Medical Cannabis and Arthritis:
Barriers and pathways
Funding Agency:
Institute for Healthy Living and Chronic Disease Prevention, Research Interest Group Grant
Project Period:
2013-2014
“Rheumatological disorders are among the most prominent condition associated with the use of medical cannabis (MC).”
Principal Investigators:
Zach Walsh
Co-Investigators:
Kam Shojania, Cheryl Koehn, Susan Holtzman
PROJECT ABSTRACT
Rheumatological disorders are among the most prominent condition associated with the use of medical cannabis (MC). Prior examinations of factors influencing the use and perceived effectiveness of MC for treating rheumatory symptoms have been limited by selection bias, and studies that include a broad ranges of patients are required to provide a more complete picture of this important topic. To this end, the proposed study will use computerized surveys and qualitative interviews to elucidate behaviors and attitudes relating to the use of MC among a representative sample of individuals with rheumatological disorders living in British Columbia.
Reports, Presentations and Publications
Journals
Lucas, P., Walsh, Z., Crosby, K., Callaway, R., Belle-Isle, L., Kay, R., Capler, R., & Holtzman, S. (early view Sept 14, 2015). Substituting cannabis for prescription drugs, alcohol and other substances among medical cannabis patients: The impact of contextual factors. Drug and Alcohol Review
DOI: 10.1111/dar.12323 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26364922
Conference Presentations
Walsh, Z., Shojania, K., Koehn, C., Crosby, K., Carroll, C., & Holtzman, S. (under review). Cannabis for arthritis: Patient characteristics, reasons for use, and reported comparative efficacy. Presentation submitted to the 25th Annual Symposium of the International Cannabinoid Research Society (ICRS), Halifax, NS.
Invited Presentations
Crosby, K., Lozenski, K., & Walsh, Z. (2014).Cannabis and arthritis. Invited talk at Move It and Mingle Seniors Group, Army, Navy and Air Force Club, Vernon, BC.
Walsh, Z., Crosby, K., & Lozenski, K. (2014). Joints for Joints: Barriers and pathways to medical cannabis among individuals with arthritis. Invited talk at UBC Okanagan Institute for Healthy Living and Chronic Disease Prevention Partnership in Research Seminar, Kelowna, BC.