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.
When it comes to the study of cannabinoids, there are numerous resources available to educate physicians and staff, and these resources are available for those interested in becoming a cannabinoid specialist.
Whether or not you want to become a specialist, you should still know your stuff. According to one study, up to 95% of doctors were questioned about cannabis by their patients, but “physicians generally experienced a lack of knowledge of clinical effects including both beneficial and adverse effects.” (1) Up to 90% of these physicians did not feel confident using cannabis in patient treatment. (1) It is a disservice to our patients to not have the answers to their questions when they are so readily available. It is also imperative that we make treatment options available to patients, even cannabis.
So where does one start to learn more about cannabinoid medicine? ACS can help. Our mission is to provide evidence and experience-based education for patients, cannabis clinicians, referring clinicians, and lawmakers to help them understand cannabis medicine and make informed decisions. We offer courses to provide education on many aspects of cannabis as medicine, but let’s just name a few to get started.
3 Hour CME AMA Introduction to Cannabinoid Medicine
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ACS now offers an Introduction to Cannabinoid Medicine, the most up-to-date course in the study of cannabinoid medicine. This 3-hour CME AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ enduring video presentation covers the basic science of the Endocannabinoid System in humans, basic chemistry of cannabinoid medications, delivery systems, and much more.
This CME course also has a focus on interactive learning, with case studies throughout the material, and an exam at the end of the course. CME certification will be provided upon successful completion of certification exam.
The Introduction to Cannabinoid Medicine course is broken into several sections: Introduction to the Endocannabinoid System and Common Cannabinoids; Therapeutic Implementation of Cannabinoids (and Cases); Risks and Special Groups (and Cases); Challenges; Accreditation Exam; and a Post Course Survey.
Minor Cannabinoids: What Do We Really Know?
- Minor Cannabinoids: What Do We Really Know?: This course discusses the current scientific literature on a range of common minor cannabinoids and present analysis of where this literature stands in the process leading to treatments for Human beings. While most people know about two cannabinoids, THC and CBD, most others are a mystery. With CBG, CBC, CBN, and up to 100 other cannabinoids in the cannabis plant, this course will teach what we know about these chemicals. Minor cannabinoids are a major point in current research, as we work to understand what benefits they may provide.
Terpenes: The State of the Data
- Terpenes: The State of the Data: This course discusses the current scientific literature on a range of common terpenes and present analysis of where this literature stands in the process leading to treatments for Human beings. While there are hundreds of terpenoids in plants, we focus on a handful that are present specifically in cannabis and thought to have potential therapeutic implications.
The Dark Side of CBD: Conversion to Other Cannabinoids
- The Dark Side of CBD: Conversion to Other Cannabinoids: This course will discuss the conversion of CBD, derived from hemp, into delta-8 THC, HHC, and others, that are being sold currently. It will describe how the chemistry involved can lead to byproducts that may be dangerous and not readily detectible. Subjects include a review of the cannabinoid nomenclature, implications from the 2018 Farm Bill, and work in cannabinoid conversion.
There are many more courses available at Thinkific to choose from, but it doesn’t matter which one you take first. The important part is to start educating yourself in the cannabinoid sciences to better prepare yourself to answer the questions of your patients, know when to refer them to a cannabinoid specialist, or become one yourself.
References:
- Rønne, S. T., Rosenbæk, F., Pedersen, L. B., Waldorff, F. B., Nielsen, J. B., Riisgaard, H., & Søndergaard, J. (2021, October 21). Physicians’ experiences, attitudes, and beliefs towards medical cannabis: A systematic literature review. BMC family practice. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8532330/