6 in 10 Doctors Say Marijuana Is a ‘Legitimate Medical Therapy’

According to new data published in the journal BMC Family Practice, nearly 6 in 10 primary care doctors believe that medical marijuana is a legitimate therapeutic option.

Researchers with the Mayo Clinic surveyed the mindsets of doctors in the Minnesota health care system and found that 58.1% of respondents agreed with the statement that “medical cannabis was a legitimate medical therapy,” NORML reported.

That finding is consistent with other major surveys in showing that many American doctors support cannabis as a medical option. However, many doctors expressed a need to become more educated about marijuana before moving ahead.

“Providers generally believe that medical cannabis is a legitimate medical therapy,” the survey concluded. “Significant opportunities exist to: 1) close knowledge gaps for clinicians through the collection and dissemination of information about the effectiveness of medical cannabis for state qualifying conditions; 2) alleviate concerns about drug interactions by exploring opportunities for information sharing between dispensaries and traditional medical practices; and 3) expand the knowledge base about how medical cannabis impacts patient QOL (quality of life).”