Views and practices on medical cannabis of unlicensed providers in Thailand: a qualitative study.
Medical cannabis
decriminalization
folk healers
illegal providers
in-depth interview
legalization
prescription practice
thematic analysis
Journal
F1000Research
ISSN: 2046-1402
Titre abrégé: F1000Res
Pays: England
ID NLM: 101594320
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
2022
2022
Historique:
accepted:
28
11
2023
medline:
2
9
2024
pubmed:
2
9
2024
entrez:
2
9
2024
Statut:
epublish
Résumé
Despite the legalization of cannabis use for medical purposes in Thailand in February 2019, illicit providers are still widespread and accessible. This study aimed to understand why people still chose to receive medical cannabis treatment or products from unlicensed or illegal providers. The practices of unlicensed or illegal providers in provision of medical cannabis products or treatment services were also examined. Qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted among medical cannabis providers and users, including 36 unlicensed and 7 licensed providers and 25 users in 2019-2021. Snowball sampling was used to recruit participants until saturation of data was achieved. Interviews included open-ended questions about the providers' practices and attitudes towards medical cannabis. Interviews were recorded and transcribed, and thematic analysis was performed. Overall, six reasons were identified to answer why unlicensed/illicit providers were still popular, including: 1) easy accessibility; 2) familiarity with the unlicensed providers before the legal scheme became available; 3) favorable characters (kind, supportive, non-judgmental) of unlicensed providers; 4) affordable treatment fees; 5) trust in the quality of the medicines; and 6) lack of knowledge and negative attitudes towards cannabis from healthcare professionals. Most providers started their career as medical cannabis providers by using it themselves or with their relatives and being satisfied with the results. They used cannabis products to treat all diseases, including skin, eyes, HIV/AIDS, non-communicable diseases and all kinds of cancers. Additionally, they believed that it was effective, with no or minimal adverse effects. This study suggests that some patients will continue receiving medical cannabis treatment and products from unlicensed or illegal providers. More attention should be paid on increasing the capacity of medical cannabis service systems within public health hospitals, and the certification of unlicensed providers, so as to integrate them into a regulated system.
Sections du résumé
Background
UNASSIGNED
Despite the legalization of cannabis use for medical purposes in Thailand in February 2019, illicit providers are still widespread and accessible. This study aimed to understand why people still chose to receive medical cannabis treatment or products from unlicensed or illegal providers. The practices of unlicensed or illegal providers in provision of medical cannabis products or treatment services were also examined.
Methods
UNASSIGNED
Qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted among medical cannabis providers and users, including 36 unlicensed and 7 licensed providers and 25 users in 2019-2021. Snowball sampling was used to recruit participants until saturation of data was achieved. Interviews included open-ended questions about the providers' practices and attitudes towards medical cannabis. Interviews were recorded and transcribed, and thematic analysis was performed.
Results
UNASSIGNED
Overall, six reasons were identified to answer why unlicensed/illicit providers were still popular, including: 1) easy accessibility; 2) familiarity with the unlicensed providers before the legal scheme became available; 3) favorable characters (kind, supportive, non-judgmental) of unlicensed providers; 4) affordable treatment fees; 5) trust in the quality of the medicines; and 6) lack of knowledge and negative attitudes towards cannabis from healthcare professionals. Most providers started their career as medical cannabis providers by using it themselves or with their relatives and being satisfied with the results. They used cannabis products to treat all diseases, including skin, eyes, HIV/AIDS, non-communicable diseases and all kinds of cancers. Additionally, they believed that it was effective, with no or minimal adverse effects.
Conclusions
UNASSIGNED
This study suggests that some patients will continue receiving medical cannabis treatment and products from unlicensed or illegal providers. More attention should be paid on increasing the capacity of medical cannabis service systems within public health hospitals, and the certification of unlicensed providers, so as to integrate them into a regulated system.
Identifiants
pubmed: 39221024
doi: 10.12688/f1000research.110367.3
pmc: PMC11362744
doi:
Substances chimiques
Medical Marijuana
0
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
365Informations de copyright
Copyright: © 2023 Assanangkornchai S et al.
Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts
No competing interests were disclosed.