South African Medical Students Hold Diverse Views on Cannabis Decriminalization
A systematic review found South African medical students have varied perspectives on cannabis decriminalization, with concerns about mental health, academic performance, and professional identity.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Four themes emerged from the review: health impacts (mental and physical), attitudes toward decriminalization, educational influences, and access to support services. Medical students expressed diverse opinions about cannabis decriminalization and its health implications, with awareness gaps about cannabis effects on health and professional practice.
Key Numbers
Four studies met inclusion criteria. Four key themes identified through thematic analysis. Focus on South African medical students specifically.
How They Did This
Systematic qualitative review searching PubMed, Scopus, PsycINFO, and ScienceDirect for studies (2010-2024) on South African medical students and cannabis decriminalization, using thematic synthesis.
Why This Research Matters
As future healthcare providers in a country that recently decriminalized personal cannabis use, medical students' attitudes and knowledge gaps directly affect the quality of care they will provide.
The Bigger Picture
South Africa's 2018 Constitutional Court ruling decriminalizing private cannabis use created a unique context where future doctors must navigate evolving social norms, personal beliefs, and clinical evidence.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Only four studies met inclusion criteria, indicating severe research gaps. Cannot generalize to all South African medical students or other healthcare professions. Publication bias possible.
Questions This Raises
- ?How should medical curricula address cannabis in the context of decriminalization?
- ?Do medical students' personal views about cannabis affect their clinical practice?
- ?What educational interventions are most effective?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Only 4 studies found on medical students and cannabis decriminalization in South Africa
- Evidence Grade:
- Systematic review limited by very small evidence base (4 studies), highlighting a major research gap.
- Study Age:
- 2025 review of literature from 2010-2024 on South African medical students.
- Original Title:
- Decriminalization of cannabis use in South Africa: The perspectives and health outcomes among medical students; A systematic qualitative review.
- Published In:
- Journal of public health research, 14(4), 22799036251373016 (2025)
- Authors:
- Mokhwelepa, L Winter, Olivia Sumbane, Gsakani
- Database ID:
- RTHC-07164
Evidence Hierarchy
Summarizes existing research on a topic.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
What do South African medical students think about cannabis?
This review found diverse opinions, with some supporting medical use only and others open to broader decriminalization. Common concerns included mental health impacts, effects on academic performance, and implications for professional identity.
Are medical students prepared to handle cannabis-related patient questions?
The review suggests significant knowledge gaps exist, highlighting the need for targeted cannabis education in medical curricula, particularly in countries that have decriminalized.
Read More on RethinkTHC
Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-07164APA
Mokhwelepa, L Winter; Olivia Sumbane, Gsakani. (2025). Decriminalization of cannabis use in South Africa: The perspectives and health outcomes among medical students; A systematic qualitative review.. Journal of public health research, 14(4), 22799036251373016. https://doi.org/10.1177/22799036251373016
MLA
Mokhwelepa, L Winter, et al. "Decriminalization of cannabis use in South Africa: The perspectives and health outcomes among medical students; A systematic qualitative review.." Journal of public health research, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1177/22799036251373016
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Decriminalization of cannabis use in South Africa: The persp..." RTHC-07164. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/mokhwelepa-2025-decriminalization-of-cannabis-use
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.