Cannabis in Medicine
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Description

Numerous physical, psychological, and emotional benefits have been attributed to marijuana since its first reported use in approximately 2,600 BC in Chinese pharmacopoeias. Since the adoption of the Uniform State Narcotic Act in 1932, research and clinical use of marijuana in the U.S. had been limited primarily to animal studies and human case reports on the phytocannabinoids found in both marijuana and hemp.

In 1986, there were 8 articles listed in PubMed under the topic "medical marijuana"; in 2016, over 500 were published: a 6,000% increase. The phytocannabinoids, cannabidiol (CBD), and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), are currently the most studied extracts from the plant species cannabis sativa. Both hemp and marijuana are subspecies of cannabis sativa and are bred separately, with each having various amounts of CBD and Δ9-THC. Both CBD and Δ9-THC interact uniquely with the endocannabinoid system (ECS). Through both direct and indirect actions, endocannabinoids modulate and influence a variety of physiological systems, including appetite, pain, inflammation, thermoregulation, intra-ocular pressure, sensation, muscle control, energy balance, metabolism, sleep health, stress responses, motivation/reward, mood, and memory.

Research into the neurological benefits of both CBD and Δ9-THC has demonstrated numerous neuroprotective effects against excessive oxidative stress and inflammation associated with a variety of neurological diseases and conditions. These include malignant brain tumors, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, neuropathic pain, and the childhood seizure disorders Lennox-Gastaut and Dravet Syndromes. In addition, psychiatric and mood disorders such as schizophrenia, anxiety, depression, addiction, post-concussion syndrome, and post-traumatic stress disorders are being studied and treated with phytocannabinoids.

Due to the explosion of societal, political and legislative changes in the United States, medical marijuana has been legalized in 29 states since 1996--the majority within the last 5 years. The large numbers of healthcare providers in these states have little, if any, formal education or training about condition-specific recommendations, dosing concerns, side effects, and drug interactions. This workshop is designed to help educate prescribers on a wide variety of medical marijuana related topics based on the latest scientific and clinical research.