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

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 of use 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% of participants were female), and education (one-third of participants had an education level of high school or less). 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, but sought products that have a low potential for euphoria, such as edibles. 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.

The status, problems and development trend of China’s industrial hemp

“…J Agric Sc Food Technol 6(2): 237-239. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.17352/2455-815X.000080Establish a standardized industrial hemp production system: Establishes an industrial hemp production standard system, formulates planting quality management procedures and other corresponding standards[12].Encourage scientifi c and technological innovation:Strengthen investment in scientifi c research, and improve the research and development capabilities of terminal products.Carry out in-depth research on practical technologies such as plant protection, biological degumming, harvesting and processing machinery, primary processing technology, and extraction of medicinal ingredients, and expand the research and development of deep processing technologies for multipurpose products from hemp hurds and seeds[13,14].Vigorously promote the research and development of specifi c hemp turning: Bundling, fl ower harvesting machines and other equipments. Encourage scientifi c research institutions and enterprises to introduce and absorb advanced related machinery and equipment to meet the actual needs of industrial development.…”