How to Find Trusted Cannabis Information

In today’s digital age, it’s easy to find a wealth of cannabis information online. As more states legalize cannabis for medicinal or recreational purposes, new patients are welcomed into the cannabis community daily. Many of these individuals, particularly patients, are eager to learn all they can about cannabis and its effects, benefits, and potential risks. 

Researchers, publishers, advocates, healthcare professionals, marketers, and prohibitionists have responded to this desire for cannabis information by creating thousands upon thousands of websites with data about the plant and its effects. Multiple government agencies, some of them intent on maintaining prohibition, have also published information on cannabis. In many instances, these efforts delve into misinformation designed to scare or dissuade potential cannabis users despite evidence that many patients are helped by the plant every day.

With so much data available from so many sources, it can be difficult to determine how to find cannabis information you can trust. However, many clues can help you evaluate the quality of the information provided by a particular source. The discerning patient or consumer can determine if the source aims to inform or mislead by paying attention to these clues.

The Reasons for Cannabis Misinformation

While much of the information about cannabis found online is produced by conscientious individuals with a desire to help others, it is also easy to find misinformation about the plant. Beginning in the early 20th century, forces that were keen on preventing cannabis from gaining popularity in the United States have shared half-truths and outright lies, often with the help of academia and the media.

The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) notes in a report about the fraud behind cannabis prohibition that the New York Times printed a story titled “Mexican Family Goes Insane” in 1927 about the purported dangers of cannabis. 

“A widow and her four children have been driven insane by eating the marihuana plant, according to doctors, who say there is no hope of saving the children’s lives and that the mother will be insane for the rest of her life,” the report maintained.

Similarly, in a 1933 academic paper about cannabis published in the Journal of Law and Criminology, the authors wrote that the “inevitable result is insanity, which those familiar with it describe as absolutely incurable, and, without exception, ending in death.”

Although extreme, these accounts illustrate the efforts of an aggressive prohibition campaign. By relying on misinformation and stigmatizing cannabis, prohibitionists hoped to sway the views of the public and policymakers. These efforts persisted for decades and were reflected in laws, policies, and commonly held myths and misconceptions for generations.

Other forms of cannabis misinformation are not as insidious, although the prevailing prohibitionary attitudes often influence them. Much of the cannabis research approved in the United States, for example, is focused on the purported dangers of cannabis rather than its benefits. 

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has been the primary source of federal funding for cannabis research in the United States.  As the agency’s name suggests, NIDA’s focus is on drug abuse, and this has significantly influenced the type of research they fund. 

NIDA’s dominance in funding cannabis research has led to a vast disparity in the focus of studies approved by the agency. In 2020, the journal Science published data that showed that between 2000 and 2018, the vast majority of NIDA’s funding for cannabis research was spent on studying the potential harms and negative consequences of the plant. Less than one-fifth of funding was allocated to investigate the therapeutic benefits of cannabis. Despite the funding discrepancy, many government-funded research studies have made sound discoveries, so their findings should not be rejected.

Red Flags When Looking Up Cannabis Information

With so much information about cannabis online, evaluating the credibility of the sources you find is important. One of the biggest red flags is articles or websites that do not cite peer-reviewed studies as evidence for any claims being made. Decades of prohibition led to a vibrant underground cannabis culture, including a wealth of anecdotal evidence about the efficacy of cannabis in treating medical conditions. However, many of these claims have not yet been subjected to the rigors of clinical trials, so they should not be relied on exclusively.

Websites or sources that claim that cannabis has been proven to cure any disease or condition should also be viewed skeptically. Although there is evidence that cannabis and cannabinoids show promise as a treatment for many conditions, further study is still needed to establish a clear link between their use and potential to cure disease.

Sources of cannabis information that use hyperbolic language should also be approached with suspicion. Cannabis is not a cure-all for anything that ails you, despite the exuberance of some of the plant’s most ardent advocates. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Similarly, resources that refer to cannabis as completely safe should also be avoided. While cannabis is safer than many alternatives, there are still potential risks associated with its use, like all drugs.

Indicators of Reliable Sources of Cannabis Information

Just as there are red flags to watch out for, there are also signs that a particular website, article, or other resource may be a reliable source of cannabis information. Sources that cite peer-reviewed studies to back up any claims or benefits of cannabis can be a good sign that the site you are evaluating has based its information on scientific research.

Good sources of cannabis information will also generally mention the potential risks associated with cannabis. While millions of people have safely and successfully used cannabis medicinally, every individual is different. Some patients will not tolerate cannabis well, and its effects may vary from patient to patient. Trusted sources of cannabis information will generally be transparent with this fact.

Can Cannabis Information from the Government Be Trusted?

Many people wonder if the government can be trusted as a source of cannabis information. Generally, the answer is “yes and no.” As we have learned, the U.S. government waged a misinformation campaign against cannabis for decades. Remnants of this trend still exist, so law enforcement agencies should generally not be trusted to provide reliable information about cannabis. 

Other government agencies, such as the Centers for Disease Control and NDIA, generally base their information on scientific evidence. However, many of these studies may be biased and used to fuel fear-mongering by emphasizing the worst-case scenarios. As unlikely as many of these scenarios are, they are usually based on fact. Knowing the risks is important because some people will have an unpleasant or unexpected reaction to cannabis. 

State medical cannabis regulators are generally good sources of information about cannabis laws in their jurisdictions. They can provide accurate information about the rules and regulations of each state's medical cannabis program.

Can Doctors Be Trusted To Provide Reliable Information About Cannabis?

The simple answer to whether doctors and other healthcare professionals can be trusted to provide reliable cannabis information is, once again, “yes and no.” Some physicians with training in cannabis medicine have spent the time and effort to learn about cannabis and its potential medical benefits and risks and will be able to guide patients and make recommendations. A cannabis doctor can also help explain the pros and cons of getting a medical cannabis card in your state.

Other doctors, however, have little or no training and education about the endocannabinoid system and the medicinal use of cannabis. Some healthcare professionals are even openly hostile to cannabis because of the stigma associated with the plant for generations and cannot be trusted to provide reliable information about cannabis.

The Best Places for Cannabis Information

The best cannabis sites present a balanced perspective on the benefits and risks of cannabis. Trusted sites like NuggMD have reviewers who hold professional degrees in cannabis or are doctors, pharmacists, nurse practitioners, or other professionals who verify the information presented. The best sources of cannabis information also cite peer-reviewed journals to back up their claims.

Wading through all of the cannabis information online can be fraught with difficulties, including many sites that spread disinformation about the plant. With a little critical evaluation, however, discerning individuals can increase their chances of finding reliable information about cannabis they can trust.

The information in this article and any included images or charts are for educational purposes only. This information is neither a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional legal advice or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about laws, regulations, or your health, you should always consult with an attorney, physician or other licensed professional.