The Marijuana Herald – Marijuana news and information
A new study from researchers at the University of California San Diego highlights key differences between people who use cannabis solely for medicinal reasons and those who use it for both medicinal and recreational purposes following the enactment of California’s Proposition 64.
The findings, published in the Journal of Cannabis Research, are based on survey responses from over 4,000 current cannabis users as part of a broader population-matched study. Of those respondents, 711 identified as using marijuana strictly for medical reasons, while 1,719 reported using it for both medical and recreational purposes. Medicinal-only users were more likely to be female, start using cannabis later in life, and live in households with children. Their average age of first use was 34, compared to 23 among combined users. They also reported spending less on cannabis—$127 per month versus $186—and using it less frequently. Only 25% of medicinal-only users consumed cannabis multiple times per day, compared to nearly half of combined users.
Pain relief was the most cited reason for using cannabis among medicinal-only participants, followed by help with sleep, anxiety, and stress. While both groups reported mental health benefits, medicinal-only users were more likely to cite relief from physical symptoms, whereas combined users were more likely to report emotional or psychological benefits.
Despite their therapeutic focus, medicinal-only users were less comfortable discussing cannabis use with their doctors than combined users. Only 75% felt comfortable talking to their primary care provider about their marijuana use, compared to 83% of those in the combined-use group. Still, most believed their doctors were supportive of medical cannabis use…