Prevalence and clinical characteristics of cannabis exposing patients between pre- and post-medical cannabis legalization era in 2019

Authors

  • Thapanawong Mitsungnern Department of Emergency Medicine, Khon Kaen University
  • Kullacha Tonanon Department of Emergency Medicine, Khon Kaen University
  • Praew Kotruchin Department of Emergency Medicine, Khon Kaen University
  • Suda Vannaprasaht Department of Emergency Medicine, Khon Kaen University

Keywords:

medical cannabis, marijuana, the narcotic act, health effect

Abstract

Introduction : Cannabis has been used for therapy in the ancient medicine era several thousand years ago. However, It has been labeled as an addictive substance in many countries including Thailand. There is an increasing tendency of the use of cannabis in modern medicine in many countries such as the Netherlands, New Zealand, Switzerland and many states in the United States of America. In 2019, the Thai narcotic act was amended, which led to the legalized medical cannabis.

Objectives : This study aimed to determine the prevalence of cannabis usage and its adverse clinical effects, as well as to determine routes of administration, presenting symptoms, reasons of cannabis using and hospitalization rate in Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University.

Methods : This was a retrospective descriptive study. Data was collected from medical records and laboratory database of Srinagarind Hospital during year 2018 to 2019.

Results : There was an increasing prevalence of cannabis exposed patients, from 2.6 per 100,000 patients in year 2018 to 10.6 per 100,000 patients in year 2019. The most common routes of administration were sublingual cannabis oil and smoking. The most common presenting symptoms were nausea and behavioral change. Recreational use was the common reason. There was an increasing rate of hospitalization in cannabis exposed patients from 2 people in 2018 to 15 people in 2019

Conclusion : After the amendment of Thai narcotics act in the year 2019, there was increasing numbers of the side effects of cannabis. However, further research to determine the long-term effects of cannabis may be required to prove its effect on health.

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Published

2021-07-01

How to Cite

1.
Mitsungnern T, Tonanon K, Kotruchin P, Vannaprasaht S. Prevalence and clinical characteristics of cannabis exposing patients between pre- and post-medical cannabis legalization era in 2019. TJEM [Internet]. 2021 Jul. 1 [cited 2024 Nov. 15];2(2):17-36. Available from: https://he02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/TJEM/article/view/249401

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RESEARCH ARTICLE

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