INTRODUCTION
The passage of the 2018 Farm Bill was a historical event for the cannabis industry. This legislation differentiated hemp cannabis (containing < 0.3% delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol [THC] on a dry-weight basis) from non-hemp cannabis (containing > 0.3% THC, ie, marijuana), removing the Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act from hemp and allowing significant expansion of cultivation and the interstate commerce of hemp and hemp-derived products.1 Yet, US scientists continue to face substantial regulatory hurdles and limitations in the cannabis products they may study2 while cannabis products available commercially online or through dispensaries are sparsely regulated,3 inaccurately labeled,4,5 and promote misleading claims.6 Combined with the increasing legalization and public acceptance of medical and recreational cannabis across the United States of America,7-10 it is unsurprising that scientific research and recommendation guidelines for medical use of cannabis products cannot keep pace with the growth of this industry.
This rapidly changing landscape impacts the field of dermatology. Research implicates the potential for targeting the extensive endocannabinoid system (ECS) of the skin to treat dermatological disease,11 including eczematous dermatoses.12 Studies using animal models of atopic dermatitis have demonstrated the significant role of cannabinoid receptors 1 (CB1)13,14 and 2 (CB2),15 and transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) receptors16- all of which can be modulated by cannabinoid compounds - in regulating inflammation and pruritus in the skin. Extending this knowledge to small studies in humans, endocannabinoid and phytocannabinoid compounds have shown therapeutic promise in treating pruritus,17 atopic eczema (dermatitis),18-21 asteatotic eczema,22 and sensitive skin.23
This survey aimed to determine the use and knowledge of and attitudes about cannabis products in individuals diagnosed with a form of eczema, a group of dermatological conditions that research has shown may benefit from cannabinoid therapies.
This rapidly changing landscape impacts the field of dermatology. Research implicates the potential for targeting the extensive endocannabinoid system (ECS) of the skin to treat dermatological disease,11 including eczematous dermatoses.12 Studies using animal models of atopic dermatitis have demonstrated the significant role of cannabinoid receptors 1 (CB1)13,14 and 2 (CB2),15 and transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) receptors16- all of which can be modulated by cannabinoid compounds - in regulating inflammation and pruritus in the skin. Extending this knowledge to small studies in humans, endocannabinoid and phytocannabinoid compounds have shown therapeutic promise in treating pruritus,17 atopic eczema (dermatitis),18-21 asteatotic eczema,22 and sensitive skin.23
This survey aimed to determine the use and knowledge of and attitudes about cannabis products in individuals diagnosed with a form of eczema, a group of dermatological conditions that research has shown may benefit from cannabinoid therapies.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Survey MonkeyTM, an online survey platform, was used for survey development and data collection. The survey used branching logic (42 question maximum) and various question
