Among 153 Canadian nursing students, approximately 90% reported knowledge gaps in cannabis regulations, 88% in effectiveness, and 86% in dosing — highlighting a critical gap in healthcare education.
Nursing educators, healthcare program administrators, nursing students, and policymakers interested in cannabis education requirements.
What the researchers found
Nursing students disclosed knowledge gaps in cannabis regulations (90%), effectiveness (88%), and dosing best practices (86%). Clinical exposure and virtual resources were identified as the most effective learning stimulants.
Why it matters
Nurses are often the front line of patient care. If they graduate without understanding cannabis — which is legal across Canada — they can't effectively counsel patients or recognize cannabis-related health issues.
The numbers in context
153 nursing students. Knowledge gaps: regulations 90%, effectiveness 88%, dosing 86%. Survey ran September 2022 to February 2023.
How the study worked
Online survey of 153 Canadian undergraduate and graduate nursing students (September 2022-February 2023) examining knowledge, interest, and learning preferences regarding medical and recreational cannabis.
What this study cannot tell us
Small sample from Canadian programs. Self-reported knowledge gaps may not reflect actual knowledge. Students who participated may be more interested in cannabis topics than average.
How to read the evidence
Small cross-sectional survey providing preliminary evidence of an important education gap, but limited sample size and self-report methodology.
When this study was published
Recent survey capturing the education gap several years after Canadian cannabis legalization in 2018.
The bigger picture
Canada legalized cannabis in 2018, yet nursing education still hasn't caught up. This gap between legal reality and clinical training likely exists worldwide as more countries and states legalize.
Questions still open
- Are similar gaps present in medical and pharmacy education? Would mandatory cannabis modules improve patient care outcomes?
Common questions
Do nurses learn about cannabis in school?
Why does this matter for patients?
Read the original research
Canadian nursing students and education in medical and recreational cannabis: a preliminary evidence.
International journal of nursing education scholarship, 22(1)
Citation
Zanchetta, Margareth Santos; Metersky, Kateryna; Tan, Valerie; Lucchese, Stephanie Pedrotti; Siganevich, Yana; Sivasundaram, Prashajini; Nguyen, Truong Thanh Binh; Cordon, Charissa; Qureshi, Imran. (2025). Canadian nursing students and education in medical and recreational cannabis: a preliminary evidence.. International journal of nursing education scholarship, 22(1). https://doi.org/10.1515/ijnes-2024-0009
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