Only 10% of physicians had ever authorized medical cannabis, citing low knowledge and competence | Research

The takeaway

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.

Medical educators, cannabis policy advocates, and healthcare administrators

10% of physicians had ever authorized medical cannabis

What the researchers 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.

Why it 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 numbers in context

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 the study worked

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.

What this study cannot 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

How to read the evidence

Single health system physician survey providing practice pattern data, but limited generalizability and potential selection bias.

When this study was published

2024 study

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.

Questions still open

What would increase physician comfort with cannabis discussions beyond risks? Would integrating cannabis education into medical school and residency training change these patterns?

Common 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.

Read the original research

Physicians' Attitudes and Practices Regarding Cannabis and Recommending Medical Cannabis Use.

Cannabis and cannabinoid research, 9(4), e1048-e1055

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

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