Only 9.3% of Americans used healthcare providers as a cannabis information source, while friends/family (35.6%) and websites (33.7%) dominated, with government agencies the least consulted source (4.7%).
Public health communicators, clinician educators, cannabis policy makers
Only 9.3% used healthcare providers
What the researchers found
Most common information sources: friends/family (35.6%), websites (33.7%). Least common: healthcare providers (9.3%), purchase employees (8.6%), government agencies (4.7%). Medical cannabis users more often used healthcare providers (16.4% vs. 5.2%, p=0.006). Past-year use was associated with all sources except government agencies.
Why it matters
As cannabis rescheduling approaches, public health messaging needs to reach people where they actually get information. The low use of healthcare providers and government agencies means current public health outreach strategies may be largely ineffective.
The numbers in context
1,161 participants, 51% female, 27% past-year cannabis use. Friends/family: 35.6%. Websites: 33.7%. Popular media: 13.9%. Healthcare providers: 9.3%. Purchase employees: 8.6%. Government agencies: 4.7%.
How the study worked
AmeriSpeak nationally representative survey of 1,161 US adults in June 2023 assessing past-year cannabis use, use intentions, and information sources. Logistic regression explored demographic and use associations.
What this study cannot tell us
Self-reported information source use may not reflect information quality or influence on behavior. June 2023 snapshot. Cannot assess accuracy of information from different sources. "Websites" encompasses enormous variability.
How to read the evidence
Nationally representative survey (AmeriSpeak) provides generalizable prevalence data, but cannot assess information quality or behavioral impact.
When this study was published
2024 analysis of June 2023 AmeriSpeak survey data
The bigger picture
The finding that government agencies are the least-used information source suggests decades of drug war messaging may have eroded public trust in government cannabis information, creating a vacuum filled by commercial and social sources.
Questions still open
- How can clinicians be better equipped and motivated to discuss cannabis? Would government cannabis information be more trusted if rescheduling occurs?
Common questions
Where do people get cannabis information?
Do medical cannabis users consult doctors more?
Read the original research
Cannabis-related information sources among US residents: A probability-weighted nationally representative survey.
Journal of cannabis research, 6(1), 38
Citation
Boehnke, Kevin F; Smith, Tristin; Elliott, Michael R; Wilson-Poe, Adrianne R; Kruger, Daniel J. (2024). Cannabis-related information sources among US residents: A probability-weighted nationally representative survey.. Journal of cannabis research, 6(1), 38. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42238-024-00249-5