Cannabinoids as Medicines

Lecture 1

Contested Cannabis – Multiple Perspectives on Medical Marijuana from the Past and Present

This presentation will discuss core historical concepts and precedents through case studies in both Britain and America. The political and societal context behind US cannabis drug laws will be covered. Lastly, the current landscape of cannabis regulation in the US and Wisconsin will be presented. (1.0 hours or 0.10 CEU's)

Lucas Richert, PhD, Associate Professor, George Urdang Chair in the History of Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin – Madison

Lecture 2

Botany of Cannabis

This lecture discusses the basics of cannabis botany including cannabis varieties, structural elements of the cannabis plant, and cannabis cultivation and breeding. Cannabis cultivars will be described with a focus on the varieties of Cannabis sativa L.,which is a primary source of phytocannabinoids. The effects of cannabis cultivation, breeding, and growing conditions on phytocannabinoid profile and content and the potential for unwanted contaminants will be explained. (0.5 hours or 0.05 CEU's)

Hunter Land, MS, Associate Director, Cannabinoid Research at Canopy Growth Corporation

Lecture 3

Cannabinoids and Terpenes in Cannabis; their evolution, roles and controls

This lecture discusses the evolution, control and roles of cannabis plant cannabinoids and terpenes, which are secondary metabolites not directly involved in the normal growth, development or reproduction of the plant. The role of secondary metabolites is debated and the ability of growers to control the levels of these metabolites is discussed. Finally, the effects of growing conditions, harvest timing and storage on levels of secondary metabolites is discussed. (1.50 hours or 0.15 CEU's)

David Potter, JP, PhD, FRSB, FLS, Director of Botanical Research, GW Pharmaceuticals

Lecture 4

The Endocannabinoid System
This presentation provides a comprehensive overview of the receptors, enzymes and ligands that comprise the endocannabinoid system. The cannabinoid receptors will be discussed in-depth including their body and tissue distribution, their role in the brain, and their involvement as metabolic and immune effectors. The role of the endocannabinoid system in physiology and disease and the therapeutic strategies and challenges of developing cannabinoids as medicines will also be discussed. (1.0 hours or 0.10 CEU's)

Sara Hassan, BPharm, MS, PhD, Pharmaceutical Sciences Division, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin – Madison

Lecture 4

Cannabinoid Pharmacology
This presentation covers common terminology used in cannabinoid pharmacology research, a general overview of cannabis botany as it relates to cannabinoid pharmacology, and basic cellular principles of cannabinoid biology. Cannabinoid regulation of cell signaling and inflammation will be discussed. The fundamental pharmacology of THC and CBD, two common cannabinoids, will also be described. (0.75 hours or 0.075 CEU's).

Natalie Schmitz, MPA, PharmD, PhD, Assistant Professor, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin – Madison

Lecture 6

Cannabinoids in Epilepsy: Sifting Through the Weeds
This lecture reviews cannabinoid pharmacology in the central nervous system with a focus on cannabidiol (CBD) and the CB2 receptor. CBD pharmacokinetics, metabolism and drug interactions will be presented, and the use of CBD to treat epilepsy will be examined in the context of recent clinical trials investigating CBD for Lennox-Gastaut and Dravet Syndromes. Lastly, the types and extent of adverse events observed from the use of CBD in these trials will be discussed. (1.50 hours or 0.15 CEU's)

Barry Gidal, PharmD, RPh, FAES, Professor, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin – Madison

Lecture 7

Cannabinoids for Spasticity
This lecture describes the basic tenets of spasticity and our current understand of the endocannabinoid system in spasticity. Preclinical and clinical data will be presented that suggests a role for certain cannabinoids in treating spasticity with a focus on clinical trials in multiple sclerosis patients. The challenges to performing spasticity clinical trials with cannabinoids and the limitations to the current data will also be discussed. (1.0 hours or 0.10 CEU's)

Natalie Schmitz, MPA, PharmD, PhD, Assistant Professor, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin – Madison

Lecture 7

Cannabinoids – Effects on Sleep and Neurodegeneration
This presentation explores the effects of cannabinoids on sleep and neurodegeneration. Data will be presented on the effects of various cannabinoids on sleep disorders including sleep apnea, nightmares due to PTSD, narcolepsy and restless leg syndrome. Rationale for the use of cannabinoids in neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, dementia, and ALS will also be presented. Lastly, the challenges to interpreting and applying the current clinical research will be discussed throughout the course of the presentation. (1.0 hours or 0.10 CEU's)

John Dopp, PharmD, MS, Vice Chair, Associate Professor, Pharmacy Practice Division, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin – Madison

Lecture 9

Cannabis and Psychiatric Indications

This presentation will discuss the current clinical data for the use of cannabis for various psychiatric disorders including anxiety, depression ADHA and PTSD. The association between cannabis use and the development of schizophrenia will also be discussed in-depth. Caveats and challenges to the current cannabis research in psychiatric indications will also be presented. (1.25 hours or 0.125 CEU's)

Angela Janis, MD, DFAPA, Psychiatrist, Mendota Mental Health Institute

Lecture 10

Cannabis Risks

This presentation discusses the relationship between cannabis use and cognitive and physical risks. Current hypotheses will be offered along with outcomes from the latest clinical research. Lastly, the challenges and limitations to interpreting the currently available data will be presented. (0.5 hours or 0.05 CEU's)

Angela Janis, MD, DFAPA, Psychiatrist, Mendota Mental Health Institute

Lecture 11

Cannabinoids for the Treatment of Pain
This lecture reviews the different types of pain, the ascending and descending pain pathways, and common medications that are currently used for the treatment of pain. The pharmacology behind cannabinoid modulation of pain pathways will be presented. Clinical evidence exploring the benefit of various cannabinoidsfor the treatment of pain disorders will be discussed and compared to other pain treatments. (1.50 hours or 0.15 CEU's)

Paul Hutson, PharmD, Professor, Pharmacy Practice Division, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin – Madison

Lecture 12

Cannabinoids for the Prevention and Treatment of Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting

This lecture reviews the known pathways associated with nausea and vomiting and common medications used to prevent and treat chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). Based on current clinical research, the benefits of using cannabinoids for prevention and treatment of CINV will be discussed. Finally, how cannabinoids can be integrated into the CINV prevention and treatment strategy will be explored. (1.0 hours or 0.10 CEU's)

Paul Hutson, PharmD, Professor, Pharmacy Practice Division, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin – Madison

Lecture 13

Synthetic Cannabinoids, Vape Injury and Abuse

This lecture covers the different types of synthetic cannabinoids, the challenges in detecting and regulating these compounds, and the health risks associated with them. The trend in synthetic cannabinoid related emergency department visits will be discussed along with the sources of and legal status of synthetic cannabinoids. Emergency management of synthetic cannabinoid intoxication will be presented and e-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury will be discussed in-depth. (1.0 hour or 0.1 CEU's)

Cody Wenthur, PharmD, PhD, Assistant Professor, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin – Madison