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. 2024 Mar;27(3):394-399.
doi: 10.1089/jpm.2023.0490. Epub 2023 Dec 29.

Associations of Cancer Patients' Demographic and Clinical Characteristics With Cannabis-Related Interest and Behaviors

Neema C Adley  1 , Theodore M Brasky  2 , Sara R Conroy  3 , Alison M Newton  2 , Jesse J Plascak  4 , Scott A Strassels  5 , John L Hays  2 , Jessica L Krok-Schoen  6
Affiliations

Associations of Cancer Patients' Demographic and Clinical Characteristics With Cannabis-Related Interest and Behaviors

Neema C Adley et al. J Palliat Med. 2024 Mar.

Abstract

Background: Cannabis interest and use is increasing in the United States, yet research on its use among cancer patients is limited. Methods: Individuals with cancer completed an anonymous cross-sectional questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regressions estimated odds ratios (OR) between patients' demographic and clinical characteristics with cannabis-related interest, current use, and provider recommendation. Results: Participants (n = 943) were, on average, 61.7 years old. Older patients were less likely to use cannabis products (OR = 0.42, confidence interval [95% CI]: 0.26-0.69) and less likely to be interested in cannabis (OR = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.44-0.84) than younger patients. Those with higher education were less likely to be using cannabis (OR = 0.41, 95% CI: 0.25-0.67) and less likely to have received a provider recommendation of cannabis use than the least educated (OR = 0.38, 95% CI: 0.19-0.76). Cancer spread and type were significant correlates of provider recommendation of cannabis use. Conclusions: Additional research is warranted to better understand cancer patients' motivations for cannabis use and interest.

Keywords: cancer; cannabidiol; cannabis; epidemiology; marijuana; prevalence.

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