In October 2020, AAN released new guidelines about clinical cannabis use, yet neurologists are largely unaware of the risk and potential applications of cannabinoids for their patients. Legalization of medical cannabis use and the evidence for cannabinoids having neurological risks and benefits are growing but our understanding of health care professionals’ (HCPs) knowledge about medical cannabis is limited.

HCPs’ knowledge about laws and regulations, risks/harms, pharmacology, and effects on pain, multiple sclerosis spasticity, and seizures was assessed with written tests before an in-person, evidence-based, continuing medical education (CME) program on clinical cannabis.  Total scores and differences among professions and topics were compared.

178 of the 226 program attendees completed the test (79%) [107 (47%) physicians, 30 (13%) nurse practitioners, and 18 (8%) registered nurses]. The mean test score was 63.2% (SD=12.7%) without significant differences among professions (F_{(3, 174)} = 1.53, p = 0.21) but with significant differences among topics (χ²_{(7, 1068)} = 201.13, p<0.001). Attendees scored highest on questions about laws and regulations (85.7%). Mean scores for questions related to risks and harms, pharmacology, pain, multiple sclerosis spasticity, and seizures were all below 70%. The score was lowest for effects on seizures (43.8%).

Although similar among professions, there are substantial gaps in HCPs’ knowledge about the neurological effects of cannabis, especially about risks and harms, pharmacology, and the effects on pain, multiple sclerosis spasticity, and seizures. As cannabis and cannabinoid products become more widely available, HCPs will need further education to be able to accurately and effectively counsel their patients about clinical cannabis using an evidence-based approach.