Cannabis use and perceptions among Canadians with Spinal Cord Injury

Abstract

Abstract Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted based on an online survey among Canadian adults with any level or severity of SCI Objectives: To understand aspects of cannabis use and perceptions among Canadians with spinal cord injury and describe the self-reported reasons and side effects of cannabis use. Setting: Parkwood Institute at St Joseph’s Health Care London, the Power Cord SCI rehabilitation program at Brock University. Methods: Participants were asked to complete a survey. Results: 136 individuals were screened for participation, and 80 participants were enrolled. Of these participants, the majority (n=41 [51.2%]), indicated that they had tried cannabis in their lifetime, while 30 (37.5%) were current users. There was a non-significant increase (p=0.13) in cannabis use from pre (n=26, 32.5%) to post-injury (n=34, 42.5%). The most common reason for post-injury use was reducing pain (36.3%) and improving sleep (30%). Participants reported cannabis being moderately effective for both pain reduction and sleep improvement. Side effects were relatively mild and uncommon with the most frequently reported being fatigue both pre (7.5%) and post (11.3%) injury. Smoking was the most popular method of using cannabis before the injury (27.5%), while the preferred method after the injury was consuming edibles (26.3%). Conclusions: Most participants who used cannabis before their injury continued using it after their injury. Participants reported recreational use before the injury, but they endorsed using cannabis to manage pain and medical conditions after injury and suggested that healthcare professionals should be aware of these findings. Additional research in this field is needed.