Readiness to Use Medicinal Marijuana in the Practices of Polish Family Physicians

Background/Objectives: Although therapeutic use of medicinal marijuana by patients in Poland became legal in 2017, there remains doubt among primary care physicians (PCPs) related to prescribing medicinal marijuana to their patients. In this study, we aimed to investigate the attitudes of family physicians and the systemic barriers that influence doctors' therapeutic decisions with respect to prescribing medicinal marijuana. Methods: A 28-question survey was administered to a representative group of PCPs in the Lublin province of Poland. Statistical analysis of the answers of 293 (out of 301) respondents enabled us to determine the PCPs' levels of knowledge about medicinal marijuana and their willingness to prescribe this type of therapy for their patients. Results: Only 32.3% of the surveyed PCPs had encountered patients who experienced symptoms associated with medicinal marijuana use. The two groups of symptoms most frequently reported by these PCPs were emotional agitation or playfulness (50.8%) and psychomotor retardation, drowsiness, and catatonia (25.4%). Only 41.0% of the surveyed PCPs perceived risks associated with prescribing medicinal marijuana to their patients, including the possibility of patients abusing medicinal marijuana, leading to addiction; sanctions from national regulatory bodies; trade in prescriptions (so-called "counterfeit prescriptions"); a lack of control over the resale of drugs by patients; and the absence of recommendations or guidelines for the use of medicinal marijuana. Our findings also demonstrate that only 5.2% of the surveyed PCPs had already prescribed medicinal marijuana in their professional practices. Conclusions: Limited willingness among PCPs to prescribe medicinal marijuana is primarily due to insufficient knowledge among physicians about the therapeutic effects of medicinal marijuana, its potential adverse effects, the legal framework for prescribing medications, and associated uncertainties.