Dispensary staff broadly view medical cannabis as beneficial and low-risk
In a national survey of 434 US dispensary staff, over 80% perceived cannabis as helpful for PTSD, epilepsy, and cancer, while more than 70% dismissed concerns about risks like increased illicit drug use or decreased intelligence.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Among 434 dispensary staff from 29 states, over 80% viewed cannabis as helpful for PTSD (88.7%), epilepsy (85.3%), and cancer (83.4%). More than 70% were not worried about potential risks including increased illicit drug use (76.3%), decreased intelligence (74.4%), sleep disruption (71.7%), or new health problems (70.7%). Cannabis was considered safe in older adults by 81.3%, with less consensus on pregnancy safety.
Key Numbers
434 participants from 29 states; 40% patient-facing staff, 32% managers, 13% pharmacists, 5% clinicians; 88.7% saw cannabis as helpful for PTSD; 85.3% for epilepsy; 83.4% for cancer; 81.3% considered it safe for older adults; 76.3% not worried about illicit drug use risk
How They Did This
Online Qualtrics survey of 434 dispensary staff from 29 US states who reported interacting with customers in dispensaries selling THC-containing products. Conducted February-October 2020. Participants rated perceived benefits, risks, and safety on Likert scales.
Why This Research Matters
Dispensary staff are often the primary information source for medical cannabis patients, yet this survey shows they may broadly minimize risks and overstate benefits, potentially providing unbalanced guidance.
The Bigger Picture
As dispensaries become the de facto healthcare touchpoint for many cannabis users, the gap between staff perceptions and the mixed scientific evidence base represents a public health concern.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Online self-selected sample may overrepresent pro-cannabis views. Survey conducted during COVID-19 which may have affected responses. "Helpfulness" and "worry" framing may not capture nuanced risk-benefit assessment.
Questions This Raises
- ?Would structured training programs change dispensary staff risk perceptions?
- ?How do staff recommendations influence patient behavior and outcomes?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 88.7% of dispensary staff viewed cannabis as helpful for PTSD
- Evidence Grade:
- Large multi-state survey with diverse staff roles, though self-selected online sample may not represent all dispensary workers.
- Study Age:
- Published 2023
- Original Title:
- Dispensary Staff Perceptions About the Benefits, Risks, and Safety of Cannabis for Medical Purposes.
- Published In:
- Substance abuse, 44(3), 226-234 (2023)
- Authors:
- Bulls, Hailey W(2), Althouse, Andrew D, Feldman, Robert(2), Arnsten, Julia H, Liebschutz, Jane M, Nugent, Shannon M, Orris, Steven R, Rohac, Rebecca, Slawek, Deepika E, Starrels, Joanna L, Morasco, Benjamin J, Kansagara, Devan, Merlin, Jessica S
- Database ID:
- RTHC-04438
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
What do dispensary staff think about medical cannabis?
In this national survey, over 80% of dispensary staff viewed cannabis as helpful for conditions like PTSD, epilepsy, and cancer, and more than 70% were not concerned about common risks like cognitive effects or sleep disruption.
Do dispensary staff consider cannabis safe for everyone?
Staff broadly considered cannabis safe for older adults (81.3%), but there was much less consensus on safety during pregnancy, suggesting some risk awareness.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-04438APA
Bulls, Hailey W; Althouse, Andrew D; Feldman, Robert; Arnsten, Julia H; Liebschutz, Jane M; Nugent, Shannon M; Orris, Steven R; Rohac, Rebecca; Slawek, Deepika E; Starrels, Joanna L; Morasco, Benjamin J; Kansagara, Devan; Merlin, Jessica S. (2023). Dispensary Staff Perceptions About the Benefits, Risks, and Safety of Cannabis for Medical Purposes.. Substance abuse, 44(3), 226-234. https://doi.org/10.1177/08897077231186677
MLA
Bulls, Hailey W, et al. "Dispensary Staff Perceptions About the Benefits, Risks, and Safety of Cannabis for Medical Purposes.." Substance abuse, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1177/08897077231186677
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Dispensary Staff Perceptions About the Benefits, Risks, and ..." RTHC-04438. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/bulls-2023-dispensary-staff-perceptions-about
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.