Exploring Pharmacists' Perceived Roles in Cannabis-Related Care in Canada: A Mixed Methods Study
2025-06-11 , BS G.33 - 120 cap.

Introduction: The legalization of recreational cannabis in Canada has increased accessibility and acceptability leading to increased consumption. Pharmacists are trained as medication experts and can play a key role in supporting customers through harm reduction and safe medical cannabis use decisions. However, the Cannabis Act, nor professional standards of practice, outline any role for pharmacists in dispensing or helping their patients navigate cannabis related decisions, outside of assessment for use. The purpose of this study was to identify pharmacists' perceived roles in providing cannabis related care.   
Methods: This mixed methods study combines a survey (n=345) with qualitative semi-structured interviews (n=18) conducted with Canadian pharmacists. Participants were recruited through the Canadian Pharmacists Association and online pharmacy forums. Descriptive statistics were used for survey data, while thematic analysis was conducted on interview transcripts. Data was integrated to understand pharmacist’s roles and how they could be implemented in practice. 
Results: Pharmacists surveyed believed that they should have a role in dispensing (78.4%) and counselling (79.9%) medical cannabis. Almost half (47%) believed they had a role counselling for recreational use. Qualitative findings helped to contextualize these roles and how to operationalize them further. The following themes were identified: regulations; education and clinical guidance; operational challenges; and harm reduction.  
Conclusion: Pharmacists are an accessible healthcare provider with medication expertise and can support patients with cannabis related care. However, there are barriers to providing care that need to be overcome before pharmacists can fully embrace these roles.


Jennifer Donnan, Caitlyn Coles, Ashley Hosker-Field, Lisa Bishop, Kati Whelan, Sandra Gerges, Marilyn Cresswell, Daniel Bear

Dr. Jennifer Donnan is an Associate Professor with Memorial University School of Pharmacy. A pharmacist by training, her focus now is on cannabis policy and substance use prevention and harm reduction among youth. Jennifer has co-developed the Drug Education Centered on Youth Decision Empowerment (DECYDE) strategy. This comprehensive strategy includes educator training, lesson plans and activities for use in the classroom, and is expanding to include meaningful support for caregivers. She is also does pharmacy practice research focusing on the role of pharmacists in delivering cannabis related care. Jennifer is passionate about training the next generation of pharmacists to provide true patient centered care that challenges stigma, is culturally sensitive and trauma informed.

Dr. Ashley Hosker-Field is a professor in the Criminal Justice, Bachelor of Social Science program at Humber Polytechnic. She received her Ph.D. in Social Personality Psychology where her graduate education was supported by Joseph-Armand Bombardier Canada Graduate Scholarships. Dr. Hosker-Field’s research interests are varied and have focused on examining psychopathic traits, impulsivity, risk-taking, empathy, fear and aggression. Since joining the Humber faculty team in 2019, Dr. Hosker-Field has been a co-investigator on several NSERC funded research projects. These research initiatives include the examination of interagency collaboration and evaluation of youth focused social services, as well as the provision of evidence informed, stigma-free cannabis related education to various populations. Dr. Hosker-Field has also been involved in consulting projects commissioned by the Mental Health Commission of Canada and the Canadian Centre for Substance Use and Addiction.

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