Chronic Pain & Medical Cannabis

What Is Chronic Pain?

Chronic pain is pain that persists for three months or longer, often beyond the expected period of healing from an injury or illness. Unlike acute pain — which serves as a warning signal — chronic pain can become a condition in its own right, reshaping how the nervous system processes sensation and profoundly affecting quality of life.

In New Jersey, chronic pain is the single most common qualifying condition for the medical cannabis program, accounting for the majority of new certifications each year. If you have lived with pain that hasn't adequately responded to conventional treatment, you may be a candidate for cannabis therapy.

Conditions That May Cause Qualifying Chronic Pain

• Low back pain, herniated discs, spinal stenosis
• Arthritis (osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis)
• Fibromyalgia
• Neuropathic pain (diabetic neuropathy, post-herpetic neuralgia)
• Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)
• Post-surgical chronic pain
• Chronic pelvic pain
• Cancer-related pain
• Headache and facial pain syndromes

How Cannabis May Help

The human body's endocannabinoid system plays a central role in pain regulation. Cannabinoids — both the THC and CBD found in cannabis — interact with receptors throughout the nervous system that modulate pain perception, inflammation, and the emotional response to pain.

Clinical evidence suggests that medical cannabis can reduce pain intensity, decrease reliance on opioids and NSAIDs, improve sleep disrupted by pain, and improve overall quality of life for patients with chronic pain conditions. It is not a cure — but for many patients who have tried and failed multiple conventional treatments, it provides meaningful and sometimes transformative relief.

What to Expect at PremierMD

Your evaluation will involve a thorough review of your pain history, previous treatments, imaging or diagnostic reports (if available), and current medications. Your provider will assess whether cannabis therapy is clinically appropriate and, if so, discuss starting products, delivery methods, and dosing guidance tailored to your condition.

Because PremierMD is a full-service medical practice — not a certification kiosk — we follow up with you regularly to assess how your treatment is working and make adjustments over time. If your evaluation reveals other contributing factors to your pain (sleep disruption, anxiety, inflammation), we address those holistically.