Changes in cannabis use post decriminalisation in mental health care users in South Africa
South African Journal of Psychiatry
| Field | Value | |
| Title | Changes in cannabis use post decriminalisation in mental health care users in South Africa | |
| Creator | Moshori, Rachel Galvin, Lisa Paruk, Laila | |
| Description | Background: Personal cannabis use was decriminalised in South Africa in 2018. Cannabis use increases the risk of mental illness (MI) and worsens prognosis in patients with MI. The impact of decriminalisation on cannabis use remains unclear.Aim: To examine cannabis use patterns by self-report and urine multidrug screening (UMDS) among psychiatric inpatients at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital (CHBAH).Setting: CHBAH, Soweto, South Africa.Methods: A retrospective review of clinical records comparing patients admitted to CHBAH psychiatry pre- and post-decriminalisation.Results: A total of 244 patients were included, with 57% using cannabis based on self-report and/or UMDS. Although not significant, overall cannabis use was higher post-decriminalisation (63.1%) than pre-decriminalisation (50.8%). Self-reported use increased slightly post-decriminalisation (56.6% vs. 50.0%), while UMDS-confirmed use was significantly higher (32.8% vs. 17.2%). Cannabis use was associated with male gender and younger age, with younger admissions post-decriminalisation.Conclusion: Decriminalisation did not significantly increase overall or self-reported cannabis use; however, more patients tested positive on UMDS post-decriminalisation. Young males remain at higher risk of cannabis use. | |
| Publisher | AOSIS | |
| Date | 2025-03-10 | |
| Identifier | 10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v31i0.2305 | |
| Source | South African Journal of Psychiatry; Vol 31 (2025); 10 pages 2078-6786 1608-9685 | |
| Language | eng | |
| Relation |
The following web links (URLs) may trigger a file download or direct you to an alternative webpage to gain access to a publication file format of the published article:
https://sajp.org.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/2305/3778
https://sajp.org.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/2305/3779
https://sajp.org.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/2305/3780
https://sajp.org.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/2305/3781
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