Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42116224›Full record

ArticleJournal of cannabis research2026

Healthcare students' knowledge and attitude toward medical cannabis: a cross-sectional study in southeastern Iran.

Mahlagha Dehghan, Samaneh Behzadi Fard, Asma Najmadini, Mansooreh Azizzadeh Forouzi, Morteza Rabiei Vaziri, Amirhossein Shahidizandi

Abstract read
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Article in Journal of cannabis research, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Mahlagha DehghanHIV/STI Surveillance Research Center, and WHO Collaborating Center for HIV Surveillance, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran. m_dehghan@kmu.ac.ir.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4205-829X
Samaneh Behzadi FardSchool of Nursing and Midwifery, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Lorestan, Iran.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4503-6149
Asma NajmadiniNursing Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0005-5779-2402
Mansooreh Azizzadeh ForouziNeuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0338-7226
Morteza Rabiei VaziriReproductive and Family Health Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0002-4214-9551
Amirhossein ShahidizandiReproductive and Family Health Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0006-0231-5796

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundMedical cannabis has gained increasing attention globally for its potential in treating various conditions. As the use of medical cannabis expands, it is crucial for future healthcare professionals, particularly physicians, to have a comprehensive understanding of its clinical applications, side effects, and legal status. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitudes of healthcare students in southeastern Iran regarding medical cannabis.

methodsIn this cross-sectional study (April 4th-June 15th, 2025), 560 healthcare students from Kerman University of Medical Sciences were recruited through convenience sampling (response rate: 90.35%). Data were collected through a demographic and background information questionnaire, the Knowledge about Medical Cannabis-Scale (KMC-S), and the Attitude toward Medical Cannabis-Scale (AMC-S). SPSS 24 facilitated analysis using independent t-tests, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficient, and stepwise multivariate regression (α = 0.05).

resultsParticipants (66.8% female, mean age = 22.31 ± 2.75 years) demonstrated moderate knowledge (65.6 ± 8.3 vs. midpoint = 60) but cautious attitudes (44.4 ± 5.4 vs. midpoint = 45). While the overall knowledge-attitude correlation was nonsignificant (r = -0.008, p = 0.855), subscale analysis revealed a weak negative correlation between knowledge and perceptions of "relative advantages to other drugs" (r = -0.195, p < 0.001) and a positive correlation with perceptions of "Legal and governmental aspects of medical marijuana" (r = 0.191, p < 0.001). A stepwise multiple regression identified educational year (β = 0.243, p < 0.001) and educational training about marijuana (β = 0.179, p < 0.001) as key knowledge predictors.

conclusionIranian healthcare students display therapeutic awareness but operational hesitancy regarding cannabis, potentially reflecting cultural-religious reservations. Findings underscore the need for curriculum reforms addressing evidence-based therapeutic applications while considering local sociolegal frameworks. Future research should explore attitude formation mechanisms in conservative medical environments.

Indexed as

AttitudeHealthcareKnowledgeMedical cannabisStudents

Identifiers

PMID42116224
PMCPMC13334929

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.