Spandau Gabriel, Loizzo Jamie, Jury Hannah, Bunch James C, Stedman Nicole, Pearson Brian, Goodin Amie J
Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
Department of Epidemiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
Med Cannabis Cannabinoids. 2024 Dec 9;8(1):15-30. doi: 10.1159/000542929. eCollection 2025 Jan-Dec.
As medical cannabis becomes more accessible, product quality must be evaluated. Researchers identified a social media community where Florida medical cannabis patients discuss personal experiences. The objective of this study was to analyze posts in this community to understand patient experience with products purchased from Florida medical dispensaries they believed to be contamination, perceptions of product quality, and desired changes to the Florida program.
Social networking theory acted as the underlying framework, and we employed a qualitative case study design to identify mentions of possible contamination and understand patient perceptions of contamination and the Florida medical cannabis program from the Reddit community . The lead researcher conducted a social media analysis of posts identified as containing discussions relevant to product contamination. Constant comparison methods were used to code data, arrive at themes, and maintain validity and reliability of interpretation of coded themes.
Of 300 post mentions of contamination, 98 posts were identified as relevant following review. Key results were as follows: (1) multiple mentions of possible contamination of products from medical cannabis dispensaries reported by Florida program patients; (2) patients sought second opinions when concerned about possible contamination and shared personal experiences as well as advice on what concerned patients should do if they believe they have contaminated products; (3) some patients expressed feelings of anxiety and worry about health, safety, and quality control, while others that described possible product contamination did not express concern; and (4) patients wanted changes regarding vertical integration, company accountability, state oversight, and home grow law.
Medical cannabis patients and providers could benefit from education on responding to possible contamination within medical cannabis products. Policymakers should consider these findings when setting regulations around contamination testing thresholds, dispensary oversight, and other regulations that directly impact patient safety, like allowing patients to see products before purchase.
随着医用大麻越来越容易获得，必须对产品质量进行评估。研究人员发现了一个社交媒体社区，佛罗里达州的医用大麻患者在该社区讨论个人经历。本研究的目的是分析该社区的帖子，以了解患者对从他们认为有污染的佛罗里达州医用药房购买的产品的体验、对产品质量的看法以及对佛罗里达州该项目期望的改变。
社交网络理论作为基础框架，我们采用定性案例研究设计，从Reddit社区识别可能污染的提及内容，并了解患者对污染以及佛罗里达州医用大麻项目的看法。首席研究员对被确定包含与产品污染相关讨论的帖子进行了社交媒体分析。使用持续比较法对数据进行编码、得出主题，并保持编码主题解释的有效性和可靠性。
在300条提及污染的帖子中，经审查确定有98条帖子相关。主要结果如下：（1）佛罗里达州该项目的患者多次提及医用大麻药房产品可能存在污染；（2）患者在担心可能存在污染时会寻求第二意见，并分享个人经历以及关于如果患者认为自己购买到受污染产品应采取什么措施的建议；（3）一些患者表达了对健康、安全和质量控制的焦虑和担忧，而其他描述可能产品污染的患者并未表达担忧；（4）患者希望在垂直整合、公司问责、州监管和家庭种植法律方面有所改变。
医用大麻患者和提供者可从有关应对医用大麻产品可能污染的教育中受益。政策制定者在制定有关污染检测阈值、药房监管以及其他直接影响患者安全的法规（如允许患者在购买前查看产品）时应考虑这些发现。
