Oregon Dispensary Staff Rely on On-the-Job Training and Personal Experience to Advise Patients | Research

The takeaway

A survey of Oregon dispensary staff found most learned about medical marijuana through on-the-job training and the internet, and used patient preferences and personal experience rather than clinical evidence to guide product recommendations.

Read this if you get product advice from dispensary staff and want to understand the basis for their recommendations.

Staff least likely to advise on drug interactions or recommend consulting a pharmacist

What the researchers found

As Oregon dispensaries multiplied, researchers surveyed their staff about training and patient education practices. Of 141 surveys sent, 47 were initiated.

The most common training sources were on-the-job experience and the internet, rather than formal medical or pharmacological education. When recommending specific strains to patients, staff relied primarily on patients' stated preferences and symptoms, combined with their own personal experiences with the products.

Most staff did advise patients about precautions and expected effects. However, they were least likely to discuss drug interactions or recommend that patients consult a pharmacist or prescriber, the areas where formal medical knowledge is most critical for safety.

Why it matters

This study reveals a knowledge gap with patient safety implications. Dispensary staff are providing medical guidance based on personal experience and internet research rather than clinical training, and they are least comfortable in exactly the areas (drug interactions) where errors could be most dangerous.

The numbers in context

47 of 141 surveys initiated. Most common training: on-the-job and internet. Staff used patient preferences, symptoms, and personal experience for recommendations. Majority advised on precautions and effects. Least likely to advise on drug interactions or refer to pharmacists.

How the study worked

Statewide cross-sectional email survey of Oregon Medical Marijuana Dispensary personnel. 47 of 141 surveys initiated. Questions covered training sources, knowledge bases, and advising practices.

What this study cannot tell us

Low response rate (47 of 141) may introduce response bias. Self-reported practices may not reflect actual behavior. Small sample from one state. The survey could not assess the accuracy or safety of specific recommendations.

How to read the evidence

Small survey with low response rate from one state. Provides initial insights but limited generalizability.

When this study was published

Published in 2016. Oregon's cannabis industry and training requirements have evolved significantly since.

The bigger picture

This Oregon study, alongside the similar findings from RTHC-01173, demonstrates a consistent national pattern: dispensary staff serve as de facto healthcare advisors without healthcare training. As medical cannabis expands, standardized training programs become increasingly important for patient safety.

Questions still open

Would mandatory training programs improve the quality of dispensary advice? Should pharmacists be required at dispensaries? How do patient outcomes differ between dispensaries with and without trained staff?

Common questions

How are dispensary staff trained?

In this Oregon survey, most staff learned through on-the-job training and internet research. Formal medical or health training was not commonly reported.

Should I rely on dispensary advice for drug interactions?

Dispensary staff were least likely to advise on drug interactions or recommend consulting a pharmacist. For drug interaction concerns, consulting a healthcare provider is recommended.

Read the original research

Personnel training and patient education in medical marijuana dispensaries in Oregon.

Journal of the American Pharmacists Association : JAPhA, 56(3), 270-273.e2

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Linares, Roberto; Choi-Nurvitadhi, Jo; Cooper, Svetlana; Ham, YoungYoon; Ishmael, Jane E; Zweber, Ann. (2016). Personnel training and patient education in medical marijuana dispensaries in Oregon.. Journal of the American Pharmacists Association : JAPhA, 56(3), 270-273.e2. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.japh.2015.12.015