What topics does this cannabis study cover?

This study covers research on: Mental Health.

Where was this research published?

Published in Journal of cannabis research on May 11, 2026.

Mental Health

Future doctors know cannabis science, but remain cautious

Healthcare students' knowledge and attitude toward medical cannabis: a cross-sectional study in southeastern Iran.

Journal of cannabis research • May 11, 2026 • Moderately Relevant

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AI Summary

This Iranian study examined how healthcare students—the future prescribers and dispensers of medical cannabis—understand and feel about cannabis as a medicine. Researchers surveyed 560 students from Kerman University of Medical Sciences, finding that students had moderate knowledge about medical cannabis (scoring 65.6 out of 100) but remained cautious and hesitant in their attitudes (44.4 out of 100). Interestingly, higher knowledge didn't automatically lead to more favorable attitudes, suggesting that simply educating healthcare professionals about cannabis isn't enough to change their views. The study reveals a gap between what students knew and what they were willing to accept as legitimate medicine.

The research identified critical factors shaping student perspectives. Advanced educational year and prior training about cannabis were the strongest predictors of knowledge, indicating that curriculum matters. However, the hesitation students showed likely reflects deeper cultural and religious concerns about cannabis in conservative Iranian society. Students who understood more about cannabis's legal and governmental status actually held more favorable attitudes, suggesting that regulatory clarity helps acceptance. Conversely, those who learned about cannabis's potential advantages over other drugs became less favorable, perhaps viewing it as a threat to conventional treatments.

These findings have important implications for healthcare education globally. The gap between knowledge and acceptance suggests that evidence-based curricula alone won't ensure cannabis is integrated into medical practice—educators must also address cultural attitudes, legal frameworks, and professional identity. For cannabis users and advocates, this research underscores that medical legitimacy depends not just on scientific evidence but on how healthcare systems and their students are trained to think about it. The researchers call for curriculum reforms that balance evidence-based therapeutic information with consideration of local sociolegal contexts.

📄 Original Abstract

Medical cannabis has gained increasing attention globally for its potential in treating various conditions. As the use of medical cannabis expands, it is crucial for future healthcare professionals, particularly physicians, to have a comprehensive understanding of its clinical applications, side effects, and legal status. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitudes of healthcare students in southeastern Iran regarding medical cannabis. In this cross-sectional study (April 4th-June 15th, 2025), 560 healthcare students from Kerman University of Medical Sciences were recruited through convenience sampling (response rate: 90.35%). Data were collected through a demographic and background information questionnaire, the Knowledge about Medical Cannabis-Scale (KMC-S), and the Attitude toward Medical Cannabis-Scale (AMC-S). SPSS 24 facilitated analysis using independent t-tests, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficient, and stepwise multivariate regression (α = 0.05). Participants (66.8% female, mean age = 22.31 ± 2.75 years) demonstrated moderate knowledge (65.6 ± 8.3 vs. midpoint = 60) but cautious attitudes (44.4 ± 5.4 vs. midpoint = 45). While the overall knowledge-attitude correlation was nonsignificant (r = -0.008, p = 0.855), subscale analysis revealed a weak negative correlation between knowledge and perceptions of "relative advantages to other drugs" (r = -0.195, p < 0.001) and a positive correlation with perceptions of "Legal and governmental aspects of medical marijuana" (r = 0.191, p < 0.001). A stepwise multiple regression identified educational year (β = 0.243, p < 0.001) and educational training about marijuana (β = 0.179, p < 0.001) as key knowledge predictors. Iranian healthcare students display therapeutic awareness but operational hesitancy regarding cannabis, potentially reflecting cultural-religious reservations. Findings underscore the need for curriculum reforms addressing evidence-based therapeutic applications while considering local sociolegal frameworks. Future research should explore attitude formation mechanisms in conservative medical environments.

Paper Type

📄 Research

Publication

Journal: Journal of cannabis research
Published: May 11, 2026
PMID: 42116224
DOI: 10.1186/s42238-026-00424-w

Authors (6)

Mahlagha Dehghan HIV/STI Surveillance Research Center, and WHO Collaborating Center for HIV Surveillance, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran. m_dehghan@kmu.ac.ir.
Samaneh Behzadi Fard School of Nursing and Midwifery, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Lorestan, Iran.
Asma Najmadini Nursing Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
Mansooreh Azizzadeh Forouzi Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
Morteza Rabiei Vaziri Reproductive and Family Health Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
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