Cannabis Enthusiasts’ Knowledge of Medical Treatment Effectiveness and Increased Risks From Cannabis Use
Research article
Abstract
Purpose
To compare cannabis enthusiasts’ knowledge about cannabis risks and effectiveness in treating medical conditions with existing empirical evidence.
Design
A brief survey assessed cannabis use, information sources, and knowledge about risks and effectiveness.
Setting
A cannabis advocacy event in April 2019 in a state with legal medical and recreational cannabis.
Participants
Demographically diverse adults (N = 472) who frequently used cannabis; 85% used cannabis for health or medical purposes.
Measures
Participants reported the sources of their cannabis information, health conditions they thought cannabis was effective in treating (n = 10), and health risks increased by cannabis (n = 6). Conditions and risks were based on ratings of evidence (ie, from substantial to insufficient) for therapeutic effects and risks identified in a review by The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM, 2017).
Analyses
Chi-square tests examined the correspondence between participants’ knowledge and NASEM conclusions.
Results
Most participants’ (95% confidence interval [CI]: 74%-81%) knowledge of cannabis was from their own experiences; 18% (95% CI: 14%-21%) received information from primary care providers. On average, participants’ beliefs matched NASEM conclusions for half of effectiveness (95% CI: 50%-53%) and risk items (95% CI: 55%-57%). Many (95% CI: 38%-42%) thought that cannabis use did not increase any risk. Contrary to NASEM conclusions, many thought cannabis was effective in treating cancer (76%), depressive symptoms (72%), and epilepsy (68%). Those who received cannabis information from their primary care providers had better knowledge of medical effectiveness. Medicinal cannabis use frequency inversely predicted knowledge of medical effectiveness and increased risks of adverse events.
Conclusion
There were considerable discrepancies between cannabis users’ knowledge and available evidence, highlighting the need for more research and education (by physicians, caregivers, and dispensaries) on effectiveness and health risks, especially for users with specific health issues such as pregnant women and people with depression.
The study in context
People are using cannabis and cannabinoids for everything and anything, and we don’t have enough systematic research on whether it’s effective for these conditions. People are stopping or reducing prescription drugs to use medical cannabis. It’s a serious issue,” said Dr. Daniel Kruger, study lead author, research associate professor of community health and health behavior in the University at Buffalo’s School of Public Health and Health Professions and research investigator with the Population Studies Center at the University of Michigan, as per News Medical Life Sciences.
These results highlight the disconnect between marijuana advocacy and policies and the lack of scientific evidence. We need more scientifically rigorous research to inform health messages that provide guidance about the use and effectiveness of cannabis and cannabinoids for a wide range of medical conditions,” said Dr. R. Lorraine Collins, study co-author, associate dean for research in UB’s School of Public Health and Health Professions, as per News Medical Life Sciences.