Pharmacy Students’ knowledge, Attitudes, and Awareness toward Marijuana use

Abstract

Introduction: This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and awareness of pharmacy students toward marijuana use. Methods: Pharmacy students were asked to complete a survey that assessed students’ knowledge, attitudes, and awareness toward marijuana use. This study compared students’ awareness about the harmful effects of marijuana in comparison with alcohol and smoking tobacco. Participants were asked about the possibilities of marijuana-induced cancer and addiction. Results: Twenty-three percent of pharmacy students reported having used marijuana at some point in their lives. In comparison with tobacco and alcohol, most of the students agreed that tobacco (49%) and alcohol (42%) are more harmful than marijuana (p <0.0001). More than sixty percent of students considered marijuana as an addictive substance (p <0.02). A 45% of students opposed the possibility of marijuana-induced cancer. Thirty-six percent of the students agreed that marijuana should be legalized for both medical and recreational use with a similar percentage of the students (30 – 32%) believing that marijuana should be legalized for medical use only. Conclusion: Pharmacy schools need to consider coverage of marijuana use in different sections of their curriculum. This will allow pharmacy students to be better prepared for current and future practice regarding the increased prevalence of marijuana use.