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There are 4 modules in this course
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.
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 videos11 readings
Show info about module content
9 videos•Total 127 minutes
Introduction to Module•7 minutes
Lecture - Introduction to Professor and Course•6 minutes
Lecture - Why is this topic (and course) important?•20 minutes
Lecture - What is Cannabis?•19 minutes
Interview with Nolan Kane•12 minutes
Lecture - Physiological Effects of Cannabinoids in the Body•17 minutes
Lecture - More on Cannabinoids in the Brain•19 minutes
Lecture - Deep Dive on Cannabinoid Pharmacology•11 minutes
Interview with Meg Haney•15 minutes
11 readings•Total 141 minutes
Course Updates and Accessibility Support•1 minute
Lecture PDF - Introduction to Professor and Course•10 minutes
NAS Report (Including link to required materials)•30 minutes
Lecture PDF: Why is this topic important?•10 minutes
Lecture PDF - What is cannabis?•10 minutes
Lecture PDF - What does cannabis do in the body?•10 minutes
Lecture PDF: More on Cannabinoids in the Brain•10 minutes
NAS Report•30 minutes
Lecture PDF -Deep Dive on Cannabinoid Pharmacology•10 minutes
The Case for the Entourage Effect (Russo, 2019)•10 minutes
History of Cannabis
Module 2•4 hours to complete
Module details
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
Show info about module content
7 videos•Total 97 minutes
Introduction to Module•4 minutes
Lecture - Cannabis History•11 minutes
Lecture - Legal History•16 minutes
Lecture - Legalization in States and Countries•7 minutes
Lecture - History of Products and Formulations•20 minutes
Lecture - Business Models - Are Marijuana Companies Rolling in Cash?•20 minutes
Interview with Mark January•20 minutes
11 readings•Total 110 minutes
Lecture PDF - Cannabis History•10 minutes
NAS Report - History of cannabis & its pharmacology•10 minutes
History of Cannabis and Its Preparations in Saga, Science, and Sobriquet (Russo, 2007)•10 minutes
The Pharmacological History of Cannabis (Russo, 2014)•10 minutes
Lecture PDF - Legal History•10 minutes
NAS Report - Cannabis policy•10 minutes
Lecture PDF - Legalization in States and Countries•10 minutes
Lecture PDF - History of Products and Formulations•10 minutes
Lecture PDF - Business Models•10 minutes
Jeffrey Vinik thinks cannabis stocks are a bad idea: ‘Nobody’s going to make money’•10 minutes
Marijuana is getting cheaper. For some states, that's a problem.•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
Quiz #1•30 minutes
Barriers to Research and How to Evaluate Research
Module 3•4 hours to complete
Module details
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
Show info about module content
6 videos•Total 81 minutes
Introduction to Module•4 minutes
Lecture - Barriers to Research•18 minutes
Lecture - End Result of Barriers to Research•18 minutes
Lecture - How to Evaluate Evidence•17 minutes
Lecture - Internal and External Validity•13 minutes
Lecture - Placebo Effect•12 minutes
8 readings•Total 80 minutes
Lecture PDF - Barriers to Research•10 minutes
NAS Report - Barriers to cannabis research•10 minutes
Lecture PDF - End Result of Barriers to Research•10 minutes
NAS Report - Research gap•10 minutes
Lecture PDF - How to Evaluate Evidence•10 minutes
Watch these Videos•10 minutes
Lecture PDF - Internal and External Validity•10 minutes
Lecture PDF - Placebo Effect•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 10 minutes
Quiz #2•10 minutes
1 peer review•Total 60 minutes
Infographic Assignment #1•60 minutes
Risks Associated with Cannabis Use
Module 4•5 hours to complete
Module details
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.
Lecture - Cannabis and Brain Morphology•10 minutes
Lecture - Cannabis and the Brain Part II•10 minutes
Lecture - Impact of Legalization on Epidemiology•16 minutes
Interview with Kevin Gray•20 minutes
Lecture - Changes in Potency•11 minutes
Lecture - Public Health Data•13 minutes
Lecture - General Guidelines to Reduce Harm and Maximize Benefits•16 minutes
11 readings•Total 110 minutes
Lecture PDF - Cannabis and Brain Morphology•10 minutes
NAS Report•10 minutes
Dr. Carl Hart Debates Bill O'Reilly (Video)•10 minutes
Lecture PDF - Cannabis and the Brain Part 2•10 minutes
Lecture PDF - Impact of Legalization•10 minutes
Lecture PDF - Changes in Potency•10 minutes
Lecture PDF - Public Health Data•10 minutes
Practical considerations in medical cannabis administration and dosing•10 minutes
Lecture PDF - General Guidelines•10 minutes
An observational postmarketing safety registry of patients in the UK, Germany, and Switzerland who have been prescribed Sativex® (THC:CBD, nabiximols) oromucosal spray•10 minutes
THC:CBD in Daily Practice: Available Data from UK, Germany and Spain•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 10 minutes
Quiz #3•10 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 60 minutes
Exercise #1•60 minutes
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Learner reviews
4.8
347 reviews
5 stars
87.03%
4 stars
9.79%
3 stars
1.72%
2 stars
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1 star
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Showing 3 of 347
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SQ
5·
Reviewed on Jul 2, 2020
This was a brilliant introduction to the world of Medicinal Cannabis and I really enjoyed it.
O
OS
5·
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.
P
PA
5·
Reviewed on Jul 16, 2020
Excellent! A pleasure to learn from Professor Hutchison. Looking forward to the next class.
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