The researchers analyzed survey data from a representative sample of regular cannabis users in Catalonia, Spain, and compared this data on similar health indicators obtained from the general population. The participants completed a survey. The survey included questions based on 46 items documented in the Enquesta de Salut de Catalunya (ESCA) 2022 public health survey. These items included sociodemographic data, general health, lifestyle, the use of alcohol and tobacco, psychological well-being, social support, depression, and use of medicines and health services. Additional questions pertained to cannabis use patterns and other substance use.
The participant sample included 419 individuals. Their mean age was 33.2 years. Most participants worked in service positions (29.8%), trade jobs (20.4%), and administrative jobs (14.2%). The majority had completed post-compulsory studies (41.1%) or college (24.3%). The drug use (other than cannabis consisted of experiences with MDMA (60.3%), cocaine (56.7%), psychedelics including LSD and psilocybin mushrooms (51.4%), amphetamine (40.2%), and ketamine (22.5%).
Data analysis did not reveal any significant risk in the health of regular cannabis users compared with the general population, although it suggested chronic cannabis users suffered from more sleep problems. About 40% of the participants reported a desire to decrease or stop cannabis use. Roughly 30% of the participants discontinued the use of prescription medications, which they attributed to beneficial cannabis effects. The researchers noted that social support and sleep problems were more predictive of depression and well-being scores than cannabis use.
The study highlights no significant correlation between cannabis use and negative impacts on public health based on the health indicators. Future research studies are needed to understand how regular cannabis use affects sleep quality and dependence.
