Washington Healthcare Professionals Concerned About Cannabis Mental Health Risks
A recent survey indicates that healthcare professionals in Washington state are increasingly concerned about the mental health risks associated with cannabis use. Some clinicians reported regularly treating patients for cannabis-related health issues.
Survey Highlights
Researchers published these findings in the Substance Use & Addiction Journal, based on a 20-question survey conducted between December 2024 and March 2025. The survey included 388 doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals in Washington state. It focused on their experiences treating patients with health problems following the legalization of recreational cannabis in 2012.
Over half of the respondents expressed significant concern regarding the mental health risks of cannabis use. Approximately 20% reported treating patients for cannabis-related adverse health events two to three times monthly.
Beatriz Carlini, lead author and a research associate professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine, noted that healthcare providers are observing and are concerned about cannabis adverse events. She also highlighted the lack of prior U.S. research gathering clinicians' perspectives on treating such conditions.
Commonly Observed Cannabis-Related Conditions
Clinicians frequently identified four specific conditions in patients:
- 70% reported treating patients for cannabis hyperemesis syndrome, characterized by cycles of nausea and severe vomiting.
- 65% identified patients with cannabis-use disorder, indicating signs of addiction or dependency.
- 63% identified patients experiencing anxiety related to cannabis use.
- 53% identified patients with psychoses or hallucinations attributed to cannabis use, with 34% considering these the most serious events observed.
Knowledge Gaps and Training Needs
Respondents generally described their knowledge of cannabis-related clinical topics as 'moderately' informed, but significant gaps were identified:
- Nearly two-thirds (65.9%) reported slight or no knowledge about cannabis interactions with other medications.
- 42.8% reported limited knowledge concerning cannabis-induced psychoses.
Almost 75% expressed a desire for more training on screening for cannabis use and managing associated health risks.
Systemic Barriers to Effective Treatment
Clinicians also cited systemic challenges impacting effective treatment. Over 80% indicated they would be more likely to screen and intervene with patients if established treatment protocols and more referral options were available.
Carlini mentioned that a shortage of providers specializing in cannabis-related care remains an issue, especially as substance-use treatment providers are overwhelmed by other disorders.