Changes in self-medication?
Full disclosure, I’ve never used cannabis. Not even once. I’ve never smoked or vaped anything. I was raised by smokers and the sensory overwhelm from that experience has been seared into my brain, so much so that I won’t go near burning stuff. Plus, on the self-medication side, I worked so hard for so many years to get off all the meds that I was on. I won that expensive battle.
But, I acknowledge that people need help and that they often self-medicate. This post isn’t about judging use vs. non-use. It’s about a disturbing trend in the capitalist West.
I’ve known several life-long cannabis users who recently quit using. Each of them cited the same reason, their experiences using have changed for the worse. A few had such a bad time, they ended up in the emergency room.
Looking for answers, supporting friends, I found several studies related to cannabis use and emergency department visits. The studies I found provide valuable insights into the trends and implications of cannabis use and resulting emergency medical situations.
A study published on PubMed (source) explored the trends and characteristics of cannabis-associated emergency department visits in the United States from 2006 to 2018. It concluded that these visits are on the rise and certain subgroups are at increased risk. The study suggests that increased availability and diversity of cannabis products, as well as increased use, might be contributing to this trend.
Another study, also from PubMed (source), focused on the role of marijuana use disorder (MUD) in predicting emergency department and inpatient encounters. This retrospective cohort study found that patients with MUD remained at high risk for emergency department and inpatient visits, despite decreasing utilisation rates over five years. The study emphasized the importance of addressing comorbid conditions of MUD patients in outpatient settings to reduce inappropriate service.
An article from Molecular Psychiatry (source) discussed the association between non-medical cannabis legalization and emergency department visits for cannabis-induced psychosis. It highlighted various studies examining the impacts of cannabis use on mental health, including the risk of psychosis, neurocognitive effects, and changes in brain structure and function among regular cannabis users.
These studies collectively underscore the growing concern about the impact of cannabis use on public health, particularly in the context of emergency medical care.
What’s going on?
The intersection of capitalism, cannabis legalisation, and the impact on vulnerable populations such as neurodivergent individuals who self-medicate, raises complex issues with several key considerations.
Under a capitalist model, cannabis producers and distributors are driven by profit incentives. This can lead to the development and marketing of high-potency cannabis products, as they may be more popular with certain consumer groups. However, these potent products also carry increased risks, including a higher probability of cannabis-induced psychosis and other detrimental mental health effects.
The profit motivations of capitalism also encourage forceful marketing tactics to maximise sales. This could improve accessibility and drive greater use of cannabis, including among vulnerable demographics. Neurodivergent persons seeking relief from various ailments may be especially receptive to advertising portraying cannabis as a safe or effective self-medication tool.
Furthermore, the lack of regulation and standardisation in a largely profit-focused cannabis market introduces variability in product quality and potency levels. This absence of quality controls heightens the risks associated with cannabis use for all consumers, but particularly for neurodivergent individuals who may exhibit higher sensitivity.
Importantly, vulnerable populations frequently face economic hardships and barriers to accessing healthcare. This reality can steer groups like the neurodivergent toward perceived self-treatment options such as cannabis over professional medical intervention. The legality and consequent availability of cannabis seemingly validates it as a substitute therapy, regardless of the underlying risks.
There is an evident public health need to implement policies focused on protecting vulnerable cohorts. Measures should encompass providing accessible mental health and substance use disorder services, disseminating accurate educational resources on cannabis risks, and introducing appropriate regulations to safeguard these demographics from potential exploitation driven by capitalist motivations.
Thus, whilst a capitalist environment within legalised cannabis may expand access through market dynamics, it also amplifies concerns around impacts on vulnerable groups. This emphasises the vital role of targeted public health strategies and oversight for responsible, safe use.