Welcome to the Association of Cannabinoid Specialists' Doc Talk Blog, where you'll find the most up-to-date science, news, advocacy, and updates from cannabinoid specialists and other experts in the fields of cannabinoid medicine, policy, industry, education, and more.
Migraines and chronic headaches are more than just episodes of pain, they are complex neurological disorders that can significantly disrupt quality of life, productivity, and mental health.
Cannabis Is Here. The Public Health Work Is Just Beginning.Cannabis did not quietly arrive. It moved from the margins into everyday life with speed and scale. It now touches healthcare visits, workplace safety, insurance claims, disability evaluations, and conversations about fairness and enforcement. Whether someone supports legalization is no longer the defining issue. Cannabis is here. The real question is whether we are managing its impact with the same seriousness we apply to other widespread health exposures.
Medical cannabis provides clinically meaningful benefit for eligible patients when used under appropriate clinical supervision. Psychosis risk is real but concentrated in specific high-risk groups and use patterns. Any federal or state policy should strengthen safeguards within medical programs rather than restrict legitimate therapeutic access.
Written by Jordan Tishler, MD
April 05, 2026
Cannabis-infused products are increasingly incorporating a diverse range of additional ingredients such as botanicals (e.g., corydalis), hormones (e.g., melatonin), minor cannabinoids, mushrooms, and even essential oils in pursuit of new branding angles and supposed therapeutic effects.
Written by Jordan Tishler, MD
March 24, 2026
March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month — an opportunity to highlight both progress and concern in colorectal cancer (CRC) prevention and management.
Written by Adam Abodeely, MD, MBA, FACS, FASCRS
March 10, 2026
Current scientific evidence on the use of THC and CBD for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) remains limited and inconclusive, with potential for both benefit and harm. The Association of Cannabinoid Specialists recommends that clinicians consider available data and exercise caution, prioritizing established treatments and monitoring for cannabis use disorder when encountering patients with ADHD who use cannabinoids.
Written by Jordan Tishler, MD
February 24, 2026
The gut is home to a complex communication network that integrates neural, immune, and microbial inputs to maintain gastrointestinal health.
Love, sex, and cannabis make an appealing Valentine’s trio—but, like any good ménage à trois, they work best with clear communication, low drama, and correct dosing.
Written by Jordan Tishler, MD
February 08, 2026
Medical cannabis use from an Islamic perspective is a nuanced subject balancing religious principles, the prohibition of intoxication, and the therapeutic benefits of cannabis.
Written by Jordan Tishler, MD
January 27, 2026
Spain’s inclusion of standardized magistral (compounded) cannabinoid preparations in the National Formulary is a meaningful regulatory milestone that brings much‑needed national consistency, quality standards, and traceability to prescribed cannabis medicines.[1][2][3]
Written by Jordan Tishler, MD
January 23, 2026
Cannabis has a long-standing role in medicine and recently the United States Department of Health and Human Service (HHS) has declared it meets the standard of Commonly Accepted Medical Use (CAMU). Modern research has revealed its effectiveness and safety for multiple conditions. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved cannabinoid-based drugs for many years, and evidence suggests that current non-pharmaceutical cannabis products may offer even greater efficacy. Despite this, a majority of physicians are not fully aware of the therapeutic possibilities cannabinoids provide and often feel hesitant to prescribe them, even when patients could benefit.
Written by Jordan Tishler, MD
January 13, 2026
Cannabis is often touted as being a “cure-all” or panacea for a wide range of illnesses from chronic pain to anxiety to cancer to insomnia and others. Not only is this thinking medically invalid, it undermines the legitimate use of cannabinoid medications.
Written by Kelsey Engvik, MBA
December 30, 2025
On December 18, 2025 the United States government definitively declared “Cannabis IS Medicine”. Association of Cannabinoid Specialists (ACS) has been advocating that position since our physician-founder established our non-profit.
Written by Jordan Tishler, MD
December 19, 2025
The rise of cannabis-based medicine across Africa is reshaping how nations think about health, policy, and economic opportunity. Southern Africa presents a fascinating spectrum, from Zimbabwe’s export-driven approach to South Africa’s cautiously progressive model and Mauritius’s newly regulated framework.
Written by Sangeeta Nathoo, MSc, MBA, BPharm (Hons)
December 16, 2025
Disclaimer: This article was written in large part with the assistance of AI. While the basic tenets are familiar to me, as a fairly secular Jew, I claim no deep insight into the nuances of Jewish law.
Medical cannabis use within the Jewish perspective is approached thoughtfully through halakhic (Jewish law) and ethical frameworks that emphasize the sanctity of life, health, and moral living.
Written by Jordan Tishler, MD
December 02, 2025
A large number of cannabis and hemp industry advocacy groups as well as cannabis clinician groups have been emailing last week to “save hemp” in light of the federal budget that would re-criminalize “intoxicating hemp” products. At ACS we disagree with the positions both factions have taken.
Written by Jordan Tishler, MD
November 19, 2025
Cannabinoids, particularly THC and CBD, are increasingly considered for managing symptoms associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and the Association of Cannabinoid Specialists recognizes both the promise and limitations of current research in this area.
Written by Jordan Tishler, MD
November 18, 2025
Discussing medical cannabis use with family during gatherings such as Thanksgiving can be a sensitive and emotional topic.
Written by Jordan Tishler, MD
November 11, 2025
Imagine a young adult reaches for a cannabinoid vape pen (e.g., CBD, CBG, Δ⁹-THC, Δ⁸-THC) before a stressful exam, hoping it will calm their anxiety. Another patient takes a quick puff for fast relief from chronic pain or insomnia.
Halloween and cannabis can both bring a little magic to the season—but mix them carelessly, and that charm can turn spooky real fast. Whether you’re doling out treats, heading to a costume party, or just settling in for a scary movie night, it’s worth taking a few precautions to keep the holiday fun and safe for everyone (yes, even the family’s candy goblins).
Written by Jordan Tishler, MD
October 28, 2025
ACS’ Board Members are actively involved in many aspects of the medical field. For example, ACS Director and attorney, Bryant Godfrey of Foley Hoag, hosted a Life Sciences conference at the firm’s Boston offices. Pictured here is Bryant interviewing the CEO of the Reagan-Udall Foundation for the FDA, Susan Winckler, in a “fireside chat” style conversation.
Written by Kelsey Engvik, MBA
October 20, 2025
Should Medical Cannabis Patients Grow Their Own Cannabis?
When considering whether medical cannabis patients should grow their own medicine, the conversation must be grounded in evidence, compassion, and rooted in real clinical experience.
Written by Jordan Tishler, MD
October 14, 2025
As clinicians specializing in cannabinoid medicine, we are often asked about the use of cannabis for psychiatric conditions, including bipolar disorder.
Written by Jordan Tishler, MD
September 30, 2025
Dear Mr. President,
We are writing to respectfully urge your administration to finalize the rescheduling of marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III.
Written by Jordan Tishler, MD
September 16, 2025
Cannabis can play a meaningful and supportive role in the care of patients undergoing cancer treatment. However, it is essential that cannabis be used judiciously, with attention to dosing, formulation, and individual patient context. Too often, cannabis is portrayed as a miracle cure, when in fact, its real value lies in alleviating specific symptoms and improving quality of life.
Written by Jordan Tishler, MD
September 16, 2025
To improve quality of care in cannabis medicine, healthcare providers must be properly educated and held to the same ethical standard of informed consent required in all medical practice. Boards of Registration for Medicine, Nursing, and Pharmacy bear the responsibility to enforce these standards and ensure compliance among their members.
Written by Jordan Tishler, MD
September 12, 2025
Telemedicine offers a vital opportunity to improve patient access, convenience, and quality of cannabis care, especially in underserved or rural areas where specialist care may be limited.
Written by Jordan Tishler, MD
September 09, 2025
Living with a rheumatological condition often means dealing with chronic pain, inflammation, and other debilitating symptoms. These conditions can drastically impact quality of life, and while conventional treatments often help, they don’t always provide complete relief.
Written by Adam Abodeely, MD, MBA, FACS, FASCRS
September 02, 2025
For decades, women, researchers, and clinicians have consistently reported that cannabis enhances female orgasmic response —yet this consistent finding has received little attention in mainstream medicine or clinical training.
The Association of Cannabinoid Specialists (ACS) asserts that rigid lists of qualifying conditions for medical cannabis use are medically inappropriate and restrict access to evidence-based care. State laws that dictate which conditions are eligible for treatment with cannabis undermine the professional judgment of physicians and reduce the flexibility necessary to respond to evolving scientific evidence.
Written by Jordan Tishler, MD
August 11, 2025