Should You Tell Your Doctor You Smoke Cannabis? Yes, You Should.

Barring a few remaining outlaws living off-grid, you’d think telling your doctor you use cannabis would be a no-brainer. But is it? Plenty of people reading this have probably kept quiet about it for years. So, what’s behind the silence?

Let’s dig into it and take a look through the lens of cannabis’s growing place in culture and medicine.

The Issue of Non-Disclosure

A surprising number of people aren’t keeping quiet about cannabis out of shame—they’re just not going to the doctor in the first place. A 2022 Gallup poll found that 38% of Americans said they delayed or skipped medical care. That doesn’t mean all of them are unhealthy, or that they use cannabis. But avoiding regular check-ups means missing the early signs of serious health issues—especially the ones that affect the heart and brain.

And here’s the thing: cannabis impacts both systems. Compounds like THC and other cannabinoids interact with areas of the body tied to cardiovascular and neurological function. That doesn’t automatically mean cannabis is bad for you. It just means your doctor needs to know if it’s part of your life. Wouldn’t you want to be aware of any risks before lighting up your third joint of the night? Exactly.

Bottom line: if you don’t go, you won’t know. And if you do go, but keep your use a secret, your doctor can’t give you the best care possible.

Shame: The Oldest Trick in the Book

Shame. That old stowaway. Still tagging along, even when it doesn’t belong.

It’s one of the biggest reasons people keep things from their doctors—even though that’s the person they should be honest with. Some folks worry their doctor might judge them or frown on their cannabis use, especially if it’s not something they were prescribed. Others assume doctors only “approve” of it when it’s tied to something serious. And for those seeing a psychiatrist, the concern often runs deeper: brain development continues into your mid-twenties, and regular cannabis use before then can potentially affect that process—or even make symptoms like anxiety or depression harder to manage.

And yes, combining cannabis with certain medications, like antidepressants or anti-anxiety meds, can have unpredictable effects.

But here’s the truth: keeping it to yourself doesn’t help anyone. Most doctors these days aren’t going to come down on you for using weed—especially in 2025, when the majority of Americans live in a state where it’s legal in one form or another. Odds are, you’ll hear the same advice they give for alcohol or junk food: go easy, and know what you’re getting into.

Your doctor’s job isn’t to judge you. It’s to help you make informed choices about your body and mind. And they can’t do that if you’re leaving key info out.

So, Should You Tell Your Doctor?

Yes. 100%.

Even if it’s just occasional use. Even if you’re unsure how they’ll react. Because being upfront means better care. It helps your doctor look out for possible interactions with medications, catch things early, and see the full picture of your health.

Let’s be real—cannabis isn’t going anywhere. The best thing we can do is talk about it openly and honestly.