Treatment Acceptability, Stigma, and Legal Concerns of Medical Marijuana Are Affected by Method of Administration

Abstract

The current study examined whether attitudes toward the acceptability and stigma of medical marijuana are affected by its method of administration and the severity of illness being treated. Participants (200 men, 409 women, 2 omitted) were assigned to experimental conditions differing according to illness severity, and rated the acceptability, stigma, legal concerns, and willingness to use medical marijuana administered through 10 different administration methods. Marijuana administered in ways resembling traditional medication (e.g., pills) was judged the most acceptable, and had the least stigma. Conversely, marijuana administered in ways resembling recreational use (e.g., cigarettes/joints) received high stigma and low acceptability ratings. Stigma and legal concerns were lower, and acceptability was higher when treating more serious conditions. Results are discussed in terms of why an understanding of the social connotations accompanying different administration methods and reasons for marijuana use is an important complement to understanding pharmacokinetics and drug efficacy.