MEDICAL CANNABIS CPD COURSE R1,400     10 CPD points

This medical cannabis course has been developed to meet the educational needs of healthcare professionals involved in the care of patients who are considering using medical cannabis as part of their medical treatment plan.  

Due to lack of knowledge and the stigmas surrounding cannabis, healthcare professionals are hesitant to discuss treatment options with their patients. This lack of communication between the two parties can lead to the patient self-medicating with no guidance from a healthcare professional.

The evolving legal environment in which cannabis can be used in South Africa further compounds this confusion for both healthcare professionals and patients and this course also provides an overview of medical cannabis in its current legal context in South Africa.

South African Accreditation

This course has been accredited with the Health Professions Council of South Africa for CPD points (Continued Professional Development).
Accreditation Level 1: 10 CPD points with a pass mark of 70% or above.

US Accreditation

This course has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) in the US. 

The course is an online self-learning activity with an estimated time to complete the activity of 10 hours.

Learning Outcomes

After completing this course, the learner  should be better able to:
- Discuss medical cannabis with their patients to determine if cannabinoids should be included in their treatment plan.
- Interpret the legal context in which cannabis can be discussed with a patient. Compare and relate the historical medicinal uses of cannabis to       
  modern resurgence in patient use of medical cannabis. Explain why there has been a lack of clinical studies due to Schedule I classification of
  cannabis.
- Summarise and explain the discovery of the Endocannabinoid System and how its discovery has led to further research into how cannabinoids
  interact with the receptors. Summarise the function of the Endocannabinoid System in the regulation of the body through a vast network of
  receptors involved in maintaining homeostasis, neuroprotection, and other regulatory functions.
- Discuss and interpret how cannabinoids and terpenes affect the Endocannabinoid receptor system.
- Assess pros and cons of cannabinoids and their effects on the symptoms of ailments such as anxiety, chronic pain, epilepsy, gastrointestinal
  disorders, neurodegenerative illnesses, post-traumatic stress and migraines.
- Evaluate the current research studies regarding opioids versus cannabinoids in the treatment of the symptoms of chronic pain.
- Discuss side effects and contraindications of medicinal cannabis and safety concerns with its use.
- Identify signs of abuse, misuse and chronic effects of cannabis use

Module 1: History and Legal Landscape
Early Cannabis History and South African Cannabis History 
Overview of South African Cannabis Laws and Regulations

Module 2 – The Discovery of the Endocannabinoid System
Discovering the Endocannabinoid System
The Endocannabinoid System: The Body’s Supercomputer
Why the Endocannabinoid System is Not Taught in Medical School

Module 3 – The Endocannabinoid System
The Endocannabinoid System (ECS)
How Cannabinoids Attach to Receptors

Module 4: Cannabinoids and Terpenes
Minor Cannabinoids
Terpenoids
The Entourage Effect

Module 5: Studies on Therapeutic Uses
Anxiety Disorders | Cancer | Epilepsy | Gastrointestinal Disorders
Sleep Disorders | Migraine Headaches | Neurodegenerative Disorders | Pain | PTSD

Module 6: Cannabis and Opioids in Chronic Pain Treatment
Pain Management Today
Cannabis and Opioids
Marijuana Use Disorder

Module 7: Side Effects and Chronic Effects
Effects of consumption of Marijuana and Marijuana Products
Cannabis Side Effects and Warnings
Health Effects of Marijuana Abuse

MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL CANNABIS CPD COURSE R2,800 - 20 CPD points

Our Medical Professional online course is a series of 12 modules designed to teach medical professionals about cannabis. Learn about the legal framework of working with medical Cannabis, the basics of the Cannabis plant, the endocannabinoid system, and how cannabinoid receptors work with our bodies.

Additional modules cover important topics like: how to medicate, inhalation versus ingestion, contraindications, drug-on-drug interactions, and recommended rations of specific illnesses.

The course includes video testimonials from scientists and medical experts, infographics, and additional visuals to support the written content. Any individual wanting to learn more about the science of cannabis will find the course valuable.

With over 800+ peer-reviewed research citations, our Medical Professional Cannabis Course is the most current, complete and comprehensive Medical Cannabis Course available. 

South African Accreditation

This course has been accredited with the Health Professions Council of South Africa for CPD points (Continued Professional Development).
Accreditation Level 1: 20 CPD points with a pass mark of 70% or above.

US Accreditation

This course has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) in the US. 

The course is an online self-learning activity with an estimated time to complete the activity of 20 hours

Section 1 – Legal Landscape
Overview of Cannabis Laws and Regulations
Additional Considerations for Medical Professionals

Section 2 – An Ancient Plant for Modern Illnesses
Early History of Cannabis Use
Cannabis in the West
South African Prohibition and History  
Medical Cannabis Today
Hemp vs Cannabis

Section 3 – The Discovery of the Endocannabinoid System
Discovering the Endocannabinoid System
The Endocannabinoid System: The Body’s Supercomputer
Why the Endocannabinoid System is Not Taught in Medical School

Section 4 – The Endocannabinoid System
The Endocannabinoid System (ECS)
How Cannabinoids Attach to Receptors
Endocannabinoids and Human Thriving Behavior

Section 5 – One Plant, One Complex Chemical Factory
Minor Cannabinoids and Terpenes
The Entourage Effect & Tolerance / ECS Down Regulation
Botanical vs. Single Molecule Compounds & Cannabinoids and Opioids

Section 6 – Getting Cannabinoids into the Bloodstream
The Role of the Dispensary, Flower vs Concentrates & Extraction Methods
Inhalation: Smoking vs. Vaporization
Edibles, Oral Mucosal, Topicals and Suppositories

Section 7 – Patient Centered Dosing
Considerations Before Medicating with Cannabis
Relative Contraindications
Finding the Appropriate Dose

Section 8 – Laboratory Testing
How Testing Works
Contaminants: Pesticides, Fungi and Mold
How to Interpret a Test

Section 9 – Clinical Practice
Anxiety Disorders, Cancer and Epilepsy
Gastrointestinal Disorders, Sleep Disorders and Migraine Headaches
Neurodegenerative Disorders, Pain and Post Traumatic Stress Disorders

Section 10 – Cannabis and Opioids
Pain Management Today
Cannabis and Opioids: The Good News
Cannabis and NSAIDS: More Good News

Section 11 – Medical Myths and Facts
Gateway Theory, Addiction and Brain Function
Impaired Motivation, Memory and Mental State
Lung Damage, Usage Patterns and Overall Danger

Section 12 – Additional Resources
Research and Advocacy Organisations, Further Reading Lists
Additional Resources

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