Attitudes, beliefs and willingness to prescribe medical cannabis among public medical practitioners in Malaysia.

Medical practitioners in the public institutions showed favourable attitudes towards prescribing medical cannabis for chronic pain and cancer pain. However, further work is required to examine factors that drive these attitudes, and potential prescribing behaviour including those in private and university settings. A thorough evaluation of the scientific evidence and related legislation is essential, especially if a regulated pathway is to be adopted. In this situation, medical practitioners must have a clear understanding of clinical practice guidelines regarding pain indications, dosing and monitoring protocols as well as effective pharmacovigilance. Additionally, this should be combined with targeted evidence-based training on medical cannabis for medical practitioners.