Keywords: Cannabis Usage, Medical Cannabis, recreational cannabis, self perceived indications for cannabis intake

Background:

Cannabis usage is widespread and increasing world-wide. Many countries have legalized "medicinal" in recent years, and some have legalized recreational use. The actual usage of cannabis is unknown, and is often based on dated studies, and data from other countries. It is important Family Physicians know the status and patterns of their patients usage. Even if reported Family Physicians may not list this in computerized files, to protect the patients (in patients reporting non licensed use).

Research questions:

1. What percent of adult patients use Cannabis?
2. What are the self-perceived reasons reported for Cannabis use?
3. What is the frequency for cannabis use?
4. How does this compare with previous studies.

Method:

• Cross sectional, anonymous survey
• Participants – all consenting adults (over age 18) attending primary care clinics of participating Family Physicians
• Sampling – convenience sampling of all adult visitors over a two week period.
• Target collection – 50 patients offered participation. 5 GPs per HMO. All 4 HMOs (Kupat Holim) in Israel. (1000 potential respondents)
• Data collection – self administered questionnaires including minimal demographics (age and gender) and questions on cannabis usage.
• Ethics – ethics approval in each HMO, confidential, anonymous, voluntary participation.

Results:

Proposed Methodology to be discussed.

Conclusions:

As this is a complex issue dealing with issues of possible illegal behavior, the survey methodology must be perfected.

Points for discussion:

How to best conduct this survey?

Should the GPs also participate (regarding their practices of taking drug use in patient interview) and if they record reponses.?

How to maximize participation rates?