A New Kind of Relief: Cannabis-Based Drug Shows Promise for Chronic Back Pain

Oct 23

A cannabis-based medication shows promising results in treating chronic low-back pain, suggesting a safer option than opioids.

Chronic low-back pain (CLBP) is one of the most persistent and disabling health conditions worldwide, affecting millions and straining healthcare systems with its economic and human costs. For many, daily functioning becomes a struggle, sleep is elusive, and conventional treatments fail to provide sustained relief. While nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), physical therapy, and opioids are common prescriptions, each comes with limitations. NSAIDs offer limited efficacy in chronic cases, physical therapy can be inaccessible or unaffordable, and opioid use carries serious risks of addiction and overdose.

As the search for safer, more effective treatments intensifies, interest in cannabis-based therapies has surged. A new phase 3 randomized controlled trial now adds a compelling chapter to this exploration: a full-spectrum cannabis extract derived from Cannabis sativa, labeled DKJ127, demonstrated significant benefits for patients with chronic low-back pain.

Study Design and Methodology

The study, published in Nature Medicine, involved approximately 820 adults across multiple international centers. It was a phase 3, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial—considered the gold standard in clinical research. Participants were randomized, with 394 receiving DKJ127 and 426 assigned a placebo. Over 12 weeks, those in the treatment group took a liquid extract that combined low doses of THC with other cannabinoids.

The primary endpoint was the change in average pain intensity, measured on an 11-point numerical rating scale. Secondary outcomes included assessments of physical function, sleep quality, and pain characteristics like neuropathic pain, along with safety monitoring. Participants with significant comorbidities or opioid dependence were excluded to maintain study integrity.

What the Study Found

The cannabis-derived treatment group saw a nearly 2.0-point reduction in pain scores, compared to a 1.4-point drop in the placebo group. While modest, this statistically significant improvement represents a meaningful benefit for patients living with daily pain. Improvements were also noted in physical function and sleep quality, two critical domains often disrupted by chronic pain.

Importantly, the safety profile of DKJ127 was favorable. Side effects—such as dizziness, headache, fatigue, and nausea—were generally mild, and no evidence of dependence or abuse emerged during the study. Around 17% of participants dropped out, a lower rate than is often observed in opioid trials.

Longer-term outcomes are still being evaluated, with an ongoing six-month open-label extension. Early indications suggest that benefits may persist beyond the initial treatment period.

Why This Matters

For many patients, even a modest decrease in pain, paired with better sleep and physical functioning, can dramatically improve quality of life. While the pain relief seen in this study isn’t groundbreaking in isolation, the combined effect across multiple well-being indicators—and the cleaner safety profile compared to opioids—makes DKJ127 a promising candidate for broader use.

This trial also adds weight to previous, smaller studies and systematic reviews indicating that cannabis-based therapies may offer relief for some forms of chronic pain, including back pain. In Arizona, where medical marijuana has been legal since 2010, patients with chronic pain make up the majority of cardholders. Yet despite legal access, many remain uncertain about what cannabis options are backed by science.

The Marijuana Doctor helps bridge that gap—offering not just certification, but evidence-based guidance on strain selection, dosage, and treatment goals. Clinical trials like this one reinforce the need for informed, medically supervised use of cannabis products.

Comparisons and Clinical Integration

Unlike opioids, which suppress pain signals through the central nervous system and can lead to physical dependence, cannabis-derived therapies interact with the endocannabinoid system, which regulates pain, mood, and inflammation. This different mechanism of action may provide a more sustainable approach for some patients.

However, expectations must be tempered. A two-point drop in pain, while statistically significant, is not a cure. It underscores the need to integrate cannabis-based drugs into a comprehensive pain management plan—one that might also include physical therapy, psychological support, and lifestyle modifications.

The study also highlights the importance of patient selection. Those with a history of substance use disorder or serious psychiatric conditions were excluded, signaling the need for careful screening before prescribing. While DKJ127 showed no signs of misuse in the trial, real-world data will be essential to confirm safety at scale.

From Research to Regulation

Vertanical GmbH, the German company behind DKJ127 (trade name VER-01), is currently seeking regulatory approval in Europe and preparing for studies in the United States. If approved, it would join a small but growing class of cannabis-derived pharmaceuticals, such as Epidiolex and Sativex.

Navigating U.S. regulatory pathways will pose challenges. Despite the increasing legalization of medical marijuana at the state level—including Arizona—cannabis remains federally illegal, complicating drug approvals and insurance coverage. Still, the low THC content in DKJ127 may help ease regulatory concerns about psychoactive effects.

For Arizona patients, this trial brings hope—but also questions. Will DKJ127 be accessible if approved? Will insurers cover it? Can it be prescribed under Arizona’s existing medical marijuana framework, or will it require separate classification as a pharmaceutical?

Ethical and Practical Considerations

While this trial offers hope, it also underscores ongoing ethical and policy challenges. The follow-up period was relatively short, and the long-term safety of chronic cannabinoid use remains uncertain. Patient monitoring, particularly for side effects like dizziness or fatigue, will be essential.

Moreover, the cost of DKJ127, access for underserved populations, and integration with other treatments remain open questions. Ethical prescribing also requires avoiding over-reliance on any single intervention—no matter how promising. Clinicians must engage patients in honest, nuanced conversations about realistic benefits and limitations.

The Marijuana Doctor remains committed to those principles. By focusing on education, advocacy, and responsible certification, we help ensure that emerging cannabis-based therapies are used safely, effectively, and equitably.

Conclusion

The DKJ127 trial marks a meaningful step forward in the medical cannabis space, particularly for patients grappling with chronic low-back pain. Its modest but significant benefits, coupled with a strong safety profile, position it as a potential alternative to opioids and NSAIDs. But as with all new treatments, cautious optimism is warranted.

For clinicians, patients, and policymakers in Arizona and beyond, the path forward involves balancing promise with prudence. With continued research, regulatory progress, and patient-centered care, cannabis-derived therapies like DKJ127 could soon become a vital part of pain management.

Title tag: Cannabis Drug Reduces Back Pain, Study Finds

Meta description: A cannabis-derived drug, DKJ127, eased chronic back pain in a large trial, offering hope as a safer alternative to opioids.

H2 sub-title variation: A cannabis-based medication shows promising results in treating chronic low-back pain, suggesting a safer option than opioids.

URL slug: cannabis-drug-chronic-back-pain

Target keyword + estimated density: cannabis drug (1.03%)

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Matthew Reveles