Canadians’ use of cannabis for therapeutic purposes since legalization of recreational cannabis: a cross-sectional analysis by medical authorization status

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dc.contributor.authorBalneaves, Lynda G.
dc.contributor.authorBrown, Ashleigh
dc.contributor.authorGreen, Matthew
dc.contributor.authorProsk, Erin
dc.contributor.authorRapin, Lucile
dc.contributor.authorMonahan-Ellison, Max
dc.contributor.authorMcMillan, Eva
dc.contributor.authorZaid, Jonathan
dc.contributor.authorDworkind, Michael
dc.contributor.authorWatling, Cody Z.
dc.date.accessioned2024-05-08T15:27:16Z
dc.date.available2024-05-08T15:27:16Z
dc.date.issued2024-04-08
dc.date.updated2024-05-01T16:16:23Z
dc.description.abstractBackground There has been a precipitous decline in authorizations for medical cannabis since non-medical cannabis was legalized in Canada in 2018. This study examines the demographic and health- and medical cannabis-related factors associated with authorization as well as the differences in medical cannabis use, side effects, and sources of medical cannabis and information by authorization status. Methods Individuals who were taking cannabis for therapeutic purposes completed an online survey in early 2022. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of demographic and health- and medical cannabis-related variables associated with holding medical cannabis authorization. The differences in medical cannabis use, side effects, and sources of information by authorization status were determined via t-tests and chi-squared analysis. Results A total of 5433 individuals who were currently taking cannabis for therapeutic purposes completed the study, of which 2941 (54.1%) currently held medical authorization. Individuals with authorization were more likely to be older (OR ≥ 70 years vs. < 30 years, 4.85 (95% CI, 3.49–6.76)), identify as a man (OR man vs. woman, 1.53 (1.34–1.74)), have a higher income (OR > $100,000/year vs. < $50,000 year, 1.55 (1.30–1.84)), and less likely to live in a small town (OR small town/rural vs. large city, 0.69 (0.59–0.81)). They were significantly more likely to report not experiencing any side effects (29.9% vs. 23.4%; p < 0.001), knowing the amount of cannabis they were taking (32.1% vs. 17.7%; p < 0.001), obtaining cannabis from regulated sources (74.1% vs. 47.5%; p < 0.001), and seeking information about medical cannabis from healthcare professionals (67.8% vs. 48.2%; p < 0.01) than individuals without authorization. Conclusions These findings offer insight into the possible issues regarding equitable access to medical cannabis and how authorization may support and influence individuals in a jurisdiction where recreational cannabis is legalized, highlighting the value of a formal medical cannabis authorization process.
dc.identifier.citationBMC Medicine. 2024 Apr 08;22(1):150
dc.identifier.doi10.1186/s12916-024-03370-7
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1993/38210
dc.language.isoeng
dc.language.rfc3066en
dc.publisherBMC
dc.rightsopen accessen_US
dc.rights.holderThe Author(s)
dc.subjectMedical cannabis
dc.subjectPolicy
dc.subjectSymptoms
dc.subjectDecision support
dc.subjectExperience
dc.subjectRecreational cannabis
dc.subjectAuthorization
dc.subjectProgram
dc.titleCanadians’ use of cannabis for therapeutic purposes since legalization of recreational cannabis: a cross-sectional analysis by medical authorization status
dc.typeJournal Article
local.author.affiliationRady Faculty of Health Sciences::College of Nursing
oaire.citation.issue150
oaire.citation.titleBMC Medicine
oaire.citation.volume22
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