Survey: More than half of Washington clinicians cite mental-health risks from cannabis use

Key Points:

• A survey of 388 Washington state healthcare professionals reveals growing concern about mental health risks linked to recreational cannabis use, with many clinicians regularly treating cannabis-related health problems.
• Over half of respondents expressed strong concern about cannabis-associated mental health issues, and nearly 20% reported seeing patients with cannabis-related adverse events multiple times per month.
• Common cannabis-related conditions treated include cannabis hyperemesis syndrome (70%), cannabis-use disorder (65%), anxiety related to cannabis use (63%), and psychoses or hallucinations (53%), with psychoses considered the most serious by 34% of clinicians.
• Significant gaps in clinician knowledge were identified, particularly regarding cannabis interactions with other medications and cannabis-induced psychoses, with nearly 75% of respondents seeking more training on screening and managing cannabis-related risks.
• System-level barriers such as lack of treatment protocols and referral options hinder effective care, compounded by a shortage of providers specializing in cannabis-related disorders amid ongoing challenges from other substance use epidemics.