How Healthcare Professionals View Cannabis: A Global Perspective
Article Written by Adam Isaac Miller
Consultant psychiatrist Dr. Emilio Russo shares insights from a comprehensive survey of 1,580 healthcare professionals across 16 countries, revealing nuanced attitudes towards cannabis-based products in healthcare.
Cannabis-based products are gaining unprecedented attention in the medical field. With an estimated 55 million people worldwide suffering from conditions that could potentially benefit from cannabis-based treatments, understanding healthcare professionals' perspectives is crucial for shaping future medical practices and policies.
A recent international survey provides valuable insights into how doctors, pharmacists, and nurses view cannabis in healthcare settings. The study, conducted across Asia, Europe, Oceania, South America, and the Middle East, reveals both enthusiasm and caution among medical professionals.
Healthcare professionals and cannabis
There is growing interest in the use of cannabis-based products for various medical conditions. Reportedly, these products may help with anxiety, emotional regulation, and even cognitive function in some patients.
The survey found that healthcare professionals expressed high interest in cannabis-based products, with a median score of 9 out of 10. They also felt knowledgeable about these products, scoring a median of 6 out of 7. Significantly, 79.6% of respondents agreed that cannabis-based products hold therapeutic potential for some patients.
Dr. Russo explains, "We're seeing a significant shift in attitudes towards cannabis in medicine. Healthcare professionals are increasingly curious about its potential but are also cautious and want more evidence-based information. The high interest score of 9 out of 10 is particularly striking and suggests a real appetite for knowledge in this area."
Case study: Global perspectives
The survey revealed interesting regional and specialty-specific variations:
In Europe, healthcare professionals showed slightly higher confidence in discussing cannabis regulations with patients. Neurologists from this region were particularly interested in cannabis-based products for neurological conditions.
Asian respondents expressed similar interest levels to other regions but slightly lower confidence in discussing benefits and risks. Psychiatrists in this region reported the highest frequency of patient inquiries about cannabis.
Oceania-based professionals emphasised the importance of regulatory approval. General practitioners from this region showed strong interest in further education on cannabis.
South American healthcare workers showed a high demand for further education on cannabis, particularly regarding clinical evidence for its use in pain management.
Middle Eastern respondents placed a slightly higher emphasis on regulatory frameworks. Pharmacists in this region reported high confidence in discussing regulations but sought more information on drug interactions.
Dr. Russo notes, "These regional differences highlight the need for tailored approaches to cannabis education and policymaking. What works in one region may not be suitable for another."
Improvements in knowledge and confidence
The survey found that healthcare professionals generally feel confident discussing cannabis-based products with patients. They reported high confidence in discussing legality and regulations (median 6/7) and benefits/risks (median 5/7).
Interestingly, 46.6% of healthcare professionals reported that their patients or caregivers ask about using cannabis-based products. Of these, 60.1% said they were asked only a few times a year, while 38.3% were asked at least once a month.
Despite this confidence, there's a clear desire for more information. Healthcare professionals sought further education on various aspects of cannabis-based products, including:
Legality and regulations (median score 6/7 for benefit from further information)
Scientific evidence of efficacy (6/7)
Potential risks and side effects (6/7)
Dosing and administration (6/7)
Dr. Russo emphasises, "This desire for more information, even among confident professionals, highlights the complex and rapidly evolving nature of cannabis in medicine. We must continue to provide up-to-date, evidence-based education to healthcare workers."
Speciality-specific insights
The survey revealed notable differences among medical specialties:
Neurologists showed the highest interest and perceived knowledge about cannabis-based products.
Psychiatrists reported the most frequent patient inquiries about cannabis use.
General Practitioners expressed a strong interest in further education, particularly regarding
legal aspects.
Pharmacists were highly confident in discussing regulations but sought more information on drug interactions.
Nurses indicated a strong desire for more clinical evidence to guide patient care.
Looking to the future
The survey reveals that 59% of healthcare professionals consider robust clinical trial evidence as the most critical factor for ensuring patient safety with cannabis-based products. When asked to allocate points to factors contributing to patient safety, respondents gave the highest median score (25 out of 100) to robust clinical trial evidence.
Other factors considered important for patient safety included:
Ongoing safety monitoring (median score 15/100)
Real-world evidence or registries in large numbers of patients (15/100)
Regulatory body approval (10/100)
Evidence of traditional use (10/100)
Dr. Russo concludes, "It's clear that medical professionals are open to the potential of cannabis in healthcare. However, they're approaching it with scientific rigour. The demand for high-quality clinical evidence will likely drive future research and could shape how cannabis is integrated into mainstream medicine."
He adds, "Interestingly, we found that healthcare professionals who had prescribed, dispensed, or recommended cannabis-based products in the past year tended to rate their confidence in discussing risks and benefits lower than those who hadn't. This suggests that practical experience with these products may lead to a more nuanced understanding of their complexities."
As interest in cannabis-based products continues to grow, ongoing education and research are required to support healthcare professionals in making informed decisions and providing the best possible care to their patients. The survey highlights a clear need for more robust clinical trials, improved educational resources, and more precise regulatory frameworks to support the responsible integration of cannabis-based products into healthcare practices worldwide.
Adam has spent over eight years working with unregistered medicines. With a specialization in Cannabinoid Therapeutics, Adam has supported the development, implementation, and market entry of multiple cannabinoid product portfolios in markets such as Australia, New Zealand, Germany, and Brazil. Before working in the medical cannabis field, Adam spent almost a decade building various B2B businesses within education, investment, and medicinal cannabis, with progressive roles including business development, strategy, product development, and project management. He has consulted private and listed cannabis producers and ancillary businesses since 2015 as one of the early entrants and experts in the burgeoning Australian cannabis industry. Adam founded and sat on the board of The Medical Cannabis Council, Australia’s first not-for-profit industry body. He is a frequent public speaker and publishes a widely read industry newsletter. Adam earned a Bachelor of Entrepreneurship from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. Adam has appeared in several major news outlets, including the Sydney Morning Herald, The Australian Financial Review, Nine News, Startup Smart, SBS, SkyNews, MJBizDaily, and other major publications.
Disclaimer: This information is shared with a global readership for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. All patient-related information has been de-identified OR fictional to protect privacy. Nothing in this article is intended to promote the use or supply of medical cannabis to members of the public.