Half of Colorado marijuana dispensaries recommended cannabis for glaucoma, but few eye specialists did
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.
Quick Facts
What This Study 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.
Key Numbers
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 They Did This
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.
Why This Research 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 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.
What This Study Doesn't 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.
Questions This Raises
- ?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?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 51% of dispensaries vs. 7.6% of specialists recommended cannabis for glaucoma
- Evidence Grade:
- Multi-stakeholder cross-sectional survey with good methodology, but limited by response rates and single-state scope.
- Study Age:
- 2020 study using 2018-2019 survey data from Colorado. Relevant to ongoing dispensary regulation discussions.
- Original Title:
- Perceptions of Marijuana Use for Glaucoma from Patients, Cannabis Retailers, and Glaucoma Specialists.
- Published In:
- Ophthalmology. Glaucoma, 3(6), 453-459 (2020)
- Authors:
- Weldy, Eric W, Stanley, Jordan, Koduri, Vivek A, McCourt, Emily A, Patnaik, Jennifer L, Kahook, Malik Y, Seibold, Leonard K
- Database ID:
- RTHC-02911
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked 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.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-02911APA
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
MLA
Weldy, Eric W, et al. "Perceptions of Marijuana Use for Glaucoma from Patients, Cannabis Retailers, and Glaucoma Specialists.." Ophthalmology. Glaucoma, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ogla.2020.06.009
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Perceptions of Marijuana Use for Glaucoma from Patients, Can..." RTHC-02911. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/weldy-2020-perceptions-of-marijuana-use
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.