The new article, "Developing Medical Cannabis Competencies: A Consensus Statement," published in JAMA Network Open, provides a clear, standardized framework for cannabis education. The CCOE is proud to share this unbiased, evidence-informed guide for integrating medical cannabis into undergraduate medical training.
A Critical Need for Competence
Despite the fast growth of medical cannabis use across the U.S., most health care providers and trainees feel unprepared to advise patients or add cannabis into a patient’s care plan. Education on medical cannabis is absent from most medical school classes, even though the endocannabinoid system—a system central to health—was discovered almost 35 years ago. This lack of training leaves a significant gap between patient needs and professional knowledge.
The Key Solution: Consensus-Based Competencies
A modified Delphi process involving 23 experts across various specialties (including physicians, nurses, and academic leaders) was used to create a consensus-based set of core competencies. This framework aims to ensure that future clinicians are equipped to give informed, evidence-based, and patient-centered guidance on medical cannabis use.
The Six Core Competencies for Future Clinicians:
The expert panel consolidated a list of nine initial topics into six core competencies that must be included in medical school curricula. These standards cover the necessary knowledge areas:
- Foundation: Understand the basics of the endocannabinoid system.
- Pharmacology: Describe the main components of the cannabis plant and their biological effects.
- Legal Landscape: Review the legal and regulatory landscape of cannabis in the U.S..
- Evidence-Base: Describe the evidence-base for health conditions commonly managed with cannabis.
- Risk Management: Understand the potential risks of medical cannabis use.
- Clinical Practice: Understand basic clinical management with medical cannabis.
Each of these core competencies is supported by a set of detailed subcompetencies (26 in total) that cover essential topics like patient safety, vulnerable populations, and structural inequities.
Conclusion
This competency framework offers a structured foundation for integrating medical cannabis education. By using this roadmap, medical educators can ensure the next generation of health care professionals is fully prepared to advise patients on cannabis use, addressing a critical knowledge deficit in the medical field.
Authored By: Yuval Zolotov, PhD; Leslie Mendoza Temple, MD; Richard Isralowitz, PhD; David A. Gorelick, MD, PhD; Rebecca Abraham, BSN; Donald I. Abrams, MD; Kyle Barich, BA; Kevin F. Boehnke, PhD; Stephen Dahmer, MD; Joseph Friedman, MBA; Patricia Frye, MD; Aviad Haramati, PhD; Jade Isaac, BS; Mary Lynn Mathre, MSN; Marion E. McNabb, DrPH [CCOE President]; Melinda Ring, MD; Ethan B. Russo, MD; Deepika E. Slawek, MD; Brigham R. Temple, MD; Genester S. Wilson-King, MD; Julia H. Arnsten, MD; and Mikhail Kogan, MD.
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