Gender Differences in Medical Cannabis Use: Symptoms Treated, Physician Support for Use, and Prescription Medication Discontinuation

Although researchers have identified medications that relieve symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS), none are entirely effective and some persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) use alternatives. Our study compared cannabis use among PwMS (N = 135) and persons diagnosed with arthritis (N = 582) or cancer (N = 622) who were age 60 and older, enrolled in the State of Illinois Medical Cannabis Program, and invited to complete a survey fielded between June and September, 2019. We used logistic regression to identify significant differences in self-reported effects of cannabis on psychological wellbeing, quality of life, and three behavioral outcomes, and we also considered effects of past year opioid use relative to these outcomes. We found that the majority of individuals from all groups used cannabis to address pain and improve quality of sleep. While PwMS reported lower baseline levels across all five outcomes, we found that the reported effects of cannabis were largely comparable across the groups. We also found that cannabis benefitted persons with sleep and digestive issues regardless of condition, whereas persons who used opioids in addition to cannabis were less likely to experience an improvement in any of the outcomes. This comparative evaluation suggests that cannabis’ effects are not specific to MS, arthritis, or cancer as much as they impact processes common among these distinct conditions. We also found evidence that cannabis may be a viable alternative to opioids for those with these conditions and experiencing pain.

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Non-medical cannabis use among Indigenous Canadians: A systematic review of prevalence and associated factors

International Journal of Drug Policy ◽

10.1016/j.drugpo.2020.103081 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 90 ◽

pp. 103081

Author(s):

Erica Wennberg ◽

Ariane Lasry ◽

Sarah B. Windle ◽

Kristian B. Filion ◽

Brett D. Thombs ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Associated Factors ◽

Cannabis Use ◽

Medical Cannabis

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Cannabis and End-of-Life Care: A Snapshot of Hospice Planning and Experiences Among Illinois Medical Cannabis Patients With A Terminal Diagnosis

American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine® ◽

10.1177/10499091211018655 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 104990912110186

Author(s):

James Alton Croker ◽

Julie Bobitt ◽

Sara Sanders ◽

Kanika Arora ◽

Keith Mueller ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Palliative Care ◽

End Of Life ◽

Fast Track ◽

Hospice Care ◽

Cannabis Use ◽

Care Plan ◽

Medical Cannabis ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Eol Care

Introduction: Between 2013 and 2019, Illinois limited cannabis access to certified patients enrolled in the Illinois Medical Cannabis Program (IMCP). In 2016, the state instituted a fast-track pathway for terminal patients. The benefits of medicinal cannabis (MC) have clear implications for patients near end-of-life (EOL). However, little is known about how terminal patients engage medical cannabis relative to supportive care. Methods: Anonymous cross-sectional survey data were collected from 342 terminal patients who were already enrolled in ( n = 19) or planning to enroll ( n = 323) in hospice for EOL care. Logistic regression models compare patients in the sample on hospice planning vs. hospice enrollment, use of palliative care vs. hospice care, and use standard care vs non-hospice palliative care. Results: In our sample, cancer patients ( OR = 0.21 (0.11), p < .01), and those who used the fast-track application into the IMCP ( OR = 0.11 (0.06), p < .001) were less likely to be enrolled in hospice. Compared to patients in palliative care, hospice patients were less likely to report cancer as their qualifying condition ( OR = 0.16 (0.11), p < .01), or entered the IMCP via the fast-track ( OR = 0.23 (0.15), p < .05). Discussion: Given low hospice enrollment in a fairly large EOL sample, cannabis use may operate as an alternative to supportive forms of care like hospice and palliation. Clinicians should initiate conversations about cannabis use with their patients while also engaging EOL Care planning discussions as an essential part of the general care plan.

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Investigating Relationships Between Alcohol and Cannabis Use in an Online Survey of Cannabis Users: A Focus on Cannabinoid Content and Cannabis for Medical Purposes

Frontiers in Psychiatry ◽

10.3389/fpsyt.2020.613243 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 ◽

Author(s):

Hollis C. Karoly ◽

Raeghan L. Mueller ◽

Chrysta C. Andrade ◽

Kent E. Hutchison

Keyword(s):

Alcohol Consumption ◽

Survey Data ◽

Online Survey ◽

Medical Condition ◽

Cannabis Use ◽

Medical Cannabis ◽

Drinking Frequency ◽

The Relationship ◽

Drinking Occasion

Cannabis is commonly used among people who drink alcohol, but findings are mixed regarding the direction of this relationship. The type of cannabis used [high-cannabidiol (CBD) vs. high-delta-9tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)] and motives for use (i.e., whether cannabis is used to treat a medical condition) may influence the relationship between cannabis and drinking. Specifically, CBD has shown preclinical promise in reducing alcohol consumption, and medical cannabis users report using cannabis to reduce drinking. This study leverages survey data from cannabis users who drink alcohol (N = 533). Respondents were categorized as using cannabis to treat (CTT) a medical condition or as individuals whose cannabis use is not intended to treat (NCTT) a medical condition and grouped based on the THC/CBD ratio of the flower or edible cannabis they typically use (e.g., “High-THC/CBD,” “Medium-THC/CBD” and “Low-THC/CBD”). The CTT group (n = 412) reported drinking significantly less frequently than the NCTT group (n = 121). Cannabinoid content of flower cannabis was associated with alcohol consumed on cannabis-use days, such that individuals in the High-THC/CBD group drink more on cannabis-use days compared to the Medium-THC/CBD group. Cannabinoid content of edible cannabis was associated with drinks per drinking occasion, such that the High-THC/CBD group consumed the most drinks and the Low-THC/CBD group consumed the fewest. For both edible and flower groupings, higher-THC/CBD cannabis was associated with more frequent co-use than lower-THC/CBD cannabis. Results suggest that whether someone uses cannabis to treat a medical condition may impact their drinking frequency, and the cannabinoid content in flower and edible cannabis impacts alcohol consumption.

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Gender Differences in Internalizing Symptoms and Suicide Risk Among Men and Women Seeking Treatment for Cannabis Use Disorder from Late Adolescence to Middle Adulthood

Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment ◽

10.1016/j.jsat.2016.01.012 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 66 ◽

pp. 16-22 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Katherine T. Foster ◽

Ningfei Li ◽

Erin A. McClure ◽

Susan C. Sonne ◽

Kevin M. Gray

Keyword(s):

Gender Differences ◽

Internalizing Symptoms ◽

Suicide Risk ◽

Late Adolescence ◽

Cannabis Use ◽

Cannabis Use Disorder ◽

Middle Adulthood ◽

Men And Women

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The Impact of Legalization of Access to Recreational Cannabis on Canadian Medical Users with Cancer.

10.21203/rs.3.rs-15703/v4 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Philippa Helen Hawley ◽

Monica Gobbo ◽

Narsis Afghari

Keyword(s):

Cancer Patients ◽

Cannabis Use ◽

P Value ◽

Medical Cannabis ◽

Eligibility Criteria ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Access System ◽

Patterns Of Use ◽

Barriers To Access ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background Canada legalized cannabis use for medical purposes in 1999. Legalization of cannabis for recreational purposes in October 2018 offered the opportunity to assess the impact of recreational legalization on cancer patients’ patterns of use to identify learning points that could be helpful to other countries considering similar legislation.Method Two identical anonymous cross-sectional surveys were administered to cancer patients in British Columbia (2 months before and 3 months following legalization), with the same eligibility criteria. The prevalence of medical cannabis use, the distribution of symptoms leading to use, the most common types of cannabis products and sources, reasons for stopping using cannabis, and barriers to access were assessed.Results The overall response rate was 27%. Both cohorts were similar regarding age (median= 66yrs), gender (53% female), and education (approximately 85% of participants had an education level of high school graduation and higher). Respondents had multiple motives for taking cannabis, including to manage multiple symptoms, to treat cancer, and for recreational reasons. The majority of patients in both surveys did not use the legal medical access system. Comparison of the two cohorts showed that after legalization the prevalence of current cannabis use increased by 26% (23·1% to 29·1%, p-value 0·01), including an increased disclosure of recreational motive for use, from 32% to 40%. However, in the post-legalization cohort more Current Users reported problems getting cannabis (18%) than the pre-legalization cohort (8%), (p-value <0·01). The most common barrier cited was lack of available preferred products, including edibles, as these were only available from illegal dispensaries. Conclusions Results showed that legalization of cannabis for recreational purposes may have an impact on those who use medical cannabis. Impacts include an increase in prevalence of use; problems accessing preferred products legally; higher cost, and difficulties using a legal access system. The desired goal of regulation in reducing harms from use of illegal cannabis products are unlikely to be achieved if the legal process is less attractive to patients than use of illegal sources.

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Gender differences of patients at-risk for psychosis regarding symptomatology, drug use, comorbidity and functioning – Results from the EU-GEI study

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2019.04.007 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 59 ◽

pp. 52-59 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Stephanie Menghini-Müller ◽

Erich Studerus ◽

Sarah Ittig ◽

Ulrike Heitz ◽

Laura Egloff ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gender Differences ◽

At Risk ◽

Drug Use ◽

Anxiety Disorders ◽

Statistical Power ◽

Negative Symptoms ◽

Psychotic Disorders ◽

Cannabis Use ◽

First Episode ◽

Global Functioning

AbstractBackground:Gender differences in symptomatology in chronic schizophrenia and first episode psychosis patients have often been reported. However, little is known about gender differences in those at risk of psychotic disorders. This study investigated gender differences in symptomatology, drug use, comorbidity (i.e. substance use, affective and anxiety disorders) and global functioning in patients with an at-risk mental state (ARMS) for psychosis.Methods:The sample consisted of 336 ARMS patients (159 women) from the prodromal work package of the EUropean network of national schizophrenia networks studying Gene-Environment Interactions (EU-GEI; 11 centers). Clinical symptoms, drug use, comorbidity and functioning were assessed at first presentation to an early detection center using structured interviews.Results:In unadjusted analyses, men were found to have significantly higher rates of negative symptoms and current cannabis use while women showed higher rates of general psychopathology and more often displayed comorbid affective and anxiety disorders. No gender differences were found for global functioning. The results generally did not change when corrected for possible cofounders (e.g. cannabis use). However, most differences did not withstand correction for multiple testing.Conclusions:Findings indicate that gender differences in symptomatology and comorbidity in ARMS are similar to those seen in overt psychosis and in healthy controls. However, observed differences are small and would only be reliably detected in studies with high statistical power. Moreover, such small effects would likely not be clinically meaningful.

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