CANNABIS AND NUTRITION: WHAT DIETITIANS NEED TO KNOW
Cannabis use continues to rise across the United States, with tens of millions of adults now using cannabis for medical, wellness, or recreational purposes. As legalization expands and new cannabis-infused foods, beverages, and supplements enter the market, nutrition professionals are increasingly asked to guide patients who use these products.
Yet despite growing interest, the evidence base remains complex and often inconsistent—leaving many clinicians unsure how cannabis affects appetite, digestion, metabolism, body weight, and nutritional status. Dietitians play a key role in helping patients navigate these questions safely and effectively.
This one-hour webinar will provide a clear, evidence-informed overview of how cannabis interacts with the body, how it influences nutrition-related outcomes, and what dietitians should consider when incorporating cannabis use into medical nutrition therapy. We will explore practical applications, emerging research, and real-world clinical considerations to support informed decision-making in patient care.
This session is designed to equip dietitians with practical, up-to-date knowledge to confidently address cannabis-related questions in clinical, community, and wellness settings.
After completing this webinar, participants will be able to:
- Identify common medical conditions for which cannabis is legally prescribed or used therapeutically.
- Describe the potential benefits and risks of cannabis across various delivery methods (edibles, inhalation, tinctures, topicals, etc.).
- Explain the Endocannabinoid System and how cannabinoids affect appetite, digestion, metabolism, and sensory perception.
- Discuss how cannabis use may influence nutrition interventions, counseling strategies, and patient goals.
- Recognize adverse effects, contraindications, and important safety considerations—especially for vulnerable or medically complex populations.
Live Event Date:
Feb 10, 2026
Performance Indicators/Learning Objectives: 2.1.6, 2.2.1, 5.2.6, 7.3.1
Target Audience: RDs, DTRs, Health Professionals
Total Cost:
1 Site Credit
About the Presenter: Holly Herrington, MS, RD, CDCES, CAPM
Holly Herrington is an accomplished Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator with over 15 years of experience. She has worked as an Advanced Clinical Dietitian at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, specializing in gastrointestinal diseases, diabetes, and weight management. She has also collaborated with the National Dairy Council to promote health and wellness through dairy education.
Holly has contributed to textbook chapters on nutrition for bariatric surgery and weight regain after bariatric surgery. She has been an invited lecturer and presenter at renowned medical conferences such as the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) and The Obesity Society (TOS). Additionally, she has been a featured expert for media outlets such as WGN, FOX News Chicago, ABC7 Chicago, US News and World Report, Men's Health, and the Chicago Tribune.
Her clinical interests span a range of areas, including weight loss and bariatric surgery, diabetes management, cardiovascular health, gastrointestinal health, women's health, the gut microbiome, and prenatal nutrition. Given her deep expertise and extensive experience, Holly Herrington is a reliable resource for evidence-based nutrition advice and guidance.
