Cannabis for therapeutic purposes: patient characteristics, access, and reasons for use

doi:10.1016/j.drugpo.2013.08.010

Comparative Study

. 2013 Nov;24(6):511-6.

doi: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2013.08.010. Epub 2013 Sep 9.

Cannabis for therapeutic purposes: patient characteristics, access, and reasons for use

Zach Walsh¹, Robert Callaway², Lynne Belle-Isle³, Rielle Capler⁴, Robert Kay⁵, Philippe Lucas⁶, Susan Holtzman⁷

Affiliations

¹ University of British Columbia, 3333 University Way, Kelowna, BC V1V1V7, Canada. Electronic address: zachary.walsh@ubc.ca.
² 1814B Edgehill Court, Kelowna, BC V1V 1R7, Canada. Electronic address: rojocal@yahoo.ca.
³ Canadian AIDS Society, 190 O'Connor Street, Suite 100, Ottawa, ON K2P2R3, Canada; Centre for Addictions Research of British Columbia, PO Box 1700 STN CSC, Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2, Canada. Electronic address: LynneB@cdnaids.ca.
⁴ Canadian Association of Medical Cannabis Dispensaries, Box 14, Lions Bay, BC V0N 2E0, Canada. Electronic address: rielle@telus.net.
⁵ Green Cannapy Research and Development, 288 Highway 33W, Kelowna, BC V1X 1X7, Canada. Electronic address: bekindok@hotmail.com.
⁶ Centre for Addictions Research of British Columbia, PO Box 1700 STN CSC, Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2, Canada. Electronic address: plucas@uvic.ca.
⁷ University of British Columbia, 3333 University Way, Kelowna, BC V1V1V7, Canada. Electronic address: susan.holtzman@ubc.ca.

PMID: 24095000
DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2013.08.010

Comparative Study

Cannabis for therapeutic purposes: patient characteristics, access, and reasons for use

Zach Walsh et al. Int J Drug Policy. 2013 Nov.

. 2013 Nov;24(6):511-6.

doi: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2013.08.010. Epub 2013 Sep 9.

Authors

Zach Walsh¹, Robert Callaway², Lynne Belle-Isle³, Rielle Capler⁴, Robert Kay⁵, Philippe Lucas⁶, Susan Holtzman⁷

Affiliations

¹ University of British Columbia, 3333 University Way, Kelowna, BC V1V1V7, Canada. Electronic address: zachary.walsh@ubc.ca.
² 1814B Edgehill Court, Kelowna, BC V1V 1R7, Canada. Electronic address: rojocal@yahoo.ca.
³ Canadian AIDS Society, 190 O'Connor Street, Suite 100, Ottawa, ON K2P2R3, Canada; Centre for Addictions Research of British Columbia, PO Box 1700 STN CSC, Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2, Canada. Electronic address: LynneB@cdnaids.ca.
⁴ Canadian Association of Medical Cannabis Dispensaries, Box 14, Lions Bay, BC V0N 2E0, Canada. Electronic address: rielle@telus.net.
⁵ Green Cannapy Research and Development, 288 Highway 33W, Kelowna, BC V1X 1X7, Canada. Electronic address: bekindok@hotmail.com.
⁶ Centre for Addictions Research of British Columbia, PO Box 1700 STN CSC, Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2, Canada. Electronic address: plucas@uvic.ca.
⁷ University of British Columbia, 3333 University Way, Kelowna, BC V1V1V7, Canada. Electronic address: susan.holtzman@ubc.ca.

PMID: 24095000
DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2013.08.010

Abstract

Background: The authorized and unauthorized use of cannabis for therapeutic purposes (CTP) has increased dramatically in recent years, and physicians have called for further research to better clarify the parameters of effective and appropriate use. We report findings from a large cross-sectional study of the use of CTP in Canada and compare use across medical conditions and across authorized and unauthorized users.

Methods: We examined cannabis use history, medical conditions and symptoms, patterns of current use of CTP, modes of access and perceived effectiveness among 628 self-selected Canadians consumers of CTP. Participants were recruited from medical cannabis dispensaries and from organizations that assist users of CTP.

Results: Patients reported using cannabis to treat multiple symptoms, with sleep, pain, and anxiety being the most common. Cannabis was perceived to provide effective symptoms relief across medical conditions. Patterns of use were also consistent across medical conditions. Notable differences were observed with regard to modes of access.

Conclusion: Across medical conditions respondents reported using cannabis to effectively address diverse symptoms. Results indicate a substantial disconnect between the therapeutic use of cannabis and research on the risks and benefits of such use; particularly with regard to the anxiolytic and sedative use of cannabis. Authorized and unauthorized users exhibited few meaningful differences with regard to medical conditions and patterns of use, but faced substantial differences regarding access.

Keywords: Access to cannabis; Cannabis; Medical marijuana.

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Cannabis for therapeutic purposes: patient characteristics, access, and reasons for use

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Cannabis for therapeutic purposes: patient characteristics, access, and reasons for use

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