Cannabis Use among Public and their Reasons: A Case Study in Kalasin Province

Abstract

Objective: To study the behaviors and reasons of medical cannabis use among public in Kalasin Province. Method: This qualitative study conducted in-depth interviews with 15 medical cannabis users. The study selected key informants using purposive sampling and snowball sampling. Inclusion criteria were those aged at least 25 years, having experience in using cannabis, and living in Kalasin Province. Data collection was conducted during April 2021-May 2021. Data analysis was conducted using content analysis. Results: Key informants defined cannabis according to the forms of products and purposes of use, namely cannabis as narcotic, cannabis as a medication and cannabis as herb for health maintenance. Reasons for using cannabis included health maintenance and treatment for disease or illness.  The majority used cannabis as a complementary treatment in conjunction with mainstream treatments. Users must conceal cannabis use to attending physicians. In terms of cannabis use, it was found that even though medical cannabis clinics were established in hospitals, most key informants remained using "undergrounded cannabis" because they perceived the difficulty in accessing medical cannabis clinics. In choosing cannabis products, key informants focused solely on their effects. Cannabis forms included cannabis oil, cannabis leaves, cannabis oil capsules and cannabis in Thai traditional medicines. Cannabis oil was the most commonly used form. There was a perception that cannabis oil was the most potent form for treatment of diseases. Conclusion: Key informants viewed cannabis as an alternative for health maintenance and as a complementary treatment of ailments.  The use of "undergrounded cannabis" may reflect the inaccessibility to services within Thai public health system.