Cannabis. Marijuana. Cannabinoid. Cannabidiol. Tetrahydrocannabinol. CBD and THC. Even the names can be confusing. Cannabis has been around almost forever and, along with it, a reverberating debate on its safety, efficacy, and legality. In order to fully understand cannabis, let’s start at the very beginning: the basic pharmacology, starting with botanical information. Hemp. What is it? Does it rival cotton in the industrial sense. Where does the infamous CBD buzz fit in to the scheme of things? To help patients in the clinical realm, practitioners need to know about the types of marijuana out there. Which cannabinoids do what? This course will cover it all, and what it all means for patient care.

There is an outstanding amount of curiosity and interest in the use of cannabis in medicine and particularly in pain management. Practitioners need to take a take a step back and understand the how and why cannabis works in the body. The conversation needs to begin with an appreciation and understanding of the endocannabinoid system. This lecture, as part of the Advanced Education Certification Cannabinoids Series, will focus on reviewing what we know about the endocannabinoid system (eCS), exploring the history of its discovery, and discussing where the research is going, and what’s needed. We will evaluate the role of the eCS on health and wellness, as well as discuss the impact of phytocannabinoids (plant based cannabinoids) on this endogenous system.

Cut through the cannabis hysteria! What are the actual natural entities within cannabis plants known as cannabinoids? What are the entities within human bodies, known as endocannabinoids? Perhaps even beyond the immune system, the next truly least understood body system is the endocannabinoid system, particularly with respect to its overlap with all others. This course provides a baseline knowledge of this natural and human basis for cannabinoids, then navigates further into the realm of possible clinical applications for cannabinoid compounds. Do cannabinoids act like over-the-counter NSAIDs? Do cannabinoids mitigate glaucoma symptoms? This presentation will discuss practical and tangible patient care clinical applications and more, centering around helping more and more patients with inquisitive and open minds.

Your patient used what for his sciatica? In the ever continuing and opinion-heavy genre of cannabinoid clinical utilization, there is perhaps no more debated area of patient care than pain management. Some headlines have gone so far as to portray the legalization of “medical marijuana” as the proven solution to reduce opioid prescribing and dispensing, only to have

subsequent studies show that states with legalized medical marijuana have higher opioid overdose rates. Which is it? Does medical marijuana help or hurt? Healthcare professionals need bottom-line answers for their patients. In reviewing the possible utilization of cannabinoids (marijuana, THC, CBD, and so on) for pain management, this course will discuss dynamic and comprehensive literature, diving deep into this facet of pain management aiming to improve patient care for those in pain.

Providers will be updated about what we know about marijuana, including types, adverse reactions, potency, forms, and methods of use. The presenter will then review the criteria used to diagnose cannabis use disorder (CUD) in adults using the ICD-10 and DSM-5. This will help

frontline providers identify the clinical manifestations and persistent symptoms of CUD. There are different methods one can use for screening and assessment of CUD, including drug testing, psychometric instruments, and differential diagnoses. Once assessed, patients will need to initiate treatment and outline goals. If the patient is having cannabis withdrawal, that must be kept in mind. Types of behavioral interventions for CUD will be reviewed in detail, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational enhancement therapy (MET), combined CBT + MET, and contingency management (CM). In addition, options for patients who are unable to access structured treatment will be delineated.

Cannabinoid prescription medications are available across the globe and right here in America. More are in the pipeline. Where do and will these products be placed and how will they work? Before aspiring to learn of future pharmaceutical and commercial cannabinoid products, practitioners should dive deeper into learning about the availability and appropriate utilization of those cannabinoid products already readily available in our society.

Where are drugs sold? Everywhere. Conversely, how are town, state, national, and perhaps even international policies and laws best suited to be in alignment to participate in the war on drugs? Healthcare professionals are required to stay abreast of controlled substances laws, and truly need to be up-to-date with all levels of policies and laws, as there are hundreds of substances of abuse. The pharmacology of substances of abuse and recent trends in utilization, overdose, and overdose death can have a grave impact on providing the highest quality patient care. In other words, to utilize the whole truth and nothing but the truth while aiming to improve patient care and research, HCPs must be knowledgeable on all aspects of markets, pricing, and policies.

The United States founding fathers grew industrial hemp. Eventually the term “marihuana” (not a typo) traveled north and stigmatized countless substances of “abuse” for decades upon decades. So, where do our country and other countries stand today on the policies of marijuana and other substances of abuse? Practitioners can and should learn from past policies, both in the US and across the globe. Just how does the overlap of criminal justice and clinical care/research work with so many legal variables? Now is the time for a “higher education” on cannabis and its past, present, and future.

Webster’s dictionary defines “medical” as “of, relating to, or concerned with physicians or the practice of medicine” and/or “requiring or devoted to medical treatment.” Where does marijuana fit into that definition? Recreational marijuana utilization continues and grows, especially with more states legalizing it. Regardless of utility classification and types of marijuana, healthcare

providers need to understand what is out there and its prevalence in society. This presentation will review medical/recreational marijuana and usage, along with potential clinical and research concerns.

Anyone know a urine analysis expert? Regardless of whether the answer is “Yes” or “No,” now is the time to avoid flushing pivotal patient care information down the toilet. If you and your team could benefit from a thorough discussion on the complexities of urine drug screening and testing, then “you’re in” luck! One of the multiple strategies to reduce patient risk, and healthcare professional risk, is to incorporate universal urine drug monitoring, at least screening and better yet testing. But then what? Cross reactants exist, and false positives—or false negatives, for that matter—can destroy patient-provider relationships. Before setting patient expectations for urine drug monitoring, healthcare professionals must know and understand what they and their patients are getting into. If you feel uncertain of urine monitoring vs testing vs screening, this session is for you.