Estableciendo la unidad de porro estándar: estudio piloto / Working on a Standard Joint Unit: A Pilot Test

Introducción. Explorar el consumo de cánnabis sigue siendo complejo debido a la falta de sistemas de registro. Se evaluó la factibilidad de obtener una Unidad de Porro Estándar (UPE) que considere los principales cannabinoides con implicación clínica mediante un estudio naturalístico. Metodología. Estudio piloto con consumidores actuales de cánnabis de cuatro áreas (universidades, ocio nocturno, servicio ambulatorio de salud mental y asociaciones cannábicas) en Barcelona. Se diseñó y administró un cuestionario sobre patrones de consumo y se determinó la predisposición a donar un porro para análisis. Se utilizaron estadísticos descriptivos para analizar los datos. Resultados. Cuarenta consumidores de cannabis respondieron a la encuesta (tasa de respuesta 95%), siendo la mayoría hombres (72,5%) y jóvenes adultos (mediana de edad 24,5 años; RIQ 8,75 años) que consumen a diario o casi diariamente (70%). La marihuana es el derivado más consumido (85%), habiendo de mediana 0,25 gr de marihuana por porro. Un 67,5% de los participantes se mostraron predispuestos a donar un porro para análisis. Conclusión. La obtención de la UPE con la metodología prevista es factible. Tras el piloto el cuestionario ha sido adaptado y se ha introducido un incentivo para estimular la donación de muestras. Establecer la UPE permitirá avanzar en el conocimiento de las consecuencias del consumo de cannabis

Introduction. Assessing cannabis consumption remains complex due to no reliable registration systems. We tested the likelihood of establishing a Standard Joint Unit (SJU) which considers the main cannabinoids with implication on health through a naturalistic approach. Methodology. Pilot study with current cannabis users of four areas of Barcelona: universities, nightclubs, out-patient mental health service, and cannabis associations. We designed and administered a questionnaire on cannabis use-patterns and determined the willingness to donate a joint for analysis. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. Results. Forty volunteers answered the questionnaire (response rate 95%); most of them were men (72.5%) and young adults (median age 24.5 years; IQR 8.75 years) who consume daily or nearly daily (70%). Most participants consume marihuana (85%) and roll their joints with a median of 0.25 gr of marihuana. Two out of three (67.5%) stated they were willing to donate a joint. Conclusion. Obtaining an SJU with the planned methodology has proved to be feasible. Pre-testing resulted in an improvement of the questionnaire and retribution to incentivize donations. Establishing an SJU is essential to improve our knowledge on cannabis-related outcomes

Definitions of Risky and Problematic Cannabis Use: A Systematic Review.

UNLABELLED: Although cannabis is widely used, it remains unclear which consumption patterns are more likely to produce future consequences (risky/hazardous use) or current damage (problematic/harmful use). This unresolved issue contributes to cannabis public health implications. In order to facilitate further consensus, this review analyzes previously used definitions in the literature. METHODS: This systematic review was performed following the PRISMA guidelines. Articles published before October 2015 in the Medline, Scopus-Elsevier, ISI-Web of Knowledge and Cochrane databases and fulfilling a-priori decided criteria were retrieved. Definitions in preselected websites of national and international organizations addressing drug problems were also included. RESULTS: Definitions identified in articles (n = 46) and official websites (n = 3) widely varied from each other. Weekly cannabis use was mostly considered risky. Problematic cannabis use was mostly described with the Cannabis Abuse and Screening Test. Evidence-based definitions as well as information on quantities consumed, time-frames and special considerations for risky groups were very limited. CONCLUSIONS: Working on official definitions is highly necessary as criteria used remain incomplete, leading to increased confusion in the field. Recommendations to improve existing definitions are given.