Global Perspectives on Medical Cannabis Products: Knowledge, Attitudes, Clinical Use, and Safety Perceptions Among Healthcare Professionals and Patients
Mihail Aleksandrov1✉, Marija Pendovska2
- 1 Department of Production, Aura Pharm LLC, Koreshnica, 1442 Demir Kapija, Republic of North Macedonia
- 2 PHI University Clinic for Hematology, Mother Teresa 17, 1000 Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia
Received 6 October 2026 · Accepted 6 October 2026 · Published 6 October 2026 · Corrected 9 November 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23197339
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Key messages
- Acceptance of medical cannabis and CBMPs is growing among healthcare professionals and patients.
- Significant educational and clinical gaps hinder confident and consistent use of CBMPs.
- Structured education, harmonized guidelines, and enhanced pharmacovigilance are essential for safe clinical integration.
Abstract
Introduction
Medical cannabis and cannabinoid-based medicinal products (CBMPs) are increasingly considered in managing chronic pain, neurological disorders, epilepsy, oncology-related symptoms, and palliative care. However, their safe clinical integration is influenced by healthcare professionals' knowledge, prescribing confidence, safety perceptions, and familiarity with regulatory requirements.
Materials and methods
A narrative literature review was conducted using peer-reviewed studies published between January 2023 and December 2025. Cross-sectional surveys, qualitative studies, scoping reviews, and international analyses involving healthcare professionals and patients were examined. Findings were synthesized across four domains: knowledge and education, attitudes and acceptance, clinical use and confidence, safety and regulatory perceptions.
Results
Key findings include growing acceptance of CBMPs for various clinical indications, a gap in formal cannabinoid education despite positive attitudes, clinical uncertainties regarding dosing and pharmacokinetics, patient perspectives highlighting perceived benefits and safety concerns, and regulatory heterogeneity affecting practice.
Conclusion
Acceptance of medical cannabis and CBMPs is increasing, but educational, clinical, and regulatory gaps limit confident and consistent use. Safe integration into clinical practice requires structured interdisciplinary education, harmonized prescribing guidance, stronger pharmacovigilance, and continued high-quality clinical research.
Original poster
References
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