Abstract Background In Canada, cannabis legalization altered the way that the public can access cannabis for medical purposes. However, Canadians still struggle with finding healthcare professionals (HCPs) who are involved in medical cannabis counselling and authorization. This raises questions about the barriers that are causing this breakdown in care. Our study explored the perceptions of primary care providers regarding cannabis in their practice. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted by Zoom with HCPs in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) to discuss their experiences with medical and non-medical cannabis in practice. Family physicians and nurse practitioners who were practicing in primary care in NL were included. The...

Abstract Background Cannabis use for non-medical purposes was legalized and regulated in Canada through the Cannabis Act in October 2018. This paper examined trends in use of cannabis for non-medical purposes and related indicators from pre- to post-legalization in Canada (2018–2022). Methods Data from 5 years of the Canadian Cannabis Survey, an annual web-based survey administered to Canadians 16 years of age or older, were used in the analysis (n2018=12,952; n2019=11,922; n2020=10,821; n2021=10,733; n2022=10,048). Cannabis measures include questions about use, types of products, sources, risk perceptions and beliefs, and exposure to public education campaigns and health warnings. Adjusted logistic regression models tested differences in outcomes over...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Introduction: Florida’s medical cannabis (marijuana) program is among the largest in the United States. Smokable cannabis forms were not legally available in this program until 2019, and five years after other forms of cannabis were available. This study assessed changes in Δ-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) dispensed per patient following legalization of smokable cannabis in Florida. Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental study used data from the Florida Department of Health Office of Medical Marijuana Use Reports on THC dispensing from April 6, 2018, through March 13, 2020. Certified medical cannabis user during the study period was included. The exposure...

Abstract Objective: An increasing number of Canadians are registering as authorized users of medical cannabis. Older patients comprise a growing subset of this population; however, relatively little information exists around age-related patterns of medical cannabis use. Methods: The Canadian Cannabis Patient Survey (CCPS) is a large cross-sectional survey of authorized medical cannabis patients in Canada. This publication summarizes the results of the CCPS 2021, with a focus on age-related outcomes and the elderly sub-population. Results: The survey was completed by 2,697 patients. The mean age of participants was 54.3 years of age and the proportion of female respondents was 49.1%. Among older patients, pain was the most common...

Abstract Context Studies generally focus on one type of chronic condition and the effect of medical cannabis (MC) on symptoms; little is known about the perceptions and engagement of patients living with chronic conditions regarding the use of MC. Objectives This scoping review aims to explore: (1) what are the dimensions addressed in studies on MC that deal with patients' perceptions of MC? and (2) how have patients been engaged in developing these studies and their methodologies? Through these objectives, we have identified areas for improving future research. Methods We searched five databases and applied exclusion criteria to select relevant articles. A thematic analysis...

Please use this link to access this publication. Highlights •Our study reveals diverse Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) dosing patterns among patients with medical conditions, drawn from longitudinal purchase data, providing insights into patient dosing. •Six trajectory groups illustrate varied THC and CBD dosing trends over time, reflecting nuanced patient behaviors and highlighting dynamic dosing trajectories. •Patients exhibit customized dosing preferences, with THC favored by patients with chronic pain and cancer and CBD preferred by those with epilepsy, indicating tailored dosing preferences. •Many patients exhibited fluctuating dosing behaviors, highlighting the necessity for personalized dosing strategies and emphasizing fluctuating dosing behaviors. •Our findings stress the...

Abstract Introduction: Cannabis policy is rapidly changing in the USA and across the globe, with 24 states legalizing cannabis for adult use and 38 states making medical cannabis available for those with qualified conditions. Building on prior evidence, we reviewed the recently published literature (from the past 5 years) focused on the treatment effects of naturally derived medical cannabis products within the pediatric population. Methods: We conducted a systematic literature review of three electronic databases using MeSH terms and free-text. A study was eligible for inclusion if it investigated the efficacy of medical cannabis for any condition, it was published in 2019 or later, and the mean...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Objective Dramatic changes in state-level cannabis laws (CL) over the past 25 years have shifted societal beliefs throughout the United States, with unknown implications for youth. In the present study, we conducted an updated systematic review and meta-analysis examining estimated effects of medical cannabis legalization (MCL) and recreational cannabis legalization (RCL) on past-month cannabis use among US youth. Method A systematic review was conducted following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, followed by a subsequent meta-analysis investigating the associations between state-level cannabis laws (ie, MCL vs non-MCL, and RCL vs non-RCL)...

Abstract Background This review aimed to examine the recent breakthroughs in medical cannabis research, explore the shifting public perceptions and the stigma associated with its use and discuss strategies for enhancing the safety of medical cannabis. Methods We reviewed literature on medical cannabis and also synthesized the connections between scientific research, public perception and safety considerations in the uses of medical cannabis, providing a comprehensive understanding of how these elements influence each other and shape the future of medical cannabis use for patient adherence. Results The landscape of medical cannabis has evolved dramatically over the past few decades. The transition from prohibition to medical...

Abstract Cannabis is the most prevalently used psychoactive substance in the United States. Cannabis has conflicting federal and state legal status in the US, however medical and recreational cannabis use are increasing. When assessing health outcomes, cannabis use classification has been modeled largely as current use status (never/former/current) or cumulative use (joint-years). These methods do not describe longitudinal patterns of use which may have unique relationships with health outcomes. We used cannabis use data spanning 30 years from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults Cohort (CARDIA) to create trajectories of current cannabis use during young and middle adulthood. We identified 5 unique patterns...