A majority of dispensaries encouraged talking to a health care provider, but many needed prompting
FRIDAY, May 11, 2018 (HealthDay News) — More than two-thirds of Colorado cannabis dispensaries recommend cannabis products to treat nausea during the first trimester of pregnancy, according to a study published online May 7 in Obstetrics & Gynecology.
Betsy Dickson, M.D., from the University of Colorado in Aurora, and colleagues used a mystery caller to collect advice from marijuana dispensaries regarding cannabis product use during pregnancy.
The researchers contacted 400 dispensaries (37 percent were licensed for medical sale, 28 percent for retail, and 35 percent for both). More than two-thirds of dispensaries (69 percent) recommended cannabis products for the treatment of morning sickness, although the recommendations varied by license type (medical, 83.1 percent; retail, 60.4 percent; both, 61.7 percent; P < 0.001). A similar percent (65 percent) based their recommendation for use in pregnancy on personal opinion, while a lower percent (36 percent) stated cannabis use is safe in pregnancy. Most of the dispensaries (81.5 percent) recommended discussion with a health care provider, but only 31.8 percent made this recommendation without being prompted.
“As cannabis legalization expands, policy and education efforts should involve dispensaries,” the authors write.
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