This History of Medical Cannabis course is designed to have you think critically about past, present, and future research on the health effects of cannabis by developing a more nuanced understanding of the barriers to research as well as different approaches to research. You will learn about the history of cannabis cultivation, the legal history of cannabis or "marijuana", and the obstacles that led to the lack of science on its medicinal use. You will also learn how to critically evaluate research on the effects of cannabis and discuss the associated risks of using cannabis in the context of public health and epidemiological research. Finally, you will learn about how to administer cannabis products in ways that minimize risk and maximize any potential benefits. Obtaining this knowledge will be helpful in terms of informing public policy, public health, and personal decisions regarding the use of cannabis products.
History of Medical Cannabis
This course is part of Medical Cannabis: The Health Effects of THC and CBD Specialization
Instructor: Kent Hutchison
15,793 already enrolled
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(325 reviews)
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What you'll learn
Learn about the basic pharmacology of cannabis and how cannabinoids effect the body.
Learn about the history of cannabis cultivation and legality.
Learn about the barriers and approaches to cannabis research.
Learn about the epidemiological data on cannabis use in terms of cognition, education, and behavior.
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There are 4 modules in this course
In this module, we will discuss the biological characteristics of cannabis and the effect cannabinoids have on the body. Will will cover the basic pharmacology of THC and CBD and the action these cannabinoids have in the brain. Lastly, we will evaluate the evidence for what is called the entourage effect.
What's included
9 videos10 readings
In this module, we will discuss the history of cannabis as an alternative medicine and the legal history of cannabis in both the US and abroad. We will discuss the variety of different product types post-legalization, how products are made, and implications for safety. We will also discuss the cannabis industry and how it compares to other mature industries like the pharmaceutical and alcohol industries.
What's included
7 videos11 readings1 assignment
In this module, we will discuss the legal barriers to institutional research in the US and how this has impacted conducting much-needed cannabis research. You will learn the difference between high quality, rigorous research design compared to biased sources of information. Lastly, you will learn how the placebo effect works and evaluate how much of a role it plays with regards to the medical benefits of cannabis.
What's included
6 videos8 readings1 assignment1 peer review
In this module, we will review the animal and human literature with regards to the effects of cannabis in the brain. We will discuss the epidemiology of cannabis use and review public health data. Lastly, we will discuss the best practices for using it medically, such as to minimize the risks and harms while maximizing the benefits.
What's included
8 videos11 readings1 assignment1 discussion prompt
Instructor
Offered by
Recommended if you're interested in Public Health
University of Amsterdam
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Imperial College London
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Reviewed on Oct 2, 2020
Thank you so much! I have learned so much about cannabis and look forward to learning more. It's a very informative enjoyable course!
Reviewed on Aug 14, 2023
Very insightful course, which in my case, helps me to pave the way for higher level courses that can equip me with valuable knowledge on medical cannabis.
Reviewed on Nov 25, 2019
This course was a good review of medical cannabis history and current issues in academia/research. It also offered a brief introduction to the use of medical and recreational cannabis.
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