Medical cannabis and mental health: A guided systematic review (2016)

Study suggests marijuana could help treat drug addiction and some mental health conditions

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0272735816300939

This review considers the potential influences of the use of cannabis for therapeutic purposes (CTP) on areas of interest to mental health professionals, with foci on adult psychopathology and assessment. We identified 31 articles relating to the use of CTP and mental health, and 29 review articles on cannabis use and mental health that did not focus on use for therapeutic purposes.

• Treating a mental health condition is a common reason patients report as a reason for using clinical cannabis

• Research suggests cannabis can potentially treat PTSD and substance use disorders

• Frequent cannabis use may affect short-term cognitive abilities (particularly memory).

• Unlike alcohol (and other drugs), evidence does not suggest cannabis use increases risks of self-harm or harm to others.

• More research is warranted and should be prioritized to study the impact (potential benefits and adverse effects) of cannabis on mental health.

Walsh, Zach, Raul Gonzalez, Kim Crosby, Michelle S. Thiessen, Chris Carroll, and Marcel O. Bonn-Miller. "Medical cannabis and mental health: A guided systematic review." Clinical Psychology Review 51 (2017): 15-29. Web.

Medical cannabis access, use, and substitution for prescription opioids and other substances: A survey of authorized medical cannabis patients (2017)

http://www.ijdp.org/article/S0955-3959(17)30013-0/fulltext

Cannabis is viewed as an effective treatment for a diverse set of conditions, from pain to mental health featured most prominently

Prescription Drug Substitution:

63% of patients report using cannabis as a substitute for prescription drugs, including:

• Prescription opioids (30%)

• Benzodiazepines (16%)

• Antidepressants (12%).

Substitution for Alcohol & Tobacco:

• 25% of patients reported using cannabis as a substitute for alcohol

• 12% for cigarettes/tobacco

Over half of patients surveyed were charged for their clinical cannabis recommendation; 25% reported paying $300 or more.

Lucas, Philippe, and Zach Walsh. "Medical cannabis access, use, and substitution for prescription opioids and other substances: A survey of authorized medical cannabis patients." International Journal of Drug Policy 42 (2017): 30-35. Web.