Patients’ unusual cannabis sources

A survey by Massey University's Shore and Whāriki Research Centre has shown the majority of medicinal cannabis users are resorting to unconventional channels, including social media, to acquire their medication in New Zealand.

Lead researcher Associate Professor Chris Wilkins said he was astonished at the significant share of the illicit drug market traded through platforms like Facebook Messenger, Snapchat and Instagram, in addition to a persistent presence on ‘darknet’ markets.

Often cited for glaucoma, of the 13,000 people surveyed, 85% of medicinal cannabis users said they didn’t seek a prescription, with 56% citing the prohibitive cost as the primary reason for avoiding medical consultation and 44% pointing to the stigma surrounding medicinal cannabis.

Dr Waseem Alzaher, Founder of the Cannabis Clinic, emphasised the pervasive stigma associated with medicinal cannabis, saying it is very common for his patients to have been brushed off by the public health system or laughed at for wanting to try medicinal cannabis. “The reality is that the people who need our help the most are often the ones who are missing out,'' he said.

Dr Alzaher said prices for medicinal cannabis have decreased recently, to the extent that it is sometimes cheaper to access medicinal cannabis through legal channels. ''The problem with purchasing medicinal cannabis through these illegal means can be extremely harmful and potentially life-threatening. You can't be sure of the dosage you are receiving, the product is unregulated and not tested and therefore could contain harmful pesticides and heavy metals. Furthermore, you can't be sure of the efficacy of the product.''