Future Doctors Show Knowledge Gaps in Medical Cannabis Education

A survey of 250 medical students beginning their studies at a Michigan university revealed significant knowledge gaps regarding medical cannabis, despite overwhelming majority support for incorporating it into medical curricula. The findings highlight a critical disconnect between student interest in cannabis therapeutics and the lack of formal training on cannabinoid science, clinical applications, and evidence-based dosing. As medical marijuana becomes increasingly legal across the United States and Puerto Rico expands its medical cannabis program, physicians entering practice lack foundational knowledge about cannabis as a treatment option for various conditions. Medical schools must address this educational void to ensure future doctors can competently counsel patients on therapeutic applications, drug interactions, and contraindications. This gap in medical education underscores the urgent need for standardized cannabis medicine curricula in medical training programs.