New Study Reveals Trust in Dispensary Staff Surpasses Healthcare Providers and Government Agencies for Cannabis Information
A recent federally funded study has found that individuals who consume marijuana trust dispensary staff more than healthcare providers or government agencies as a source of information about cannabis. The study, conducted by researchers from the University of California and Johns Hopkins University, surveyed 1,023 U.S. residents who had used a THC-containing cannabis product in the past month.
The study revealed that dispensary staff scored an average of 3.7 out of 5 in terms of trust, followed by friends (3.5), healthcare providers (3.4), and state and federal government officials (2.9). Social media posts and other sellers of cannabis scored an average of 2.6.
The researchers found that the level of trust in cannabis information sources depends on the individual’s motivation for using the substance. When asked who they would trust the most for using cannabis medicinally, healthcare providers were selected most often (55%), followed by dispensary staff (20%). However, when asked who they would trust the most for using cannabis for recreational purposes, dispensary staff were selected most often (47%), followed by friends (37%).
The study’s findings suggest that there is a need for integration of cannabis core competencies and minimum knowledge standards into healthcare provider education. The researchers noted that scientific and medical information about cannabis lags behind emerging cannabis markets, leading many individuals to turn to non-healthcare sources for trustworthy information.
The study was funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and was published in the journal Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy.
