Using Cannabis Therapeutically in the UK: A Qualitative Analysis

Abstract

__________Ross Coomber, Ph.D., is a Principal Lecturer in Sociology at the University of Plymouth, England, and has been involved in drug-related research for 17 years. Recently he has concentrated on looking at the minutiae of drug market operations, in particular the activities of drug dealers regarding the "cutting" of street drugs, how drug dealers are initiated into drug dealing, and the relationships they have with other dealers. Michael Oliver, Ph.D., is Professor of Disability Studies in the School of Social Sciences, University of Greenwich, London. His current research is concentrated on the politics of disability and the recent policy developments in community care, exploring the role of the disability movement's entitlement-based welfare and the emancipatory research paradigm. Craig Thirty-three therapeutic cannabis users in England were interviewed about their experiences using an illegal drug for therapeutic purposes. Interviews were semistructured, and responses highly qualitative. Particular issues included how and why cannabis was used therapeutically; what problems its illegality posed in terms of access, cost, reliability of supply, and quality of the product; the perceived beneficial effects of its use; and unwanted effects (problems in relation to family, friends, partners, the criminal justice system, and the health care system). The study did not seek to prove or disprove the efficacy of cannabis used as a therapeutic agent merely to report the experiences of those who use it in that way. It was found that users perceived cannabis to be highly effective in treating their symptoms, to complement existing medication, and to produce fewer unwanted effects. Smoking was the preferred method of administration, permitting greater control over dose and administration. Problems related to prescribed medication motivated many to use cannabis therapeutically. Few problems were experienced with friends, family, partners, and the criminal justice or health care systems, although other concerns about cannabis's illegality were reported. Although most were relatively unconcerned about the risk involved and were determined to continue use, many resented that they felt they were being forced to break the law. Problems relating to access to the drug (in an illegal context) and managing its administration were reported. A brief discussion of the continued prohibition of cannabis for this group is undertaken, and a harm reduction approach is suggested.

The Formation of Marijuana Risk Perception in a Population of Substance Abusing Patients

“…For example, though most individuals who use cannabis do not experience adverse effects, the drug's illegal status suggests that all use is harmful [23]. This discrepancy between individual experience and public policy has been thought to weaken the validity of laws intending to protect public health [22], particularly when some users report subjective health benefits from marijuana use [24]. In our sample, many participants had innocuous experiences with marijuana, which were different with those they attributed to other illegal substances.…”

Medical Marijuana, Community Building, and Canada’s Compassionate Societies1

“…There has been some survey research on use for multiple sclerosis (Page, Verhoef, Stebbins, Metz, & Levy, 2003), and a few small studies conducted by physicians of HIV/AIDS and cancer patients (Dansak, 1997a(Dansak, , 1997bFairfield, Eisenberg, Davis, Libman, & Phillips, 1998). Most of the research that examines a full spectrum of conditions supports the view that use for pain and nausea is common (e.g., Coomber, Oliver, & Morris, 2003;Ogborne, Smart, Weber, & Birchmore-Timney, 2000).…”

“…A 1997 national survey (CTV/Angus Reid Group Poll, 1997) found that 42% of Canadians at that time were embracing alternative medicines and practices, a proportion up from one in five as recently as 1990 (Northcott, 1994). People are now more likely to experiment with treatments, and seek more control over healthcare decisions (Coomber et al, 2003). Definitions of cannabis as a natural herb remedy as opposed to a synthetic pharmaceutical drug may also influence perceptions in favor of its use (Macnaghtan, Brown, & Reicher, 1992).…”

Marijuana medicine and Canadian physicians: Challenges to meaningful drug policy reform

“…Some research has looked at use for multiple sclerosis (Clark et al, 2004;Page et al, 2003), as well as chronic pain (Ware et al, 2003a) and epilepsy (Gross et al, 2004). Social research done in Britain, North America and Europe also shows that use for chronic pain and nausea is common, as is use for coping with depression (Coomber et al, 2003;Hadorn & Jackson, 2003;Ogborne et al, 2000;Schnelle et al, 1999). Use of marijuana for depression and related conditions (e.g., chronic stress and anxiety) is likely often underestimated.…”