What Did the Study Look At?
Researchers at UCLA Health wanted to know how many people who visit doctors use cannabis (also called marijuana). They asked 176,000 patients about their cannabis use from 2021 to 2023.
What They Found
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17% of patients said they use cannabis.
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Most people use it to help with:
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Stress (56%)
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Trouble sleeping (56%)
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Pain (37%)
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Even people who said they use cannabis “for fun” often said it also helped with health problems.
But here’s something important: about 1 in 3 people who used cannabis were at moderate or high risk for something called cannabis use disorder (CUD). That means they might have trouble controlling their use.
Why Does This Matter?
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Many patients don’t tell their doctors they use cannabis unless they are asked.
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Doctors need to know this information so they can give safe and helpful medical care.
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This study shows that asking about cannabis use should be a normal part of a doctor’s visit, just like asking about medicine, alcohol, or exercise.
What Students Should Take Away
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Cannabis is a plant that some people use for stress, sleep, or pain relief.
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Scientists are still learning about both its benefits and risks.
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It’s important for people who use cannabis to be honest with their doctors.
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