Most Opioid Treatment Clinicians Lack Experience with Medicinal Cannabis But Want to Learn

88.5% of clinicians lacked experience providing medicinal cannabis. Two-thirds (66.7%) would consider medicinal cannabis for addressing cannabis use in OTP clients, and over 70% would consider it for other health conditions. Over half (54.2%) lacked confidence in assisting with access and were unfamiliar with regulations (56.2%). Top safety concerns were driving problems (74%), cognitive impairment (54.2%), and cannabis dependence (54.2%).

Cross-sectional survey of 102 clinicians (nurses, doctors, pharmacists, allied health, consumer workers) from six public opioid treatment program services in New South Wales, Australia.

Opioid treatment program clients have high rates of cannabis use, and medicinal cannabis is increasingly available in Australia. This study reveals a major gap between clinician willingness to consider medicinal cannabis and their actual knowledge and confidence to do so.

As medicinal cannabis becomes more accepted, frontline addiction treatment clinicians need training and regulatory education. The finding that most want to learn but feel unprepared highlights an opportunity for professional development programs specifically targeted at addiction medicine settings.

Single region (New South Wales). 63% response rate may introduce selection bias. Clinician perceptions may not reflect evidence-based practice. Survey cannot assess actual clinical competence. Australian regulatory context may differ from other countries.