Medical Marijuana – Society of Cannabis Clinicians https://www.cannabisclinicians.org Educating Healthcare Professionals about the Medical Use of Cannabis Sun, 15 Oct 2023 02:34:43 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.2.3 https://www.cannabisclinicians.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/cropped-scc-flavicon-32x32.png Medical Marijuana – Society of Cannabis Clinicians https://www.cannabisclinicians.org 32 32 Anxiety severity and prescription medication utilization in first-time medical marijuana users https://www.cannabisclinicians.org/2023/10/14/anxiety-severity-and-prescription-medication-utilization-in-first-time-medical-marijuana-users/ Sun, 15 Oct 2023 02:34:43 +0000 https://www.cannabisclinicians.org/?p=29435 Anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are qualifying psychiatric conditions for medical marijuana (MM) treatment in Pennsylvania. This study examined baseline prevalence and changes in prescription anxiety medication use three months following MM treatment initiation among individuals with these qualifying conditions. The study sample was comprised of 108 adults with anxiety or PTSD as a referring condition; they were enrolled in a longitudinal study evaluating biopsychosocial outcomes in new MM patients. Consenting participants completed an assessment battery at baseline and Month 3 (n = 94, 87 % follow-up rate) that included a measure of anxiety severity and questions about current anxiety medication prescription and desired (baseline) and actual (Month 3) reductions in medication use.

The post Anxiety severity and prescription medication utilization in first-time medical marijuana users appeared first on Society of Cannabis Clinicians.

]]> Physicians’ Perspectives on Their Training for and Role Within Pennsylvania’s Medical Cannabis Program https://www.cannabisclinicians.org/2023/08/19/physicians-perspectives-on-their-training-for-and-role-within-pennsylvanias-medical-cannabis-program/ Sat, 19 Aug 2023 18:19:17 +0000 https://www.cannabisclinicians.org/?p=29103 Physicians’ ability to guide their patients on the use of medical cannabis can vary widely and is often shaped by their training, experiences, and the regulations and policies of their state. The goal of this qualitative study is to understand how prepared physicians are to certify and advise their patients to use medical cannabis. A secondary goal is to explore how physicians integrate certification into their clinical practices, and what factors shape their decisions and behaviors around certification.Using semi-structured interviews with 24 physicians authorized to certify patients to use medical cannabis in Pennsylvania, a state with a medical access only program, we explored how physi- cians are trained and set up their practices. Interviews were analyzed using a blend of directed and conventional, and summative content analysis.

The post Physicians’ Perspectives on Their Training for and Role Within Pennsylvania’s Medical Cannabis Program appeared first on Society of Cannabis Clinicians.

]]> Multiple Sclerosis and Use of Medical Cannabis: A Retrospective Review of a Neurology Outpatient Population https://www.cannabisclinicians.org/2023/06/03/multiple-sclerosis-and-use-of-medical-cannabis-a-retrospective-review-of-a-neurology-outpatient-population-2/ Sat, 03 Jun 2023 19:35:49 +0000 https://www.cannabisclinicians.org/?p=28749 Patients diagnosed as having multiple sclerosis (MS) experience a wide range of symptoms requiring pharmacologic management, and many do not achieve adequate symptom control. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of medical cannabis (MC) as part of a comprehensive treatment plan for patients with MS. A retrospective medical record review of 141 patients with MS receiving MC for symptom management was conducted. Data were collected for up to 4 follow-up appointments after initiation of MC. Outcomes included changes in MS symptoms, medication changes, adverse events, and changes in cognition and mobility.

The post Multiple Sclerosis and Use of Medical Cannabis: A Retrospective Review of a Neurology Outpatient Population appeared first on Society of Cannabis Clinicians.

]]> Cannabis use amongst tinnitus patients: consumption patterns and attitudes https://www.cannabisclinicians.org/2023/04/29/cannabis-use-amongst-tinnitus-patients-consumption-patterns-and-attitudes-2/ Sat, 29 Apr 2023 12:10:12 +0000 https://www.cannabisclinicians.org/?p=28490 Tinnitus has a significant impact on quality of life and causes considerable psychological distress. Cannabis is known to modulate neuron hyperexcitability, provide protection against auditory damage, and has been used for treatment for many diseases which have physiological similarities with tinnitus. The objective of this study was to survey patients presenting with tinnitus regarding their perspectives and usage patterns of cannabis. Patients with a primary presenting complaint of tinnitus in a tertiary neuro-otology clinic completed a 18-item questionnaire assessing perception, attitudes, and cannabis usage patterns.

The post Cannabis use amongst tinnitus patients: consumption patterns and attitudes appeared first on Society of Cannabis Clinicians.

]]> Medical Cannabis in the Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease https://www.cannabisclinicians.org/2023/04/22/medical-cannabis-in-the-treatment-of-parkinsons-disease/ Sat, 22 Apr 2023 18:24:24 +0000 https://www.cannabisclinicians.org/?p=28427 Medical cannabis (MC) has recently garnered interest as a potential treatment for neurologic diseases, including Parkinson’s disease (PD). A retrospective chart review was conducted to explore the impact of MC on the symptomatic treatment of patients with PD. Patients with PD treated with MC in the normal course of clinical practice were included (n = 69). Data collected from patient charts included MC ratio/formulation changes, PD symptom changes after initiation of MC, and adverse events (AEs) from MC use. Information regarding changes in concomitant medications after MC initiation, including opioids, benzodiazepines, muscle relaxants, and PD medications, was also collected.

The post Medical Cannabis in the Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease appeared first on Society of Cannabis Clinicians.

]]> Cannabis use amongst tinnitus patients: consumption patterns and attitudes https://www.cannabisclinicians.org/2023/04/22/cannabis-use-amongst-tinnitus-patients-consumption-patterns-and-attitudes/ Sat, 22 Apr 2023 13:02:00 +0000 https://www.cannabisclinicians.org/?p=28403 Tinnitus has a significant impact on quality of life and causes considerable psychological distress. Cannabis is known to modulate neuron hyperexcitability, provide protection against auditory damage, and has been used for treatment for many diseases which have physiological similarities with tinnitus. The objective of this study was to survey patients presenting with tinnitus regarding their perspectives and usage patterns of cannabis. Patients with a primary presenting complaint of tinnitus in a tertiary neuro-otology clinic completed a 18-item questionnaire assessing perception, attitudes, and cannabis usage patterns.

The post Cannabis use amongst tinnitus patients: consumption patterns and attitudes appeared first on Society of Cannabis Clinicians.

]]> A Survey of Cannabis Use among Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) https://www.cannabisclinicians.org/2023/04/02/a-survey-of-cannabis-use-among-patients-with-inflammatory-bowel-disease-ibd-2/ Sun, 02 Apr 2023 13:16:41 +0000 https://www.cannabisclinicians.org/?p=28287 Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are chronic conditions of unknown cause or cure. Treatment seeks to reduce symptoms and induce and maintain remission. Many patients have turned to alternatives, such as cannabis, to alleviate living with IBD. This study reports the demographics, prevalence, and perception on cannabis use of patients attending an IBD clinic. Patients agreed to participate and completed an anonymous survey during their visit or online. Descriptive analysis, Fisher’s exact test, and Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney rank-sum test were used. One hundred and sixty- two adults (85 males, 77 with CD) completed the survey. Sixty (37%) reported use of cannabis, of which 38 (63%) used it to relieve their IBD. A value of 77% reported low to moderate knowledge about cannabis, and 15% reported little to no knowledge. Among cannabis users, 48% had discussed use with their physician, but 88% said they would feel comfortable discussing medical cannabis for IBD. Most saw improvement of their symptoms (85.7%). A considerable number of patients with IBD use medical cannabis for their disease, unknown to their physician. The study reinforces the importance that physicians understand the role of cannabis in the treatment of IBD in order to appropriately counsel patients.

The post A Survey of Cannabis Use among Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) appeared first on Society of Cannabis Clinicians.

]]> A Survey of Cannabis Use among Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) https://www.cannabisclinicians.org/2023/03/17/a-survey-of-cannabis-use-among-patients-with-inflammatory-bowel-disease-ibd/ Sat, 18 Mar 2023 00:27:42 +0000 https://www.cannabisclinicians.org/?p=28084 Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are chronic conditions of unknown cause or cure. Treatment seeks to reduce symptoms and induce and maintain remission. Many patients have turned to alternatives, such as cannabis, to alleviate living with IBD. This study reports the demographics, prevalence, and perception on cannabis use of patients attending an IBD clinic. Patients agreed to participate and completed an anonymous survey during their visit or online. Descriptive analysis, Fisher’s exact test, and Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney rank-sum test were used. One hundred and sixty- two adults (85 males, 77 with CD) completed the survey. Sixty (37%) reported use of cannabis, of which 38 (63%) used it to relieve their IBD. A value of 77% reported low to moderate knowledge about cannabis, and 15% reported little to no knowledge. Among cannabis users, 48% had discussed use with their physician, but 88% said they would feel comfortable discussing medical cannabis for IBD. Most saw improvement of their symptoms (85.7%). A considerable number of patients with IBD use medical cannabis for their disease, unknown to their physician. The study reinforces the importance that physicians understand the role of cannabis in the treatment of IBD in order to appropriately counsel patients.

The post A Survey of Cannabis Use among Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) appeared first on Society of Cannabis Clinicians.

]]> Increased White Matter Coherence Following Three and Six Months of Medical Cannabis Treatment https://www.cannabisclinicians.org/2022/12/16/increased-white-matter-coherence-following-three-and-six-months-of-medical-cannabis-treatment/ Sat, 17 Dec 2022 02:40:57 +0000 https://www.cannabisclinicians.org/?p=27313 Previous studies have demonstrated abnormal white matter (WM) microstructure in recreational cannabis consumers; however, the long-term impact of medical cannabis (MC) use on WM coherence is unknown. Accordingly, this study assessed the longitudinal impact of MC treatment on WM coherence. Given results from preclinical studies, we hypothesized that MC treatment would be associated with increased fractional anisotropy (FA) and reduced mean diffusivity (MD).

The post Increased White Matter Coherence Following Three and Six Months of Medical Cannabis Treatment appeared first on Society of Cannabis Clinicians.

]]> Increased White Matter Coherence Following Three and Six Months of Medical Cannabis Treatment https://www.cannabisclinicians.org/2022/11/25/increased-white-matter-coherence-following-three-and-six-months-of-medical-cannabis-treatment-2/ Fri, 25 Nov 2022 23:44:53 +0000 https://www.cannabisclinicians.org/?p=27209 Previous studies have demonstrated abnormal white matter (WM) microstructure in recreational cannabis consumers; however, the long-term impact of medical cannabis (MC) use on WM coherence is unknown. Accordingly, this study assessed the longitudinal impact of MC treatment on WM coherence. Given results from preclinical studies, we hypothesized that MC treatment would be associated with increased frac- tional anisotropy (FA) and reduced mean diffusivity (MD).

The post Increased White Matter Coherence Following Three and Six Months of Medical Cannabis Treatment appeared first on Society of Cannabis Clinicians.

]]>