(F30) Counseling Patients With Diabetes About Cannabis in a Rapidly Evolving Landscape

As cannabis legalization expands across the United States, DCESs increasingly encounter individuals with diabetes who use cannabis as part of their daily lives and coping strategies. Despite growing patient interest, many DCESs report limited confidence addressing cannabis use during diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES). This session examines cannabis use as a health-related behavior that intersects with glycemic control, medication safety, psychosocial well-being, and self-management capacity. Participants will review evidence related to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) effects on appetite, cognition, hypoglycemia awareness, and glycemic variability. Emphasis is placed on non-judgmental, patient-centered counseling strategies that support disclosure, reduce stigma, promote safety, and integrate harm-reduction approaches into routine DSMES practice.