Marij-thon®: Comprehensive Medical Marijuana Course

Just like a marathon, you’ll start at the beginning, quickly cover lots of ground, have an incredible journey of learning AND be recognized for your accomplishment!

Your patients will appreciate that you chose to go the extra distance in being prepared to address their health questions related to the endocannabinoid system and the clinical aspects of medical marijuana.

Marij-thon®: Comprehensive Medical Marijuana Course includes the following three courses:

1. The Comprehensive Medical Marijuana Curriculum introduces the reader to the endocannabinoid system and its interaction with the components of the cannabis plant, and addresses administration, therapeutic use, drug metabolism, physiologic and cognitive effects, potential risks, and drug interactions.

The use of marijuana in obstetric patients, pediatric patients, adolescent patients and elderly patients is addressed in detail.  Important considerations for patients with ischemic heart disease, hepatic disease, psychotic illness, and those with a history of drug dependence are provided.

2. Health Effects of Marijuana and Cannabinoids in Epilepsy describes how the endocannabinoid system may affect seizure threshold, and reviews the available research and clinical evidence for the use of marijuana or cannabinoids in the treatment of epilepsy.  In addition, there is a discussion about an FDA-approved cannabis-based medicine for the treatment of Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome which are two rare and severe forms of epilepsy.

3. Legal and Medical Considerations in the Recommendation of Medical Marijuana provides a thorough review of the considerations associated with the recommendation of medical marijuana, and information on the prescribing of FDA-approved cannabinoid-based medicines.

Subscribers can complete this CME/CE activity and refer back to the content at any point during their 12-month subscription period.

Content provides Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), American Psychological Association (APA) credits, and American General Dentistry (AGD) PACE credits.

I don’t plan on recommending marijuana…why would I take this course?

Whether or not you have any intention of recommending medical marijuana for patient care, you need to be well educated in this clinical area because your patients will be seeking your expert advice and guidance for this medication. Further, some of your patients may already be utilizing medical marijuana and you will need to be aware of its physiologic effects as well as its  potential drug interactions. As such, expertise in the endocannabinoid system and medical marijuana is paramount for most doctors, pharmacists, nurses, psychologists, and other allied health professionals to remain that respected guide for their patients’ overall healthcare.

Table of Contents:

The Comprehensive Medical Marijuana Curriculum is comprised of 4 lessons:

• Lesson 1: The Endocannabinoid System and Phytocannabinoids

Lesson 1 introduces the reader to the endocannabinoid system and its interaction with the components of the cannabis plant. Lesson 1 also includes an explanation of the  pharmacological properties of the major and minor phytocannabinoids.

• Lesson 2: Marijuana Products, Modes of Administration and Pharmacokinetics

Lesson 2  discusses a variety of  marijuana products, various modes of administration and the pharmacokinetic properties of marijuana and cannabinoid-based products.

• Lesson 3: Precautions: The Use of Cannabinoid-based Drugs in Special Patient Populations and Cannabinoid-based Drug Metabolism and Potential Cannabinoid-based Drug Interactions

Lesson 3 addresses the use of marijuana in obstetric patients, pediatric patients, adolescent patients and elderly patients.  Important considerations for patients with ischemic heart disease, hepatic disease, psychotic illness, and those with a history of drug dependence are provided, as well. Lesson 3 also discusses cannabinoid-based drug metabolism and potential cannabinoid-based drug interactions.

• Lesson 4: Physiologic and Cognitive Effects of Marijuana

Lesson 4 provides a detailed description of the physiologic and cognitive effects of marijuana.

The Health Effects of Marijuana and Cannabinoids in Epilepsy is comprised of 1 lesson:

• Lesson 1: The Health Effects of Marijuana and Cannabinoids in Epilepsy

Lesson 1 describes how the endocannabinoid system may affect seizure threshold, and reviews the available research and clinical evidence for the use of marijuana or cannabinoids in the treatment of epilepsy.  In addition, there is a discussion about an FDA-approved cannabis-based medicine for the treatment of Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome which are two rare and severe forms of epilepsy.

Legal and Medical Considerations in the Recommendation of Medical Marijuana (Along with Information on the Prescribing of FDA-approved Cannabinoid-based Medicines) is comprised of 3 lessons:

• Lesson 1: The Laws, The Rules and The Regulations

Lesson 1 discusses the legal issues impacting the production, distribution and use of medical marijuana.  Specifically, this lesson describes the statutes, judicial decisions, and administrative efforts which have shaped the federal posture and influenced the ability of individual states to enact medical marijuana programs.

• Lesson 2: Recommending Medical Marijuana

Lesson 2 begins with a discussion of the Federation of State Medical Boards’ “Model Guidelines for the Recommendation of Marijuana in Patient Care” and then transitions into a discussion about the medical literature on the health effects of marijuana use.  Specifically, the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine’s 2017 publication, The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids: The Current State of Evidence and Recommendations for Research will be described in detail.  Lesson 2 also addresses interpreting the results of studies that examine the effects of marijuana use.

• Lesson 3: The FDA Drug Approval Process and FDA-approved Cannabinoid-based Medicines

Lesson 3 reviews the United States Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) drug approval process, and provides a description of cannabinoid-based medications that have been approved by the FDA.

Editor-in-Chief:
Meredith Fisher-Corn, MD

Founding Editor-in-Chief:
Stephen B. Corn, MD

Target Audience

The educational design of this activity addresses the needs of physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, psychologists, and dentists interested in the use of cannabinoids.

CME Certification

Content provides Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), American Psychological Association (APA) credits, and American General Dentistry (AGD) PACE credits.

This curriculum offers up to 4 hours of ACCME , ANCC, ACPE, AANP, and AGD PACE credits. This curriculum offers up to 3.5 APA credits.

Expires May 21 , 2021. Full accreditation information is available upon purchase.

Educational Objectives

After completing this activity, the participant should be better able to:

• Describe the endocannabinoid system
• Discuss the components of the endocannabinoid system 
• List some of the many functions of the endocannabinoid system
• Define cannabis
• Define marijuana
• Define hemp
• Define phytocannabinoid
• Describe some of the phytocannabinoids
• List a variety of marijuana products
• Describe various modes of marijuana administration
• Describe the pharmacokinetic profile of marijuana for several modes of administration
• Discuss the use of cannabinoid-based drugs in patients with a history of psychotic illness
• Discuss the use of cannabinoid-based drugs in patients with ischemic heart disease
• Discuss the use of cannabinoid-based drugs in patients with hepatic disease
• Discuss the use of cannabinoid-based drugs in patients with a history of drug abuse
• Discuss the use of cannabinoid-based drugs in patients with a hypersensitivity to cannabis-based products
• Discuss the use of cannabinoid-based drugs in obstetric patients 
• Discuss the use of cannabinoid-based drugs in pediatric/adolescent patients
• Discuss the use of cannabinoid-based drugs in elderly patients
• List the enzymes responsible for the metabolism of three phytocannabinoids (THC, CBD and CBN)
• Identify clinically significant drug interactions that may occur with cannabinoid-based drugs
• List multiple factors that influence the physiologic and cognitive effects of marijuana
• Discuss the physiologic effects of marijuana
• Discuss the cognitive effects of marijuana
• Describe how marijuana affects CNS function
• Describe how marijuana affects appetite and metabolism
• Describe how marijuana affects gastrointestinal function
• Describe how marijuana affects cardiovascular function
• Describe how marijuana affects the reproductive system
• Describe how marijuana affects the eye
• State the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine’s conclusion on the use of cannabinoid-based products for the treatment of epilepsy that is published in The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids: The Current State of Evidence and Recommendations for Research
• Describe the available research examining the health effects of marijuana and cannabinoids in epilepsy
• Explain how the endocannabinoid system is involved in epilepsy
• Describe the ways in which CBD could possibly affect seizure activity in animal models of epilepsy
• Describe the epidemiological evidence regarding marijuana use and seizure risk
• Discuss an FDA-approved cannabis-based medicine for the treatment of two rare and severe forms of epilepsy
• Describe Dravet syndrome
• Discuss the Controlled Substances Act’s scheduling system
• Discuss federal court cases involving the production, distribution and/or recommending of medical marijuana
• Discuss the Cole Memorandum and other Department of Justice position memorandums regarding marijuana
• Recognize the Federation of State Medical Boards’ (FSMB) “Model Guidelines for the Recommendation of Marijuana in Patient Care” as a policy document that is intended as a resource for state medical boards in regulating physicians and physician assistants
• Recognize the Federation of State Medical Boards’ “Model Guidelines for the Recommendation of Marijuana in Patient Care” as a resource for physicians
• Describe the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine’s 2017 report, The Health Effects of Marijuana and Cannabinoids: The Current State of Evidence and Recommendations for Research
• Recognize the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine’s 2017 report, The Health Effects of Marijuana and Cannabinoids: The Current State of Evidence and Recommendations for Research as a resource for clinical information on the effects of marijuana and  cannabinoid use
• Explain why the findings from studies examining recreational marijuana use may not be applicable to medical marijuana use
• Describe the FDA drug approval process
• Discuss the cannabinoid –based drugs approved by the FDA
• Discuss the indicated uses of the FDA-approved cannabinoid –based drugs

Global Contact Information

For information about the approval of this program, please contact Global at 303-395-1782 or cme@globaleducationgroup.com.

Instructions for Obtaining Credit

In order to receive credit for this activity, the participant must complete the activity, pass the posttest with a score of 70% or greater, and fill out the activity evaluation.

Disclosure of Unlabeled Use

This educational activity may contain discussion of published and/or investigational uses of agents that are not indicated by the FDA. Global Education Group (Global) and The Answer Page do not recommend the use of any agent outside of the labeled indications. 

The opinions expressed in the educational activity are those of the faculty and do not necessarily represent the views of any organization associated with this activity. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications, and warnings.

Disclaimer

Participants have an implied responsibility to use the newly acquired information to enhance patient outcomes and their own professional development. The information presented in this activity is not meant to serve as a guideline for patient management. Any procedures, medications, or other courses of diagnosis or treatment discussed in this activity should not be used by clinicians without evaluation of patient conditions and possible contraindications on dangers in use, review of any applicable manufacturer’s product information, and comparison with recommendations of other authorities.