Using cannabis to manage consumption of other psychoactive substances: A questionnaire survey of people who use cannabis in France

Cannabis is the most widely used illegal substance in France, and many people use it for therapeutic purposes without medical supervision. We conducted a participative online survey in France in order to study the intentional use of cannabis to control, reduce, or stop consumption of other psychoactive substances, such as alcohol, illegal drugs, and prescription medications. We describe the participants’ characteristics and perceptions of this practice, showing that it occurs in a wide range of contexts in terms of experience with substance use and health care pathways. We assume that some people who use drugs or prescription medications may face barriers to accessing health care or meeting the costs. We interpret this practice as a strategy for managing their consumption habits and their health.