All posts tagged: Social Justice

Medical vs Rec

Many think medical marijuana laws will ultimately lead to adult-use, but this is not necessarily true, and for good reason. The medical industry recognizes that cannabis is a powerful medication and prioritizes its safety and health benefits, while so-called “recreational” or “adult use” cannabis seems to focus more on making money and supporting the pleasurable aspects of the plant.

Interestingly, at CED Clinic, we’re seeing more and more patients come in from the “adult-use.” Whether it’s a desire for comprehensive education (anything we put into our bodies has effects), personalizing a medical plan that considers short-term and long-term impact, or simply having a knowledgeable person to support individual choices and empowerment on an individual journey, we find that our patients enjoy learning and riding the cutting edge of the science of cannabis! http://bit.ly/2INDGY7

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Benjamin Caplan, MDMedical vs Rec
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In MA, despite being state-legal, FDA says CBD cannot be added to food or dietary supplements. What now?

MA effectively outlawed the sale of any food products with CBD or products which make therapeutic claims. This is the result of FDA saying that CBD cannot be added to food or dietary supplements. In a state where cannabis is legally accessible, consumers and hemp farmers are very unhappy. What do you think? http://bit.ly/2IOtTRm

Benjamin Caplan, MDIn MA, despite being state-legal, FDA says CBD cannot be added to food or dietary supplements. What now?
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Cannabis Cafes coming to MA

Massachusetts has come one step closer to a pilot program involving cannabis cafes across the state. This will also bring about more licenses for cannabis delivery and social consumption, as a less capital-intensive option for entrepreneurs to enter the industry. http://bit.ly/2IOjOUz

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Benjamin Caplan, MDCannabis Cafes coming to MA
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Case Studies Reveal Difficulties in Differences between State Cannabis Laws

Crossing the Line: Care of a Pediatric Patient with Intractable Seizures and Severe Neuropathic Pain in Absence of Access to Medical Marijuana

A recent case report discussing a six-year-old patient suffering from a seizure disorder has exposed the difficulty is receiving treatment across state lines. The patient was prescribed medical marijuana that alleviated the severity and duration of her seizures but was weaned off that medication when traveling to Nebraska for a therapeutic surgery due to the legal status in the state. This case study exposes the difficulty of treating patients across the country due to the legal variability of cannabis across states.  

An interesting question brought up in this case study is how to handle palliative care in the absence of opioids and without synthetic products. A combination of massage, essential oils, and salt light therapies were able to compensate for medical marijuana, but not without great effort. Natural therapies like the ones administered here are costly and highlight the simplicity and effectiveness of medicinal cannabis.

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This paper is also stored here:   http://bit.ly/2IxPoWN      inside the CED Foundation Archive

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Benjamin Caplan, MDCase Studies Reveal Difficulties in Differences between State Cannabis Laws
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Seniors, in assisted living, and Cannabis

State laws in Florida allow card-holding seniors to use cannabis, but federally-subsidized senior homes must go against status-quo to allow this. The benefits are not being denied, but if they want to participate in Medicare then cannabis use comes with great risk. http://bit.ly/2LmKJZg

Benjamin Caplan, MDSeniors, in assisted living, and Cannabis
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Should donors who have used marijuana be considered candidates for living kidney donation?

Although tobacco use has been linked to worse outcomes for kidney donors and recipients, cannabis seems to have no effect on post-operation outcomes.

 In a retrospective study of 294 kidney transplants, doctors found no short-term or long-term differences in kidney function for donors or recipients. 

In other words, cannabis users may safely donate kidneys.

View this review (yellow link) or download:

This paper is also stored here:   http://bit.ly/2IFl0cQ      inside the CED Foundation Archive

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Benjamin Caplan, MDShould donors who have used marijuana be considered candidates for living kidney donation?
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Social Responsibility for the Cannabis Industry

With an emerging industry that has millions of dollars being fed into it, companies are trying to take social responsibility and operate with the public interest in mind. Things like this can narrow the gap of trust between industry, community, and policymakers, as well as fight stigma. https://nyp.st/2L4lKdp

Benjamin Caplan, MDSocial Responsibility for the Cannabis Industry
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Oncologists Communication with Chronic Medical Cannabis Users

Long-term medical cannabis use and risk factors for diversion- report on physician’s guidance and patients’ behaviour

A recent examination of long-term medical cannabis users has demonstrated the need for more consistent training of storage and disposal practices from oncologists. Chronic users tend to increase the dosage taken of medical cannabis over time due to tolerance; higher doses of cannabis are associated with dangerous storage and disposal practices. The current study calls for oncologists who recommend cannabis-based medicine to their patients to have more consistent training in safe storage and disposal methods to prevent patients from ingesting or giving away impure cannabis.

An important point brought up in this article is the pressure some patients experience from their peers to buy cannabis for multiple people with their medical marijuana identification card or certification. Physicians should be wary of this practice and support their patients, reminding them of the accidents that can happen when medications are shared.

View this review (yellow link) or download:

This paper is also stored here:    http://bit.ly/2IyYTEV     inside the CED Foundation Archive

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Benjamin Caplan, MDOncologists Communication with Chronic Medical Cannabis Users
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Home Grows vs Big Marijuana vs Governmental Oversight

In light of recent changes and discussion in NY and IL cannabis laws, the right to grow at home has been highly debated. Legislation and “big marijuana” are concerned with black market control, lab testing, and lost tax revenue; many of these concerns are blown out of proportion http://bit.ly/2WSbsUK

Benjamin Caplan, MDHome Grows vs Big Marijuana vs Governmental Oversight
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Profile of Dr Caplan, Dr Grinspoon, CED Clinic, and modern Medical Cannabis in Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly

The esteemed medical periodical, Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly, takes a closer look at modern medical cannabis with Dr Grinspoon and I. Our discussion brings an insider’s look at how the system operates, from clinic to dispensary, the dynamic changes we’ve already seen and highlights some of the changes to come. Included are The Role of Medicine, The Ethics of doctors in business, The Patient Experience, Physician’s Support, Growing the Plant, and a sit-down with a local dispensary.

View this review (yellow link) or download:

This paper is also stored here:     http://bit.ly/2Lc2H0R    inside the CED Foundation Archive

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Benjamin Caplan, MDProfile of Dr Caplan, Dr Grinspoon, CED Clinic, and modern Medical Cannabis in Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly
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