Florida’s Physicians Seeking More Info on MMJ

Hundreds of physicians are gathering in Florida to explore the physiology of the endocannabinoid system, to learn how medical marijuana can be used for pain relief and the treatment Alzheimer’s disease and how to deal professionally with the state’s many medical cannabis patients.

This forward-thinking undertaking is going on as lawmakers, one of whom recently released a series of regulations that banned smoking, edibles and vaping, are trying to decide how to regulate MMJ after 72 percent of the state’s population voted to legalize it last November.

Now it’s time to educate the doctors. Enter Florida-based Canna Holdings.

“Our goal for this symposium is to create an environment where physicians can get answers to their questions from experts who have been researching and treating patients with medical marijuana,” Gregg Weiss, founder of Canna Holdings, told HIGH TIMES.

To serve Florida’s projected 500,000 MMJ patients, Weiss noted, physicians, medical workers and lawyers need information.

“The education of physicians is key to the successful rollout of the medical marijuana program here in Florida,” he said. “If doctors aren’t on board and educated, it won’t take off at all.”

There are currently some 600 physicians registered with Florida’s Office of Compassionate Use.

Experts at the symposium will present scientific studies on how cannabinoids can benefit debilitating conditions such as pain and the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.

Dr. Gregory Gerdeman, one of the country’s foremost experts on the endocannabinoid system with over two decades of research under his belt, said about the symposium: “Most conferences don’t undertake this type of educational event, even if they have great speakers.”

Gerdeman, a neuroscientist and professor of biology at Eckerd College in Florida, explained to Project CBD that the endocannabinoid system was discovered by understanding how cannabis works.

For that reason, Gerdeman finds the educational symposium to be a unique opportunity.

“By hosting educational events with specific learning objectives, Canna Holdings is serving Florida’s medical community and ultimately patients,” he said.

Gerdeman’s colleague, who will also speak at the symposium, agrees.

“Thousands of patients and their doctors want to know how it’s possible that one herb can safely and effectively treat so many medical conditions. The answer lies in the endocannabinoid system,” said Dr. Dustin Sulak, director of Integr8 Health and cofounder of Healer.com.

Both Sulak and Gerdeman believe the study of the endocannabinoid system should be part of neuroscience curriculums at all universities.

Fortunately, Sulak wrote in an essay, the lack of information is changing, partly because the public is demanding more knowledge.

“People want safe, natural and inexpensive treatments that stimulate our bodies’ ability to self-heal and help our population improve its quality of life,” Sulak explained. “Medical cannabis is one such solution.”

In the meantime, Canna Holdings is attempting to fill that vacuum with its educational symposium.

Weiss told HIGH TIMES that he feels strongly about providing scientific information to physicians so they can help those who need it most—the patients.

Canna Holdings had it first educational symposium last September. Weiss said they intend to hold another this June in Orlando, Florida.

Then, hopefully, they will move on to states that have legalized medical marijuana, such as Pennsylvania and Ohio.

You can keep up with all of HIGH TIMES’ marijuana news right here.

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