Recently published results of a study examining the impact of legalizing cannabis in California are interesting.
California was the first US State to legalize medicinal cannabis in 1996. In 2016, California voters approved recreational marijuana use with Proposition 64, the Adult Use of Marijuana Act.
The study “Impact 64” was conducted by researchers at UC San Diego, along with analysts from the market research firm Quester. They aimed to determine patterns of cannabis use in California amongst adults aged 21 and over.
From December 2022 through February 2023, an online survey was conducted. From an initial sample of 15,208 respondents, a subset of participants completed a detailed cannabis use questionnaire, including 4,020 current cannabis users.
Some of the conclusions:
- 37% said they currently use cannabis (within the last three months).
- Prior to the use of cannabis, 30% was used.
- 33% are non-users.
- 38 % of current users report using the product very frequently (multiple times daily).
- 33% of respondents reported frequent usage (four to five times a week or daily).
- Only 30% of users used it occasionally, that is three times or less per week.
- Flower (56%), edibles and capsules (50%) as well as vaping concentrates (36%) are the most popular products.
- The positive impact on mental (82%) and emotional (81) health, as well as physical (62%) was reported.
- Most commonly, brain fog (21%), and a lack of motivation (21%) were reported as negative side effects.
- Most of the users purchased their cannabis products at licensed dispensaries and delivery services. Only 12% grow it themselves.
Only 66% of doctors are aware of recreational cannabis use. The researchers commented on this finding:
While patients said they felt comfortable discussing cannabis with their health care providers in general, the disclosures were less frequent and providers weren’t seen as a main source for cannabis-related knowledge.
Linda Hill, M.D. M.P.H., principal investigator for Impact 64 and the Impact 64 project, said that:
It’s obvious that cannabis is used by a significant portion of society, yet there are gaps in the knowledge about laws and safety. Physicians are seldom consulted to give advice regarding use. Cannabis users and doctors need targeted education.
Impact 64: The complete study has been published Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research.