Attitudes and beliefs of medical students on cannabis in Hong Kong

Abstract

Background: To assess Hong Kong medical students' knowledge, attitudes and beliefs on cannabis and its future legal reform.

Methods: A cross-sectional anonymous online survey were sent from 1st December 2018 to 31st August 2020 to all medical students from the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong (HKU).

Results: 187 students (13.6 %) responded the survey. Overall, students perceived cannabis possessed significant physical and mental health risks, but they were more neutral to its physical and mental benefits. They also supported legalizing cannabis more so for medical use than recreational use. Females perceived higher risks than males. Those who used cannabis before were more acceptable to recommend cannabis as medical treatments, perceived cannabis use with greater benefits and less risks, and were more likely to support legal reform for cannabis in Hong Kong than their counterparts. Students were also more likely to recommend medical cannabis than non-licensed cannabis to patients if they were legally available.

Conclusion: Medical students in Hong Kong supported legalization of cannabis for medical use despite perceiving significant risks from cannabis use. Future research should investigate public acceptance on medical cannabis in Hong Kong and other Asian countries.

Keywords: Attitudes; Cannabis; Legalization; Medical students; Substance use.