North Carolina should not mistake retail access for medical care.

North Carolina must not bypass establishing a medical cannabis program in favor of a retail cannabis sales only program. A comprehensive medical system is needed and intended to serve the unmet needs of sick North Carolinians including counsel and oversight from medical professionals.

A New Side Effect of Cannabis: Doctors Stop Thinking

Clinicians are seeing more patients who use cannabis.  Some patients use it for medical purposes like insomnia, chronic pain, or anxiety. Others use it purely for enjoyment. 

Nonetheless, we’re seeing that as use increases, so does a troubling diagnostic reflex: when a patient reports cannabis use along with nonspecific gastrointestinal symptoms, cannabis hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) too often becomes the default conclusion.

How Cannabidiol (CBD) Works for Seizures

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-intoxicating component of the cannabis plant. Scientific investigations over the past decade have clarified CBD’s potential as an anti-seizure medication, distinguishing its mechanism from both tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and traditional antiepileptic drugs¹. 

Comparing the Risks of Recreational Use of Alcohol and Cannabis

Recreational use of alcohol and cannabis each carries significant risks, but the pattern, severity, and societal impact of these risks differ in important ways.

Cannabis and Dysmenorrhea: What Research Says About Period Pain Relief

What causes period pain, and what role does cannabinoid medicine play in alleviating symptoms?

With the federal repositioning of FDA-approved cannabinoid products and state-licensed medical cannabis from Schedule I to a Schedule III drug, federal regulators have recognized the medical value of cannabinoid medicine.

Cannabinoids and Migraines: Emerging Evidence and Clinical Implications

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 and Psychosis Risk: Policy Brief for Regulators

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.

Additional Ingredients in Cannabis Products

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.

Colorectal Cancer Is Getting Younger: Why Screening at 45 Matters and Where Medical Cannabis Fits in Care

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month — an opportunity to highlight both progress and concern in colorectal cancer (CRC) prevention and management.

Cannabinoids for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

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.

Inside the Microbiome-Endocannabinoid Axis

The gut is home to a complex communication network that integrates neural, immune, and microbial inputs to maintain gastrointestinal health.

Buds, Bodies, and Bliss: Some Valentine's Advice

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.

The Islamic Perspective on Medical Cannabis Use

Medical cannabis use from an Islamic perspective is a nuanced subject balancing religious principles, the prohibition of intoxication, and the therapeutic benefits of cannabis.

Spain's New Magistral Prescribing Regulations

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] 

5 Reasons Physicians Should Pay Attention to Cannabis Medications

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.

Where Cannabinoid Medications Fall in Current Treatment Thinking

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. 

Cannabis is Medicine: Rescheduling Cannabis to Schedule III

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.

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.

The Jewish Perspective on Medical Cannabis Use

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.

Ban or No Ban? ACS Calls for Regulation of Hemp-Derived Products

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.

Cannabinoids in Autism Care: Overview and Clinical Applications

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.

Discussing Medical Cannabis Use With Family During Thanksgiving

Discussing medical cannabis use with family during gatherings such as Thanksgiving can be a sensitive and emotional topic.

Safety concerns of cannabinoid vaping products: Analytical gaps and regulatory challenges

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).

Life Sciences Companies in a New Era: Key Strategies for Navigating the Unknown

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.

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. 

Cannabis and Bipolar Disorder: Risks and Benefits of Use

As clinicians specializing in cannabinoid medicine, we are often asked about the use of cannabis for psychiatric conditions, including bipolar disorder.