A comprehensive study conducted by Leafwell offers a deep dive into the medical cannabis usage patterns among individuals under the age of 21 in the United States, a demographic that has been largely under-researched.
Drawing from data collected through the Leafwell Patient Database between 2019 and mid-2023, the study analyzed responses from 13,855 young patients, split into minors (under 18) and young adults (18-20).
The findings shed light on the distinct characteristics and medical conditions reported by these patients, offering crucial insights for healthcare providers and policymakers.
The study revealed that anxiety was the most commonly reported condition across both age groups, reflecting a significant mental health concern among young cannabis users.
Chronic pain and PTSD also ranked highly, with young adults more frequently reporting conditions like depression and insomnia compared to minors.
Interestingly, cancer was more commonly reported as a qualifying condition among minors, highlighting the different medical challenges faced by younger patients.
Demographically, the majority of patients were white, non-Hispanic (63.2%), with a higher proportion of minors living in states where only medical cannabis is legal and being more likely to have public health insurance. This contrasts with young adults, who were more likely to reside in states that have both medical and adult-use cannabis laws and were less likely to have health insurance.
The study underscores the importance of further clinical research tailored specifically to pediatric and young adult populations.
While the data provides a substantial understanding of the conditions prompting medical cannabis use among these age groups, the reliance on self-reported information introduces certain limitations.
Nonetheless, this research marks a significant step in filling the knowledge gap regarding medical cannabis use among younger populations. It calls for a more nuanced approach to developing treatment protocols that address the unique needs of pediatric patients, ensuring that cannabis is used safely and effectively as part of their healthcare regimen.
The full study can be found here.
The post Leafwell Research: Anxiety Tops List for Young Medical Cannabis Patients in US appeared first on Business of Cannabis.
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