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The University of Maryland School of Pharmacy launched the first graduate program in medical cannabis in 2019. The two-year master's degree allows students to specialize in medical cannabis and apply their knowledge in various careers such as physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and entrepreneurs. The program was developed to address the knowledge gap among healthcare providers regarding medical cannabis and the growing industry. The curriculum covers topics such as the science of the cannabis plant, its effects on the human body, and the regulatory landscape. The program offers both a Master's degree and a Graduate Certificate, with opportunities for further education and diverse career paths. The program faced challenges in its development due to the lack of a template, but it also provided freedom for innovation. The cannabis industry is expected to continue growing, and the program aims to adapt to changes in research, clinical practice, and regulations. The potential federal rescheduling of cannabis may facilitate research and expand the topics covered in cannabis education. [Extracted from the article]

The article highlights the need for pediatric health care providers in the U.S. to educate families on the risks of adolescent or teenager using cannabis for recreational purposes, as more states legalize marijuana. Cited are the different types of marijuana as well as their medical and recreational uses, pediatric conditions that can be treated by pharmaceutical-grade cannabidiol, and resources that can help clinicians communicate a clear message to patients and families about marijuana use.

As the recreational cannabis market matures, and the medical market relies on precise dosage, there are some surprising new ideas in processing and sustainability being explored. This installment will discuss new methods of cannabis oil production, and manufacturers' reaction to the rise of the demand for cannabis artisan extracted products. We'll also take a look at how new gene technologies are allowing growers to enhance the THC content in their plants even to the point of a specific THC target level. Finally, we'll talk about safety as an ongoing issue in cannabis manufacturing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cannabis industry has experienced significant growth momentum in the last decade as several states and countries outside the US have legalized cannabis for medical and recreational use. Alongside it, the nature of the products in the market has diversified and consumers now have a wide spectrum of products to choose from. This has prompted a shift from flower, which has been the mainstay of the unregulated market, towards more sophisticated products created from extracts. Given the high value of cannabis extraction as a niche, starting a cannabis extraction facility can be a potentially lucrative venture. However, the regulatory environment around cannabis is rather nuanced, with fluid laws that change from one state to another. This tutorial article outlines the key considerations that must be put in place when setting up a cannabis extraction facility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on research initiative submitted to the Pennsylvania State Department of Health involved evaluating the effectiveness of solvent-based extraction methods for eliminating or substantially diminishing microbial contamination from feed materials during the extract manufacturing process. Topics include testing for the hydrocarbon extraction pathway and the carbon dioxide pathway; and Department of Health quality standards when contaminated plants were utilized as feed material.

In the article, the author examines the degree of variance in the levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in medical cannabis products based on data from the New Jersey state laboratory. Also cited are the analysis of the percentage of tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) and relative standard deviation (RSD), as well as the average potency of the cannabis strains.

The article shares clinical insights on the application of cannabinoids (CBD) in dermatology and skin care. Topics discussed are effects of CBD on sebum production and sebocyte proliferation, efficacy of CBD in the treatment of eczema and atopic dermatitis, emollient and anti-inflammatory properties of CBD that make it popular as a cosmetic material, and potential of CBD as pharmacological treatment for skin diseases like acne, seborrheic dermatitis and psoriasis.

The article focuses on research into Veterinary Cannabis Therapeutics which explains how constituents of cannabis plan signals endogenous system in mammals and invertebrates to support health of dogs, cats and horses. Topics discussed include interaction of cannabinoids (CBD) with endocannabinoid system, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties to cannabis provided by flavonoids and endocannabinoid discovered by mechoulam.

The article presents an interview with the 2022 Cannabis Science Conference East Plenary Speaker and Doctor David Meiri. He discusses the Technion Israel Institute and his work at the laboratory of Cancer Biology and Cannabinoid Research. It shares the cannabis laws and his passion for his work in research.

The article aim to identify and compare analytical methods used for the determination of cannabinoids in different matrices using liquid chromatography (LC)-based systems. Topics include analysis of cannabinoids were high performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array; and comparison of methods used for the determination of cannabinoids can help in the development of efficient and effective methods of analysis to have a wide range of therapeutic effect.

An interview with Sheila Gibson, the founder of Aura IP Law, is presented. Topics include career in intellectual property (IP) at a nationally recognized IP boutique and practiced at several top-tier law firms; and working with world-renowned cancer researchers to obtain global patent protection for their cancer immunotherapeutics.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced its agreement with the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) conclusion that cannabis has medical benefits. The HHS has released a 252-page review supporting the FDA's recommendation to reschedule cannabis from a Schedule I drug to a Schedule III drug. The final decision on cannabis' reclassification will be made by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) after reviewing research on the plant. The HHS's full review was not initially made public, but now all attention is on the DEA to determine the scheduling of cannabis. [Extracted from the article]

An interview with Abbey Roudebush, Director of Government Affairs for Americans for Safe Access (ASA), is presented. Topics include explains the goals of ASA and provides an in-depth analysis of their annual State of the States report; and focusing on employment protections for federal employees who are medical cannabis patients and on housing protections.

The article offers information on the 2022 Cannabis Science Conference West to be held in Long Beach, California on May 18-20.

The article talks about the importance of good agricultural and collecting practice (GACP) guidelines and good manufacturing practice (GMP) guidelines in the medicinal cannabis industry. It mentions herbal substances that are destined to be used in pharmaceutical products must be of suitable quality and supporting data needs to be maintained to document satisfaction of the requisite quality standards; and the guidelines were developed by World Health Organization (WHO) in 2003.

The article discusses the European market for medical cannabis and how the region is set to become a leader in the pharmaceutical-grade manufacturing of cannabis-based medicines. The article notes that although the European market is small compared to the US market, the region's high regulatory standards and GMP requirements give it an advantageous position in the pharmaceutical cannabis industry.

The article discusses the challenges in the legal cannabis industry with no previous experience in the manufacture of medicines involved in the production of cannabis-based medicines. Topics include liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry systems can determine pesticide amounts in samples with an accuracy in the parts-per-billion (ppb) range; and ppb accuracy for the determination of total tetrahydrocannabinol is needed to optimize growing conditions or determine when to harvest cannabis.

The article examines misuse and abuse of cannabis in children. Topics discussed include epidemiology of use and legalization of cannabis, changes in pediatric exposure to cannabis, and edible cannabis products that are available commercially which includes cookies, chocolate bars and marshmallow bars.

The article examines the evidence relating to the safety and therapeutic benefit of cannabidiol for pediatric patients. Topics mentioned include suggestions on how pediatricians should respond to queries from parents regarding its use, a systematic review of medical cannabinoids in pediatric patients in 2017, and potential psychiatric and neurocognitive adverse effects of recreational cannabis. INSET: CURRENT STATUS OF FDA-APPROVED CANNABIS OR CANNABIS-DERIVED....

An interview with Adam Floyd, chief executive officer of The Soil Labs, is presented. Topics include e Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) is working to institute a universal cannabinoid testing method for microbial analysis of cannabis in the State of California; and generate competitive advantages over labs rather than potency pumping and pushing dirty products through pharmaceutical industry.

The article offers information on two-day Cannabis Chemistry Subdivision (CANN) of the American Chemical Society (ACS) Spring 2020 Virtual Symposium that took place on May 6–7, 2020. It featured several sessions that focuses on Cannabis Analysis, medical use of Cannabis, and molecular kinetics of cannabinoid decarboxylations.

An introduction is presented in which the editor discusses articles in the issue on topics including Cannabis Patient Care and pediatric cancer and the role of medical cannabis.

The article discusses the notices issued by the Colorado Department of Revenue and the Arizona Department of Health Services due to mold and Aspergillus contamination in cannabis products from MJ Durango LLC, Carrick-Harvest LLC, and several other cannabis companies, leading to voluntary recalls and consumer advisories.

The article discusses the benefits and issues on the use of urine drug screens (UDS) in the clinical management of pediatric trauma patients more than 12 years old. Topics include the Pediatric Trauma Society guidelines on universal screening, the rapid screening methods like immunoassays, and the possible false-positive results for such abused drugs as cocaine, opiates, and phencyclidine (PCP).

The article reports that in 2015, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) updated its 2004 policy statement, "The impact of marijuana policies in youth." The recommendations which the AAP made in its 2015 policy statement include those relating to its positions on marijuana use and decriminalization, the development of pharmaceutical cannabinoids, and research on the benefits and risks of marijuana. An interview with Dr. Seth Ammerman, lead author of the 2015 policy statement, is also offered.

The article reports that Miriam A. Schizer, instructor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School, spoke on what pediatricians need to know when counselling teenagers and families about marijuana, during the 2015 American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Conference and Exhibition in Washington, DC. Topics of Schizer's presentation are mentioned, including common names and ways of ingesting marijuana, the psychological effects of marijuana intoxication, and the harmful effects of marijuana use.

The article explores few ways for veterinary hemp product comparison in unregulated industry which includes topic on Veterinary Cannabinoid products and supplements which are intended to support a function of the body of a particular physiologic system.

The article presents an interview with Denise Vidot, Assistant Professor at the School of Nursing and Health Studies at the University of Miami talking about providing evidence on the health impact of phytocannabinoids. Topics include COVID-19 attacking the lungs but many medical cannabis patients smoking or vaping cannabis products; and starting the presentation by talking about the impact of cannabis on the brain, heart, and gut.

The article informs about veterinary cannabis for pain management with the endocannabinoidome which shows that nonintoxicating parts of the cannabis plant support the multimodal approach to pain management in dogs, cats, and horses. Topics include clinician and client observations to score subjective pain in a patient and compare responses; and cannabis plant molecules known for their ability to address pain in veterinary patients with proponents of cannabis use to remediate pain in a patient.

The article looks at nine significant issues that glaucoma patients should know about the ocular disease. Topics mentioned include a study that looked at patients diagnosed between 1981 and 2000 compared with patients diagnosed between 1965 and 1980 in the same geographic location, the best treatments for glaucoma, and blurred vision or vision loss caused by angle closure glaucoma.