Attitudes of Medical Students Toward Cannabis

A brief questionnaire about cannabis attitudes and use was distributed to senior medical classes at one Canadian (Ontario) and one US (California) university. In each case a high return rate was obtained. Responses from the two groups showed a number of similarities. However, the US students were significantly more likely to have used cannabis and to recognize the substance by sight or smell (when burning). Similarly, the California students were much more likely to exhibit permissive attitudes to occasional cannabis use in a patient and somewhat more likely to favor more liberal statutes regarding cannabis distribution and possession. A clear majority of both groups expected no significant effects of moderate cannabis use on either the physical or mental health of the user.