Barriers for access to cannabidiol as a treatment option for children with neuro-diverse disabilities: A qualitative key informants method

Abstract

Canada legalized medical cannabis in 2001. There is a significant concern about prescribing cannabidiol to children, and the largest is the effects on the developing brain in a child 25 years old or younger. There are growing anecdotal findings that cannabidiol is an alternate treatment option for children with neurodiverse disabilities. Parents and health professionals working with medical cannabis often face access barriers. This study explores the policy barriers for parents of neuro-diverse children and their health care supporters in accessing cannabidiol as a treatment in British Columbia, Canada. This ethnographic study used the purposive key informants’ interview method to describe their experiences with medical cannabis access for children with neurodiverse disabilities. British Columbia, Canada. Key informants included seven medical community cannabis professionals and seven family participants treating their neuro-diverse children with cannabidiol. Data were subjected to qualitative content analysis to identify patterns and themes. Analysis of all data revealed six common barriers “Costs Associated with Cannabidiol Treatments”, “Education on the Subject and Going through Their Networks to Self-Educate”, “Lack of Research and Medical Studies”, and “Adverse Events and Risks Associated with First-line Pharmaceutical Treatments”. Themes revealed barriers of stigma and resistance from the family experience with community members and the medical community. Professionals reported a lack of support from their peers, stigma and concerns with licensing/professional risks when treating children 25 years and younger using cannabidiol. Findings show opportunities for change in accessing medical cannabis for the pediatric population in British Columbia, Canada.