Abstract
Background
Nationally, in states where cannabis has been legalized, increases in cannabis-related
hospitalizations and emergency department (ED) visits have also been observed.
Objectives
This study aims to: 1) Describe the sociodemographic characteristics of cannabis users
presenting to two academic EDs in California; 2) Assess cannabis-related behaviors;
3) Assess perceptions of cannabis; 4) Identify and describe reasons for cannabis-related
ED utilization.
Methods
This is a cross-sectional study of patients visiting one of two academic EDs between
February 16, 2018 and November 21, 2020. Eligible participants completed a novel questionnaire
developed by the authors. Basic descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficients,
and logistic regression were used for statistical analysis of responses.
Results
The questionnaire was completed by 2577 patients. A quarter were categorized as Current
Users (n = 628, 24.4%). Current, Regular Users were evenly divided across gender,
were relatively younger (18–34 years, 48.1%), and were largely non-Hispanic Caucasian.
Over half of all respondents believed that the use of cannabis was less harmful than
tobacco or alcohol use (n = 1537, 59.6%). One in five Current Users (n = 123, 19.8%)
reported driving while using cannabis in the past month. A small proportion (n = 24,
3.9%) of Current Users reported ever visiting the ED for a cannabis-related chief
complaint.
Conclusions
Overall, many ED patients are currently using cannabis; few report utilizing the ED
due to cannabis-related problems. Current, Irregular Users may represent the ideal
target group for ED-based educational efforts aimed at improving knowledge of safe
cannabis use.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: February 24, 2023
Accepted:
February 17,
2023
Received in revised form:
February 6,
2023
Received:
June 27,
2022
Publication stage
In Press Uncorrected ProofFootnotes
Disclosure: J.C. is the medical director at the Center for Medical Cannabis Education, a for-profit clinical and consulting entity.
Identification
Copyright
© 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
