Nearly 70% of Colorado dispensaries recommended cannabis for first-trimester morning sickness
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.
Quick Facts
What This Study 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.
Key Numbers
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 They Did This
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).
Why This Research 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 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.
What This Study Doesn't 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.
Questions This Raises
- ?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?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 69% of dispensaries recommended cannabis for morning sickness; 65% based on personal opinion
- Evidence Grade:
- This well-designed cross-sectional study with a large sample (400 dispensaries) and standardized methodology provides moderate evidence on dispensary recommendation practices.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2018 using data from Colorado dispensaries. Other states' dispensary regulations and training requirements may differ.
- Original Title:
- Recommendations From Cannabis Dispensaries About First-Trimester Cannabis Use.
- Published In:
- Obstetrics and gynecology, 131(6), 1031-1038 (2018)
- Authors:
- Dickson, Betsy, Mansfield, Chanel, Guiahi, Maryam, Allshouse, Amanda A, Borgelt, Laura M, Sheeder, Jeanelle, Silver, Robert M, Metz, Torri D
- Database ID:
- RTHC-01642
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Did most dispensaries recommend cannabis for morning sickness?
Yes. 69% of 400 Colorado dispensaries recommended cannabis products for first-trimester nausea. Medical dispensaries were most likely to recommend it (83.1%).
Did dispensaries suggest talking to a doctor?
Only 31.8% voluntarily recommended discussing cannabis use with a healthcare provider. When the caller specifically asked, the rate rose to 81.5%.
Read More on RethinkTHC
Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-01642APA
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
MLA
Dickson, Betsy, et al. "Recommendations From Cannabis Dispensaries About First-Trimester Cannabis Use.." Obstetrics and gynecology, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1097/AOG.0000000000002619
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Recommendations From Cannabis Dispensaries About First-Trime..." RTHC-01642. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/dickson-2018-recommendations-from-cannabis-dispensaries
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.