A mystery caller study found that 69% of 400 Colorado cannabis dispensaries recommended cannabis products to treat nausea in the first trimester, with most basing recommendations on personal opinion and only 32% voluntarily suggesting discussion with a healthcare provider.
Read this if you are interested in what advice cannabis dispensaries give about pregnancy and whether it aligns with medical evidence.
69% of dispensaries recommended cannabis for morning sickness; 65% based on personal opinion
What the researchers found
Researchers used a mystery caller approach to contact 400 randomly selected Colorado dispensaries. The caller stated she was 8 weeks pregnant and experiencing morning sickness.
69% of dispensaries recommended cannabis products for first-trimester nausea. Medical dispensaries were most likely to recommend use (83.1%), compared to retail (60.4%) and dual-licensed (61.7%) dispensaries.
65% of dispensaries based their recommendations on personal opinion rather than scientific evidence. 36% stated that cannabis use is safe during pregnancy.
81.5% of dispensaries ultimately recommended discussing cannabis use with a healthcare provider, but only 31.8% made this recommendation without being prompted by the caller. The rest only suggested it when the caller specifically asked.
Why it matters
Cannabis dispensaries are a primary point of contact for people seeking cannabis products, including pregnant women. The finding that most dispensaries recommended cannabis for morning sickness based on personal opinion, with few proactively suggesting medical consultation, highlights a significant gap in prenatal safety communication.
The numbers in context
400 dispensaries contacted. 69% recommended cannabis for morning sickness. Medical 83.1% vs. retail 60.4% vs. dual 61.7%. 65% based on personal opinion. 36% said cannabis is safe in pregnancy. Only 31.8% unprompted suggested talking to a provider.
How the study worked
Statewide cross-sectional study using a mystery caller approach. 400 dispensaries randomly selected from the Colorado Department of Revenue Enforcement Division website. Recommendations compared by license type (medical, retail, both) and location (rural vs. urban).
What this study cannot tell us
Single state (Colorado) study may not reflect dispensary practices in other states. The mystery caller method captures one interaction point and may not reflect advice given during in-person visits. The study cannot determine whether dispensary recommendations actually influence pregnant people's behavior. Published in 2018, and dispensary training requirements may have changed since.
How to read the evidence
This well-designed cross-sectional study with a large sample (400 dispensaries) and standardized methodology provides moderate evidence on dispensary recommendation practices.
When this study was published
Published in 2018 using data from Colorado dispensaries. Other states' dispensary regulations and training requirements may differ.
The bigger picture
As cannabis legalization expands, dispensaries function as de facto health information sources. This study reveals that dispensary staff frequently provide health recommendations without medical training or evidence backing. The gap between medical evidence on prenatal cannabis exposure and dispensary messaging is substantial.
Questions still open
- Should states require dispensaries to provide evidence-based health warnings for pregnant customers? Have dispensary practices changed since this study? Do dispensary recommendations measurably influence cannabis use during pregnancy?
Common questions
Did most dispensaries recommend cannabis for morning sickness?
Did dispensaries suggest talking to a doctor?
Read the original research
Recommendations From Cannabis Dispensaries About First-Trimester Cannabis Use.
Obstetrics and gynecology, 131(6), 1031-1038
Citation
Dickson, Betsy; Mansfield, Chanel; Guiahi, Maryam; Allshouse, Amanda A; Borgelt, Laura M; Sheeder, Jeanelle; Silver, Robert M; Metz, Torri D. (2018). Recommendations From Cannabis Dispensaries About First-Trimester Cannabis Use.. Obstetrics and gynecology, 131(6), 1031-1038. https://doi.org/10.1097/AOG.0000000000002619
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