Why The Cannabis Industry Needs More Skilled Healthcare Professionals

The cannabis world definitely needs more healthcare workers that are knowledgeable in cannabis. Let’s discuss the different types and their potential contributions. Of course, we need doctors, but what roles can nurses, psychologists, and pharmacy technicians among others play in the cannabis world?

As the cannabis industry expands, the need for more healthcare professionals in the industry grows too. Any healthcare professional can contribute to the cannabis industry using their individual expertise and skills. We need healthcare professions who are advocates to ensure that medical cannabis is being used responsibly, to its’ best potential and appropriately. The more health professionals the industry has, the better our understanding, use, and distribution of the plant will be. 

Physicians:

We won’t go into much on this obvious choice…we need doctors in the cannabis industry. They are the ones who will be assessing you and providing you with a medical certificate for cannabis (if you qualify). Many doctors are starting to advocate for its’ legalization so that they may improve the lives of many patients through prescribing and/or administering cannabis. 

Nurses:

A key role that nurses play is to act as a patient advocate. Having nurses in the cannabis industry is vital for its’ succession. With the proper education and permission, they can administer therapeutic and medicinal cannabis to patients they advocate for. Nursing is also the most trusted industry in the world because of their ethics and professionalism. They could play a key role in the administration of medical cannabis for those who are not comfortable or able to do so themselves. 

Psychologists:

Psychologists are people who work with and study the brain and behavior. Psychology is a profession that encompasses many specialties, of which many can be useful to the cannabis industry. Bio-psychologists study and perform research on the brain and behavior. Their skills and knowledge can provide a better understanding of the effects of cannabis in the brain and on behavior. There are many types of psychologists but another that can make a big impact in the cannabis industry are clinical psychologists. These psychologists assess, diagnose and treat individuals suffering from psychological distress and mental illness. They could use their expertise to integrate cannabis therapeutic treatments to alleviate mental illness and distress. Other psychologists that could offer their expertise to better the cannabis industry are cognitive psychologists, consumer psychologists, health psychologists amongst many more. 

Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians:

Pharmacists, or chemists, are health professionals that work in a pharmacy and focus on safe and effective medication use. Pharmacy technicians are responsible for helping pharmacists assist patients. Pharmacy technicians are also knowledgeable in drug names and uses. They are important for dispensing and determining the correct dosage of medication to be dispensed. This is an important role for the cannabis industry if we were to allow medicinal cannabis to be dispensed the same as pharmaceutical medication. 

The Physiotherapists:

Physiotherapists are people who treat disease, injury and deformity through physical methods such as massage, heat, treatment, and exercise. Physiotherapists educated about cannabis can offer insight into how we can use the pain-killing properties to promote the healing of patients through physical methods, perhaps involving cannabis topical creams or oils. Their potential contribution is yet to be unleashed. 

Although we have only looked at the potential contribution of a few healthcare professionals, there are still many who would bring key contributions and their contributions are still to be seen. Cannabinoids from the cannabis plant influence the body’s endocannabinoid system, with the ability to improve and affect parts of the body, making every area of bodily expertise relevant.