Perception of delivery systems used for medicinal cannabis

Abstract

The use of cannabis for medical purposes was recorded 5000 years ago. Cannabis for medicinal use is available in various dosage forms. Cannabinoids can be administered via inhalations, orally, buccally, sublingually, topically, rectally and using ophthalmic and systemic routes. The references of patients about medicinal cannabis dosage forms has not been evaluated in many studies. Patient-focused approach leads to an improvement in quality of life of patients.

Background: Cannabis for medicinal use is available in various dosage forms. The opinion of pat ients about medicinal cannabis dosage forms has not previously been evaluat ed. Purpose: To evaluate the preferred delivery methods for medicinal cannabis through a patient-focused analysis. Method: Two self-administered questionnaires were developed to evaluate opinions of users and potential users of medicinal cannabis with regards cannabis dosage forms. The questionnaires were validated using the Delphi method and disseminated at two clinics in Malta following ethics approval. Participants were asked to rate methods of administration using a 5-point Likert scale (where 1 is least preferred and 5 is most preferred}. Results: The 87 (61 male} users and 101 (55 male} non-users of medicinal cannabis completed the questionnaires. Medicinal cannabis users rated edibles (n=66}, tea (n=65}, drinking oil (n=72) dosage forms and non-users rated liquid (n=79}, vegetarian capsule (n=79} and capsule (n=79} as the most preferred methods of cannabis administration orally. Users prefer cannabis in the form of cigarettes (n=71} and tinctures (n=67} while non-users prefer spray (n=80}, patch (n=78}, and nebulisers (n=76}. Conclusion: Both users and non-users of cannabis for medicinal purposes, indicated different preferences for medicinal cannabis dosage forms. Availability of patient-preferred dosage forms is desirable to meets patients' needs. The great variety of dosage forms requested by potential pat ients is a challenge to the evolving manufacturing industry for medicinal cannabis.