MoCannTrade unveils physician education program
Continuing medical education primer helps Missouri healthcare professionals “have a conversation” with prospective MMJ patients
In response to growing physician demand for reliable information and surging patient interest, the Missouri Medical Cannabis Trade Association (MoCannTrade) is unveiling a new program to help doctors and other healthcare professionals more effectively consult with patients considering the use of medical marijuana.
The Medical Cannabis Primer for Healthcare Professionals is an accredited continuing medical education (CME) course created by a MoCannTrade panel of physicians and pharmacists. The 10-member Healthcare Education and Training Committee includes specialists in emergency, family and internal medicine; geriatric care; rehabilitation; obstetrics and gynecology; and pharmacology.
“The regulated use of cannabis as medicine isn’t a topic typically discussed in medical school,” said Dr. Mimi Vo, a St. Louis internal medicine specialist and MoCannTrade board member who helped create the curriculum. “We want to better equip doctors, nurses, physician’s assistants and all Missouri healthcare professionals to have informed conversations with patients who might benefit from this treatment method.”
The free, one-hour training is available upon request and presented by Vo and other MoCannTrade-affiliated physicians at locations across Missouri. Past presentations have included audiences at hospital systems, associations, clinics, medical schools and civic and community forums throughout the state.
Course topics include an overview of the human endocannabinoid system; drug safety and laboratory testing standards; delivery methods; dosing best practices; adverse effects; legal obligations, research resources and more. The program is approved for one hour of credit under the American Medical Association’s CME standards.
Under Article XIV of the state Constitution, Missouri residents with cancer, epilepsy, glaucoma and 20 other qualifying conditions can purchase or cultivate medical cannabis with a physician’s recommendation. The new law also provides physicians with the discretion to certify patients who have other chronic and debilitating medical conditions that could benefit from medical marijuana, and legally protects their right to have such conversations.
“Medical cannabis should never supplant the standard of care,” Vo added. “Rather, it’s just one more tool in the physician’s toolkit of potential treatments.”
In less than two months since patient enrollment began, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) reports receiving nearly 8,600 medical cannabis patient and caregiver applications through Aug. 23. More than 7,500 of those have been approved.
The Missouri Medical Cannabis Trade Association (MoCannTrade) is an association of business owners, health care providers, professionals, patients and residents responsible for helping to implement a successful, safe, compliant medical marijuana program in Missouri.
The membership-based association is directed by a board of diverse professionals experienced in medical marijuana, healthcare, law, pharmaceutical, science, agriculture, law enforcement, security, commercial real estate, finance, public affairs and regulatory sectors.
To learn more about MoCannTrade please visit www.mocanntrade.org.