Question
What are the appropriate actions for physical therapists when discussing, monitoring, and documenting cannabis use with patients?
Answer
Physical therapists may provide education—not advice—about cannabis, including its legal status, potential effects, risks, and possible drug interactions. They should not recommend or prescribe cannabis or specific routes of administration. When a patient expresses interest in cannabis or is already using it, therapists should refer the patient to their physician for further guidance. As part of comprehensive care, therapists should inquire about cannabis use during medication history, document the type, route, and frequency of use, and monitor for both therapeutic effects (such as pain reduction) and adverse effects (like cognitive changes or increased fall risk). If concerns arise, therapists should communicate with the healthcare team and refer to appropriate providers as needed. This approach supports informed decision-making, patient safety, and coordinated care, while maintaining professional boundaries.
This Ask the Expert is an edited excerpt from the course, 'Cannabis: Implications for Physical and Occupational Therapy', presented by Melissa Bednarek, PT, DPT, PhD, CCS.
Continued and its subsidiaries provide professional education authored by qualified Subject Matter Experts for continuing education purposes. These materials are intended for educational purposes and do not constitute medical advice or a substitute for individual clinical judgment. Continued is not a clinical healthcare provider; the licensed professional is solely responsible for ensuring that the application of any techniques or information presented is within their legal scope of practice and jurisdictional requirements.
