(1260) Knowledge Gaps Among Maryland Community Pharmacists Regarding Cannabis

Objectives: The primary objective of this study is to determine the knowledge deficits among Maryland community pharmacists regarding cannabis. The secondary objective of this study is to summarize Maryland community pharmacists’ experiences with cannabis education. Since California legalized medical cannabis in 1996, the use of both medical and recreational cannabis has grown in the United States. In July 2023, Maryland enacted legislation regulating adult cannabis use for recreational purposes. With its legalization, it is important for Maryland community pharmacists, one of the most accessible healthcare professionals, to be knowledgeable about cannabis and its laws in order to appropriately provide education to their patients. Therefore, this study will provide direction on future cannabis-related educational content for Maryland community pharmacists. There is currently limited literature on community pharmacists’ knowledge of cannabis, and none evaluating Maryland community pharmacists. Based on current literature, the hypothesis is that there are knowledge deficits among Maryland community pharmacists regarding cannabis.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional anonymous survey-based study that will be conducted in a grocery store chain pharmacy in Maryland. The participants will be asked to complete an online anonymous survey administered by Qualtrics. An e-mail containing the link to the survey will be sent to all 54 Maryland pharmacies requesting all Maryland pharmacists to participate in the survey. The study will be conducted over a four-week period. A reminder email will be sent at the beginning of week two and week four. The inclusion criteria include pharmacists working at this particular Maryland grocery store chain pharmacy during the four-week study period, are 18 years of age or older, and can read and write English. Participants are excluded from the study if they are Maryland licensed pharmacists but are not working in Maryland at any point in time during the study period, graduate interns, and other pharmacy staff (technicians, clerks, pharmacy interns). Survey questions were developed based on a validated study on cannabis knowledge and in consultation with a subject matter expert. The survey includes the following four categories: demographics, cannabis-related knowledge, perceived knowledge of cannabis, and preferences for future cannabis education. A sample size of 114 was calculated with 5% margin of error and 95% level of confidence based on a target population of 162. Descriptive analysis from the survey will be performed regarding pharmacists’ knowledge regarding cannabis. The association between demographic characteristics and actual knowledge or perceived knowledge will be analyzed using the Chi-square test, Mann-Whitney U test, or Kruskal-Wallis test as appropriate. The Institutional Review Board at the University of Maryland Baltimore has reviewed and approved this study as exempt.

Results: This study is still in progress and results are to be determined.

Conclusions: This study could help Maryland employers customize cannabis-related training needs for Maryland community pharmacists.