Over 80% of neurologists, nurses, and pharmacists support medical cannabis but 40-50% feel unfamiliar with it | Research

The takeaway

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.

Medical educators, healthcare policy makers, and professional organizations developing cannabis curricula.

80%+ support; 40-50% unfamiliar with pharmacology; pharmacists most knowledgeable

What the researchers 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.

Why it 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 numbers in context

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 the study worked

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.

What this study cannot 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.

How to read the evidence

Moderate: reasonable sample across 3 professions, but convenience sampling limits generalizability.

When this study was published

Published 2020.

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.

Questions still open

Would formal cannabinoid education change prescribing patterns? Should pharmacists take a larger role in medical cannabis counseling?

Common 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.

Read the original research

Attitudes and knowledge about cannabis and cannabis-based therapies among US neurologists, nurses, and pharmacists.

Epilepsy & behavior : E&B, 109, 107102

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

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