Medical Marijuana in the Care Setting

Outline:
I. Introduction to marijuana in the care setting a. Course overview i. Purpose ii. Check point iii. Course objectives b. Introduction to marijuana i. What is marijuana? ii. Use of natural substances iii. Cannabis as a natural substance c. Why is cannabis important in the care setting? i. Changes in legalization and self-reflection on use ii. Examples of problems that medical cannabis might help 1. Chronic pain 2. Alzheimer’s and dementia a. Behavioral distress (and pain) b. Case scenario: Mary’s Alzheimer’s disease; An 89-year-old resident with behavioral distress has symptom improvement with the use of medical cannabis d. Learning about cannabis i. Glossary of terms 1. The plant and it’s use 2. Chemical properties 3. Varieties 4. Checkpoint one: multiple choice/true-false questions II. History of cannabis in the United States a. Introduction of marijuana to U.S.; industrial, medicinal, and recreational use b. Federal control of substances i. 1920s to the 1980s c. Current reforms i. Recommendations to end war on drugs ii. Global reforms iii. Decriminalization and legalization in the states 1. California’s legislative history (1996-2016) 2. The state of medical cannabis a. Legalization in U.S. 3. Decriminalization in U.S. 4. Legalization for recreational use iv. Status of federal laws 1. Cole Memorandum 2. Rohrabacher-Farr/Rohrabacher-Blumenauer amendment v. California’s broad legislation vi. Local government participation vii. American attitudes and use of cannabis d. Checkpoint two: True/false and multiple-choice questions III. Cannabis and the body a. Cannabis and health i. The science behind cannabis ii. Cannabis and the brain 1. Glossary 2. Cannabinoid receptors iii. Chemical compounds and effects b. Why people use cannabis i. Feel good effect ii. Therapeutic reasons 1. Pain 2. Other therapeutic uses: HIV/AIDS, Multiple Sclerosis, epilepsy, glaucoma, and rheumatoid arthritis a. Case Scenario: Abigail’s beneficial experience with cannabis oil and tea in helping her to decrease and manage epilepsy. b. Glaucoma c. Rheumatoid arthritis d. Case Scenario: Jennifer’s rheumatoid arthritis is successfully treated with cannabis edibles and transdermal patches. c. Synthetic cannabinoids i. U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved medicines and side effects ii. The call for cannabis research d. Checkpoint three: multiple choice questions e. Consuming cannabis i. Routes of administration 1. Smoking 2. Vaporizing 3. Resin products 4. Edibles 5. Tinctures 6. Topical ointments 7. Transdermal patches ii. Cannabis in the body 1. Effects and storage 2. Dosing and tolerance 3. Adverse effects a. Intoxication b. Driving under the influence c. Long-term health effects d. Health risks e. Drug-to-drug interactions iii. How cannabis is acquired 1. Medical marijuana cards 2. California’s system f. Checkpoint Four: multiple choice and true/false questions IV. Cannabis in the care setting a. Care settings must set policies and procedures i. Resident rights and legal issues ii. Medical marijuana in the care setting 1. Questions to consider 2. State surveys V. Cannabis in the workplace a. Workplace safety b. Pre-employment drug screens i. Screening and detection of cannabis c. Employment laws and practices i. Disability and medical marijuana 1. Jamie Holden case/EEOC ii. Best practice tips d. Checkpoint Five: True/false and multiple-choice questions VI. The future of medical cannabis a. Alzheimer’s research i. Revisiting Mary’s story VII. Course Summary

Catherine Zimmerman is a licensed independent clinical social worker who has a private practice providing counseling services to people of all ages and all stages of their lives. She is a freelance healthcare writer and speaker specializing in mental health, ethics, hospice and palliative care, gerontological topics, substance misuse, caregiving, stress and trauma.  Zimmerman received her master's degree from Portland State University thirty years ago and is certified in clinical social work-Gerontology. Zimmerman supervises and mentors therapists seeking licensure in Oregon or Washington states. She is the current President of the Washington chapter of the National Association of Social Workers and has provided public presentations on over twenty topics and has numerous published works. Disclosure: Catherine Zimmerman, LICSW, ACHP-SW, CSW-G has no Relevant Financial or Non-Financial Relationship with ineligible companies to disclose.

Cynthia McDaniel MSN RN, is a nurse and administrative consultant in long term care. She is the CEO of ElderWise Inc, a senior living consulting and education group. Cynthia has worked as a nurse consultant for the States of Oregon and Washington,  a geriatric care manager, a regional director of clinical operations for a senior living company, and an assistant professor at Oregon Health & Science University School of Nursing. Her research in assisted living focused on the characteristics of residents in assisted living communities and the role of the nurse in assisted living. Cynthia holds a Master's of Science in Nursing from Gonzaga University in nursing education. She is a Fellow of the Sigma Theta Tau/John A. Hartford Foundation Geriatric Nursing Leadership Academy.  Disclosure: Cynthia McDaniel, MSN, RN has no Relevant Financial or Non-Financial Relationship with ineligible companies to disclose.