After medical cannabis became available in Arkansas, residents preferred less regulation and were less likely to agree that pharmacists improve patient safety around cannabis.
Pharmacists, pharmacy educators, medical cannabis policymakers, and public health professionals.
83.1% past-30-day usersin the survey sample, who were more likely to disagree with pharmacist involvement in medical cannabis safety
What the researchers found
Compared to baseline, follow-up participants preferred less regulatory control of MC and were less likely to agree pharmacists helped improve MC-related patient safety, especially among those who used cannabis in the past 30 days.
Why it matters
As medical cannabis programs expand, the declining public trust in pharmacist involvement could undermine patient safety if pharmacists are not actively integrated into dispensing and counseling.
The numbers in context
555 usable follow-up surveys from 1,526 baseline participants (39.8% response). 83.1% reported past 30-day cannabis use. 40.9% aged 40-64. 67.9% female. 90.6% white.
How the study worked
Longitudinal self-administered online survey conducted at baseline (February 2018) and follow-up (September 2019) in Arkansas. Paired t-tests and multivariable regression.
Who was studied
555 Arkansas residents surveyed before and after medical cannabis availability, predominantly female (67.9%), white (90.6%), and current cannabis users (83.1%).
What this study cannot tell us
Low follow-up response rate (39.8%). Self-selected sample heavily skewed toward cannabis users (83.1%). Predominantly white and female. Single state may not generalize.
How to read the evidence
Longitudinal survey with paired comparisons, but low response rate and heavily biased sample limit generalizability.
When this study was published
Baseline February 2018, follow-up September 2019, capturing early medical cannabis availability in Arkansas.
The bigger picture
This study highlights a tension between the pharmacy profession role in medication safety and public attitudes that may view pharmacist involvement as unnecessary gatekeeping for cannabis.
Replication
Single-state study with biased sample; replication in diverse populations needed.
Funding
Not specified in abstract
Conflicts of interest
Not specified in abstract
Questions still open
- Would pharmacist-led cannabis counseling improve patient outcomes if implemented?
- How can pharmacists demonstrate their value in the medical cannabis space?
Read the original research
Changes in Arkansans' attitudes toward pharmacist involvement and regulation of medical cannabis following its availability in Arkansas.
Journal of the American Pharmacists Association : JAPhA, 63(4), 1131-1137.e4
Citation
Hernandez, Michelle; Franks, Amy M; Payakachat, Nalin. (2023). Changes in Arkansans' attitudes toward pharmacist involvement and regulation of medical cannabis following its availability in Arkansas.. Journal of the American Pharmacists Association : JAPhA, 63(4), 1131-1137.e4. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.japh.2023.05.014