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Stigma among California's Medical Marijuana Patients
Travis D Satterlund1, Juliet P Lee, Roland S Moore
1a Research Analyst, Center for Program Design and Evaluation , Dartmouth College , Lebanon , NH.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
|February 26, 2015
Summary
Medical marijuana patients often avoid their doctors and use strategies to hide their treatment due to stigma. This social disapproval impacts how patients seek and access medical cannabis care.
Area of Science:
- Social Science
- Medical Sociology
- Public Health
Background:
- California's Proposition 215 permits medical marijuana use with physician recommendation.
- Medical marijuana patients face significant social stigma.
- Stigma influences patient experiences and treatment-seeking behaviors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore how medical marijuana patients perceive and manage stigma.
- To understand the impact of stigma on patient interactions and experiences.
Main Methods:
- Conducted 18 semi-structured interviews with medical marijuana patients.
- Utilized a semi-structured interview guide to gather qualitative data.
Main Results:
- Many patients bypassed their physicians for recommendations.
- Patients employed various strategies to justify their use to others.
- Stigma significantly affects the process of seeking medical marijuana treatment.
Conclusions:
- Societal stigma surrounding medical marijuana profoundly impacts patient care.
- Fear of stigma influences treatment-seeking decisions and access to care.
- Interventions addressing stigma are crucial for effective medical cannabis patient support.
