Latest news with #medicaluse
Medscape
4 days ago
- General
- Medscape
One Third of Older Veterans Who Use Cannabis Have CUD
About 36% of older veterans who recently used cannabis screened positive for cannabis use disorder (CUD), with a higher risk observed among younger respondents, individuals with anxiety, and frequent users, a new analysis showed. Investigators said the findings suggest asking about cannabis use during all routine health exams could help identify patients for treatment. METHODOLOGY: This cross-sectional study included data of 4503 older adults (weighted mean age, 73.3 years; 85% men; 78% non-Hispanic White individuals) from the Veterans Health Administration in the United States using interviews and medical records (2020-2023). Participants were assessed for the use of cannabis in different forms (smoking, vaping, dabbing, or edibles) in the past 30 days and screened for CUD, defined as meeting at least two criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fifth Edition) . . Covariates included sociodemographic and health variables. TAKEAWAY: Overall, 57% of participants reported lifetime cannabis use, with 29% citing medical reasons, with pain management the most common reason for medical use. Cannabis use in the past 30 days was reported by 10.3% of participants, with 52% using cannabis for at least 20 days in a month. Among those with past 30-day use, 36% screened positive for CUD, with higher odds among men, respondents younger than 76 years, individuals with anxiety, and individuals who reported any illicit drug use or frequent cannabis use. Compared with any recreational use, lifetime cannabis use for exclusively medical reasons was associated with lower odds of any CUD. Past 30-day use of inhaled cannabis was associated with higher odds of CUD than that of edibles only (adjusted odds ratio, 3.56; 95% CI, 1.12-11.26). IN PRACTICE: 'Older veterans may be at risk for THC intoxication. Prevention of problematic cannabis use and CUD is also crucial in older veterans due to the elevated risk of suicide ideation and exacerbation of mental health concerns experienced by aging populations. Routine health screening for cannabis use in Veterans Health Administration clinical settings is necessary to identify older adults with cannabis use,' the investigators wrote. SOURCE: The study was led by Vira Pravosud, PhD, MPH, MS, Center for Data to Discovery and Delivery Innovation, San Francisco Veterans Affairs Health Care System, San Francisco. It was published online on May 14 in JAMA Network Open . LIMITATIONS: The study was limited by its cross-sectional design, low generalizability, reliance on self-reported data, and potential recall and social desirability bias. DISCLOSURES: The study received support from National Institutes of Health and Tobacco Related Disease Research Program. One author declared receiving nonfinancial support from the San Francisco VA Health Care System during the study. Another received nonfinancial support from the New York State Psychiatric Institute during the study and research support from Syneos Health outside the submitted work.
The Independent
23-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Thailand may soon require doctor's note for buying cannabis to curb recreational use
Thai and foreign nationals would be required to show a medical certificate to buy cannabis legally, the latest move by the Southeast Asian country to regulate the use of the drug three years after decriminalising it. Somsak Thepsutin, public health minister of Thailand, said he would issue stricter regulations for cannabis use within 40 days. Thailand became the first Asian country in 2022 to decriminalise cannabis, a decision that initially boosted agriculture and tourism. The legislation didn't govern the sale, production or use of the drug, however, sparking criticism that it was fueling addiction and underage use as cannabis shops proliferated across the country. 'I will improve regulations on cannabis use in Thailand,' Mr Somsak said at a press conference in Bangkok. 'For example, cannabis smokers may have to show medical certificates. Foreign and Thai cannabis users must have medical certificates. We'll order government organisations to keep enforcing the law and not to allow any problems to develop.' Somruek Chungsaman, heads of the health ministry's department of traditional and alternative medicine, said the medical certificates requirement would ensure cannabis was used for medical purposes and not recreationally. 'Anyone who wants to buy cannabis flowers to smoke, Thai or foreign, must have a doctor's prescription for medical use," he told Reuters. 'We don't want people saying they came to Thailand just to smoke cannabis. That gives a negative impression." Marijuana advocates, however, argue the latest requirement for a doctor's note is unnecessary, claiming that cannabis use is already declining following an initial surge. The health minister had previously said recreational use of marijuana would be banned by the end of last year, but no curbs were placed on the industry, estimated to be worth more than $1bn annually. Authorities have thus far implemented piecemeal regulations banning cannabis in schools and requiring retailers to clearly label cannabis-infused foods and beverages. The health ministry is drafting a comprehensive cannabis law, which must secure cabinet approval before it is presented to the parliament for debate. Airport authorities have intensified inspections to combat smuggling. They have reported that most intercepted cannabis is carried by foreign nationals, predominantly Britons and Indians. Last week, two young British women were arrested in Georgia and Sri Lanka for allegedly trying to smuggle cannabis from Thailand, according to the British media. The British government said a joint operation with Thailand in February resulted in more than two tonnes of cannabis being seized from air passengers. It said since July last year, over 50 British nationals had been arrested in Thailand for attempting to smuggle cannabis. It also reported a dramatic increase in the amount of cannabis sent to the UK from Thailand by post since the drug was decriminalised in 2022. In March, immigration authorities and police said 22 suitcases filled with a total of 375kg cannabis were seized, and 13 foreigners, most of them British, were arrested at the international airport on the Samui island.
Free Malaysia Today
23-05-2025
- Health
- Free Malaysia Today
Thailand to require medical certificates for buying cannabis
Thailand previously said recreational use of marijuana would be banned by the end of last year. (EPA Images pic) BANGKOK : Thailand is planning to introduce a requirement for medical certificates to be shown when buying cannabis, a senior official said today, in a move to tighten control of marijuana use, three years after it was decriminalised. Thailand was one of the first countries in Asia to decriminalise marijuana but did so without a law to govern its sale, production or usage. That led to an instant boom, with tens of thousands of retailers popping up across the country, particularly in tourist hotspots in Bangkok and the resort island of Phuket. The new regulation, which is expected to be announced within 40 days, will ensure cannabis is used for medical purposes and not recreationally, said Somruek Chungsaman, who heads the health ministry's department of traditional and alternative medicine. 'Anyone who wants to buy cannabis flowers to smoke, Thai or foreign, must have a doctor's prescription for medical use,' he told Reuters. 'We don't want people saying they came to Thailand just to smoke cannabis. That gives a negative impression.' Thailand's health minister previously said recreational use of marijuana would be banned by the end of last year, but no curbs have yet been placed on the industry, estimated to be worth more than US$1 billion annually. Authorities have so far issued piecemeal regulations banning cannabis from schools and requiring retailers to provide clear information on usage of cannabis in food and drinks to try to bring the industry under control. The health ministry is drafting a comprehensive cannabis law, which would need cabinet approval before it is sent to parliament for debate. Marijuana advocates say the latest requirement of a physician's note was unnecessary because cannabis use was already in decline after an initial surge. 'Cannabis is not popular among youth. In fact, the number of smokers has not increased at all, which has caused many shops to shut down,' said Prasitchai Nunual, secretary-general of Thailand's Cannabis Future Network.
CNA
22-05-2025
- Health
- CNA
Thailand to require medical certificates for buying cannabis
BANGKOK: Thailand is planning to introduce a requirement for medical certificates to be shown when buying cannabis, a senior official said on Thursday (May 22), in a move to tighten control of marijuana use, three years after it was decriminalised. Thailand was one of the first countries in Asia to decriminalise marijuana but did so without a law to govern its sale, production or usage. That led to an instant boom, with tens of thousands of retailers popping up across the country, particularly in tourist hotspots in Bangkok and the resort island of Phuket. The new regulation, which is expected to be announced within 40 days, will ensure cannabis is used for medical purposes and not recreationally, said Somruek Chungsaman, who heads the health ministry's department of traditional and alternative medicine. 'Anyone who wants to buy cannabis flowers to smoke, Thai or foreign, must have a doctor's prescription for medical use," he told Reuters.'We don't want people saying they came to Thailand just to smoke cannabis. That gives a negative impression." Thailand's health minister previously said recreational use of marijuana would be banned by the end of last year, but no curbs have yet been placed on the industry, estimated to be worth more than US$1 billion annually. Authorities have so far issued piecemeal regulations banning cannabis from schools and requiring retailers to provide clear information on usage of cannabis in food and drinks to try to bring the industry under control. The health ministry is drafting a comprehensive cannabis law, which would need cabinet approval before it is sent to parliament for debate. Marijuana advocates say the latest requirement of a physician's note was unnecessary because cannabis use was already in decline after an initial surge. "Cannabis is not popular among youth. In fact, the number of smokers has not increased at all, which has caused many shops to shut down," said Prasitchai Nunual, secretary-general of Thailand's Cannabis Future Network.
Reuters
22-05-2025
- Health
- Reuters
Thailand to require medical certificates for buying cannabis
BANGKOK, May 22 (Reuters) - Thailand is planning to introduce a requirement for medical certificates to be shown when buying cannabis, a senior official said on Thursday, in a move to tighten control of marijuana use, three years after it was decriminalised. Thailand was one of the first countries in Asia to decriminalise marijuana but did so without a law to govern its sale, production or usage. That led to an instant boom, with tens of thousands of retailers popping up across the country, particularly in tourist hotspots in Bangkok and the resort island of Phuket. The new regulation, which is expected to be announced within 40 days, will ensure cannabis is used for medical purposes and not recreationally, said Somruek Chungsaman, who heads the health ministry's department of traditional and alternative medicine. 'Anyone who wants to buy cannabis flowers to smoke, Thai or foreign, must have a doctor's prescription for medical use," he told Reuters. 'We don't want people saying they came to Thailand just to smoke cannabis. That gives a negative impression." Thailand's health minister previously said recreational use of marijuana would be banned by the end of last year, but no curbs have yet been placed on the industry, estimated to be worth more than $1 billion annually. Authorities have so far issued piecemeal regulations banning cannabis from schools and requiring retailers to provide clear information on usage of cannabis in food and drinks to try to bring the industry under control. The health ministry is drafting a comprehensive cannabis law, which would need cabinet approval before it is sent to parliament for debate. Marijuana advocates say the latest requirement of a physician's note was unnecessary because cannabis use was already in decline after an initial surge. "Cannabis is not popular among youth. In fact, the number of smokers has not increased at all, which has caused many shops to shut down," said Prasitchai Nunual, secretary-general of Thailand's Cannabis Future Network.
