Primary Care Providers’ Communication About Medical Cannabis With Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Abstract Purpose: Healthcare providers often hesitate to discuss medical cannabis (MC) due to limited understanding, risks and benefits, and misinformation. This reluctance is notable with older adult patients, despite MC’s potential benefits. This study investigates whether primary care providers (PCPs) routinely inquire about MC when treating older adults and the frequency of such inquiries. Methods: A 23-question survey was emailed to 575 physicians, pharmacists, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants who completed a Pennsylvania Department of Health-approved MC course. The survey