Table 2 Characteristics of cannabinoid-based medicines
Survey item subject (number of responses to item) | Multiple choice options for survey responses | All respondents (%) | Respondents < 13 years (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
CBM type*  N all respondents = 60  N < 13y = 19 | Oil/paste | 46 (76.7) | 11 (57.9) |
Dried flower/Flos | 33 (55.0) | 2 (10.5) | |
Edible | 29 (48.3) | 2 (10.5) | |
Tincture | 17 (28.3) | 3 (15.8) | |
Other liquid form | 11 (18.3) | 1 (5.3) | |
Pill | 5 (8.3) | – | |
Total CBM types used | 141 | 19 | |
Mean per participant | 2.4 (± 1.5) | 1.0 (± 0.7) | |
CBM route of administration*  N all respondents = 60  N < 13y = 19 | Topical | 36 (60.0) | 12 (63.2) |
Ingested | 36 (60.0) | 4 (21.1) | |
Inhaled | 33 (55.0) | – | |
Sublingual | 23 (38.3) | 4 (21.1) | |
Total routes reported | 128 | 20 | |
Mean per participant | 2.1 (± 1.1) | 1.1 (± 0.8) | |
Topical CBM type*  N all respondents = 36  N < 13y = 19 | Cream | 24 (66.7) | 8 (42.1) |
Oil | 23 (63.9) | 6 (31.6) | |
Lotion | 12 (33.3) | 4 (21.1) | |
Spray | 3 (8.3) | 1 (5.3) | |
Foam | – | – | |
Total types of topicals | 62 | 19 | |
Mean per participant | 1.7 (± 1.1) | 1.1 (± 1.2) | |
Composition of CBM (THC vs. CBD)*  N All Respondents = 58  N < 13y = 19 | THC only | 18 (15.3) | – |
THC/CBD combination | 41 (34.7) | 6 (31.6) | |
CBD only | 24 (20.3) | 9 (47.4) | |
Unknown | 35 (29.7) | 4 (21.1) | |
Total compositions reported | 118 | 19 | |
Current frequency of CBM administration  N all respondents = 51  N < 13y = 10 | Less than once per week | 5 (9.8) | 2 (20.0) |
Once per week | 2 (3.9) | – | |
Several times per week | 8 (15.7) | 1 (10.0) | |
Once per day | 15 (29.4) | 4 (40.0) | |
Several times per day | 19 (37.3) | 2 (20.0) | |
Unsure | 2 (3.9) | 1 (10.0) | |
Change over time: dose of CBM  N all respondents = 52  N < 13y = 11 | Dose decreased | 6 (11.5) | 1 (9.1) |
Dose remained stable | 13 (25.0) | 2 (18.2) | |
Dose increased | 13 (25.0) | 4 (36.4) | |
Dose fluctuated | 17 (32.7) | 2 (18.2) | |
Unsure | 3 (5.8) | 2 (18.2) | |
Change over time: frequency of CBM administration  N all respondents = 52  N < 13y = 11 | Administered less frequently | 7 (13.5) | 1 (9.1) |
Frequency remained stable | 17 (32.7) | 3 (27.3) | |
Administered more frequently | 9 (17.3) | 2 (18.2) | |
Administration frequency fluctuated | 17 (32.7) | 4 (36.4) | |
Unsure | 2 (3.8) | 1 | |
CBM source of acquisition*  N All Respondents = 50  N < 13y = 10 | Cannabis dispensary | 31 (62.0) | 6 (60.0) |
Social connection | 19 (38.0) | 2 (20.0) | |
Internet web-shops | 6 (12.0) | 4 (40.0) | |
Medical pharmacy | 5 (10.0) | 1 (10.0) | |
Cultivated at home | 4 (8.0) | – | |
Prefer not to answer | 1 (2.0) | – | |
Total number of sources | 66 (100) | 13 (100) | |
Preferred route of administration  N all respondents = 44  N < 13y = 9 | Topical | 11 (25.0) | 4 (44.4) |
Inhaled | 18 (40.9) | Â | |
Ingested | 10 (22.7) | 2 (22.2) | |
Sublingual | 5 (11.4) | 3 (33.3) | |
Duration of use  N all respondents = 52  N < 13y = 11 |  < 6 months 6 months–1 year 1–5 years  > 5 years | 13 (25.0) 7 (13.5) 18 (34.6) 14 (26.9) | 5 (45.5) 4 (36.4) 2 (18.2) – |
Reported side effects*  N all respondents = 45  N < 13y = 9 | Dry mouth | 20 (44.4) | – |
Cough/wheezing | 13 (28.8) | – | |
Dry/red eyes | 12 (26.7) | 1 (11.1) | |
Fatigue | 10 (22.2) | – | |
Dizziness | 7 (15.6) | – | |
Paranoia | 3 (6.7) | – | |
Problems with memory/attention | 3 (6.7) | – | |
Problems with coordination | 3 (6.7) | – | |
CBM prescribed by physician  N all respondents = 50  N < 13y = 10 | Yes | 12 (24.0) | 1 (10.0) |
No | 38 (76.0) | 9 (90.0) | |
Physician aware of CBM use  N all respondents = 50  N < 13y = 9 | Yes | 28 (73.7) | 7 (77.8) |
No | 10 (26.3) | 2 (22.2) |