Only 10% of physicians had ever authorized medical cannabis, citing low knowledge and competence
In a survey of physicians at a university health system, only 10% had signed a medical cannabis authorization, discussions focused on risks rather than dosing or harm reduction, and physicians viewed their influence on patient cannabis decisions as weak.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Only 10% of physicians had ever signed a medical cannabis authorization. Cannabis discussions primarily focused on risks (63%) rather than dosage (6%) or harm reduction (25%). Physicians perceived their influence on patient cannabis decisions as weak compared to other information sources and had unfavorable attitudes toward dispensary staff and medical cannabis caregivers.
Key Numbers
10% had signed a medical cannabis authorization; 63% of discussions focused on risks; 6% on dosage; 25% on harm reduction; physicians perceived weak influence compared to other patient information sources
How They Did This
Anonymous online survey of physicians in a university-affiliated health system assessing cannabis education, perceived knowledge and competence, discussion content, and attitudes toward dispensary staff and caregivers.
Why This Research Matters
When physicians lack cannabis knowledge and focus only on risks, patients are left without clinical guidance and may rely on less reliable information sources, potentially leading to harm.
The Bigger Picture
The disconnect between widespread patient cannabis use and minimal physician engagement creates a healthcare gap that dispensary staff and online sources fill, often without clinical training.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Single health system; response rate and sample size not specified in abstract; may not represent community physicians or those in states with robust medical cannabis programs; self-reported data
Questions This Raises
- ?What would increase physician comfort with cannabis discussions beyond risks?
- ?Would integrating cannabis education into medical school and residency training change these patterns?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 10% of physicians had ever authorized medical cannabis
- Evidence Grade:
- Single health system physician survey providing practice pattern data, but limited generalizability and potential selection bias.
- Study Age:
- 2024 study
- Original Title:
- Physicians' Attitudes and Practices Regarding Cannabis and Recommending Medical Cannabis Use.
- Published In:
- Cannabis and cannabinoid research, 9(4), e1048-e1055 (2024)
- Authors:
- Kruger, Daniel J(9), Gerlach, Joseph, Kruger, Jessica S(3), Mokbel, Majd A, Clauw, Daniel J, Boehnke, Kevin F
- Database ID:
- RTHC-05441
Evidence Hierarchy
Watches what happens naturally without intervening.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Why are physicians not more engaged with medical cannabis?
Physicians reported low knowledge and competence regarding medical cannabis. Only 10% had ever signed an authorization form. When they did discuss cannabis with patients, the conversation focused overwhelmingly on risks (63%) rather than practical topics like dosing (6%) or harm reduction (25%).
What do physicians think of dispensary staff?
Physicians generally had unfavorable attitudes toward medical cannabis dispensary staff and caregivers, viewing them as not competent to address patient health needs. Yet physicians also acknowledged their own limited influence on patient cannabis decisions compared to other information sources.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-05441APA
Kruger, Daniel J; Gerlach, Joseph; Kruger, Jessica S; Mokbel, Majd A; Clauw, Daniel J; Boehnke, Kevin F. (2024). Physicians' Attitudes and Practices Regarding Cannabis and Recommending Medical Cannabis Use.. Cannabis and cannabinoid research, 9(4), e1048-e1055. https://doi.org/10.1089/can.2022.0324
MLA
Kruger, Daniel J, et al. "Physicians' Attitudes and Practices Regarding Cannabis and Recommending Medical Cannabis Use.." Cannabis and cannabinoid research, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1089/can.2022.0324
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Physicians' Attitudes and Practices Regarding Cannabis and R..." RTHC-05441. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/kruger-2024-physicians-attitudes-and-practices
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.