenberg from Johns Hopkins University, co-authors of the study, this gap in knowledge is critical to address, especially given the increasing cannabis use over the past decade.

The broader implications of this shift in Pennsylvania's cannabis program could serve as a model or cautionary tale for other states considering similar changes. Currently, 39 states have medical cannabis programs, with chronic pain and PTSD being the most common qualifying conditions historically. As more states evaluate the addition of anxiety, Pennsylvania's experience could inform policy decisions and highlight the need for further research into cannabis's efficacy as a treatment option.

In conclusion, the transformation of Pennsylvania's medical cannabis program in response to the inclusion of anxiety as a qualifying condition not only reflects changing patient needs but also underscores the urgent need for comprehensive research into cannabis's impact on mental health. As the landscape of medical cannabis continues to evolve, policymakers and healthcare providers must balance patient access with the necessity for evidence-based treatment options.