Análise do conhecimento de brasileiros acerca da cannabis sativa l. (maconha) e seu uso terapêutico na Medicina Veterinária.

Abstract

The present study aimed to analyze the knowledge of Brazilians about the use of marijuana (Cannabis sativa) for medicinal purposes in veterinary medicine. To this end, questionnaires structured using the Google Forms platform were applied, distributed in all Brazilian states. The data obtained were presented in percentages, in order to offer the reader an overview of the information found. The survey obtained 2,125 questionnaires answered. The majority of participants were made up of Cis women, 62%; aged between 18 and 25 years, 51%; monthly income up to R $ 1,254.00, 46%; and incomplete higher education, 45%. On the knowledge of the use of marijuana as a therapeutic resource throughout history: 73.1% answered that the knowledge is old, while 26.9% stated that this interest is current. On the use to treat diseases in animals: 97.6% said that such use is possible, and 2.4% answered that it was not. Regarding the use to improve the productive potential of farm animals: 54.9% said yes and 45.1% answered negatively. It was asked whether cannabis extracts are used as a therapeutic resource for animals in Brazil: 24.1% answered yes, 12.1% answered negatively, while 63.8% did not know how to answer. Asked if cannabinoids are produced by the animals' organisms, 18.2% said yes, 14.7% said they did not and 67.1% said they did not know. Asked if cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol are the only components of the marijuana extract: 52.6% answered no, 41.7% said they did not know and 5.6% answered yes. Regarding the therapeutic value of marijuana constituents: 39.9% stated that both cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabifiol have therapeutic value; 31% said that only cannabidiol and 4.6% said that only tetrahydrocannabinol, 24.2% said they were unaware of this information and only 0.3% said that none of the constituents of marijuana has such value. Regarding the safety of this use: 70.2% stated that phytocannabinoids are safe and 29% said they were not. Among synthetic cannabinoids and phytocannabinoids, 85.8% of the participants indicated that phytocannabinoids are safer, while 14.8% stated that synthetic products are the safest. Regarding the ingestion of high doses, they can trigger severe and / or fatal conditions, 74.1% answered yes and 25.9%, no. Asked whether, in Brazil, there are legal projects in progress regarding the regularization of the medical use of marijuana - and if these Projects include use in animals, 70.2% of the participants are unaware of legislative proposals aimed at this issue; 19.2% of people said yes and 10.6% answered that these laws do not include the veterinarian. When asked about access to scientific publications on the subject, 57.4% say they never had access to this content and 43.6% answered yes. Finally, when asked whether there are, in Brazil, scientific research on the use of marijuana applied to Veterinary Medicine, 73.9% are unaware of such research, against 26.1% of the participants who know the existence of such research. The collection of information on this subject is of fundamental importance for the creation of strategies for the dissemination of information regarding the medicinal use of marijuana, which would open up myths and prejudices on the subject.