Graduate Social Work Students’ Knowledge, Attitudes, and Beliefs About Medical Marijuana

ABSTRACT

Perceptions of medical marijuana (MM) use have changed, particularly around its value for chronic illnesses/related symptoms. Social workers are open to questions from clients about use and efficacy of MM. Aims of this study are to assess knowledge and attitudes about MM among graduate social work students. Of the 230 respondents, 88.7% were female. Over half of the students did not report MM posed any physical/mental health risk for clients. We found a strong belief in the value of MM among those with limited reliance on formal information sources. We found respondents lacked preparedness to address client needs around MM. Study findings contribute to identifying key issues linked to possible social work curriculum and policy development for MM education/practice purposes.

Acknowledgments

Drs. Toby and Mort Mower are acknowledged for their generous support of the Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Regional Alcohol and Drug Abuse Research Center. However, the authors declare no funding for this project. Incentives were paid for by the university research account of Dr. Patricia Findley.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Drs. Toby and Mort Mower [Donation to the university].

Notes on contributors

Patricia A. Findley

Patricia A. Findley, DrPH, MSW, is a Professor in Rutgers University School of Social Work, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA. Richard Isralowitz, PhD, is a Professor in Ben Gurion University School of Social Work, Beer Sheva, Israel. Alexander Reznik, PhD, is a Senior Research Associate in Ben Gurion University School of Social Work, Beer Sheva, Israel.