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SECTION 5. EFFECTS OF CANNABIS NEW RESULTS FROM IDMU
USER SURVEYS
 5.1
Effects of
duration of use
5.1.1 The
effects of cannabis differ between na"ve and experienced
users. Na"ve users commonly feel either no effect,
or alternatively experience intense effects which some
find distressing, and which can lead to panic attacks.
Many individuals discontinue use at such a point. Experienced
users commonly report a sense of relaxation and calm,
relief of stress and pain, and enhanced sociability. Tolerance
develops both to physical and psychotropic effects, such
that the "high" is diminished, but can also
be "switched on and off" according to set and
setting.
5.1.2 The
scientific literature provides conflicting evidence
of cognitive and psychomotor impairment. Commonly impairment
is most marked in na"ve users under acute intoxication,
or with high doses arising from over-use of more potent
preparations, whereas many daily users smoke relatively
high doses without any noticeable effects on performance,
even in studies involving very heavy chronic users.
5.1.3 Although
the prevalence of cannabis use falls after age 30, the
proportions reporting use to the British Crime Survey
in the older age groups showed the greatest proportional
increase during the period 1991-96 , with lifetime prevalence
doubling in the 40-44 age group (from 15% to 30%, also
8% higher than the 1991 35-39 year old cohort) and trebling
(from 3% to 10%) in the 45-59 age group.
5.1.4 The
proportions admitting cannabis use within the past year
remained relatively stable between the two British Crime
Surveys, when successive age cohorts are compared. Thus
the relatively low levels of use by the over 30s appear
to reflect a generational/cultural effect rather than
substantial numbers of users giving up use.
5.1.5 Using
the data generated by the IDMU surveys conducted between
1994 and early 1998, we sought to establish whether
there is any evidence of increased or decreased levels
of cannabis use as a function of the duration of use,
and to plot the progression of use over time. Duration
of cannabis use was established by subtracting age of
first use from current age, and for analyses divided
into 6 categories:
1
Missing values & errors
2.
Used 0-1 years
3
Used 2-5 years
4
Used 5-10 years
5
Used 10-20 years
6
Used over 20 years
5.1.6 The
typical pattern of use appears to be the "up peak
down" model identified by Cohen & Sas, whereby
users experiment and use a variety of drugs increasingly
heavily during the early part of a drug-using career,
but after 5-10 years develop a settled pattern of use
involving daily cannabis and occasional use of other
drugs. There is little evidence for any further escalation
after 2 years, indeed average monthly cannabis use declines
thereafter with age. There is no evidence of increased
levels of cannabis use over the longer term.
5.1.7 Differences
manifest themselves in purchase patterns; longer-established
users tend buy larger quantities at one time, leaving
themselves open to charges of "possession with
intent" if arrested, even though a greater proportion
of their purchases are intended for personal use. Users
of over 20 years standing consume a greater proportion
in pipes and eaten, and a lower proportion of tobacco
"joints".
5.1.8 It
is clear that a substantial proportion of cannabis users
continue to use the drug well into middle-age, and that
a greater proportion of cannabis users use the drug
daily than with other controlled drugs. The pattern
of use is broadly similar to that seen with caffeine,
which is used several times per day by most UK citizens,
and in many cases for similar reasons (relaxation, mental
stimulation). Most users consume relatively small amounts
- one gram per day or less, although a small number
of very heavy users exist. (See Table 2 below).
5.2
Cannabis Dependence?
5.2.1 Recent
developments in cannabinoid neurobiology have raised the
question of cannabis addiction, on the basis of a common
action of dopamine release mediated by µ-opioid receptors
in the nucleus accumbens. The action of THC and a synthetic
cannabinoid were blocked by both cannabinoid antagonist
and naloxone, whereas heroin activation of dopamine was
blocked by naloxone only. This suggests the action of
cannabis/ anandamide to take place "upstream"
of the opiate/endorphin system, possibly stimulating the
release of endogenous opioids or altering receptor activity,
which has implications both for the management of pain
and for the treatment of addiction to other drugs. A neurochemical
basis for cannabis withdrawal symptoms was also postulated
by Fonseca et al, based on CRF release in the amygdala
produced by administration of a cannabinoid antagonist
to rats pre-treated with a potent cannabinoid agonist
(many times more potent than THC).
5.2.3 Withdrawal
symptoms from cannabis are reported as including irritability,
restlessness, disturbed sleep and anxiety, although
the reduction in plasma cannabinoid levels following
cessation of use is more gradual than with opiates or
stimulants.
5.3
Effects on driving
5.3.1 Evidence
as to the effects on driving ability is inconclusive.
While some studies have shown impairment of psychomotor
function and procedures involving complex multitasking
(e.g. among airline pilots), moderate doses of cannabis
or THC show little or no effect on actual driving performance.
Where some impairment in performance is demonstrated,
the level of impairment is normally lower than that produced
by alcohol intoxication at blood concentrations below
present and proposed legal limits. As with other effects,
the level of impairment is greatest among na"ve users
and/or inexperienced drivers.
5.3.2 The
evidence from road accident casualties, and from our
own surveys, does not lead to a conclusion that cannabis
use is a major cause of road accidents, when compared
to prevalence levels within the same age cohort. Our
own 1994 survey found reported accident rates per 100,000km,
among a survey sample mainly under 30 years old, not
to be significantly higher than the national average
from all drivers. However we do not yet consider this
research to be conclusive, and ongoing studies are being
undertaken.
|
Table
2 - Effects of duration of cannabis use
on patterns of use
|
|
Variable
|
Missing/ errors
|
Used 0-1 years
|
Used 2-5 years
|
Used 5-10 years
|
Used 10-20 years
|
Used over 20 years
|
|
|
Mean
|
Mean
|
Mean
|
Mean
|
Mean
|
Mean
|
|
Count
|
n = 119
|
n = 73
|
n = 511
|
n = 1011
|
n = 812
|
n = 267
|
|
Age***
|
26.49
|
19.36
|
19.51
|
22.42
|
28.89
|
41.47
|
|
Age first cannabis use***
|
15.90
|
18.53
|
16.37
|
15.73
|
15.64
|
16.29
|
|
Cannabis monthly spending (1)
|
57.53
|
29.51
|
47.61
|
94.78
|
68.80
|
67.18
|
|
Cannabis Rating
|
8.31
|
8.54
|
8.58
|
8.92
|
8.86
|
9.04
|
|
Cannabis amount per purchase*
|
9.75
|
4.96
|
11.36
|
15.19
|
24.29
|
55.60
|
|
Cannabis Purchase unit price*
|
29.95
|
17.87
|
36.79
|
48.65
|
67.34
|
80.77
|
|
Average % personal use*
|
76.74
|
65.68
|
68.09
|
68.51
|
69.16
|
77.36
|
|
Monthly cannabis use (g)
|
33.11
|
12.34
|
29.99
|
25.90
|
24.91
|
23.25
|
|
Monthly cannabis purchase
|
55.35
|
36.13
|
23.92
|
64.37
|
53.82
|
37.33
|
|
Monthly cannabis spending (2)
|
78.22
|
52.47
|
54.23
|
110.9
|
89.16
|
97.93
|
|
% soapbar resin use***
|
47.55
|
47.89
|
36.48
|
36.06
|
42.60
|
45.61
|
|
% "unknown" resin*
|
28.75
|
41.39
|
30.74
|
21.54
|
23.92
|
27.84
|
|
% "Thai bush" use*
|
17.17
|
31.43
|
15.45
|
16.43
|
10.45
|
6.94
|
|
% "Skunk" use**
|
28.94
|
28.27
|
18.19
|
24.08
|
25.72
|
29.65
|
|
% "unknown" bush*
|
20.86
|
32.46
|
29.49
|
21.46
|
20.07
|
17.23
|
|
% use tobacco reefers*
|
64.47
|
72.44
|
72.57
|
73.4
|
72.45
|
63.98
|
|
% use "neat joints" **
|
19.33
|
5.77
|
4.97
|
4.45
|
4.60
|
7.52
|
|
% use water pipe
|
3.60
|
8.56
|
9.53
|
10.13
|
8.18
|
6.64
|
|
% use other pipe
|
4.40
|
5.87
|
6.34
|
5.56
|
7.47
|
10.56
|
|
Total pipes %
|
8.00
|
14.43
|
15.87
|
15.69
|
15.65
|
17.20
|
|
% eat neat***
|
0.07
|
0.77
|
1.17
|
1.17
|
1.06
|
3.80
|
|
% eat other food
|
1.73
|
3.23
|
2.19
|
1.93
|
2.50
|
3.66
|
|
% drinking
|
0
|
0
|
0.19
|
0.11
|
0.08
|
0.71
|
|
Total eat/drink %
|
1.80
|
4.00
|
3.55
|
3.21
|
3.64
|
8.17
|
|
% hot knives***
|
6.40
|
1.82
|
1.24
|
1.32
|
0.61
|
0.72
|
|
% other smoking
|
0
|
0.10
|
1.20
|
0.83
|
1.70
|
0.73
|
|
% other method
|
0.07
|
1.05
|
0.69
|
0.76
|
0.29
|
0.68
|
|
Error rate %
|
0.7%
|
1%
|
2%
|
5%
|
11%
|
4%
|
|
Reefers per day***
|
4.81
|
2.62
|
4.84
|
6.25
|
6.06
|
5.74
|
|
Pipes per day
|
1.38
|
0.91
|
1.98
|
2.75
|
2.61
|
2.85
|
|
No. of plants grown
|
12.82
|
2.76
|
19.08
|
13.08
|
27.02
|
30.43
|
|
% busted - cannabis***
|
25.0%
|
4.92%
|
14.2%
|
20.5%
|
34.5%
|
49.4%
|
82%
of respondents answering the "methods" questions
correctly added up to 100%,
8
respondents (0.4%) gave totals in excess of 200%.
5.4
Health Problems & Benefits attributed to cannabis
use
5.4.1 IDMU
has conducted surveys since 1994 and developed a database
(to June 1998) of 2794 drug users. Questions have included
data on drug consumption patterns, attitudes to drugs,
driving behaviour and contact with the law or treatment
services. All of the users were asked whether they had
experienced health problems or benefits as a result of
using cannabis, and if so what problems or benefits were
reported. The latter were open-ended "write in"
questions entered as summaries or quotes. These were subsequently
consolidated into a number of different categories, e.g.
"amotivation" included quotes such as "tiredness",
"laziness", "missed lecture" etc.
These categories were not mutually exclusive, as a proportion
of respondents reported a number of problems and/or benefits,
and a further proportion stated simply "yes"
to the general questions but listed no specific problems
and/or benefits. As questions about each effect were not
specifically asked, the prevalence of such effects within
the user population is likely to be underestimated by
these results.
5.4.2 Investigation
of significant differences between respondents reporting
the various problems and benefits and those not reporting
such effects included consideration of the following
variables (137 variables in total).
(a)
Age, Initiation - age at first use of all drugs (tea/coffee,
tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, amphet, cocaine, crack,
heroin, LSD, mushrooms, ketamine, opium, ecstasy, barbiturates,
tranquillisers & solvents), Duration of using all
drugs (current age minus initiation age)
(b)
Frequency of use of all drugs, and aggregate frequencies
for different drug types (coded from 0 - non user
to 4 - daily use for each drug)
(c)
Monthly spending on all drugs, quantity normally purchased
at one time
(d)
Ratings of all drugs, plus "soap bar" resin
and "skunk", (on a 0-10 scale)
(e)
Use of cannabis (monthly use, spending, purchase,
reefers/pipes per day, plus types of cannabis used,
methods of using cannabis (as % of individual use)
& number of plants grown)
(f)
Quantitative caffeine, tobacco and alcohol consumption
5.4.3 In
the tables below, only differences which were statistically
significant, or approaching statistical significance
(p<0.1), are listed. No statistically significant
relationships were found where these are not specifically
stated. Interpretation of results with marginal significance
should be undertaken with caution, as on average 7 ostensibly
"significant" (@5%) relationships would be
expected to arise for each tranche of 137 variables.
In questions on initiation ages, monthly spending, purchase
and duration of use of specific drugs, plus types of
cannabis and methods of cannabis use, missing values
are excluded from the analysis, i.e. comparisons are
only valid between those reporting some use of/spending
on that particular drug/variety/method. Frequency/probability
of use data refers to all respondents (missing values
coded as "zero" i.e. non-user if space left
blank).
Table
3
|
Reported Health Problems attributed
to Cannabis Use
IDMU 1994-98 drug user surveys
- combined data, n=2794
|
|
Problems
|
No of reports
|
%
|
Comments/ Significant differences
from other respondents
- p<.01, * - p<.05,
** - p<.01, *** - p<.001
|
|
All Problems
|
588
|
21.0%
|
Older initiation to mushrooms
, LSD , barbiturates*, tranquillisers* & solvents
Higher frequency/ probability
of using caffeine***, tobacco***, alcohol***,
cannabis***, amphetamine*, cocaine, mushrooms**,
heroin*, LSD , ecstasy***, tranquilisers***, all
aggregate frequencies***.
Lower spending on solvents
Higher rating of caffeine*, lower
ratings of tobacco**, cannabis*, barbiturates*
and soap-bar resin***.
Lower use of Lebanese resin and
African bush*, neat reefers**, pipes* cigarettes
per day , daily tea/coffee , higher use of tobacco
reefers
|
|
Memory problems
|
170
|
6.1%
|
Higher frequency/probability
of using caffeine , tobacco***, cannabis***, amphet*,
mushrooms*, heroin*, LSD , ecstasy**, tranquillisers*,
aggregate frequency all drugs***, legal drugs**,
stimulants***, hallucinogens***, depressants , illegal
drugs exc. cannabis**.
Longer duration of using heroin
Lower ratings of barbiturates*
& soap-bar resin*
Lower use of African bush , cigarettes
per day*
|
|
Paranoia
|
156
|
5.6%
|
Older initiation to caffeine
, base amphet* barbiturates*
Higher frequency/probability
of using caffeine*, cocaine*, crack , ecstasy***,
aggregate frequency all drugs**, legal drugs*,
stimulants***, hallucinogens , depressants*, illegal
drugs exc. cannabis*.
Longer duration of using barbiturates
& tranquillisers
Higher rating of caffeine*, lower
ratings of tobacco**, alcohol , amphet , mushrooms
, LSD & soap-bar resin*.
More mushrooms gathered*, lower
use of Lebanese resin & pipes*, higher use
of home-grown***, higher likelihood of injecting
drug use**
|
|
Amotivation
Included those reporting apathy,
laziness and related effects.
|
133
|
4.8%
|
Older initiation to use of caffeine*,
tobacco , mushrooms , crack**, solvents*
Higher frequency/probability
of using caffeine**, tobacco*, alcohol**, cannabis**,
ecstasy**, tranquillisers***, aggregate frequency
all drugs***, legal drugs***, stimulants*, hallucinogens**,
depressants***, illegal drugs exc. cannabis**.
Higher spending on barbiturates***
Lower ratings of tobacco*, cannabis
, higher rating of tranquillisers .
Higher use of tobacco reefers
, pipes , fewer cigarettes & cups of tea/coffee*
per day.
|
Table 3 Continued
|
Reported Health Problems attributed
to Cannabis Use
IDMU 1994-98 drug user surveys
- combined data, n=2794
|
|
Problems
|
No of reports
|
%
|
Comments/ Significant differences
from other respondents
- p<.01, * - p<.05,
** - p<.01, *** - p<.001
|
|
Respiratory problems
Included those reporting chest
problems, asthma, cough, sore throat or other respiratory
tract symptoms.
|
116
|
4.2%
|
Younger initiation to alcohol***,
longer duration of using alcohol* and amphetamine
.
Higher frequency/probability
of using cannabis*, cocaine*, mushrooms , tranquillisers
, aggregate frequency all drugs*, hallucinogens
, depressants , illegal drugs exc. cannabis*.
Lower ratings of tobacco** and
amphet, higher rating of heroin
Lower use of Asian resin and
neat reefers , higher probability of injecting
drug use
|
|
Anxiety/ panic
|
50
|
1.8%
|
Older initiation to tranquillisers*
Higher frequency/probability
of using caffeine
Longer duration of cannabis use*,
amphet , mushrooms , LSD and barbiturates*
Higher spending on amphetamine
, ecstasy , barbiturates*** and tranquillisers**
Lower rating of cannabis , soap
bar resin**, higher barbiturate rating
|
|
Cognitive problems
Included those reporting confusion,
difficulty in thinking, "head f***ed"
etc.
|
49
|
1.7%
|
Younger initiation to alcohol
use , longer duration of caffeine use*
Higher frequency/probability
of using tobacco , cannabis*, legal drugs
Higher spending on mushrooms***,
barbiturates*** and tranquillisers*
Higher rating of caffeine*, fewer
reefers per day
Older initiation to tea/coffee*
and alcohol*, shorter duration of using tobacco
, alcohol*, cannabis & amphet*
|
|
Overdose/ nausea
|
35
|
1.3%
|
Older initiation to tea/coffee*
and alcohol*, shorter duration of using tobacco
, alcohol*, cannabis & amphet*
Lower rating of cannabis*
Higher use of cannabis in food*,
fewer reefers*, cigarettes* and cups of tea/coffee
per day.
|
|
Tobacco- related problems
Included respiratory problems and/or
nicotine addiction attributed to smoking cannabis/
tobacco mixtures
|
29
|
0.9%
|
Earlier initiation to alcohol*
& tranquillisers**, later initiation to ecstasy
Higher frequency/probability
of using cannabis , and mushrooms*
Higher rating of ketamine**,
lower ratings of caffeine* & tobacco*
Increased use of soap-bar resin
, and use in food , lower use of African bush
|
Table 3 Continued
|
Reported Health Problems attributed
to Cannabis Use
IDMU 1994-98 drug user
surveys - combined data, n=2794
|
|
Problems
|
No
of reports
|
%
|
Comments/
Significant differences
from
other respondents
- p<.01, * - p<.05, ** - p<.01, *** -
p<.001
|
|
Dependence
Included
those reporting dependence, "habit" or
problems arising out of difficulties with supply
|
18
|
0.6%
|
Older**,
earlier initiation to tobacco**, alcohol
Higher
frequency/probability of using cannabis , amphet
, cocaine , LSD*, ecstasy*, tranquillisers , aggregate
frequency all drugs*, stimulants**, hallucinogens**,
illegal drugs exc. cannabis**
Longer
duration of using caffeine*, tobacco***, alcohol
, cannabis**, amphet**, cocaine , mushrooms*,
LSD**, ecstasy***, tranquillisers*
Higher
spending on cannabis*, ecstasy*, barbirurates***,
tranquilisers*** and solvents .
Lower
ratings of tobacco & alcohol*
Greater
purchasing of LSD*** and amphet**
More
reefers smoked per day
|
|
Police/
law problems
Included
those attributing paranoia/ anxiety symptoms to
the legal situation of cannabis
|
17
|
0.6%
|
Higher
frequency/probability of using stimulants
Lower
ratings of tobacco , alcohol* and soap-bar resin*
More
mushrooms gathered*
|
|
Psychosis
Included
manic depression & schizophrenia
|
12
|
0.4%
|
Older***,
later initiation to tobacco*, alcohol , cannabis
, mushrooms***, LSD* and tranquillisers**
Longer
duration of using tobacco**, alcohol**, cannabis**,
cocaine*, mushrooms** LSD ecstasy and barbiturates
Longer
duration of using tobacco**, alcohol**, cannabis**,
cocaine*, mushrooms** LSD ecstasy and barbiturates
|
|
Other
problems
|
18
|
0.6%
|
Older***,
later initiation to cannabis**, cocaine*, mushrooms*,
ecstasy*** and tranquillisers*
Higher
frequency/probability of using tobacco*, cocaine*,
heroin**, tranquillisers**, aggregate frequency
all drugs**, legal drugs , stimulants , depressants**,
illegal drugs exc. cannabis*
Longer
duration of using tobacco**, alcohol**, cannabis*
and LSD*
Lower
rating of soap-bar resin
More
pipes and cigarettes smoked per day
|
|
194
individuals reported two or more health problems
|
Aggregate problems: Significant relationship between aggregate problems and use of stimulants*,
and to a lesser extent depressants (including
alcohol). None of the other aggregate frequencies
approached statistical significance.
Table 4
|
Reported Health Benefits attributed
to Cannabis Use
IDMU 1994-98 drug user surveys
- combined data, n=2794
|
|
Physical Health Benefits
|
No of reports
|
%
|
Comments/ Significant differences
from other respondents
- p<.01, * - p<.05,
** - p<.01, *** - p<.001
|
|
Pain relief
|
170
|
6.1%
|
Older**, later initiation to
use of tobacco**, cannabis***, mushrooms** ecstasy*
and tranquillisers**, earlier initiation to alcohol
use
Longer duration of using alcohol***,
cocaine*** barbiturates and tranquillisers**
Higher frequency/probability
of using caffeine*, cannabis***, heroin &
tranquillisers*
Higher spending on barbiturates
, lower on alcohol
Lower ratings of tobacco , alcohol**
and ecstasy*
Greater quantity of mushrooms
gathered***, increased proportion of use of "other
unknown" bush*, eaten neat*
Greater daily caffeine consumption**,
lower weekly alcohol units**
|
|
Respiratory benefit
|
67
|
2.4%
|
Higher frequency/probability
of using cannabis
Shorter duration of using caffeine
, LSD , solvents*
Lower spending on alcohol*, higher
on LSD* & ecstasy*
Lower ratings of tobacco*, alcohol***,
amphet , cocaine* & tranquillisers , higher
rating of "skunk"**
Greater quantity purchased/gathered
of ecstasy* and mushrooms*
Greater proportion of use of
skunk*, lower proportion of tobacco-reefers*,
more reefers smoked per day**, fewer units alcohol
per week
|
|
Improved Sleep
|
46
|
1.6%
|
Later initiation to tobacco*,
cannabis and tranquillisers
Higher frequency/probability
of using alcohol , cannabis* & depressants
Longer duration of caffeine use*
Increased proportion of "other/unknown"
bush*
Fewer reefers per day
|
|
Manage Addiction
|
19
|
0.7%
|
Higher frequency/probability
of using ecstasy , tranquillisers**, aggregate frequency
all drugs , hallucinogens*, depressants , illegal
drugs exc. cannabis*
Lower alcohol rating*
More reefers smoked per day*,
more cups tea/coffee per day*
|
|
Appetite/nausea
|
16
|
0.6%
|
Later initiation to tobacco
, tranquillisers
Lower frequency/probability of
using alcohol , mushrooms*, LSD*, ecstasy* and
aggregate hallucinogens*
Lower ratings of alcohol and
ecstasy
Increase quantity of cannabis
purchased , and spending on cannabis**, increased
use of pipes*
|
|
Epilepsy/
anticonvulsant
|
8
|
0.3%
|
Lower frequency/probability
of using alcohol , amphet , LSD*, stimulants , hallucinogens
, depressants & illegal drugs exc. cannabis*
Longer duration of using alcohol
Lower ratings of cocaine*, opium*,
ketamine* and ecstasy*
Higher proportion of cannabis
use as "soap bar" resin
|
|
Multiple Sclerosis
|
6
|
0.2%
|
Older**,
Later initiation to tobacco*
& cannabis***
Longer duration of using tobacco*,
alcohol* & LSD
|
Continues
Table 4 Continued
|
Reported Health Benefits attributed
to Cannabis Use
IDMU 1994-98 drug user surveys
- combined data, n=2794
|
|
Physical Health Benefits
|
No of reports
|
%
|
Comments/ Significant differences
from other respondents
- p<.01, * - p<.05,
** - p<.01, *** - p<.001
|
|
Glaucoma/ vision
|
3
|
0.1%
|
Older
Later initiation to using mushrooms***
and LSD***
Longer duration of alcohol use
Higher tobacco rating
|
|
Other physical benefits
|
25
|
0.9%
|
Higher frequency/probability
of using mushrooms
Longer duration of using amphet
, & barbiturates shorter duration of caffeine
Lower ratings of tobacco*, alcohol**,
soap-bar resin***, higher ratings of mushrooms*
Lower proportion of use of "other/unknown"
resin*, higher use of pipes*
Lower daily use of cigarettes*,
weekly alcohol units
|
|
42 individuals reported two
or more physical benefits.
|
|
Total Physical benefits
|
313
|
11.2%
|
Later initiation to tobacco*
and cannabis**
Higher frequency/probability
of using cannabis***, tranquillisers*, lower LSD*
Shorter duration of using
caffeine , longer for alcohol*
Lower alcohol spending**,
units per week***
Lower ratings of tobacco*,
alcohol*** and ecstasy**
Increased use of pipes. More
caffeine by those reporting only 1 or 2 physical
benefits compared to more or none**
|
|
Mental health benefits
|
No of reports
|
%
|
Comments/Significant differences
to other respondents
- p<.01, * - p<.05,
** - p<.01, *** - p<.001
|
|
Relaxation/ stress relief
|
725
|
25.9%
|
Older***
Later initiation to use of tobacco*,
cannabis*, amphet**, cocaine*, mushrooms**, LSD***,
ecstasy* & tranquillisers**
Higher frequency/probability
of using caffeine***, tobacco***, alcohol***,
cannabis***, amphet***, cocaine***, mushrooms*,
crack , ecstasy***, tranquillisers, all aggregate
frequencies***, lower frequency/incidence of barbiturate
use*
Longer duration of using tobacco*,
alcohol***, cannabis**, amphet*, mushrooms*, LSD*,
ecstasy** and barbiturates*
Higher spending on tobacco*,
lower on amphet & heroin
|
|
Insight/ personal development
|
244
|
8.7%
|
Later initiation to use of caffeine
Higher frequency/probability
of using caffeine***, tobacco**, alcohol , cannabis***,
cocaine , mushrooms***, LSD**, ecstasy**, aggregate
frequency all drugs***, legal***, stimulants**,
hallucinogens***, illegal drugs exc. cannabis**
Lower ratings of alcohol*, amphetamine*,
ketamine**, higher rating of mushrooms
Greater quantity of cannabis
purchased
Lower proportion of cannabis
use involving Lebanese resin , Asian resin*, other/unknown
resin*, Thai bush*,
Lower use of neat reefers*, water
pipes , other pipes and eaten neat
More reefers smoked per day**
|
Continues
Table 4 Continued
|
Reported Health Benefits attributed
to Cannabis Use
IDMU 1994-98 drug user surveys
- combined data, n=2794
|
|
Mental health benefits
|
No of reports
|
%
|
Comments/Significant differences
to other respondents
- p<.01, * - p<.05,
** - p<.01, *** - p<.001
|
|
Antidepressant/happiness
|
138
|
4.9%
|
Older*
Later initiation to use of amphet*,
cocaine**, mushrooms***, LSD*, ecstasy*
Higher frequency/probability
of using caffeine**, tobacco*, alcohol**, tranquillisers
, legal drugs***, stimulants , depressants* and
illegal drugs exc. cannabis***
Longer duration of using tobacco**,
alcohol***, cannabis**, amphet , opium**, LSD
, barbiturates , & tranquillisers
Higher spending on opium**
Higher ratings of caffeine*,
cannabis*, mushrooms , LSD***, lower rating of
soap-bar resin*
Higher proportion of cannabis
use involving "skunk" , other/unknown
bush**
Fewer cups tea/coffee per day*
|
|
Cognitive benefit
|
81
|
2.9%
|
Later initiation to use of caffeine*,
earlier alcohol
Lower frequency/probability of
using tobacco**
Longer duration of use of amphet
, opium*, ketamine , heroin*, ecstasy*
Lower ratings of tobacco**, alcohol*,
cocaine
Lower proportion of "other/unknown"
resin , higher proportion of "skunk"*
& other/unknown bush
|
|
Creativity
|
65
|
2.3%
|
Later initiation to use of caffeine*,
tobacco*, ecstasy
Higher frequency/probability
of using caffeine*, cannabis**, mushrooms*, aggregate
frequency all drugs*, legal drugs*
Lower spending on alcohol*, higher
on amphet*
Lower rating of alcohol
Greater quantity purchased of
amphet* and cocaine
Lower proportion of other/unknown
resin
Higher proportion of use in pipes***
Fewer units alcohol per week*
|
|
Sociability
|
57
|
2.0%
|
Later initiation to use of amphetamine*
Higher frequency/probability
of using caffeine*, alcohol*, cannabis , amphet*,
cocaine*, LSD*, ecstasy***, aggregate frequency
all drugs***, legal drugs**, stimulants***, hallucinogens**,
depressants , illegal drugs exc. cannabis**
Higher ratings of caffeine**,
cannabis*** and mushrooms*
Greater quantity purchased of
amphet* and cocaine
Higher cannabis spending**
Lower proportion of use of soap-bar
resin
|
|
Sensory/ perception
|
46
|
1.6%
|
Later initiation to use of caffeine**,
amphet & solvents
Higher frequency/probability
of using caffeine*, mushrooms**, LSD* and aggregate
hallucinogens
Higher rating of mushrooms*
Greater quantity of cannabis
purchased***
Lower proportion of other/unknown
resin
Higher proportion of cannabis
use in tobacco reefers , and eaten with food**
Fewer reefers per day
|
Continues
Table 4 Continued
|
Reported Health Benefits attributed
to Cannabis Use
IDMU 1994-98 drug user surveys
- combined data, n=2794
|
|
Mental health benefits
|
No of reports
|
%
|
Comments/Significant differences
to other respondents
- p<.01, * - p<.05,
** - p<.01, *** - p<.001
|
|
Reduce aggression
|
39
|
1.4%
|
Later initiation to use of alcohol*,
earlier use of barbiturates**
Lower frequency/probability of
using alcohol*, higher incidence/use of solvents
, aggregate hallucinogens , illegal drugs exc.
cannabis
Shorter duration of use of solvents
Lower rating of opium*
Lower proportion of cannabis
as African bush
More reefers*** and pipes***
smoked per day
|
|
Spirituality
|
24
|
0.9%
|
Older**
Later initiation to use of opium*,
LSD , ecstasy***
Higher frequency/probability
of using cannabis*, cocaine*, mushrooms*, LSD*,
ecstasy*, tranquillisers , aggregate frequency
all drugs , stimulants**, hallucinogens**, illegal
drugs exc. cannabis**
Longer duration of use of tobacco**,
alcohol**, cannabis**, amphet**, mushrooms* &
LSD*
Lower ratings of tobacco* and
alcohol*, higher rating of mushrooms**
More reefers smoked per day
|
|
Sexuality
|
16
|
0.6%
|
Older***
Later initiation to use of tobacco*,
cannabis*, amphet*, cocaine*, mushrooms**, crack*,
LSD** & ecstasy***
Higher frequency/probability
of using mushrooms* & crack
Longer duration of use of tobacco**,
alcohol***, cannabis***, amphet**, cocaine**,
mushrooms**, heroin**, LSD*, ecstasy , barbiturates
* tranquillisers**
Higher proportion of use of Asian
resin , other/unknown bush**, water pipes*, other
pipes** eaten with food***
|
|
Other psychological benefits
|
38
|
1.4%
|
Later initiation to use of tranquillisers
& solvents**
Higher frequency/probability
of using tobacco*, cannabis*, amphet*, mushrooms**,
LSD**, solvents*, aggregate frequency all drugs*,
legal drugs , stimulants hallucinogens* and illegal
drugs exc. cannabis
Longer duration of use of heroin*
& barbiturates*
Higher rating of caffeine*, lower
rating of soap-bar resin
Lower proportion of use involving
soap-bar resin , higher proportion of other/unknown
bush
More reefers smoked per day**
|
|
Total Psychological Benefits
|
1033
|
37.0%
|
Older***,
Later initiation to use of caffeine*,
amphet**, cocaine**, mushrooms***, crack , LSD*,
ecstasy***, tranquillisers*
Higher frequency/probability
of using caffeine***, cannabis***, cocaine***,
mushrooms***, aggregate frequency all drugs***,
legal drugs***, hallucinogens***, illegal drugs
exc. cannabis***.
Higher frequencies among those
reporting only 1 or 2 psychological benefits compared
to more or none for tobacco***, alcohol***, amphet***,
ecstasy***, tranquillisers**, stimulants***, depressants***
Longer duration of use of tobacco**,
alcohol***, cannabis**, amphet*, mushrooms*, LSD
, ecstasy*
Lower rating of tobacco , higher
rating of cannabis
Higher cannabis purchase quantity**,
fewer units of alcohol per week
|
333 individuals reported two
or more psychological benefits
|
Continues
Table 4 Continued
|
Reported Health Benefits attributed
to Cannabis Use
IDMU 1994-98 drug user surveys
- combined data, n=2794
|
|
|
No of reports
|
%
|
Comments/Significant differences
to other respondents ( - p<.01, * - p<.05, ** - p<.01, *** - p<.001)
|
|
All Health Benefits
|
1616
|
57.8%
|
Older***, later initiation to
tobacco**, cannabis**, amphet***, cocaine***, mushrooms***,
LSD***, ecstasy*** tranquillisers & solvents*
Higher frequency/probability
of using caffeine***, tobacco***, alcohol**, cannabis***,
amphet***, cocaine***, mushrooms***, heroin*,
LSD***, ecstasy***, tranquillisers***, all aggregate
use frequencies*** (all drugs, legal drugs, stimulants,
hallucinogens, depressants, illegal exc. cannabis)
Longer duration of using tobacco***,
alcohol***, cannabis***, amphet***, cocaine**,
mushrooms**, heroin** LSD*** and ecstasy
Lower monthly spending on alcohol***,
mushrooms*, heroin , solvents , higher spending
on cannabis
Lower ratings of tobacco***,
alcohol***, amphet*, barbiturates*, tranquillisers
& soap-bar resin*, higher ratings of cannabis***
and mushrooms***
Greater amount purchased/gathered
of ecstasy* and mushrooms*
Lower use of Lebanese resin*,
other/unknown resin**, African bush , Thai bush
, with food , and weekly alcohol intake***.
Increased reefers per day***,
number of plants grown* & tea/coffee daily**
|
|
Medicinal use as main reason
for cannabis use
|
78
|
2.8%
|
Older (by average 5 years)***
Later initiation to using cannabis**,
mushrooms**, ketamine , ecstasy***
Lower frequency/probability of
using alcohol**, ecstasy*, higher cannabis and
tranquilliser** frequency
Longer duration of using tobacco***,
alcohol***, cannabis***, amphet**, cocaine***,
mushrooms*, heroin*, LSD***, ecstasy , and barbiturates*
Lower spending on barbiturates*,
higher solvents***
Lower ratings of tobacco , alcohol***,
ecstasy* and solvents*
Greater number of mushrooms gathered***,
Higher use of "other/unknown"
herbal cannabis**,
Higher use by eating "neat"***
Higher daily tea/coffee, lower
weekly alcohol intake
|
5.5
Reasons for using cannabis
5.5.1 Although
1616 individuals reported medicinal benefits, only 78
reported medicinal reasons (other than relaxation) as
a primary motivation for using cannabis. No significant
associations found.
Table 5
|
Reasons for
using cannabis
|
|
Reason
|
n
|
%
|
|
Relaxation
|
637
|
22.8%
|
|
Pleasure/recreation
|
628
|
22.5%
|
|
Social
|
225
|
8.1%
|
|
Mental benefit
|
184
|
6.6%
|
|
Comparative risk
|
137
|
4.9%
|
|
Coping/escape
|
83
|
2.9%
|
|
Spiritual
|
82
|
2.9%
|
|
Medicinal
|
78
|
2.8%
|
|
Political
|
66
|
2.4%
|
|
Habit
|
26
|
0.9%
|
|
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