MIVetsCan Study
Can medical cannabis help with Veterans’ chronic pain symptoms?
We're looking for Michigan veterans to join our study to provide them with resources to improve their health conditions.
The MIVetsCan study
Veterans are more likely to experience chronic pain compared to non-Veterans due to factors like injuries, physical disability, trauma, and homelessness. Some Veterans are interested in cannabis as a pain management tool, and have helped lead effective advocacy efforts that have made it more possible to study cannabis’s therapeutic properties. These efforts will help provide critical evidence to help us understand how cannabis works and who it helps the most with chronic pain and mental health symptoms.
Funded through the State of Michigan Veteran Marijuana Research Grant Program, we are conducting two clinical trials, Can-Coach and CBD-Care, to see whether CBD (cannabidiol) and cannabis can help Veterans with chronic pain and mental health.
Veterans who join these trials will also join the Pain Registry to continue data collection after the studies are complete.
Study News
Newsweek: Dr. Boehnke comments on the potential public health effects of the changes in hemp regulation
Newsweek: Dr. Boehnke comments on the potential public health effects of the changes in hemp regulation
MIVetsCan team hosts second annual Veteran Health Conference in Detroit.
MIVetsCan team hosts second annual Veteran Health Conference in Detroit.
NPR: Dr. Boehnke comments on two large new clinical trials of cannabis products for low back pain
NPR: Dr. Boehnke comments on two large new clinical trials of cannabis products for low back pain
Feasibility pilot of a novel coaching intervention to optimize cannabis use for chronic pain management among Veterans
Feasibility pilot of a novel coaching intervention to optimize cannabis use for chronic pain management among Veterans
We developed an intervention that focuses on helping Veterans use cannabis products more effectively for chronic pain, and completed a pilot study showing that this intervention reduced pain and pain interference.
CRA Education Webinar: January 30th
CRA Education Webinar: January 30th
Dr. Kevin Boehnke and Ms. Gabrielle Bowyer are presenting about the MIVetsCan program of work at a Cannabis Regulatory Agency education session.
Frequently Asked Questions
Participation in this study is entirely voluntary, and you have the option to choose not to take part. Your decision will not affect your healthcare in any way.
We do not anticipate any injury, illness, or other problems resulting from this study. However, if you encounter any injuries, side effects, or other concerns, please reach out to the researchers using the contact information listed below. It's important that you also inform your regular doctors.
Participating in multiple research studies simultaneously may increase risks and affect study outcomes. We recommend to not to take part in more than one study without approval from the researchers from each study.
By participating in this study and engaging in coaching sessions, you may experience improvements in pain and related symptoms. Additionally, others can benefit from the knowledge gained through this research.
Yes, if the researchers come across important new information that might impact your willingness to remain in the study, they will inform you. In such cases, you may be asked to sign a new consent form incorporating the new information.
You are free to withdraw from the study at any time, without facing any penalties or loss of entitled benefits. If you decide to leave before completion, please inform the researchers using the contact information listed below. Your reasons for leaving may be recorded as part of the study records if you choose to share them.
Deleting the study app, MyDataHelps, does not withdraw a participant from the study.
No, there will be no harm to you if you decide to leave the study before it is finished.
Yes, there are certain circumstances under which the researchers may need to end your participation. This could be due to factors such as your best interest, changes in your eligibility, the need for different treatment, non-compliance with instructions, or suspension/cancellation of the study.
In such cases, you will be notified of the withdrawal via phone, letter, or email, and provided with contact information for any follow-up questions you may have.
There are no direct costs to you for participating in this study. The mobile app, MyDataHelps, is provided for free. However, there may be indirect costs to participate because some of the data collected and sent to the study team may need to be covered by the participant’s phone data plan. By agreeing to participate, you do not give up your right to seek payment if you are harmed as a result of being in this study.
Your permission to use your PHI remains in effect until the study concludes, unless you choose to cancel it earlier. You may cancel your permission at any time by writing to the researchers using the contact information listed below. If you decide to withdraw your permission, you may no longer be eligible to participate.
Please feel free to reach out to our study coordinators regarding any inquiries or issues related to the study:
Email: MIVetsCan@med.umich.edu
Phone: 734-998-6088