The University of California, Los Angeles Cannabis Research Initiative announced on September 3 the launch of a new survey aimed at gaining insight on how cannabis is being used during the pandemic.
The study, called the Cannabis, CBD and COVID Survey, can be taken online by any interested participants. The presence of the pandemic has taken a toll on countless people across the world, and many of those individuals suffer from worsening mental health as a result. A survey the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that four out of every 10 Americans are currently suffering from mental health problems.
Research Director of the Cannabis Research Initiative, Ziva Cooper, stated that cannabis consumption patterns have changed since quarantine began for much of the country. “It’s hypothesized that recreational cannabis, medical cannabis and CBD (cannabidiol) use has changed due to COVID-19 for a number of reasons including self-medication for mental health conditions,” Cooper said. “The objective of this U.S.-based anonymous survey is to understand if and why cannabis and CBD use has changed.”
The survey asks participants about the ways that they’ve changed their consumption patterns and about which medical conditions they’re seeking to treat with medical cannabis. It concludes by trying to learn how cannabis consumption might have changed after being diagnosed with COVID-19. “It’s good to remember that cannabis dispensaries are deemed essential in many U.S. States and that delivery services now provide a method to obtain cannabis without the risk of exposure,” Cooper added. “This means in certain states cannabis is as accessible as other essentials and most likely more accessible than many prescription medications used to treat many indications that people cite as reasons for cannabis and CBD use.”
The study takes an estimated 20 minutes to complete, and could net some participants with a $5 gift card. An estimated 2,000 people will be allowed to take the survey, with individuals coming from a diverse set of locales across the United States.