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Most healthcare workers in the United States say they are unprepared to counsel their patients about the use of medical cannabis, according to the results of a recently published study. The research reviewed data from dozens of previous studies, revealing that physicians and medical trainees do not have the knowledge needed to properly guide their patients on the medicinal use of cannabis.
In their introduction, the researchers note that “There is limited training provided at all levels of medical education, even for professionals with many years of clinical practice. Additionally, there is minimal scientific research, which delays the development of evidence-based guidelines.”
To conduct the study, a team of researchers affiliated with the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine reviewed 41 studies assessing medical practitioners’ beliefs and attitudes about medical cannabis. The selected studies were conducted from January 2013 to February 2025 and included both electronic surveys and qualitative interviews.
The reviewed studies included data from physicians, medical trainees, and other healthcare professionals in the United States. The researchers determined that most participants felt they were not prepared to counsel their patients on the use of medical cannabis.
“US physicians and medical trainees perceived significant knowledge barriers to recommending MC [medical cannabis] and counseling patients on its therapeutic use,” the researchers reported, according to a brief on the study from the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML). “Students, residents, and fellows remain minimally prepared on this topic, both on the pharmacological principles and the ability to provide guidance to patients who have questions.”
The research also revealed that healthcare professionals seek comprehensive training programs about medical cannabis that will help them guide their patients in its use.
“Physicians expressed the need for postgraduate education on MC in different formats, including CME (webinars and conference presentations), along with clearer state clinical practice guidelines,” the researchers wrote, adding, “Effectively training current and future healthcare professionals on MC is a necessary step toward improving patient care and reducing potential stigma associated with medical versus recreational cannabinoid use.”
Lack of Cannabis Education Can Limit Treatment Options
Mikhail Kogan, M.D., medical director of the GW Center for Integrative Medicine and associate professor, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, has treated and recommended medical cannabis to more than 3,000 patients, about half for chronic pain. But he notes that the lack of formal education about medical cannabis is a significant barrier for most healthcare professionals.
“We struggle with this question for good reason. We don’t send patients to a website to learn about their medications, so we shouldn’t send a patient to a website to learn about cannabis,” Kogan told Forbes in 2021. “Patients can read books and research papers or talk to budtenders in a dispensary for guidance, but none of these are good options. It’s not even a Band-Aid solution, because self-medicating can lead to unwanted side effects.”
The continued illegality of the therapy under federal law impedes training healthcare providers about the use of medical cannabis. Federal cannabis policy also creates other challenges, including limiting research and the development of standardized products that have been proven to be safe and effective. Kogan says that until the regulation of medical cannabis catches up with its current use, healthcare providers and patients will continue to face challenges with the therapeutic uses of cannabis.
“Standardization in education is critical, but so is standardization when it comes to cannabis products for pain to ensure that the patient gets the same exact medicine every time,” he explains.
The study, “Physicians’ Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions about Medical Cannabis in the United States: A Scoping Review,” was published last month in the peer-reviewed journal Medical Cannabis and Cannabinoids.
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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.
