Attitudes towards and use of cannabis in New Zealand patients with inflammatory bowel disease: an exploratory study

Aims: We aimed to assess the use of and attitudes towards cannabis use (medicinal and recreational) by people with IBD in New Zealand.

Methods: People with IBD were invited to complete an anonymous online questionnaire. Participants were recruited via postal mail using a hospital database of patients with IBD (developed by the Gastroenterology Department at Dunedin Public Hospital) and via online recruitment (advertised on the Crohn’s and Colitis New Zealand website, Facebook page and e-mail list). Inclusion criteria were ages 18+ and self-reported confirmed IBD diagnosis.

Results: In total, 378 participants completed the questionnaire, with 334 eligible responses. Participants were predominantly New Zealand European (84%) and female (71%). Sixty-one percent of respondents had CD and 34% UC. Overall, 51% of respondents reported having ever used cannabis. Of those, 63% reported use as recreational and 31% for reduction of IBD symptoms. Users were more likely to be younger (on average by 6.4 years), with on-going symptoms, unemployed or self-employed and current or ex-smokers. There were no differences by disease status or severity. Symptoms most reported as improved by cannabis use were abdominal pain/cramping, nausea/vomiting and loss of appetite. Fifty-four percent of participants reported that if cannabis were legal, they would request it for medicinal use to help manage their symptoms.

Conclusions: Overall, our research aligns with previous observational research that reports improvements in symptoms of IBD with cannabis use. Studies of a higher evidence level (eg, RCTs) would be needed to guide prescribing. In the meantime, this research provides useful background to clinicians about patients’ views and experiences.