Perceptions of the Health Risks of Cannabis: Estimates from National Surveys in Canada and the United States, 2018-2019

Overview

Journal Health Educ Res

Publisher Oxford University Press

Specialty Medical Education

Date 2022 Mar 21

PMID 35311986

Authors

Samantha Goodman

David Hammond

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Few studies have compared knowledge of the specific health risks of cannabis across jurisdictions. This study aimed to examine perceptions of the health risks of cannabis in Canada and US states with and without legal non-medical cannabis. Cross-sectional data were collected from the 2018 and 2019 International Cannabis Policy Study online surveys. Respondents aged 16-65 (n = 72 459) were recruited from Nielsen panels using non-probability methods. Respondents completed questions on nine health effects of cannabis (including two 'false' control items). Socio-demographic data were collected. Regression models tested differences in outcomes between jurisdictions and by frequency of cannabis use, adjusting for socio-demographic factors. Across jurisdictions, agreement with statements on the health risks of cannabis was highest for questions on driving after cannabis use (66-80%), use during pregnancy/breastfeeding (61-71%) and addiction (51-62%) and lowest for risk of psychosis and schizophrenia (23-37%). Additionally, 12-18% and 6-7% of respondents agreed with the 'false' assertions that cannabis could cure/prevent cancer and cause diabetes, respectively. Health knowledge was highest among Canadian respondents, followed by US states that had legalized non-medical cannabis and lowest in states that had not legalized non-medical cannabis (P < 0.001). Overall, the findings demonstrate a substantial deficit in knowledge of the health risks of cannabis, particularly among frequent consumers.

Citing Articles

How are pro- and anti-cannabis messaging exposures related to US young adult cannabis use-related factors?.

Cui Y, LoParco C, Romm K, Cavazos-Rehg P, Yang Y, McCready D Health Educ Res. 2024; 40(1).

PMID: 39658260 PMC: 11840750. DOI: 10.1093/her/cyae038.

Prevalence of Cannabis Use Among US Workers in 15 States, 2016-2020.

Evoy R, Victoroff T Am J Public Health. 2024; 114(S8):S645-S653.

PMID: 39442027 PMC: 11499688. DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2024.307788.

Regular cannabis use modulates gamma activity in brain regions serving motor control.

Webert L, Schantell M, John J, Coutant A, Okelberry H, Horne L J Psychopharmacol. 2024; 38(11):949-960.

PMID: 39140179 PMC: 11524774. DOI: 10.1177/02698811241268876.

A systematic review of cannabis health warning research.

Massey Z, Hammond D, Froeliger B Prev Med Rep. 2024; 37:102573.

PMID: 38222305 PMC: 10787239. DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2023.102573.

Cannabis Use Frequency and Cannabis-Related Consequences in High-Risk Young Adults Across Cannabis Legalization.

Doggett A, Belisario K, McDonald A, Ferro M, Murphy J, MacKillop J JAMA Netw Open. 2023; 6(9):e2336035.

PMID: 37755827 PMC: 10534274. DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.36035.

References

Compton W, Han B, Jones C, Blanco C, Hughes A . Marijuana use and use disorders in adults in the USA, 2002-14: analysis of annual cross-sectional surveys. Lancet Psychiatry. 2016; 3(10):954-964. DOI: 10.1016/S2215-0366(16)30208-5. View

Fotuhi O, Fong G, Zanna M, Borland R, Yong H, Cummings K . Patterns of cognitive dissonance-reducing beliefs among smokers: a longitudinal analysis from the International Tobacco Control (ITC) Four Country Survey. Tob Control. 2012; 22(1):52-8. PMC: 4009366. DOI: 10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2011-050139. View

Brooks-Russell A, Ma M, Levinson A, Kattari L, Kirchner T, Anderson Goodell E . Adolescent Marijuana Use, Marijuana-Related Perceptions, and Use of Other Substances Before and After Initiation of Retail Marijuana Sales in Colorado (2013-2015). Prev Sci. 2018; 20(2):185-193. PMC: 8086773. DOI: 10.1007/s11121-018-0933-2. View

Moss H, Chen C, Yi H . Measures of substance consumption among substance users, DSM-IV abusers, and those with DSM-IV dependence disorders in a nationally representative sample. J Stud Alcohol Drugs. 2012; 73(5):820-8. PMC: 3410949. DOI: 10.15288/jsad.2012.73.820. View

Fischer B, Imtiaz S, Rudzinski K, Rehm J . Crude estimates of cannabis-attributable mortality and morbidity in Canada-implications for public health focused intervention priorities. J Public Health (Oxf). 2015; 38(1):183-8. PMC: 4750519. DOI: 10.1093/pubmed/fdv005. View

Hammond D, Goodman S, Wadsworth E, Rynard V, Boudreau C, Hall W . Evaluating the impacts of cannabis legalization: The International Cannabis Policy Study. Int J Drug Policy. 2020; 77:102698. DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2020.102698. View

Lopez-Quintero C, Perez de Los Cobos J, Hasin D, Okuda M, Wang S, Grant B . Probability and predictors of transition from first use to dependence on nicotine, alcohol, cannabis, and cocaine: results of the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC). Drug Alcohol Depend. 2010; 115(1-2):120-30. PMC: 3069146. DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2010.11.004. View

Pacek L, Mauro P, Martins S . Perceived risk of regular cannabis use in the United States from 2002 to 2012: differences by sex, age, and race/ethnicity. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2015; 149:232-44. PMC: 4361312. DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.02.009. View

White C . A Review of Human Studies Assessing Cannabidiol's (CBD) Therapeutic Actions and Potential. J Clin Pharmacol. 2019; 59(7):923-934. DOI: 10.1002/jcph.1387. View

10.

Salloum N, Krauss M, Agrawal A, Bierut L, Grucza R . A reciprocal effects analysis of cannabis use and perceptions of risk. Addiction. 2018; 113(6):1077-1085. PMC: 5938114. DOI: 10.1111/add.14174. View

11.

Kabwama S, Kadobera D, Ndyanabangi S . Perceptions about the harmfulness of tobacco among adults in Uganda: Findings from the 2013 Global Adult Tobacco Survey. Tob Induc Dis. 2019; 16:59. PMC: 6659554. DOI: 10.18332/tid/99574. View

12.

Schuermeyer J, Salomonsen-Sautel S, Price R, Balan S, Thurstone C, Min S . Temporal trends in marijuana attitudes, availability and use in Colorado compared to non-medical marijuana states: 2003-11. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2014; 140:145-55. PMC: 4161452. DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2014.04.016. View

13.

van der Pol P, Liebregts N, Brunt T, van Amsterdam J, de Graaf R, Korf D . Cross-sectional and prospective relation of cannabis potency, dosing and smoking behaviour with cannabis dependence: an ecological study. Addiction. 2014; 109(7):1101-9. DOI: 10.1111/add.12508. View

14.

Fischer B, Russell C, Sabioni P, van den Brink W, Le Foll B, Hall W . Lower-Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines: A Comprehensive Update of Evidence and Recommendations. Am J Public Health. 2017; 107(8):e1-e12. PMC: 5508136. DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2017.303818. View

15.

Wall M, Poh E, Cerda M, Keyes K, Galea S, Hasin D . Adolescent marijuana use from 2002 to 2008: higher in states with medical marijuana laws, cause still unclear. Ann Epidemiol. 2011; 21(9):714-6. PMC: 3358137. DOI: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2011.06.001. View

16.

Cerda M, Wall M, Feng T, Keyes K, Sarvet A, Schulenberg J . Association of State Recreational Marijuana Laws With Adolescent Marijuana Use. JAMA Pediatr. 2016; 171(2):142-149. PMC: 5365078. DOI: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2016.3624. View

17.

Hays R, Liu H, Kapteyn A . Use of Internet panels to conduct surveys. Behav Res Methods. 2015; 47(3):685-90. PMC: 4546874. DOI: 10.3758/s13428-015-0617-9. View

18.

Spackman E, Haines-Saah R, Danthurebandara V, Dowsett L, Noseworthy T, Clement F . Marijuana Use and Perceptions of Risk and Harm: A Survey among Canadians in 2016. Healthc Policy. 2017; 13(1):17-27. PMC: 5595211. DOI: 10.12927/hcpol.2017.25194. View

19.

Leos-Toro C, Fong G, Meyer S, Hammond D . Cannabis health knowledge and risk perceptions among Canadian youth and young adults. Harm Reduct J. 2020; 17(1):54. PMC: 7398180. DOI: 10.1186/s12954-020-00397-w. View

20.

Terry P, Wright K . Self-reported driving behaviour and attitudes towards driving under the influence of cannabis among three different user groups in England. Addict Behav. 2005; 30(3):619-26. DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2004.08.007. View