MEDICAL MARIJUANA: RESEARCH & CLINICAL PERSPECTIVES
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LOCAL NEEDS ASSESSMENT
- Medical Marijuana in Medical Education Training in Rhode Island.
Most Rhode Island physicians receive no formal training about the medical applications of marijuana, despite a state program that licenses over 350 patients to possess and use marijuana for medical purposes. While some physicians are anecdotally aware that marijuana has medical efficacy, most have not learned about the large volume of scientific literature on the subject of medical marijuana. The medical marijuana seminar will bring in an expert clinician and researcher to discuss cannabinoid signaling in the body, and the utility of marijuana and an adjunct to conventional therapies. Attendees will learn about the specific indications of marijuana and research conducted to describe the safety and efficacy of marijuana as medicine.
- New Health Infrastructure and Regulation in Rhode Island.
On April 1st 2006, the Rhode Island Department of Health opened the Medical Marijuana Program. Since that time over 350 patients and over 325 caregivers have been admitted into the program. Rhode Island state law also provides legal protections to physicians. Physicians can avoid legal liabilities by understanding the protections offered to them and the limits of those protections. Additionally, there are legal precedents established in federal courts that concern physician’s liability and establish limits for physicians. Attendees will be briefed on how to act within federal and state laws when discussing medical marijuana with patients. Attendees of the seminar will hear from the Rhode Island Patient Advocacy Coalition and regulators at the Department of Health.
- Prevalence of Patient Inquiry.
Due to the creation of the RI Medical Marijuana Program and the abundance of media coverage, many patients are approaching physicians with questions about the medical use of marijuana. Doctors should be able to respond comprehensively to patient inquiries. An exposure to current research and medical practices will enable physicians to properly assess patient need. Through the conference, physicians will become familiar with current research findings relating to medical marijuana.
