“And even if medical science has changed its views on addiction, policies and social structures have been slower in following the science toward a public health-based approach.” - Dr. Nora Volkow, President of NIDA

On January 30, 2024, the Association of Cannabinoid Specialists hosted our quarterly virtual Student Education Series.  ACS was proud to welcome Suraj Tandon, MD, FRCPC, DABIM as its speaker on the topic of Basics of Medical Cannabis.  To watch the full presentation, click here.

As a doctor, you may specialize in a particular area of the medical field, and as a specialist, you may know that education and study never truly end.  While doctors may be experts in their field of study, they should not limit their education to that field.

Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself.

A: My name is Elizabeth (Beth) Dost, and I am a cannabis nurse. I am currently a Senior Executive Healthcare Consultant in Medical Cannabis. 

Cannabinoids have garnered significant attention in recent years due to their potential therapeutic applications. However, there are distinct differences between the various types of cannabinoids. 

This article was written by Amanda Reiman, PhD MSW, of New Frontier Data.

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the potential therapeutic benefits of cannabis, particularly in the treatment of mental health disorders like depression. 

As a clinician, it’s important to understand the roles played in the cannabis industry and the ways in which this industry is different from the pharmacy system that we’re used to.  

Veterans of the armed services, in the United States and around the world, have been using cannabis for pain and PTSD symptoms since at least the Vietnam War.  They have accumulated lifetimes of experience with this medication and, as a group, demonstrate the best, and worst, of what cannabis can do.

As a medical professional, do you feel like you know enough about cannabis to address it with your patients? If not, you’re not alone. Countless physicians share this common problem. 

Cannabis by any other name would work just the same.  So why should we stick with calling it cannabis?