What is the perception of patients regarding their doctors using marijuana? This is what a recent study published in the Journal of Hand Surgery Global Online hopes to address as a team of researchers investigated how patient perceptions regarding their doctors using marijuana outside of work, especially since marijuana continues to be categorized as a Schedule 1 substance per the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency. This study has the potential to help researchers, patients, medical professionals, legislators, and the public better understand the perceptions of marijuana as its legalization continues to expand across the country.
For the study, the researchers conducted surveys of 413 participants, of which 388 surveys were included in the final analysis. Of those 388, 234 (60.3%) had never used marijuana, 61 (15.7%) had rarely used marijuana, 30 (7.7%) had occasionally used marijuana, 41 (10.6%) had frequently used marijuana, and 22 (5.7%) preferred not to answer. Additionally, 64% of respondents were comfortable with their doctor using alcohol off-duty while 47% were comfortable with their doctor using marijuana off-duty.
The study notes, “Patient perceptions of marijuana use are variable. More patients were comfortable with their physician using marijuana outside of work than not. Patients were as comfortable with their physicians using medical marijuana as they were with nicotine.”
They continue by noting, “At present, the United States is undergoing an unprecedented change at the state level with respect to the legal status of recreational and medical marijuana. However, at both the federal and state licensure levels, guidance regarding physician medical marijuana usage is not clearly defined.”
This study comes as cannabis use has become legal, either medically or recreationally, in 39 of the 50 states in the United States, as of April 1, 2025, with 24 states having legalized it for recreational use. Therefore, this study helps shape the conversation regarding cannabis use by professionals outside of the work environment while still maintaining the same level of professionalism and care within their respective work environments.
How will patient perception regarding their doctors using marijuana change in the coming years and decades? Only time will tell, and this is why we science!
As always, keep doing science & keep looking up!
Sources: Journal of Hand Surgery Global Online, Marijuana Moment, DISA Global Solutions Inc
