Survey of neurologists regarding their attitudes toward medicinal cannabis and the effects of evidence-based cannabis education

Abstract

A survey was conducted with neurologists regarding their attitudes toward cannabis. Comparison was made between respondents who had previously been exposed to information about cannabis (31 neurologists), hereafter referred to as the “informed group,” and those who had not (81 neurologists), hereafter referred to as the “non-informed group.” While more than half of the respondents in both groups showed some acceptance toward the usage of cannabis for research purposes, there was a stronger tendency to accept the use of cannabis for medical purposes in the informed group. Since this acceptance was more often displayed by respondents who had adequate knowledge of the medical use of cannabis, this suggests that providing information on cannabis is useful in promoting acceptance. The result of the survey indicated that a portion of neurologists acknowledges the usefulness of cannabis, and that one’s receptivity toward cannabis can be improved if adequate information is provided about cannabis.