Half of Colorado marijuana dispensaries recommended cannabis for glaucoma, but few eye specialists did | Research

The takeaway

In Colorado, 51% of marijuana dispensary employees recommended cannabis for glaucoma treatment, while only 7.6% of glaucoma specialists had ever done so, and just 2.6% of glaucoma patients had tried it.

Ophthalmologists treating glaucoma, dispensary regulators, patients with glaucoma considering cannabis, and public health officials addressing medical cannabis misinformation.

51% of dispensaries vs. 7.6% of specialists recommended cannabis for glaucoma

What the researchers found

51% of 203 contacted dispensaries recommended marijuana for glaucoma. Only 7.6% of 290 glaucoma specialist respondents had recommended it, mostly infrequently (86.4% of those who did). Among 231 glaucoma patients, 58.9% had heard about cannabis for glaucoma but only 2.6% had used it as treatment.

Why it matters

The gap between dispensary recommendations and medical evidence creates confusion for patients. While cannabis can transiently lower eye pressure, it is not recommended as a glaucoma treatment due to short duration and side effects, yet patients encounter conflicting information.

The numbers in context

203 of 300 dispensaries contacted (68%). 51% recommended cannabis for glaucoma. 290 of 1,308 AGS members responded (22%). 7.6% had recommended cannabis. 231 glaucoma patients surveyed. 58.9% aware of cannabis for glaucoma. 2.6% used it as treatment.

How the study worked

Three cross-sectional surveys conducted October 2018-March 2019 in Colorado: mystery calls to 300 dispensaries, self-administered survey to 1,308 American Glaucoma Society members, and patient survey at University of Colorado glaucoma clinic.

What this study cannot tell us

Mystery call approach may not capture nuanced dispensary advice. Low response rate from glaucoma specialists (22%). Single state study in a legalized market. Patient survey from one academic clinic may not represent all glaucoma patients.

How to read the evidence

Multi-stakeholder cross-sectional survey with good methodology, but limited by response rates and single-state scope.

When this study was published

2020 study using 2018-2019 survey data from Colorado. Relevant to ongoing dispensary regulation discussions.

The bigger picture

This study illustrates a broader problem in the medical cannabis landscape: dispensary employees without medical training providing health recommendations that conflict with specialist consensus, creating potential for harm.

Questions still open

Should dispensary employees be prohibited from making disease-specific treatment recommendations? How can patients better navigate conflicting information from dispensaries and doctors? Would better training for dispensary staff reduce inappropriate recommendations?

Common questions

Does cannabis help glaucoma?

Cannabis can temporarily lower intraocular pressure, but the effect lasts only 3-4 hours, meaning it would require dosing 6-8 times daily. Glaucoma specialists generally do not recommend it due to this impracticality and side effects.

Why do dispensaries recommend it if doctors don't?

Dispensary employees may be aware that cannabis lowers eye pressure but not the clinical details about why it is impractical as a glaucoma treatment. This knowledge gap highlights the need for better dispensary staff education.

Read the original research

Perceptions of Marijuana Use for Glaucoma from Patients, Cannabis Retailers, and Glaucoma Specialists.

Ophthalmology. Glaucoma, 3(6), 453-459

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Weldy, Eric W; Stanley, Jordan; Koduri, Vivek A; McCourt, Emily A; Patnaik, Jennifer L; Kahook, Malik Y; Seibold, Leonard K. (2020). Perceptions of Marijuana Use for Glaucoma from Patients, Cannabis Retailers, and Glaucoma Specialists.. Ophthalmology. Glaucoma, 3(6), 453-459. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ogla.2020.06.009