Navigating Blind in the Green Rush: Clinical Considerations and Harm Reduction Practices for Cannabis

Background. The United States has recently experienced extensive changes in state policy regarding the use of cannabis for recreational and medicinal purposes. Despite its rapidly increasing accessibility and social acceptance, there is a striking dearth of research on cannabis as a treatment for medical and psychological conditions. Research on cannabis is difficult to conduct as it is classified as a schedule I drug with high potential for abuse and currently no accepted medical use in treatment. As a result, no standard dosing procedures exist and the lack of conclusive scientific evidence has left clinical providers without evidence-based guidelines about if, when, and how to guide clients on using cannabis safely.