University of British Columbia, 3333 University Way, Kelowna, BC V1V1V7, Canada.
1814B Edgehill Court, Kelowna, BC V1V 1R7, Canada.
Int J Drug Policy. 2013 Nov;24(6):511-6. doi: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2013.08.010. Epub 2013 Sep 9.
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.
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.
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.
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.
近年来，出于治疗目的（CTP）而合法和非法使用大麻的情况急剧增加，医生呼吁进行更多研究，以更好地阐明有效和适当使用的参数。我们报告了一项对加拿大 CTP 使用情况的大型横断面研究结果，并比较了不同医疗条件下以及合法和非法使用者之间的使用情况。
我们调查了 628 名自我选择的 CTP 使用者的大麻使用史、医疗状况和症状、当前 CTP 使用模式、获取途径和感知效果。参与者是从医用大麻药房和协助 CTP 用户的组织中招募的。
患者报告说，大麻可用于治疗多种症状，最常见的是睡眠、疼痛和焦虑。大麻被认为可以有效缓解各种医疗状况下的症状。使用模式在不同的医疗条件下也保持一致。在获取途径方面观察到了显著差异。
受访者报告说，在各种医疗条件下，大麻被用于有效缓解多种症状。结果表明，大麻的治疗用途与关于此类用途的风险和益处的研究之间存在很大的脱节；特别是在大麻的抗焦虑和镇静作用方面。在医疗条件和使用模式方面，合法和非法使用者之间几乎没有明显差异，但在获取途径方面却存在很大差异。
