How pharmacists can counsel patients on medical marijuana

Abstract

Twenty U.S. states and the District of Columbia now have medical marijuana laws, and nearly one-half of those states joined the ranks in the last 5 years. But because of marijuana's more common reputation as an illicit drug, patients may not be comfortable discussing its use with their health care providers, and health care providers may not know how best to counsel their patients. As the plant's identity continues to shift from illicit drug to therapeutic botanical, pharmacists need to understand how to advise on its medical use.