Global Cannabinoid Research Center Launches Healthcare Sector Survey as U.S. Cannabis Policy Enters Historic Transition

The GCRC Survey will identify knowledge gaps, patient driven questions, educational needs, and policy or regulatory awareness across the healthcare workforce

SANTA BARBARA, CA, UNITED STATES, November 5, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- The Global Cannabinoid Research Center (GCRC) has launched a new survey asking physicians, nurses, pharmacists, healthcare professionals, staff, and students what they know about cannabinoids, plant medicine, the endocannabinoid system, and rapidly changing federal cannabis policy.

The Clinician and Healthcare Survey Study comes during one of the most significant periods of regulatory change since the modern medical cannabis movement began. Federal Schedule III actions have changed the status of certain FDA-approved marijuana products and state-regulated medical marijuana. In contrast, additional federal changes affecting hemp-derived cannabinoid products are scheduled to take effect in November and December 2026.

Rather than assuming healthcare professionals are prepared for these changes, GCRC wants to measure what they actually know.

"Patients have been asking healthcare professionals about cannabis, CBD, and cannabinoids for years, but we don't really know how prepared the healthcare system is to answer those questions," said Mike Robinson, founder of the Global Cannabinoid Research Center and Nanobles CEO. "We want to hear directly from the doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other professionals having those conversations. Where's the knowledge strong, where are the gaps, and what kind of education would actually help?"

The anonymous 21-question survey takes approximately five minutes and is open to adults who work, train, or study in healthcare anywhere in the world.

Participants are asked about patient questions involving cannabis and cannabinoids, their confidence discussing these substances, awareness of federal regulatory changes, barriers to cannabinoid discussions in healthcare, and their interest in education about cannabinoids and the endocannabinoid system.

The study also examines which educational formats healthcare professionals would actually use, including online modules, webinars, workshops, written guides, video, podcasts, and conference sessions.

Studying Healthcare During Regulatory Change:

Federal provisions affecting certain cannabinoid products begin taking effect November 12, 2026. Additional changes to the federal definition of hemp, including new total THC provisions and a 0.4 milligram per container threshold for certain final hemp-derived cannabinoid products, are scheduled to take effect December 11, 2026.

The survey remains open through February 28, 2027.

Because responses are dated, researchers can examine whether healthcare awareness changes as the new regulatory framework takes effect.

"That's part of what makes this study different," Robinson said. "We're not asking these questions five years after the rules change. We're asking healthcare professionals while the change is happening."

Patient Questions Are Already Reaching Healthcare:

The survey asks how frequently patients approach healthcare professionals about cannabis, CBD, and other cannabinoids and which health concerns generate the most questions. Those areas include chronic pain, sleep, anxiety, cancer-related symptoms, neurological conditions, inflammation, substance use, and THC tolerance.

GCRC is also examining barriers that may limit cannabinoid discussions in healthcare, including insufficient clinical evidence, regulatory uncertainty, institutional policies, product quality, lack of education, dosing questions, drug interaction concerns, stigma, and insurance coverage.

The goal is to explore knowledge of cannabinoid medicine and understand what healthcare professionals currently know, what they don't know, and what resources could help them respond to patient questions more effectively.

The survey does not request participants' names, contact information, or patient information, and it does not store IP addresses with survey responses.

Participants who want to receive the eventual study summary may separately provide an email address after completing the survey. We store that information separately and do not link it to individual survey responses. Results are expected to be published through the Global Cannabinoid Research Center Research Blog during and after the study closes.

GCRC extends its appreciation to Creaeza, LLC for the development and technical work that helped bring this clinician research initiative to life.

Creaeza worked with GCRC to build the digital infrastructure needed to present the study clearly, support a professional participant experience, and make the survey accessible to healthcare professionals worldwide. Creaeza is a full-cycle digital agency providing web development, application development, digital marketing, search engine optimization, design, automation, and digital strategy services.

About the Global Cannabinoid Research Center:

Founded in 2018, the Global Cannabinoid Research Center conducts cannabinoid research, education, formulation development, and initiatives focused on cannabinoids, the endocannabinoid system, and plant medicine. GCRC was formerly merged with Nanobles, Inc.

The organization is a joint venture partner in Nanobles' PlantChat.com with Creaeza LLC by fueling the Get Balanced Research Initiative.

Michael E Robinson
NANOBLES, Inc.
+ +1 805-617-9539
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