Doc Talk Blog: Medical Cannabis Science, Advocacy, & Updates


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.


  • National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Turns 50 Years Old

    NIDA

    National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Turns 50 Years Old

    “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

  • Student Education Series: The Basics of Medical Cannabis

    Suraj Tandon

    Student Education Series: The Basics of Medical Cannabis

    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.

  • ACS Wants to Know: What Do You Know About Cannabinoid Medicine?

    Doctors arms folded

    ACS Wants to Know: What Do You Know About Cannabinoid Medicine?

    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.

  • ACS Member Spotlight: Beth Dost, RN and ACS Board Member

    Beth Dost, RN

    ACS Member Spotlight: Beth Dost, RN and ACS Board Member

    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. 

  • Endocannabinoids, Phytocannabinoids, and Synthetic Cannabinoids

    Molecule

    Endocannabinoids, Phytocannabinoids, and Synthetic Cannabinoids

    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. 

  • Exploring the Potential of Cannabis in Treating Depression: A Scientific Perspective

    Depressed man

    Exploring the Potential of Cannabis in Treating Depression: A Scientific Perspective

    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. 

  • What is a Budtender? Medical Cannabis Patient Service Advocates

    Woman shopping for cannabis

    What is a Budtender? Medical Cannabis Patient Service Advocates

    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.  

  • The Veteran Experience: Pain Management, PTSD, and Cannabis

    Soldier with flag

    The Veteran Experience: Pain Management, PTSD, and Cannabis

    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.

     

  • Bridging the Cannabis Knowledge Gap

    Book with glasses

    Bridging the Cannabis Knowledge Gap

    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 the common problem of a knowledge gap. 

     

  • Why Call It Cannabis Instead of Marijuana or Another Name?

    Cannabis

    Why Call It Cannabis Instead of Marijuana or Another Name?

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

  • Student Education Series: Cannabis for Sexual Health

    Mulvehill_and_Tishler.jpeg

    Student Education Series: Cannabis for Sexual Health

    ACS was proud to welcome Suzanne Mulvehill of the Female Orgasm Research Institute and Jordan Tishler MD, President of ACS, as its two speakers on the topic of Cannabis for Sexual Health.

  • Take a Closer Look at Cannabis Use Disorder: JAMA Study

    Vape pen and cannabis

    Take a Closer Look at Cannabis Use Disorder: JAMA Study

    Recently the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) posted a study entitled "Prevalence of Cannabis Use Disorder and Reasons for Use Among Adults in a US State Where Recreational Cannabis Use Is Legal"

     

  • The World Needs Big Ideas: An Association for Cannabis Clinicians

    Doctors smiling jumping up in air

    The World Needs Big Ideas: An Association for Cannabis Clinicians

    In Part 1, “Who Needs a Professional Association for Cannabis Clinicians?”, I wrote about the importance of creating Association of Cannabinoid Specialists when I realized there was a big gap in patient care information for clinicians. 

  • Member Spotlight: Frederick Slezak, MD, MBA, FACS, FASCRS, FACG

    Member spotlight Frederick Slezak

    Member Spotlight: Frederick Slezak, MD, MBA, FACS, FASCRS, FACG

    Welcome to ACS' member spotlight, where we shine the light on one of our members as they share their story and what led them to become a member of ACS. 

    This month, we shine the spotlight on Frederick A. Slezak, MD, MBA, FACS, FASCRS, FACG.

     

  • CBD RFI Response from Association of Cannabinoid Specialists

    Government building

    CBD RFI Response from Association of Cannabinoid Specialists

    Recently ACS was asked to provide a response to the request for information from Congress with regard to regulation of CBD and derivatives.  The full response is available below and in pdf form here.


     

  • Who Needs an Association for Cannabis Professionals? Part 1

    ACS Logo

    Who Needs an Association for Cannabis Professionals? Part 1

    I’m Jordan Tishler, the founder and president of the Association of Cannabinoid Specialists.  This is the story of why I founded ACS and why the world needs a place for clinicians to learn more about cannabis medicine and influence cannabis policy.

  • Unpacking Doctor Sanjay Gupta’s Weed 7 Episode: Part One

    Unpacking Doctor Sanjay Gupta’s Weed 7 Episode: Part One

    On Sunday evening, August 6, 2023, CNN aired Dr. Sanjay Gupta’s “Weed 7: A Senior Moment” as part of Anderson Cooper’s “The Whole Story” show. Association of Cannabinoid Specialists has asked our member experts to help “unpack” the information packed into the hour-long episode.