The Importance of Cannabinoid Education

People seek out different therapies to help them navigate and enjoy their lives the best way they know how. Some people simply want to feel ‘normal’ again, similar to how most of us feel when we want our morning caffeine buzz, nicotine relief, or psychotropic medications for anxiety or depression. However, I believe there is something more beneficial, without the side effects of mainstream medications and treatments that can assist in improving an individual’s quality of life. I found that ‘something’ to be cannabinoid therapy.

There are numerous areas of concern demanding attention regarding our cannabinoid climate here in Wisconsin. There exists a significant lack of understanding about tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or cannabidiol (CBD), what is being sold in stores and pop-up dispensaries due to the absence of standards and regulatory bodies, the mechanisms through which these products work (ensuring the product contains what is stated on the label), how to decipher product labels, which cannabinoids are ‘legal’ in Wisconsin, and the list goes on.

As a Doctor of Nursing Practice, I aim to actively discuss and educate my patients on their personal choice of cannabinoid use, without backlash. In addition, as a healthcare professional, I wish that more people in leadership roles, both in government and among prescribers, would look beyond the stigma and fear predominantly created in the 1930s. These individuals should educate themselves on the countless phytochemicals and benefits that the Cannabis Sativa L. plant produces- not just THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) or CBD (cannabidiol).

I have been a registered nurse and worked in a memory care unit, skilled nursing unit, and long-term care until I joined a local hospital. Once there, I worked in a neurology/general medicine unit specializing as a step-down for strokes, seizures, and alcohol/opiate withdrawals. Witnessing the prevalence of alcohol and opiate withdrawals was saddening. The anxiety, nausea, vomiting, and confusion accompanying these ailments contributed to burnout for staff, frustration for families, and against medical advice discharges that most likely led the patient back to using their substances of choice.

In the healthcare profession and the community, I observe varying levels of knowledge in the area of cannabinoid education. While I understand that Googling is often considered ‘doing your research,’ I’m also aware that many individuals rely on information from personal circles. A study analyzed 45 participants targeting people >60 years of age, to identify knowledge gaps in cannabis use. The findings revealed that these participants obtained information from non-clinician sources and the media instead of family physicians. Another study incorporating over 20,000 adults throughout the U.S. found that 43% still rely on family and friends for information on cannabis use. Practitioners can begin to understand the immense need to educate themselves and consumers properly, given the increasing use of cannabinoids and the limited regulation of products. This understanding is crucial for reducing harm while determining the most beneficial dosage.

For example, a study conducted by a 4th-year pharmacy student at UW-Madison who purchased 39 CBD products all over Southwest Wisconsin showed that only six products, 15.4%, were accurately labeled (Gerhards, 2022). Considering that CBD products are not regulated by the FDA, it is essential to reflect on that number and multiply it by hundreds of thousands of products currently available. Are you sure you are buying what you think you are?

Due to the loopholes that many discovered in the 2018 Farm Bill, imitative, ‘lab produced’, manufactured byproducts of hemp started to be sold without FDA approval or lab-tested for safety especially here in Wisconsin where the cannabinoid supplement industry has seen an increase in use because of marketing and legal confusion. These hemp-derived products, such as Delta8, Delta9, Delta10, THC-0, etc., with ‘legal THC’ have been anecdotally described as producing the same high as cannabis without the added adverse effects and are being sold openly wherever CBD products are allowed. Yet, there is no response by legislation or local officials because not many with legal authority quite understand what is going on. With newly enacted and confusing enforcement of certain federal and state laws associated with possession, cannabis is a murky discipline to wade through.

For those that follow cannabis legalization attempts and statistics, most will read that a 2021 Statista report identified that 17.09% of the Wisconsin adult population (just over 1 million people) had tried cannabis at least once in the past year. A 2022 Marquette Law Poll indicated that 80% of Wisconsin voters support a medical marijuana program. Most recently, a 2023 cross-sectional survey estimated that nearly 25% of the American population had used a type of cannabinoid in the past year. The same year, a Gallup poll revealed that about 50% of the American population had tried a cannabis product in their lifetime.

Regarding our cannabinoid climate here in Wisconsin there are numerous areas of concern demanding attention. There exists a significant lack of understanding regarding what THC or CBD even is and what even is being sold in stores and pop-up dispensaries due to the absence of standards and regulatory bodies. How these products work (ensuring the product contains what is stated on the label), how to decipher product labels, which cannabinoids are even ‘legal’ in Wisconsin, and the list goes on.

So, how do we educate consumers when we don’t have a regulated or approved cannabinoid program in Wisconsin to educate providers? It could start with our government officials. However, that is challenging because they may get their information from medical professionals who might be heavily influenced by stigma, political or religious affiliations, and/or media exposure. It has also been shown that many medical students and professionals are not receiving the proper training regarding cannabinoid treatments expected in the medical field, even when the desire to learn is there. A systematic review assessed the growing need to educate current and future healthcare professionals to ensure safer outcomes in the medical field. They found that there is a strong desire to learn about cannabis as a therapeutic option, but the educational support isn’t there. Also, 85% of medical schools or residency programs do not teach or include any curriculum on cannabis.

I believe that access to educated professionals in this field can increase the quality of life of individuals and decrease the use of unregulated substances and the prescribing of opioids. That’s why I’m here, to help further educate consumers who are looking for a reliable resource.