Physician attitudes regarding the prescription of medical marijuana

J Addict Dis. 2005;24(3):87-93. doi: 10.1300/J069v24n03_07.

Abstract

Surveys of physicians' attitudes regarding the therapeutic value of marijuana are rare. Drawing on a national sample of family physicians, general internists, obstetrician-gynecologists, psychiatrists, and addiction specialists, 960 (adjusted response rate 66%) offered opinions about the legal prescription of marijuana as medical therapy. Thirty-six percent believed prescribed marijuana should be legal and 26% were neutral to the proposition. Non-moralistic attitudes toward substance use were significantly associated with support for physician prescription, as was internal medicine and obstetrics-gynecology specialization. Physicians are, in general, less supportive than the general American public regarding the use of medical marijuana.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Attitude of Health Personnel*
  • Cannabinoids / therapeutic use*
  • Cannabis*
  • Data Collection
  • Drug Prescriptions*
  • Family Practice
  • Gynecology
  • Humans
  • Internal Medicine
  • Morals
  • Obstetrics
  • Permissiveness
  • Phytotherapy*
  • Plant Preparations / therapeutic use*
  • Psychiatry
  • Specialization
  • Substance-Related Disorders

Substances

  • Cannabinoids
  • Plant Preparations