Many Dispensary Workers Lack Training
Posted by Marijuana Doctors on 12/11/2019 in Medical Marijuana
Updated on January 21, 2020.
Medical content reviewed by Dr. Joseph Rosado, MD, M.B.A, Chief Medical Officer
Medical marijuana patients often rely on
dispensary staff for advice on choosing cannabis strains and products. But
training for these workers can be spotty, and education requirements vary from
state to state. Many budtenders have no medical or science degrees or training, according to an article on Politico.
More than half of the 33 states with
medical cannabis laws allow
budtenders to advise patients, but other states require dispensaries to
have pharmacists, doctors, or a nurse practitioner on site or on call.
For example, only licensed pharmacists
can suggest cannabis products in Minnesota. In Pennsylvania, only a pharmacist
or other licensed medical professional can provide advice to medical marijuana
patients. Maryland lets budtenders give general information, but only
physicians, pharmacists, or nurse practitioners can provide more specific
advice.
Some doctors are educating themselves
about strains to inform patients better. Medical professionals and patients can
also check out MarijuanaDoctors.com
for information on the therapeutic effects of different strains.
