Patient–Provider Interactions About Cannabis for Therapeutic Purposes Vary as a Function of Provider Type: A Pilot Study

More patients are using cannabis for therapeutic purposes (CTP), but there is little evidence to guide its use, and many healthcare providers feel unprepared to advise on it. This CME activity is based on a pilot study in The American Journal on Addictions. It surveyed 507 US adults about their first conversation with a healthcare provider about CTP, and compared mental health, family medicine, medical cannabis clinic and other specialty providers. Fewer than half of respondents said their provider discussed risks (44%) or followed up at later visits (47%). Few received specific advice on dose, how often to use, how to take it, or where to get it (10–25%). Mental health providers had the highest rates of discussing risks. Medical cannabis clinics were the most likely to give specific advice. The activity helps clinicians have more balanced, informed conversations about CTP that lower risk and support safer use.

Target Audience

Healthcare Professionals

Learning Objectives

  • Describe how often providers discuss cannabis risks, follow up on use, and give specific advice when patients ask about CTP.
  • Compare how mental health, family medicine, medical cannabis clinic and other specialty providers approach CTP conversations.
  • Identify the patient factors, including age and cannabis-related problems, linked to whether providers discuss risks and give advice.
  • Apply strategies to make CTP conversations more complete, covering risk, dose, how often to use, how to take it, and follow-up.

Activity Disclosure

No commercial support has been accepted related to the development or publication of this activity. This activity underwent peer review in line with the standards of editorial integrity and publication ethics.

Course summary

Available credit: 
  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™
Course opens: 
04/14/2025
Course expires: 
04/13/2028
Cost:
$0.00

Article Authors

Jivan Achar, Alan J. Budney PhD, Cara A. Struble PhD

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

This activity underwent peer review in line with the standards of editorial integrity and publication ethics. Conflicts of interest have been identified and resolved in accordance with John Wiley and Sons, Inc.’s Policy on Activity Disclosure and Conflict of Interest.

 

John Wiley & Sons, Inc. is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

John Wiley and Sons, Inc. designates this journal-based CME activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. For information on applicability and acceptance of continuing medical education credit for this activity, please consult your professional licensing board.

This activity is designed to be completed within 1 hour. To successfully earn credit, participants must complete the activity during the valid credit period, which is up to three years from initial publication. Additionally, up to 3 attempts and a score of 80% or better is needed to pass the post test and claim CC credit. [ACGME competency/CC category: Medical Knowledge].

Available Credit

  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™

Price

Cost:
$0.00
Please login or register to take this course.