Facilitators and Barriers to the Regulation of Medical Cannabis: A Scoping Review of the Peer-Reviewed Literature

Abstract

Background: In recent decades, several political, legislative, and judicial processes around the world have advanced legalization efforts for the use of medical cannabis (MC). As MC usage evolves through legislative reform, with an increase in public acceptance and therapeutic potential, a need exists to further investigate the facilitators and barriers to MC regulation.Methods: A scoping review was conducted to identify the facilitators and barriers associated with the implementation of international MC regulations. MEDLINE, EMBASE, AMED and PsycINFO databases were systematically searched. Eligible articles included primary studies that evaluated the MC regulatory framework of one or more countries globally.Results: Twenty-two articles were deemed eligible and included in this review. Themes identified include: (1) effects of conflicts, mindset and ideology of state population, (2) the use of comparisons to analyze MC regulation, and (3) the need for more knowledge, advice and empirical/clinical evidence to inform future MC policies.Conclusion: We identified a number of facilitators and barriers to MC regulation and provide a holistic overview of what factors are proposed to affect MC regulation. In recognizing that the evidence-base surrounding MC, MC usage among patients, and general societal acceptance of MC are all increasing across many parts of the globe, our review allows for relevant stakeholders to better understand these facilitators and barriers to inform future MC policy making.