Characteristics of Patients Admitted to the Medical Ward with a Positive Urine Test for Cannabis: A Medical Center Experience

Abstract

Introduction : Cannabis (marijuana) use (medical) and abuse is becoming more and more common practice among different age groups in Israel. There is nearly no data regarding patients admitted to the medical ward with a positive urine test for marijuana. Research Methods : All the patients admitted to the medical ward at Laniado Hospital during the previous 3 years with positive urine test for marijuana were identified. Demographic, clinical and Lab parameters were documented. Patients were divided into 2 groups: Group 1 that had positive test for marijuana only and Group 2 that was positive also to other substance/s besides cannabis. A third group (Group 3), with a positive urine test for toxicology substance/s but negative for marijuana, was used as a control group. Research Results : Forty-nine patients in either Group 1 or Group 2 and 36 patients in Group 3 were documented. Patients from Groups 1 and 2 were significantly younger than those from Group 3. The most common cause of admission among these two groups was convulsions, while in Group 3, it was suicidal attempt. Group 2 patients, as opposed to Group 3 patients, included more patients with positive urine test for hard substances such as cocaine, amphetamines and ecstasy. More patients in Group 3 needed intubation with longer duration of hospital stay and one fatality. Conclusions : Positive tests for marijuana are not a rare phenomenon in our admitted patients. Most of the patients are young and admitted mainly to convulsions. These patients also used significantly more other hard substances than patients with positive test for substances other than cannabis.