Since the legalization of cannabis and marijuana products in Massachusetts, we have noted a prevalence in use amongst our patients for both medical and recreational purposes.

With regular use of cannabis/marijuana, our patients have been seen to require much greater doses of IV medications to ensure adequate sedation. At higher IV anesthesia doses, there is greater risk of adverse events such as airway emergencies. Marijuana products also have profound effects on the respiratory and cardiovascular system and patients may also require significantly more pain medications after surgery.

Patients who use cannabis/marijuana may not be as deeply sedated as other patients who do not use these products. If patient safety becomes a concern, your procedure may need to be aborted, and you will then need to be scheduled for outpatient surgery at the hospital.

We will also refuse to treat any patient that is acutely intoxicated and therefore unable to provide full consent for treatment.

We appreciate your honesty regarding the chronicity, route, dose and frequency of your marijuana use. It is desirable to wean off over a 6 to 7-day span in preparation for surgery in order to minimize withdrawal symptoms at the time of your procedure. Failure to comply may result in a lower level of sedation than you desire as well as increased postoperative pain that may be challenging for you to manage.