Integrating Cannabis Use Prevention and Treatment into Primary Care

Presenters: Theresa Matson, PhD, MPH and Julie Angerhofer, PhD, MPH (both of Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute (KPWHRI) and the University of Washington) 

Cannabis is one of the most widely used substances in the U.S., with notable rises in use due to expanded legalization across the country and social acceptance of routine use. However, these changes also correlate with rising rates of cannabis use disorder. This presentation will highlight emerging strategies for embedding cannabis use screening, assessment, and treatment into routine primary care. Presenters will share practical tools that can be used in busy medical settings as well as lessons learned from patients, clinicians, and chart review. Ongoing challenges with engaging patients in cannabis use disorder treatment and opportunities for future research will be discussed. 

A few learning objectives:

-Appraise the clinical rationale for cannabis screening and assessment
-Apply evidence-based tools and strategies to implementing cannabis-related care
-Navigate barriers to sustaining patient engagement in treatment for cannabis use disorder