How to Talk to Your Doctor About Cannabis Use
How can you have an honest, useful talk with your doctor about your cannabis use as a veteran?
This guide is for veterans who use cannabis or are thinking about bringing it up at a medical visit. In this study, about 1 in 9 veterans reported cannabis use in the past 6 months, and cannabis-related problems were important enough that researchers suggested routine screening, especially in VA care and in some regions.
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Write down how you use cannabis
Before your visit, make a simple note of how often you use cannabis and what form you use, such as smoked, vaped, edible, or another type. Also write down why you use it, such as for pain, sleep, anxiety, or trauma-related stress.
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Notice what seems helpful and what does not
Think about whether cannabis seems to help certain symptoms and whether there are times it makes things harder. Bring a few real examples so your doctor can understand the full picture instead of only hearing that you use cannabis.
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Bring up memory or concentration problems
The study used a short screening tool that asked about memory and concentration problems after cannabis use. If you have noticed feeling foggy, forgetful, or less focused, tell your doctor in plain language when that happens.
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Say if it feels hard to cut back or stop
Another sign doctors may ask about is whether you have trouble stopping once you start or spend a lot of time getting, using, or recovering from cannabis. Sharing this honestly can help your doctor decide whether more support or screening would be helpful.
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Ask for screening and support if you want it
You can ask, "Can we talk about whether my cannabis use could be causing problems for me?" If you get most of your care through the VA, it is especially reasonable to ask about screening, because the study found veterans with probable cannabis use disorder were more likely to say the VA was their main source of care.
Clinical Considerations
- Do not stop or change any prescribed treatment on your own without talking with your doctor.
- This study looked at groups of veterans, so where you live may affect overall risk patterns but does not tell what is true for you personally.
- If cannabis use is affecting your safety, mood, thinking, or daily life, contact your doctor promptly.
Bottom Line
Being open with your doctor about cannabis use is a strong first step toward getting care that fits your needs.
