Changes in cannabis use post decriminalisation in mental health care users in South Africa
Background: Personal cannabis use was decriminalised in South Africa in 2018. Cannabis use increases the risk of mental illness (MI) and worsens prognosis in patients with MI. The impact of decriminalisation on cannabis use remains unclear. Aim: To examine cannabis use patterns by self-report and u...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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AOSIS
2025-03-01
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| Series: | South African Journal of Psychiatry |
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| Online Access: | https://sajp.org.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/2305 |
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| author | Rachel Moshori Lisa Galvin Laila Paruk |
| author_facet | Rachel Moshori Lisa Galvin Laila Paruk |
| author_sort | Rachel Moshori |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Personal cannabis use was decriminalised in South Africa in 2018. Cannabis use increases the risk of mental illness (MI) and worsens prognosis in patients with MI. The impact of decriminalisation on cannabis use remains unclear.
Aim: To examine cannabis use patterns by self-report and urine multidrug screening (UMDS) among psychiatric inpatients at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital (CHBAH).
Setting: CHBAH, Soweto, South Africa.
Methods: A retrospective review of clinical records comparing patients admitted to CHBAH psychiatry pre- and post-decriminalisation.
Results: A total of 244 patients were included, with 57% using cannabis based on self-report and/or UMDS. Although not significant, overall cannabis use was higher post-decriminalisation (63.1%) than pre-decriminalisation (50.8%). Self-reported use increased slightly post-decriminalisation (56.6% vs. 50.0%), while UMDS-confirmed use was significantly higher (32.8% vs. 17.2%). Cannabis use was associated with male gender and younger age, with younger admissions post-decriminalisation.
Conclusion: Decriminalisation did not significantly increase overall or self-reported cannabis use; however, more patients tested positive on UMDS post-decriminalisation. Young males remain at higher risk of cannabis use. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-502a2eb0b34b4afaac004aabf7dd0cbd |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1608-9685 2078-6786 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | AOSIS |
| record_format | Article |
| series | South African Journal of Psychiatry |
| spelling | doaj-art-502a2eb0b34b4afaac004aabf7dd0cbd2025-08-20T01:50:57ZengAOSISSouth African Journal of Psychiatry1608-96852078-67862025-03-01310e1e1010.4102/sajpsychiatry.v31i0.2305765Changes in cannabis use post decriminalisation in mental health care users in South AfricaRachel Moshori0Lisa Galvin1Laila Paruk2Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Health, University of the Witwatersrand, JohannesburgDepartment of Psychiatry, Faculty of Health, University of the Witwatersrand, JohannesburgDepartment of Psychiatry, Faculty of Health, University of the Witwatersrand, JohannesburgBackground: Personal cannabis use was decriminalised in South Africa in 2018. Cannabis use increases the risk of mental illness (MI) and worsens prognosis in patients with MI. The impact of decriminalisation on cannabis use remains unclear. Aim: To examine cannabis use patterns by self-report and urine multidrug screening (UMDS) among psychiatric inpatients at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital (CHBAH). Setting: CHBAH, Soweto, South Africa. Methods: A retrospective review of clinical records comparing patients admitted to CHBAH psychiatry pre- and post-decriminalisation. Results: A total of 244 patients were included, with 57% using cannabis based on self-report and/or UMDS. Although not significant, overall cannabis use was higher post-decriminalisation (63.1%) than pre-decriminalisation (50.8%). Self-reported use increased slightly post-decriminalisation (56.6% vs. 50.0%), while UMDS-confirmed use was significantly higher (32.8% vs. 17.2%). Cannabis use was associated with male gender and younger age, with younger admissions post-decriminalisation. Conclusion: Decriminalisation did not significantly increase overall or self-reported cannabis use; however, more patients tested positive on UMDS post-decriminalisation. Young males remain at higher risk of cannabis use.https://sajp.org.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/2305cannabisdecriminalisationpsychotic disorderssouth africamental healthsubstance usepsychiatric admissions |
| spellingShingle | Rachel Moshori Lisa Galvin Laila Paruk Changes in cannabis use post decriminalisation in mental health care users in South Africa South African Journal of Psychiatry cannabis decriminalisation psychotic disorders south africa mental health substance use psychiatric admissions |
| title | Changes in cannabis use post decriminalisation in mental health care users in South Africa |
| title_full | Changes in cannabis use post decriminalisation in mental health care users in South Africa |
| title_fullStr | Changes in cannabis use post decriminalisation in mental health care users in South Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | Changes in cannabis use post decriminalisation in mental health care users in South Africa |
| title_short | Changes in cannabis use post decriminalisation in mental health care users in South Africa |
| title_sort | changes in cannabis use post decriminalisation in mental health care users in south africa |
| topic | cannabis decriminalisation psychotic disorders south africa mental health substance use psychiatric admissions |
| url | https://sajp.org.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/2305 |
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