Knowledge, Attitudes, and Reasons for Cannabis Use for Health Purposes Among Older Thai Adults: A Mixed-Methods Study

The legalization of cannabis in Thailand has increased its accessibility among older adults, leading to its use for managing various health problems based on personal perceptions. However, such use may increase the risk of side effects or adverse outcomes. A sequential explanatory mixed methods design was used to explore cannabis use for healthcare purposes among older adults. A survey utilizing questionnaires on knowledge, attitude, and cannabis use behavior was administered to 180 older Thai adults in Chiang Mai Province. Then, 30 participants took part in in-depth semi-structured interviews. Descriptive statistics and the Chi-square test were used to analyze quantitative data, while qualitative data were analyzed through content analysis. The quantitative research results showed that older adults had a moderate level of knowledge about cannabis (x̅ = 11.2, SD = 1.72), a neutral attitude towards cannabis (x̅ = 3.5, SD = 0.50), and 33 older adults (18.3%) used cannabis for health maintenance. The qualitative findings revealed that older adults mainly obtained information about cannabis through online media. Although they acknowledged its benefits, they emphasized the importance of using it appropriately and in an informed manner. Alleviating health problems was the vital reason older adults used cannabis, obtaining it from sources both within and outside their community. The outcomes included effective and ineffective, leading to managing the effects of cannabis by discontinuing use and seeking information. Nurses should organize educational programs to promote accurate knowledge of the benefits and side effects of cannabis use, ensure access to reliable information sources, and monitor for potential adverse symptoms to support informed decision-making among older adults.