Washington Clinicians Raise Concerns Over Cannabis' Mental Health Risks – National Today

By the People, for the People
News
New survey reveals growing worries among healthcare providers about cannabis-related adverse events and knowledge gaps in treatment.
Apr. 12, 2026 at 1:37pm
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
A recent survey of 388 healthcare professionals in Washington state has revealed significant concerns among clinicians about the mental health risks associated with cannabis use. Over half of respondents expressed strong worries, with nearly 20% reporting seeing patients with cannabis-related adverse events two to three times per month. The most common issues cited were cannabis hyperemesis syndrome, cannabis-use disorder, anxiety, and psychoses. The survey also highlighted gaps in training and knowledge, with two-thirds of providers reporting limited understanding of cannabis interactions and over 40% having limited knowledge of cannabis-induced psychoses.
As cannabis becomes more mainstream and widely accepted, this survey underscores the critical need for healthcare providers to be better equipped to address the unintended mental health consequences of cannabis use. With a significant proportion of clinicians reporting frequent encounters with cannabis-related adverse events, there is a pressing demand for system-level changes to support providers in effectively screening, diagnosing, and treating these issues.
The survey, conducted by researchers at the University of Washington School of Medicine, found that over 50% of the 388 doctors, nurses, and other medical experts surveyed expressed strong concerns about the mental health risks of cannabis use. Nearly 20% of respondents reported seeing patients with cannabis-related adverse health events two to three times per month. The most common conditions cited were cannabis hyperemesis syndrome, cannabis-use disorder, anxiety related to cannabis use, and psychoses or hallucinations attributed to cannabis use.
The institution that conducted the survey on healthcare providers’ concerns about the mental health risks of cannabis use.
Experts suggest that addressing the gaps in training and knowledge among healthcare providers, as well as developing system-level support for screening, diagnosis, and treatment of cannabis-related mental health issues, will be crucial in the coming years as cannabis use becomes more widespread.
This survey highlights the growing concerns among healthcare professionals in Washington about the mental health risks associated with cannabis use, underscoring the need for a more comprehensive understanding of the drug’s effects and the development of effective strategies to support patients struggling with cannabis-related health issues.
We keep track of fun holidays and special moments on the cultural calendar — giving you exciting activities, deals, local events, brand promotions, and other exciting ways to celebrate.

source