Graduated, yet unprepared: why healthcare professionals still do not learn about cannabis

In recent years, I have closely followed the progress of medical cannabis in Brazil and worldwide. Science is advancing rapidly, legislation is evolving in several countries, and the number of patients resorting to cannabinoid-based treatments is growing steadily.

However, even faced with this reality, I am still impressed to see that the majority of healthcare professionals graduate from university completely unprepared to deal with the subject.

Physicians, dentists, pharmacists, veterinarians, and nurses enter the workforce without training on the endocannabinoid system, without basic knowledge of phytocannabinoids, and often without even having heard the term "medical cannabis" during their undergraduate studies.

This lack of content directly compromises clinical practice — and I have seen this frequently in the office and in classrooms.

Several international studies highlight this gap. An article published in Drugs and Alcohol Dependence showed that 85% of physicians did not receive any formal education on cannabis during their undergraduate studies or residency.

Only 10% feel prepared to prescribe or guide patients. In the United States, only 9% of medical schools include the topic in their curricula. In family medicine residencies, which tend to be more general, less than 15% offer any kind of clinical experience with cannabis.

And it's not just physicians. In Canada, 65% of pharmacists surveyed said they had not been exposed to the topic during their academic training. Here in Brazil, the situation is not much different. Courses in medicine, dentistry, or pharmacy that include a discipline — or at least a class — on the endocannabinoid system are still extremely rare. Despite some promising initiatives in postgraduate courses, basic training continues to ignore a topic that is increasingly present in healthcare practice.

This gap, as expected, directly impacts patient care. When we administer basic knowledge tests on medical cannabis, the results are alarming: healthcare professionals score, on average, less than 60% on the questions.

More than half admit to never having sought scientific references on the subject. Many end up relying on patient reports, social networks, or low-quality content. As a result, we see a growing number of people using cannabis on their own, without any technical guidance — and physicians prescribing incorrectly, feeling insecure to prescribe or properly monitor.

Science advances, but professional training lags behind. This compromises patient safety and limits the therapeutic potential of cannabis. And it's not due to lack of interest. On the contrary: research shows that over 40% of physicians express a desire to learn more. What is lacking is access to quality content and, above all, the integration of the topic into university curricula.

It was precisely with this in mind that, a few years ago, I decided to structure the Cannabis Academy. A course aimed at physicians and healthcare professionals, with a practical focus and scientific basis. Since then, over 450 physicians have already gone through our classes, learning to prescribe responsibly, adjust doses safely, interpret scientific literature, and, above all, offer patients more humane and effective care.

I believe that experiences like this, and the Brazilian Congress of Medical Cannabis, show that it is possible — and urgent — to transform the way we train our professionals. But we cannot rely solely on free courses or postgraduate studies. It is time to bring this knowledge into universities, both public and private, in a structured and definitive manner.

The future of medicine is personalized, evidence-based, and patient-centered. Cannabis is already part of this reality. Ignoring it at this moment is turning our backs on science, clinical practice, and, above all, the real needs of those who matter most: the patients.

Stricto sensu (Master's and Doctorate)

UFSC – Federal University of Santa Catarina

•    Is currently open for pre-selection for master's/doctorate research on physical exercise, endocannabinoid system, and phytocannabinoids, coordinated by Prof. Aderbal Aguiar at the Exercise Biology Laboratory 
•    The Graduate Program in Neurosciences at UFSC offers the course "Neuropharmacology of the endocannabinoid system – from bench to bedside" as part of its curriculum 
Other universities with robust research on cannabis/E.S.

Lato sensu (Specialization and Extension)

SBEC (Brazilian Society of Cannabis Studies)

•    Offers the first postgraduate course in Cannabis Sativa in Brazil, recognized by the Ministry of Education, with a specific module on the Endocannabinoid System. Geared towards marijuana growers. 

CONAES Brazil

•    Offers the Postgraduate Course in Endocannabinoid Medicine, recognized by the Ministry of Education, which addresses the SEC and its clinical prescription in a practical and current manner 

Uninassau

•    Online Specialization Course in Endocannabinoid Medicine, including the study of the endocannabinoid system 

Novoeste

•    Online postgraduate course aimed at pharmacists in medical cannabis, also focused on the SEC 

UFG – Federal University of Goiás

•    Extension course "Endocannabinoid Therapeutics: Fundamentals and Integrative and Multiprofessional Clinical Practice", with a duration of 90 hours 

SL Mandic

•    Offers a training in Cannabinoid Dentistry (60h) recognized by the Ministry of Education, including modules on the SEC 

Cannabis Academy

•    Recognized as the best practical training course in medical cannabis in Brazil. It has already trained over 450 physicians nationwide.
•    The course focuses on safe, effective, and personalized prescription, with an emphasis on:
o    Endocannabinoid System (SEC)
o    Practical titration of CBD, THC, and other cannabinoids
o    Clinical studies and real-world evidence (RWE)
o    Integrative protocols for chronic pain, neurological, psychiatric, and oncological disorders
•    Offers clinical follow-up of real cases, simulations, exclusive didactic material, and post-training support.
•    Highly recommended for physicians, dentists, and healthcare professionals seeking immediate and excellent clinical practice.