Background:

In Denmark the boundaries between cannabis as an illicit drug and licit medicine have shifted rapidly in recent years, affecting also policy. However, the vast majority of Danes, who use cannabis as medicine (CaM) continue to rely on the unregulated market for supply. This study explores patterns of use and motives for use of CaM in Denmark.

Methods:

An anonymous online survey was made available to a convenience sample of users of CaM from July 14, 2018 to November 1, 2018. Participants were recruited through patient organisations, social and public media, and the illegal open cannabis market.

Results:

Of the final sample (n = 3,021), a majority were women (62.6%) and the mean age was 49 years. Most had no prescription for CaM (90.9%), a majority had no or limited previous experience with recreational cannabis use (63.9%), and had used CaM for two years or less (65.0%). The most common form of intake was oil (56.8%) followed by smoke (24.0%). CBD oil (65.0%) was used more than hash, pot or skunk (36.2%). Most frequent conditions treated were chronic pain (32.0%), sleep disturbances (27.5%), stress (23.7%), osteoarthritis (22.7%), anxiety (19.6%), and depression (19.6%). Overall, users experienced CaM to be effective in managing somatic and mental health conditions and reported relatively few side-effects. CBD oil only users were more likely to be women, older, have limited recreational experience and have initiated use recently.

Conclusions:

A new user group has emerged in Denmark that, for the most part, use illegally sourced CaM to treat a broad range of somatic and mental health conditions, often with experienced effect and relatively low level of side-effects. The prevalent use of low-potency CBD oil indicates an interest in effects beyond the high normally associated with cannabis use. More clinical research into the effects and side-effects of CaM is needed to draw the boundaries of the medical utility of cannabis.

中文翻译：

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超越高：绘制大麻作为药物的使用模式和动机

背景：

在丹麦，大麻作为非法药物与合法药物之间的界限近年来发生了迅速变化，也影响了政策。然而，绝大多数使用大麻作为药物 (CaM) 的丹麦人继续依赖不受监管的市场供应。本研究探讨了丹麦使用 CaM 的模式和动机。

方法：

从 2018 年 7 月 14 日至 2018 年 11 月 1 日，向方便的 CaM 用户样本提供了一项匿名在线调查。参与者是通过患者组织、社交和公共媒体以及非法开放的大麻市场招募的。

结果：

最终样本（n= 3,021)，大多数是女性 (62.6%)，平均年龄为 49 岁。大多数人没有使用 CaM 的处方（90.9%），大多数人以前没有或有限的娱乐性大麻使用经验（63.9%），并且使用 CaM 两年或更短时间（65.0%）。最常见的摄入形式是油（56.8%），其次是烟雾（24.0%）。CBD 油 (65.0%) 的使用量高于哈希、锅或臭鼬 (36.2%)。最常见的治疗疾病是慢性疼痛（32.0%）、睡眠障碍（27.5%）、压力（23.7%）、骨关节炎（22.7%）、焦虑（19.6%）和抑郁（19.6%）。总体而言，用户体验到 CaM 可有效管理身体和心理健康状况，并且报告的副作用相对较少。仅使用 CBD 油的用户更有可能是女性、年龄较大、娱乐体验有限且最近开始使用。

结论：

丹麦出现了一个新的用户群体，他们在很大程度上使用非法来源的 CaM 治疗广泛的躯体和心理健康状况，通常具有经验丰富的效果和相对较低的副作用水平。低效力 CBD 油的普遍使用表明人们对大麻使用通常相关的高影响之外的影响感兴趣。需要对 CaM 的影响和副作用进行更多的临床研究，以划定大麻医疗效用的界限。