Long term marijuana users seeking medical cannabis in California (2001–2007): demographics, social characteristics, patterns of cannabis and other drug use of 4117 applicants

Abstract

BackgroundCannabis (marijuana) had been used for medicinal purposes for millennia. Cannabinoid agonists are now attracting growing interest and there is also evidence that botanical cannabis is being used as self-medication for stress and anxiety as well as adjunctive therapy by the seriously ill and by patients with terminal illnesses. California became the first state to authorize medicinal use of cannabis in 1996, and it was recently estimated that between 250,000 and 350,000 Californians may now possess the physician's recommendation required to use it medically. More limited medical use has also been approved in 12 additional states and new initiatives are being considered in others. Despite that evidence of increasing public acceptance of "medical" use, a definitional problem remains and all use for any purpose is still prohibited by federal law.ResultsCalifornia's 1996 initiative allowed cannabis to be recommended, not only for serious illnesses, but also "for any other illness for which marijuana provides relief," thus maximally broadening the range of allowable indications. In effect, the range of conditions now being treated with federally illegal cannabis, the modes in which it is being used, and the demographics of the population using it became potentially discoverable through the required screening of applicants. This report examines the demographic profiles and other selected characteristics of 4117 California marijuana users (62% from the Greater Bay Area) who applied for medical recommendations between late 2001 and mid 2007.ConclusionThis study yielded a somewhat unexpected profile of a hitherto hidden population of users of America's most popular illegal drug. It also raises questions about some of the basic assumptions held by both proponents and opponents of current policy.

Exploring the Ecological Association Between Crime and Medical Marijuana Dispensaries

“…However, they are at risk for being targets of violent crimes, such as robbery, because they are likely carrying cash on entry and some physical amount of marijuana product on exit. In addition, medical marijuana dispensaries have a diverse clientele, with some who are older, frail, and/or diagnosed with chronic, debilitating conditions (O'Connell and Bou-Matar, 2007;Reiman, 2007;Swift et al, 2005;Ware et al, 2003). These more vulnerable clients may appear to be easier targets for a motivated offender and are at higher risk for victimization (Cohen and Felson, 1979).…”

“…Employees of the dispensaries can be at risk for violent crimes, such as robbery or assault, because they are gatekeepers to both the marijuana products and the cash at the site. Estimates from the western United States and other countries show that users of medical cannabis are primarily male (i.e., two thirds to three fourths of all users) and White, with a wide range of ages (i.e., late teen years to old age; median age between 30 and 50) (Aggarwal et al, 2009;O'Connell and Bou-Matar, 2007;Ogborne and Smart, 2000;Penick, 2006;Reiman, 2007;Ware et al, 2005). The typical clientele for dispensaries (i.e., older White men) are not associated with being at risk for perpetrating crime (Cottle et al, 2001;Hirschi and Gottfredson, 1983).…”

A Virtue Analysis of Recreational Marijuana Use

“…This essay does not address or evaluate the legitimacy of the medical use of marijuana. We note, however, that there are significant blurred boundaries between medical and recreational uses: multiple studies have found that those who used marijuana for purported medical reasons also used it for recreational reasons (Ware et al 2005;O'Connell and Bou-Matar 2007;Reinarman et al 2011;Bostwick 2012). Furthermore, patients without recreational experience of marijuana have trouble tolerating its psychoactive effects and often reject continued medical use (Kalant 2008).…”

Cannabis and Its Derivatives: Review of Medical Use

“…8,9 The impact has been significant: a recent study in Washington estimated that per annum, up to 2000 licensed physicians have prescribed medical cannabis 10 ; in California, more than 350,000 patients already possess a physician's recommendation to use cannabis. 11 Nevertheless, among these 14 states, there is substantial variation in the regulation of the quality control, prescription limit, patient registry, and dispensing outlets. For example, in Oregon and Washington, it is legal to possess up to 24 ounces of marijuana, but in Nevada, Montana, and Alaska, the legal limit is only 1 ounce.…”