Pediatric clinicians reported pursuing medical cannabis use under harm reduction principles, but cited problematic authorization procedures and a major need for neurodevelopmental research.
Pediatricians, medical cannabis policymakers, and clinicians navigating cannabis authorization for young patients.
18 clinicians across 5 specialties; 4 themes centered on harm reduction
What the researchers found
Four themes emerged: access challenges, relational autonomy (shared decision-making between clinicians, patients, and families), medically appropriate use, and research priorities. Clinicians weighed benefits of appropriate use positively over risks, even considering potential neurodevelopmental effects.
Why it matters
Medical cannabis use by pediatric patients is expanding across Canada, but evidence, federal regulations, and treatment guidelines lag behind clinical reality. Understanding clinician perspectives reveals where the system is failing patients.
The numbers in context
18 clinicians interviewed across multiple pediatric specialties. 4 major themes and 12 subthemes identified.
How the study worked
Qualitative study with 18 semistructured interviews of clinicians from neurology, palliative care, oncology, family medicine, and pharmacology, recruited through Canadian Childhood Cannabinoid Clinical Trials listservs. Analyzed using deductive and inductive thematic methods.
What this study cannot tell us
Small sample of 18 clinicians. Purposive sampling through specialized listservs may overrepresent those already engaged with cannabis research. Patient and family perspectives not captured.
How to read the evidence
Small qualitative study with purposive sampling from specialized clinical networks.
When this study was published
Published in 2022, interviews conducted November-December 2020.
The bigger picture
The gap between expanding pediatric cannabis use and the lack of supporting evidence, guidelines, or streamlined authorization procedures highlights a policy and research shortfall.
Questions still open
- How do authorization barriers affect patient outcomes in practice? What specific neurodevelopmental data would shift clinical decision-making?
Common questions
Do pediatric doctors support medical cannabis for children?
What is the biggest barrier to prescribing cannabis to children?
Read the original research
Clinician views on and ethics priorities for authorizing medical cannabis in the care of children and youth in Canada: a qualitative study.
CMAJ open, 10(1), E196-E202
Citation
Gunning, Margot; Rotenberg, Ari D; Kelly, Lauren E; Crooks, Bruce; Oberoi, Sapna; Rapoport, Adam L; Rassekh, S Rod; Illes, Judy. (2022). Clinician views on and ethics priorities for authorizing medical cannabis in the care of children and youth in Canada: a qualitative study.. CMAJ open, 10(1), E196-E202. https://doi.org/10.9778/cmajo.20210239
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