Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

An Exploration of Self-Reported Medicinal Cannabis Use Among a Sample of Eastern Canadian Postsecondary Students

  • Published:
The Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In October 2018, prior to the legalization of cannabis in Canada, a survey was completed by 1050 Memorial University of Newfoundland students. Both descriptive quantitative and thematic qualitative data analyzes were used. Approximately 16% of the sample reported ever using cannabis for medicinal purposes (n=175), with only 16.6% of medicinal users reporting authorization by a healthcare provider (HCP). The majority (80.2%) were aware of possible side effects of cannabis. Prior personal experience (65.3%) and peer influence (59.5%) informed participants’ medicinal use. Approximately 40% reported having replaced/reduced prescribed medication. Roughly 60% of medicinal users had not disclosed their use to their HCP. Consistent with previous studies, medicinal cannabis use among postsecondary students appears to be largely motivated for mental health related conditions and is grounded in personal experience versus evidence-based guidelines. There is a need for increased communication between HCPs and patients to promote lower-risk use among medicinal cannabis users.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Fischer B, Kuganesan S, Room R. Medical marijuana programs: Implications for cannabis control policy – observations from Canada. International Journal on Drug Policy. 2015;26(1):15-19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2014.09.007

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Health Canada. Data on Cannabis for Medical Purposes. Available online at https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-medication/cannabis/research-data/medical-purpose.html. Accessed on April 22, 2020.

  3. Volkow ND, Baler RD, Compton WM, et al. Adverse health effects of marijuana use. The New England Journal of Medicine. 2014;370(23):2219-2227. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMra1402309

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  4. Statistics Canada. National Cannabis Survey, Second Quarter 2019. Available online at https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/190815/dq190815a-eng.htm. Accessed April 21, 2020.

  5. American College Health Association [ACHA]. American College Health Association – National College Health Assessment II: Canadian Reference Group, Executive Summary Spring 2019. Silver Spring, MD: ACHA, 2019.

  6. King N, Pickett W, McNevin SH, et al. Mental health need of students at entry to university: Baseline findings from the U-Flourish student well-being and academic success study. Early Intervention in Psychiatry. 2020;15(2):286-295. https://doi.org/10.1111/eip.12939

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine. The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids: Current State of Evidence and Recommendations for Research. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press, 2017.

  8. Di Forti M, Quattrone D, Freeman TP, et al. The contribution of cannabis use to variation in the incidence of psychotic disorder across Europe (EU-GEI): A multicentre case-control study. Lancet Psychiatry. 2019;6(5):427-436. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(19)30048-3

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  9. Arria AM, Caldeira KM, Bugbee BA, et al. The academic consequences of marijuana use during college. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors. 2015;29(3):564-575. https://doi.org/10.1037/adb0000108

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  10. Suerken CK, Reboussin BA, Egan KL, et al. Marijuana use trajectories and academic outcomes among college students. Drug and Alcohol Dependence. 2016;162:137-145. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2016.02.041

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  11. Cuttler C, Spradlin A, McLaughlin RJ. A naturalistic examination of the perceived effects of cannabis on negative affect. Journal of Affective Disorders. 2018;235:198-205. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2018.04.054

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Gobbi G, Atkin T, Zytynski T, et al. Association of cannabis use in adolescence and risk of depression, anxiety, and suicidality in young adulthood: A systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Psychiatry. 2019;76(4):426. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2018.4500

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  13. Schoeler T, Theobald D, Pingault J-B, et al. Developmental sensitivity to cannabis use patterns and risk for major depressive disorder in mid-life: Findings from 40 years of follow-up. Psychological Medicine. 2018;48(13):2169-2176. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291717003658

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Cougle JR, Hakes JK, Macatee RJ, et al. Quality of life and risk of psychiatric disorders among regular users of alcohol, nicotine, and cannabis: An analysis of the National Epidemiological Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC). Journal of Psychiatric Research. 2015;66-67:135-141. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2015.05.004

  15. Danielsson A-K, Lundin A, Agardh E, et al. Cannabis use, depression and anxiety: A 3-year prospective population-based study. Journal of Affective Disorders. 2016;193:103-108. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2015.12.045

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Feingold D, Weiser M, Rehm J, et al. The association between cannabis use and anxiety disorders: Results from a population-based representative sample. European Neuropsychopharmacology. 2016;26(3):493-505. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euroneuro.2015.12.037

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Mader J, Smith JM, Afzal AR, et al. Correlates of lifetime cannabis use and cannabis use severity in a Canadian university sample. Addictive Behaviors. 2019;98:106015. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2019.06.004

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Han B, Compton WM, Blanco C, et al. Trends in and correlates of medical marijuana use among adults in the United States. Drug and Alcohol Dependence. 2018;186:120-129. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2018.01.022

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Cavazos-Rehg PA, Krauss MJ, Cahn E, et al. Marijuana promotion online: An investigation of dispensary practices. Prevention Science. 2019;20(2):280-290. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11121-018-0889-2

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  20. Lankenau SE, Ataiants J, Mohanty S, et al. Health conditions and motivations for marijuana use among young adult medical marijuana patients and non-patient marijuana users: Health conditions and motivations. Drug and Alcohol Review. 2018;37(2):237-246. https://doi.org/10.1111/dar.12534

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Smith JM, Mader J, Szeto ACH, et al. Cannabis use for medicinal purposes among Canadian university students. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry. 2019;64(5):351-355. https://doi.org/10.1177/0706743718818420

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Sexton M, Cuttler C, Finnell JS, et al. A cross-sectional survey of medical cannabis users: Patterns of use and perceived efficacy. Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research. 2016;1(1):131-138. https://doi.org/10.1089/can.2016.0007

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  23. Sarris J, Sinclair J, Karamacoska D, et al. Medicinal cannabis for psychiatric disorders: A clinically-focused systematic review. BMC Psychiatry. 2020;20(1):24. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-019-2409-8

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  24. Mercurio A, Aston ER, Claborn KR, et al. Marijuana as a substitute for prescription medications: A qualitative study. Substance Use & Misuse. 2019;54(11):1894-1902. https://doi.org/10.1080/10826084.2019.1618336

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Reiman A, Welty M, Solomon P. Cannabis as a substitute for opioid-based pain medication: Patient self-report. Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research. 2017;2(1):160-166. https://doi.org/10.1089/can.2017.0012

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  26. Health Canada. Canadian Cannabis Survey 2018 Summary. Available online at https://www.canada.ca/en/services/health/publications/drugs-health-products/canadian-cannabis-survey-2018-summary.html. Accessed on April 22, 2020.

  27. College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia [CPSBC]. Practice Standard: Cannabis for Medical Purposes. Available online at https://www.cpsbc.ca/files/pdf/PSG-Cannabis-for-Medical-Purposes.pdf. Accessed May 6, 2020.

  28. Health Canada. Consumer Information - Cannabis (Marihuana, Marijuana). Available online at https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-medication/cannabis/licensed-producers/consumer-information-cannabis.html. Accessed April 23, 2020.

  29. Mental Health Commission of Canada [MHCC]. Cannabis and Mental Health: Priorities for Research in Canada. Available online at https://www.mentalhealthcommission.ca/sites/default/files/2019-07/Cannabis_mental_Health_Summary_july_2019_eng.pdf. Accessed May 6, 2020.

  30. Dillman DA, Smyth JD, Christian LM. Internet, Phone, Mail, and Mixed-Mode Surveys: The Tailored Design Method, 4th edition. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley, 2014.

  31. Braun V, Clarke V. Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology. 2006;3(2):77-101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Adamson SJ, Kay-Lambkin FJ, Baker AL, et al. An improved brief measure of cannabis misuse: The Cannabis Use Disorders Identification Test-Revised (CUDIT-R). Drug and Alcohol Dependence. 2010;110(1-2):137-143. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2010.02.017

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Schultz NR, Bassett DT, Messina BG, et al. Evaluation of the psychometric properties of the Cannabis Use Disorders Identification Test - Revised among college students. Addictive Behaviors. 2019;95:11-15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2019.02.016

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Memorial University of Newfoundland [MUN]. Memorial University of Newfoundland Annual Report 2018-19. Available online at https://www.mun.ca/hr/services/benefits/MemorialUniversityReport2018-19R.pdf. Accessed May 5, 2020.

  35. Lankenau SE, Kioumarsi A, Reed M, et al. Becoming a medical marijuana user. International Journal of Drug Policy. 2018;52:62-70. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2017.11.018

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Bostwick JM. Blurred boundaries: The therapeutics and politics of medical marijuana. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 2012;87(2):172-186. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mayocp.2011.10.003

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  37. Gertsch J. The intricate influence of the placebo effect on medical cannabis and cannabinoids. Medical Cannabis and Cannabinoids. 2018;1(1):60-64. https://doi.org/10.1159/000489291

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  38. Charlebois S, Music J, Sterling B, et al. Edibles and Canadian consumers’ willingness to consider recreational cannabis in food or beverage products: A second assessment. Trends in Food Science & Technology. 2020;98:25-29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tifs.2019.12.025

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Health Canada. Canadian Cannabis Survey 2019 - Summary. Available online at https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/publications/drugs-health-products/canadian-cannabis-survey-2019-summary.html. Accessed April 22, 2020.

  40. Gardiner KM, Singleton JA, Sheridan J, et al. Health professional beliefs, knowledge, and concerns surrounding medicinal cannabis – A systematic review. PLOS ONE. 2019;14(5):e0216556. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0216556

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  41. Canadian Medical Protective Association [CMPA]. Medical Cannabis: Considerations for Canadian Doctors. Available online at https://www.cmpa-acpm.ca/en/advice-publications/browse-articles/2014/medical-marijuana-new-regulations-new-college-guidance-for-canadian-doctors. Accessed April 21, 2020.

  42. Leos-Toro C, Shiplo S, Hammond D. Perceived support for medical cannabis use among approved medical cannabis users in Canada. Drug and Alcohol Review. 2018;37(5):627-636. https://doi.org/10.1111/dar.12823

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Hasin DS, Saha TD, Kerridge BT, et al. Prevalence of marijuana use disorders in the United States between 2001-2002 and 2012-2013. JAMA Psychiatry. 2015;72(12):1235. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2015.1858

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  44. College of Physicians and Surgeons of Newfoundland [CPSNL]. Medical Marihuana: Advisory and Interim Guideline. Available online at https://www.cpsnl.ca/WEB/CPSNL/Policies/Advisory_and_Interim_Guideline_-_Medical_Marihuana.aspx. Accessed April 21, 2020.

Download references

Acknowledgements

We would like to acknowledge Dr. Elizabeth Cawley and Dr. Andrew Szeto for their support in this project.

Ethics Approval

The study was approved by MUNs Interdisciplinary Committee on Ethics in Human Research (ICEHR No. 20190765-EX) and the University of Calgary’s Conjoint Health Research Ethics Board (REB18-0184).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Calgary, Faculty of Nursing, PF 122, 2500 Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4, Canada

    Jacqueline Smith PhD, RN, Jennifer Smith MC, RPsych, Joel Mader MEd, RPsych & Gabrielle Guestier BSc.

  2. University of Calgary, Faculty of Health Sciences, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

    Lauren Conn

  3. Memorial University of Newfoundland, Faculty of Nursing, St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada

    Joy Maddigan PhD, RN

Authors
  1. Jacqueline Smith PhD, RN
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jennifer Smith MC, RPsych
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Joel Mader MEd, RPsych
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Gabrielle Guestier BSc.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Lauren Conn
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Joy Maddigan PhD, RN
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

Dr. JS, Dr. JM & JM designed the study. JS, JM, GG, LC completed quantitative and qualitative data analysis. All authors contributed to and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jacqueline Smith PhD, RN.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest. This research was funded by the Faculty of Nursing, University of Calgary and the Faculty of Nursing, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

Additional information

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Smith, J., Smith, J., Mader, J. et al. An Exploration of Self-Reported Medicinal Cannabis Use Among a Sample of Eastern Canadian Postsecondary Students. J Behav Health Serv Res 49, 487–499 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11414-021-09763-3

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11414-021-09763-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation