Is There a Doctor in the House? Patient Experiences Regarding Information-Seeking and Provider Advice in New Jersey’s Medicinal Cannabis Program

Background : To ensure medical oversight in an environment of rapidly expanding medicinal cannabis use, states have established a framework of state-sponsored medicinal cannabis programs (MCPs), with regulatory standards governing qualifying medical conditions and care-monitoring by authorized health providers. Whether MCP regulations strengthen medical oversight, however, is unclear, given the notable lack of research into health communications and provider practices within MCPs. This paper addresses this gap by providing information from the patient’s perspective about medical information-seeking and advice within New Jersey’s MCP, including the types of cannabis-related medical advice patients desired, sources of information and the factors affecting the receipt or non-receipt of medical guidance from MCP-authorized providers. Methods : Adult (18+) registered medicinal cannabis users (n = 228) were recruited for this online study as part of a larger, population-based, statewide survey of New Jersey cannabis users conducted in 2022–2023. Respondents were questioned about medical advice sought and received with respect to dosage, side effects, tolerance, withdrawal symptoms and strains. Descriptive statistics, chi-square analysis, ANOVA and multivariable logistic regression were used as appropriate to describe patients’ information-seeking behaviors and identify factors associated with receiving advice from MCP-authorized health providers. Results : Findings revealed a sizeable communication gap between patients and their MCP-affiliated providers. Only 52% received advice from their provider in any of the five topic areas studied while dispensary staff provided information to 85% of patients. The primary driver of patient-provider non-communication was online certification with a medicinal cannabis specialty provider. Patients certified by a cannabis specialist in person or by an established provider, such as their primary care provider, were three-four times more likely to have received information than patients certified online. Primary care providers, however, were significantly underrepresented among MCP-authorized providers. Women, patients over age 50 and patients with PTSD were also less likely than others to receive provider advice. Conclusions : While some states require in-person only certification and monitoring, New Jersey and other states permit all medical monitoring to be conducted virtually. More stringent state requirements surrounding MCP provider training, patient certification and care management may enhance medical oversight while ensuring safer cannabis use and more effective outcomes.