In the medical cannabis business, continuing education is perpetual. You don’t know what you don’t know. Educators, clinicians, formulators, farmers, extractors, the list goes on and on, must constantly continue, their education. Research in the US is now, thankfully and finally, ramping up.
If you’ve been in the business, or searched it’s genesis for personal health reasons, you know that all roads point to Israel. Known for the Western Wall and Jerusalem, Israel has also historically been the hot bed for cannabinoid research. It doesn’t take newcomers to the cannabis world long to hear about Raphael Mechoulam, Ph.D., Head of the Medicinal Chemistry Lab and President of the Multidisciplinary Center for Cannabinoid Research at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Mechoulam is approaching legend status as he nears his 90th birthday in 2020. It’s his work, along with Dr. Lumir Hanus and American researcher Dr. William Devane, that led to the discovery of the endocannabinoid anandamide, and eventually the endocannabinoid system or ECS. The ECS is a molecular signaling system within the body. It regulates a range of biological functions. The goal of the ECS is to maintain a stable internal environment despite fluctuations in the external environment. It is the system that creates homeostasis within the body. Homeostasis is balance. This is the very foundation of phytocannabioid (plant) supplementation with the goal of increasing endocannabinoid (internal) homeostasis.Balance leads to health. Education about this truly ancient, but heretofore suppressed, medicinal supplement is critical.
Critical to clinicians and practitioners, most of whom aren’t even aware that humans have an endocannabinoid system. They have been woefully underserved by traditional medical education.
Critical to cannabis industry professionals. A generous description to some in the business.
Critical especially to consumers who are in desperate need of the plant for the litany of symptoms related to chronic conditions.
Its’ profound preventative properties are enough to make it desirable for those in perfect health. At the risk of sounding trite, as with most things in the cannabis industry, education is like the wild west. CBD brick and mortars are popping up hard and fast. Purchasing supplements can be done almost anywhere. Gas stations, health food stores, your neighborhood drug store, online retailers, even direct sales companies are taking part in the “Green Rush”. Consumers are justifiably confused and are asking their doctors, most of whom are just as confused, and therefore, reluctant at best, to discuss the use of cannabinoid supplementation. Dosing, chemovar specificity, terpene recommendations, product purity and potency, are all important issues to evaluate when it comes to use. This is why it is important for consumers to demand better.
Ask for current credentials. Right now there are just a few organizations offering certification and credentialing for cannabis professionals. No matter which resource you use for procurement of cannabis products, walk away if your consultant cannot show credentials. If someone is gainfully employed in the industry and they have not invested in their education with a recognized provider, again, walk away. Sure - experience counts. However, the changing landscape and constant research demand perpetual continuing education. Doesn't all of life?
Just because a mom relieved her autism kiddo's symptoms with trial and error cannabis supplementation, this does not mean that she’s qualified to give you guidance. Despite the fact that Joe Green owns and operates the biggest extraction facility in the state, he may not have the education to take a look at what you, specifically, need.It’s time for cannabis industry professionals to raise the bar.
Distributors - educate your field sales team.
Formulators - educate your distribution.
Healthcare systems - send your clinicians to CME courses.
CEOs - set an example and invest in your employees knowledge, thereby providing better value to your consumers - the human population.We truly have a healthcare revolution within our reach.
Let’s rise to the challenge.
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