Journal article
Cannabis positivity rates in 17 emergency departments across the United States with varying degrees of marijuana legalization
Clinical toxicology (Philadelphia, Pa.), Vol.61(4), pp.248-259
04/2023
DOI: 10.1080/15563650.2023.2177552
PMCID: PMC10793079
PMID: 37129223
Abstract
Many states in the United States have progressed towards legalization of marijuana including decriminalization, medicinal and/or recreational use. We studied the impact of legalization on cannabis-related emergency department visits in states with varying degrees of legalization.
Seventeen healthcare institutions in fifteen states (California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Hampshire, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Washington) participated. Cannabinoid immunoassay results and cannabis-related International Classification of Diseases (ninth and tenth versions) codes were obtained for emergency department visits over a 3- to 8-year period during various stages of legalization: no state laws, decriminalized, medical approval before dispensaries, medical dispensaries available, recreational approval before dispensaries and recreational dispensaries available. Trends and monthly rates of cannabinoid immunoassay and cannabis-related International Classification of Diseases code positivity were determined during these legalization periods.
For most states, there was a significant increase in both cannabinoid immunoassay and International Classification of Diseases code positivity as legalization progressed; however, positivity rates differed. The availability of dispensaries may impact positivity in states with medical and/or recreational approval. In most states with no laws, there was a significant but smaller increase in cannabinoid immunoassay positivity rates.
States may experience an increase in cannabis-related emergency department visits with progression toward marijuana legalization. The differences between states, including those in which no impact was seen, are likely multifactorial and include cultural norms, attitudes of local law enforcement, differing patient populations, legalization in surrounding states, availability of dispensaries, various ordering protocols in the emergency department, and the prevalence of non-regulated cannabis products.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Cannabis positivity rates in 17 emergency departments across the United States with varying degrees of marijuana legalization
- Creators
- Nicole V. Tolan - Brigham and Women's HospitalMatthew D. Krasowski - University of IowaPatrick C. Mathias - University of WashingtonJoesph R. Wiencek - Vanderbilt UniversityNikolina Babic - Medical University of South CarolinaPeter R. Chai - Harvard UniversityAllison B. Chambliss - University of Southern CaliforniaIbrahim Choucair - Yale UniversityChristiana A. Demetriou - University of NicosiaTimothy B. Erickson - Harvard UniversityMatthew Feldhammer - Florida CollegeDeborah French - University of San FranciscoBryan D. Hayes - Harvard UniversityPhillip Kang - Brigham and Women's HospitalJoe M. El-Khoury - Yale UniversityClaire E. Knezevic - Johns Hopkins MedicineAndrew Monte - University of Colorado Anschutz Medical CampusRobert D. Nerenz - Dartmouth–Hitchcock Medical CenterAnthony O. Okorodudu - The University of Texas Medical Branch at GalvestonStephen M. Roper - Washington University in St. LouisAlec SaitmanVamsi Thiriveedhi - Brigham and Women's HospitalSacha N. Uljon - Harvard UniversityAlexis Vest - University of Colorado Anschutz Medical CampusAlison Woodworth - University of KentuckyMin Yu - University of KentuckyStacy E. F. Melanson - Harvard Medical School
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Clinical toxicology (Philadelphia, Pa.), Vol.61(4), pp.248-259
- DOI
- 10.1080/15563650.2023.2177552
- PMID
- 37129223
- PMCID
- PMC10793079
- NLM abbreviation
- Clin Toxicol (Phila)
- ISSN
- 1556-3650
- eISSN
- 1556-9519
- Publisher
- Taylor & Francis
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 04/2023
- Academic Unit
- Pathology
- Record Identifier
- 9984400757202771
Metrics
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