Medical Cannabis

Humans have been using the cannabis plant as a source of medicine in many cultures for thousands of years with positive effects. In this course, you will document your thinking about the complexity of medical cannabis options and demonstrate your understanding of the history and legal responsibilities of utilizing cannabis medicines.

You will consider the historical context for the use of medical cannabis within the traditions of Indigenous groups. You will explore the journey of the cannabis plant and its relationship with people and culture across time. You will also examine how cultures used cannabis medicinally in ancient times and research a historical use of cannabis to compare its usage to modern applications.

The methods of growing and producing cannabis distinguish medical cannabis from other forms. In this course, you will gain insights into how to optimize growing conditions for medical use. You will explore the stages of development and best practices for the collection of plant material. You will study the potential of cannabinoids produced by the cannabis plant and explore options for whole-plant use as well as individual natural and synthesized compounds.

You will examine the most common extraction methods and associate them with resulting chemical properties. You will identify the pros and cons of each method to develop a foundation in how extraction processes impact drug discovery as well as how the choice of extraction method influences the health benefits of the final cannabis product.

IMPORTANT COURSE INFORMATION:

Due to the experiential nature of this program, you will need to purchase or find a small amount of materials before the start of your course. Below, please find the list of materials and suggested retailers. We encourage you to order, purchase, or collect supplies now. Please note: You will be asked to refrigerate one of the experiments.

Go to amazon.com or a local pharmacy or grocery store to find the following supplies:

• Black Tea
• Cloves (the spice)
• A neutral oil such as canola, sesame, coconut, or olive oil
• 30g (or 1 ounce) of dried culinary herb such as rosemary, sage, or thyme
• White vinegar
• Kitchen thermometer

You are required to have completed the following courses or have equivalent experience before taking this course:

• Medical Cannabis History

To understand how cannabis can be used as medicine, it's important to recognize the regulatory role of the endocannabinoid system in maintaining health and well-being. You will explore the history of humans, who have been cultivating cannabis for thousands of years, and how the concentrations of compounds the plant produces are the product of human preferences. You will examine the combinations and synergy of these compounds that accentuate the pharmacological effect, referred to as the entourage effect.

You will also recognize cannabis as a particularly complex plant producing hundreds of bioactive compounds. You will gain insights into how the endocannabinoid system was discovered and why it is known as "the whole-body modulator," being widespread throughout the body and making it a potential drug target. You will investigate research to determine what is known and what is yet unknown to be able to pinpoint ways to potentially manipulate the endocannabinoid system.

You are required to have completed the following courses or have equivalent experience before taking this course:

• Medical Cannabis History
• Medical Cannabis Extraction

Pharmacology studies the effect of compounds on the body as well as what the body does to a compound. In this course, you will examine the dosing, benefits, safety, and adverse effects of bioactive chemicals such as phytocannabinoids. You will explore the anatomical or functional changes created by exposure to cannabinoids and discover the mechanisms of action which are not fully understood but show a range of potential therapeutic possibilities.

Cannabis is a potent medicine; it can produce significant side effects and negatively interact with other medications or substances one may be taking. You will gain insights into these and other factors that can influence drug metabolism and recognize why the rate of drug metabolism determines the duration and intensity of its pharmacological action. Undesired effects from cannabis are incredibly variable, and you will discover how use should be tailored for each individual patient.

IMPORTANT COURSE INFORMATION:

Due to the experiential nature of this program, you will need to purchase or find a small amount of materials before the start of your course. Below, please find the list of materials and suggested retailers. We encourage you to order, purchase, or collect supplies now.

Go to amazon.com or a local pharmacy or grocery store to find the following supplies:

• One teaspoon of sodium polyacrylate OR two disposable diapers (which can be taken apart for the sodium polyacrylate)
  • A small package of sodium polyacrylate can be purchased on Amazon for about $10
• Tap and distilled water

You are required to have completed the following courses or have equivalent experience before taking this course:

• Medical Cannabis History
• Medical Cannabis Extraction
• The Role of the Endocannabinoid System

Medical cannabis is limited by the historic regulation that prevented pharmaceutical research for decades. In this course, you will examine how pharmaceutical products, herbal supplements, and cannabis products are regulated. You will understand how new drugs are brought to market by reviewing and analyzing the FDA drug discovery and development process. You will explore the necessary steps of approval and consider cannabis medicine currently approved by the FDA.

After reviewing the drug development and FDA approval process, you will discover expectations for the reproducibility and effectiveness of medical cannabis products then develop a plan for testing reproducibility and effectiveness based on the FDA guidance. You will evaluate what it takes for a product to be approved by the FDA and consider how the FDA treats single isolated compounds versus whole-plant products. With insights into this process, you will determine the pros, cons, and differences of both approaches.

You are required to have completed the following courses or have equivalent experience before taking this course:

• Medical Cannabis History
• Medical Cannabis Extraction
• The Role of the Endocannabinoid System
• The Pharmacology of Medical Cannabis