Self-reported reasons for medical and nonmedical cannabis use in Australia: A cross-sectional analysis of the International Cannabis Policy Study 2023.

Abstract

Australia's medicinal cannabis framework has been increasingly used and commercialised. This study aimed to estimate the proportions of different motives (medical-only, recreational-only and dual-use [concurrent medical and recreational use]) of cannabis use among Australian adults, and the conditions for which cannabis was used. Cross-sectional data (N = 3042) from the 2023 International Cannabis Policy Study (ICPS) measured Australians' cannabis use and whether it was for medical, recreational, or dual use motives. Health conditions treated with cannabis were also reported. We estimated proportions of cannabis use motive type and conducted multinomial and logistic regressions using post-stratification sample weighted data to investigate predictors of motive type and condition used. Among all respondents, 86.3% reported no cannabis use, 1.9% reported medical-only cannabis use, 6.7% reported recreational-only use and 5.0% reported dual-use. The most frequently cited indications were anxiety (64%), pain (53%) and depression (52%). Dual-use compared to medical-only was associated with use for sleep, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Use for pain was more likely among older adults (56 + years, RRR=3.52, 95% CI: 1.28-9.66) compared to people aged 16-25. Use for anxiety was more likely among females compared to males (RRR=2.27, 95% CI: 1.31-3.94) and less likely in older adults compared to other age groups (RRR=0.21, 95% CI: 0.08-0.60). The findings suggest cannabis is commonly used to treat conditions for which high-quality evidence of efficacy is lacking. The frequent use of cannabis for pain and anxiety contradicts guidance from peak medical bodies, underscoring the need for better regulatory and educational responses in Australia.