Marijuana Use among Medical Students in Uruguay and its Association with Smoking

ABSTRACT

Objectives: To assess the prevalence of tobacco and cannabis consumption among medical students, the association between tobacco/ cannabis use and the students' instruction in the management of tobacco/cannabis use. Materials and Methods: We conducted a descriptive, analytical study. The students answered an anonymous self-report questionnaire. The variables were age, gender, tobacco and marijuana consumption, frequency of consumption, instruction in the management of tobacco and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) use and whether they consider such consumption as harmful. Results: 29.6% of students consumed tobacco in the last 12 months, and 63.5% at least once in their lives. 30.8% consumed marijuana in the last 12 months, and 50% at least once in their lives. There was a statistically significant association between tobacco and marijuana consumption. We found a statistically significant relationship between the students' instruction in marijuana and tobacco and marijuana/tobacco consumption at least once in their lives. We didn't find any relationship between their instruction in marijuana and tobacco and marijuana/tobacco consumption in the last 12 months. There wasn't a statistically significant association between the concept of harmfulness and use of marijuana/tobacco at least once in their lives. Conclusions: Despite the concept of harmfulness related to the use of marijuana, it is relatively common among medical students. The use of tobacco could predispose the individual to use marijuana. We must insist on instructing medical students in how to approach and manage patients who consume marijuana.