Office of Medical Communications

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(AUGUST 18, 2023) In a study on medicinal cannabis use and reporting published in the Journal of Primary Care & Community Health, Larner researchers Nicole Wershoven, Amanda Kennedy, Pharm.D., professor of medicine, and Charles MacLean, M.D., professor of medicine, found that just 18 percent of patients thought their provider was a “good source of information regarding cannabis” and cannabis-related health issues, according to Labroots.

Despite this, most respondents to the survey perceived cannabis products to be either “very” or “somewhat” helpful in treating symptoms, including pain and depression. Patients also reported using the substance to treat conditions, including migraine and arthritis, and sleep problems.

While cannabis has been medically legal in Vermont since 2004 and recreationally legal since 2018, there has been minimal published research regarding the use and practices in the adult population. This gap in understanding results in primary care providers having difficulty navigating conversations surrounding cannabinoid use. The purpose of this research was to identify current use and perceptions of cannabinoids, including Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), in adult primary care patients in Vermont.

“Further research should consider how to assist primary care providers in having informed conversations about the risks and benefits of cannabis, especially in the setting of chronic pain,” the study authors wrote.