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Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International
Abstract
Cannabis use is legal in Connecticut and commonly used among patients seen in the primary care setting. Physicians frequently encounter patients who use cannabis, but the evidence base regarding known harms and benefits is constantly evolving. Physicians who wish to provide evidence-based guidance for counseling patients on safer use of cannabis may struggle to have these conversations in a way that supports patient autonomy and shared decision-making while centering a balanced assessment of risk. Much of the existing healthcare messaging surrounding cannabis use is paternalistic in its disposition orienting itself around abstinence. This approach may be counter-productive in terms of the practicalities of persuading patients to make healthy choices. There are many reasons why a patient may choose to use cannabis, and if physicians are to be effective advocates for public health, they must meet patients where they are. A soft-touch approach may facilitate greater rapport between physician and patient, and enable the patient to receive health guidance with less defensiveness. This project addresses these concerns by adopting a no contest, harm reductionist perspective to counseling patients on cannabis use.
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2026-05-10
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New Fairfield Primary Care