Attitudes toward and knowledge of medical cannabis among individuals with spinal cord injury

Spinal Cord Series and Cases, 2019 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41394-019-0151-6 · Published: January 1, 2019

Spinal Cord Injury Patient Experience Pharmacology

Simple Explanation

This study explores what people with spinal cord injuries (SCI) think and know about using cannabis for medical reasons. It looks at a nationwide group to understand their feelings about cannabis use. The researchers wanted to see if things like how long someone has had their injury, their job status, or past drug use affected their views on cannabis. By understanding these beliefs, doctors can better help patients with SCI decide if medical cannabis is right for them, especially since it's becoming a legal option in more places.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

353 people with spinal cord injury

Evidence Level

Observational study based on an online survey

Key Findings

1
Most participants believed cannabis is safe, has medicinal benefits, and should be legal.
2
A majority felt cannabis use carries moderate to great legal risks.
3
Injury duration, employment, and drug history influenced beliefs and attitudes.

Research Summary

This study assessed attitudes toward and knowledge of cannabis among a nationwide sample of people with SCI. Participants largely believed that cannabis use is safe, has potential therapeutic benefits, and ought to be legal. Subjects’ duration of injury, employment status, and personal history of controlled or illicit substances inﬂuenced certain beliefs and attitudes.

Practical Implications

Informed Clinical Decisions

The study offers medical providers an initial understanding of which factors may encourage or dissuade their patients with SCI from seeking medical cannabis treatment.

Future Research Roadmap

The research provides a basis for further and more speciﬁc research into emerging attitudes toward cannabis among people living with injuries.

Targeted Education

Understanding the influence of injury duration, employment status, and drug history can help tailor educational efforts regarding cannabis use for individuals with SCI.

Study Limitations

1
The distribution method introduced bias by recruiting individuals with SCI who had received care at academic centers.
2
The link to this survey "leaked" onto a variety of blogs and email lists, making it impossible to estimate response rate or adequately grasp how selection bias influenced the results.
3
The study may have attracted people with specific interests in medical cannabis, skewing the results.

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