Over 80% of neurologists, nurses, and pharmacists support medical cannabis but 40-50% feel unfamiliar with it
In a survey of 451 US healthcare professionals, over 80% supported medical cannabis legalization (especially CBD for epilepsy), but 40-50% reported significant knowledge gaps in cannabinoid pharmacology and clinical applications.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Over 80% supported medical cannabis use and legalization, especially CBD for epilepsy when prescribed by a provider. However, 40-50% felt unfamiliar with cannabinoid pharmacology and clinical applications. Pharmacists scored highest on knowledge tests; NPs/nurses had most favorable attitudes. State cannabis laws and favorable workplace policies were associated with higher knowledge and more positive attitudes. Only 43% favored recreational legalization.
Key Numbers
451 respondents; >80% support medical cannabis; 40-50% feel unfamiliar; 43% support recreational; pharmacists: highest knowledge; NPs/nurses: most favorable attitudes; state laws predicted both knowledge and attitudes.
How They Did This
Online survey of 451 US-based neurologists, nurse practitioners/nurses, and pharmacists (August-September 2018), using constructed knowledge tests, perceived knowledge scales, and attitudes scales with OLS regression.
Why This Research Matters
The gap between support (80%+) and knowledge (40-50% unfamiliar) means healthcare professionals are endorsing treatments they do not fully understand. This has direct implications for patient safety and counseling quality.
The Bigger Picture
Professional education has not kept pace with cannabis policy changes. Pharmacists, who scored highest on knowledge, are underutilized in cannabis counseling. Medical schools and nursing programs need formal cannabinoid education.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Online convenience sample (response bias likely); 451 is moderate for 3 professions; self-reported knowledge may differ from actual competency; 2018 data predates further legalization; does not assess actual prescribing/recommending behavior.
Questions This Raises
- ?Would formal cannabinoid education change prescribing patterns?
- ?Should pharmacists take a larger role in medical cannabis counseling?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 80%+ support; 40-50% unfamiliar with pharmacology; pharmacists most knowledgeable
- Evidence Grade:
- Moderate: reasonable sample across 3 professions, but convenience sampling limits generalizability.
- Study Age:
- Published 2020.
- Original Title:
- Attitudes and knowledge about cannabis and cannabis-based therapies among US neurologists, nurses, and pharmacists.
- Published In:
- Epilepsy & behavior : E&B, 109, 107102 (2020)
- Authors:
- Szaflarski, Magdalena, McGoldrick, Patricia, Currens, Lauryn, Blodgett, Dustin, Land, Hunter, Szaflarski, Jerzy P, Segal, Eric
- Database ID:
- RTHC-02867
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Do doctors support medical cannabis?
Over 80% of surveyed neurologists, nurses, and pharmacists supported medical cannabis, especially CBD for epilepsy. However, 40-50% felt unfamiliar with cannabinoid pharmacology, highlighting a knowledge gap that could affect patient care.
Which healthcare professionals know most about cannabis?
Pharmacists scored highest on the knowledge test, while nurse practitioners had the most favorable attitudes. State-level cannabis laws influenced both knowledge and attitudes across all professions.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-02867APA
Szaflarski, Magdalena; McGoldrick, Patricia; Currens, Lauryn; Blodgett, Dustin; Land, Hunter; Szaflarski, Jerzy P; Segal, Eric. (2020). Attitudes and knowledge about cannabis and cannabis-based therapies among US neurologists, nurses, and pharmacists.. Epilepsy & behavior : E&B, 109, 107102. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yebeh.2020.107102
MLA
Szaflarski, Magdalena, et al. "Attitudes and knowledge about cannabis and cannabis-based therapies among US neurologists, nurses, and pharmacists.." Epilepsy & behavior : E&B, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yebeh.2020.107102
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Attitudes and knowledge about cannabis and cannabis-based th..." RTHC-02867. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/szaflarski-2020-attitudes-and-knowledge-about
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.