What topics does this cannabis study cover?

This study covers research on: Addiction, Mental Health.

Where was this research published?

Published in Journal of cannabis research on July 13, 2026.

Thai students show gaps between cannabis facts and health skills

Q: What did this research study find?

**Cannabis knowledge and health literacy were predominantly low** among the surveyed Thai vocational students, with **55.0%** showing low knowledge and **48.8%** showing low health literacy.

Cannabis knowledge and health literacy among Thai vocational students: a cross-sectional study following policy liberalization.

Journal of cannabis research • July 13, 2026 • Highly Relevant

🤖

AI Summary

A survey of Thai vocational secondary students conducted after Thailand’s June 2022 cannabis policy liberalization found that both cannabis knowledge and cannabis health literacy were often limited. Among 555 valid respondents, the average knowledge score was 7.23/15, with 55.0% classified as having low knowledge. The average health-literacy score was 41.72/75, and 48.8% had low health literacy.

Having prior cannabis education was linked with better knowledge and health-literacy scores, while family relationship quality was also associated with higher health literacy. However, knowledge level was not significantly associated with health-literacy level, suggesting that knowing facts about cannabis may not be enough to help students evaluate information, communicate about risks, or make informed health decisions. Cannabis-use experience was associated with other substance use, prior cannabis education, male sex, Year 2 enrollment, and family relationship quality. The authors recommend school programs that build critical appraisal, communication, self-management, and digital health literacy, especially for male students and those without previous cannabis education.

💡 Key Findings

Cannabis knowledge and health literacy were predominantly low among the surveyed Thai vocational students, with 55.0% showing low knowledge and 48.8% showing low health literacy.

Good

70%

Prior cannabis education was associated with higher knowledge and health-literacy scores, supporting the value of structured school-based education.

Good

65%

Knowledge level was not significantly associated with health-literacy level, indicating that factual information alone may not translate into practical decision-making or risk evaluation skills.

Good

70%

Cannabis-use experience was associated with other substance use, prior cannabis education, male sex, Year 2 enrollment, and family relationship quality; the strongest reported associations were with other substance use (OR 4.115) and prior cannabis education (OR 3.683).

Good

65%

The authors recommend programs that strengthen critical appraisal, communication, self-management, and digital health literacy, with particular attention to male students and students without prior cannabis education.

Good

75%

📄 Original Abstract

Thailand's decriminalization of cannabis in June 2022 substantially increased adolescent exposure. Cannabis knowledge and health literacy among vocational students remain poorly characterized. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted from January to March 2024 among vocational secondary students at one vocational institution in a province in northeastern Thailand. Of 2,656 eligible students, 555 provided valid responses (response rate 20.9%). Two 15-item instruments were used to measure cannabis knowledge and cannabis health literacy. Bivariate analyses and three multivariable regression models examined factors associated with knowledge scores, health literacy scores, and cannabis use experience. Cannabis knowledge was low (mean 7.23/15, SD 4.43; 55.0% low), as was cannabis health literacy (mean 41.72/75, SD 12.72; 48.8% low). Knowledge level was not significantly associated with health literacy level (χ2[4] = 7.04, p = 0.134). In adjusted analyses, prior cannabis education and other substance use were associated with higher knowledge scores, whereas male sex and Year 3 enrollment were associated with lower knowledge scores. Higher health literacy scores were associated with prior cannabis education and family relationship quality in adjusted analyses; male sex showed only a weak adjusted association with lower health literacy. Cannabis use experience was associated with other substance use (OR 4.115), prior cannabis education (OR 3.683), male sex (OR 2.621), Year 2 enrollment (OR 1.733), and family relationship quality (OR 1.558). Cannabis knowledge and health literacy were predominantly low among Thai vocational secondary students. Factual knowledge alone may not translate into functional cannabis health literacy. School-based interventions should strengthen critical appraisal, communication, self-management, and digital health literacy, with attention to male students, students without prior cannabis education, and those with other substance use experience.

Paper Type

📄 Research

Publication

Journal: Journal of cannabis research
Published: July 13, 2026
PMID: 42444013
DOI: 10.1186/s42238-026-00467-z

Authors (8)

Jeerisuda Orosram Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ubon Ratchathani University, Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand.
Charuwan Thanawiroon Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ubon Ratchathani University, Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand.
Chaisit Soontara Department of Pharmacy, Sunpasitthiprasong Hospital, Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand.
Premsuda Kaewrongkham Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ubon Ratchathani University, Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand.
Napat Tangsakul Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ubon Ratchathani University, Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand.
+3 more authors