By 2016 49% of Americans acknowledge having tried marijuana (cannabis). As increasing legalization is potentially increasing marijuana use, some wish to determine if users of this medicinal plant use more health care services and incur greater health care costs.
In this study, the authors queried the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2011-2012 to identify all US adults age 18-59 years, who were interviewed for marijuana use. Of more than 174 million US adults, 53% endorsed any marijuana use, 35% denied marijuana use, and 12% were non-respondents and eliminated from the study.
The authors state that there was no increase in outpatient healthcare visits, or in overnight hospital admission for marijuana users compared to non users. In addition, there was no significant difference for those who smoked 2 “pipes” a day vs. 1 “pipe” a day, or even between those who smoked 3 “pipes” a day vs. 1 “pipe” a day.
The authors conclude: “marijuana use is not associated with increased healthcare utilization contrary to popular belief”.
