Society of Cannabis Clinicians

CannaConnect: January Members Call (Hosted by SCC President, Dr. Stephen Robinson)
2024-01-18 01:30 - 02:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
About
Welcome to our new members-only series, CannaConnect!
Join us for these monthly member connection calls hosted by a Board Member. The SCC President Dr. Stephen Robinson will kick us off in January 2024! Click the Zoom link below to attend. We invite all members to come introduce yourselves, ask questions, and offer or look for mentorship among other SCC members.
Each month will offer an interactive blend of networking, clinical case discussions, and the latest in cannabis news. Connect with fellow SCC members, find or offer mentorship, share insights on clinical practices, and welcome new members to our thriving community.
Stephen Robinson, MD, MPH
Dr. Stephen S. Robinson grew up in Newark, NJ and graduated from Reed College in Portland, Oregon and the University of Washington Medical School in Seattle. Dr. Robinson completed his MPH at Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health.
His interest in both public health and global health became a lifelong commitment after his first visit to Cuba in the early ’70s. He completed his residency in internal medicine at Harlem Hospital Center and later served as a medical team leader to Ghana and Liberia with Operation Crossroads Africa.
In New York City, Dr. Robinson worked within the Sophie Davis School at the City College of New York for 15 years, to establish the CUNY Medical School. Esteemed colleagues included the late Dr. George I. Lythcott. During his tenure with the City University, Robinson also served as the interim director of the Physician Assistant Program at Harlem Hospital Center.
After working as Medical Director with Georgia’s Primary Care Assn., he left the US for five years and worked in Tanzania, setting up an exchange program between the Institute for Medical Research in Tanzania and the Public Health Sciences Institute at Morehouse College. While there, he also worked with Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health evaluating health facilities for their readiness to provide HIV/AIDS care and treatment.
Since his move to Oakland, California in 2010, Dr. Robinson has been evaluating patients for their use of medical cannabis. He participated on panels at numerous cannabis-related conferences and delivered presentations on cannabis’ medicinal benefits and dosing strategies to both professional and lay audiences. Dr. Robinson contributed to the revision of the Medical Board of California’s “Guidelines for the Recommendation of Cannabis for Medical Purposes.” He has been a board member of the Society for Cannabis Clinicians, and currently serves as president of the organization.
Must be a member to attend these monthly calls; you can learn more about joining here.
Register

CannaConnect: February Members Call (Hosted by Dr. Shiksha Gallow)
2024-02-07 22:00 - 23:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
About
Welcome to our new members-only series, CannaConnect!
Join us for these monthly member connection calls to introduce yourself, ask questions, and discuss with other members. SCC Board Member, Dr Shiskha Gallow, will be hosting our February 2024 call!
Each month will offer an interactive blend of networking, clinical case discussions, and the latest in cannabis news. Connect with fellow SCC members, find or offer mentorship, share insights on clinical practices, and welcome new members to our thriving community.
Shiksha Gallow, PhD
Dr. Shiksha Gallow is a pioneer in the Medical cannabis industry globally. She serves as the first and only South African on the Board of Directors at the Society of Cannabis Clinicians in the USA. She is the Medical Director of Holistic Healing and Cannabis Research Council in South Africa and Vertical High in Thailand. She holds a degree in Bio- Medicine and is qualified in Clinical Pathology which she achieved Cum Laude. Additionally she has a Masters in Medical Science, Masters in Public Health Medicine, MBA, and two PHDs. She has a Doctorate in Medicine and a PHD in Business Leadership and is now completing her third PHD (Medical Science) in medical cannabinoid research. Her passion lies in healing patients and she completed her Dispensing of Medicines qualification as well. Among all her academic qualifications, she is an Ethnomedicine practitioner, Ayurvedic practitioner and Cannabis Clinician. She has consolidated many natural medicinal protocols, which include cannabinoids and has conducted large scale research studies on these protocols. Dr. Gallow is the principal investigator of the first cannabis clinical trial in South Africa, which investigates the replacement of opioids with medical cannabis. She is also involved in research on South African landrace chemovars for specific pathologies.
Dr. Gallow is an international author and published five academic books and many articles. She is appointed as a peer reviewer for AOSIS international. She is an international speaker at many events and conferences such as Cannatech, Medical Research, SAMA, HPCSA, Cannabis Expo etc. Dr. Gallow is an advisor to local and national governments in South Africa and represents part of the Strategic advisory team for medical cannabis. She was recently appointed on the EXCO of the BRICS strategic team representing medical cannabis in South Africa.
Must be a member to attend these monthly calls; you can learn more about joining here.
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Journal Club: Dr. Joe D. Goldstrich on the Cannabis Cancer Connection
2024-03-06 09:00 - 10:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
This Journal Club series hosts monthly educational events where authors discuss their newly published scientific findings. Presentations will focus on a variety of articles and perspectives related to cannabis medicine, including but not limited to clinically-relevant articles and research methodology-focused papers.
This month’s installment will hear Dr. Joe D. Goldstrich discuss a chapter from his new book, The Cannabis Cancer Connection: “When To Think Twice about Using THC (for cancer).”
When to Think Twice About Using THC
Every time I suggest a new therapeutic cannabinoid protocol for a specific tumor type, a phrase from the Hippocratic Oath I took almost 60 years ago pops into my head; “I will follow that system of regimen which, according to my ability and judgment, I consider for the benefit of my patients, and abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous.” Abstaining from the deleterious and mischievous has come to be known as “first, do no harm.”
While the readers of this book can in no way be considered my patients, the principle of doing no harm is always my primary concern.
Information on the Internet about the use of cannabis to treat cancer would leave patients to believe cannabis and THC are likely to be antineoplastic for any cancer. In my experience, that may not be true.
Because of the absurd, ridiculous, and cruel Schedule I classification of cannabis, there are no clinical trials documenting the benefits and/or potential harms of cannabis use in treating cancer. Without clinical trials, patients and medical professionals are limited and forced to use the best research available, preclinical research. Most preclinical research shows that cannabis acts as an effective antineoplastic agent, and its use results in the death of cancer cells and the shrinkage of tumors.
But in the interim, before the results of clinical trials, it is imperative first to do no harm.
In this presentation we will take a closer look at:

HPV-Related Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head & Neck (SCCHN)
Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Esophagus (SCCE)
Cancer of the Uterine Cervix
Anal Cancer
Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC)
Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC)

Excerpted from The Cannabis Cancer Connection by Joe D. Goldstrich, MD, FACC
Joe D Goldstrich, MD, FACC
Joe D Goldstrich, MD, FACC grew up in Dallas, Texas and graduated from Southern Methodist University with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics. After working as a mathematician for the US Navy, Dr. Goldstrich attended the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas where as a senior medical student he was present in trauma room and participated in the futile attempt to save president John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963.
He subsequently became board-certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Diseases and Clinical Lipidology. In 1978 Dr. Goldstrich met Nathan Pritikin, the father of the Pritikin diet, and became the chief cardiologist at the Pritikin clinic and later the medical director of the Pritikin program.
He practiced preventive cardiology and integrative medicine until his retirement in 2010. In 2013 he accepted a position at a clinic that provided medical cannabis recommendations in Oakland, California. In 2014 he personally worked with approximately 3500 patients who used medical cannabis to treat their medical condition. From these patients, he learned the beauty and efficacy of medical cannabis. During that time, he saw a presentation by Mara Gordon that detailed shrinkage of brain tumors that could be attributed to cannabinoid therapy. At that moment he knew that treating cancer with cannabinoids would become his life’s work.
Dr. Goldstrich has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Society of Cannabis Clinicians since 2016.
Recent Presentations

Presentation: The Use of Medical Cannabis in the Treatment of PTSD, University of Chicago Medicine, Orlando, Florida, October 2021
Presentation: Using Cannabis to Treat Cancer, Santa Barbara Medical Cannabis Conference & Expo, Santa Barbara, CA, May 2019
Moderated panel on Cannabis and Cancer, CannMed 2018, Los Angeles, CA (24 October 2018) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TK3fPS15-As
Presentation: Unleashing the Full Potential of Cannabis’ Antineoplastic Benefits, Reimagining the Concept of Full Extract, Marijuana for Medical Professionals, Denver, CO (15 October 2018)

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CannaConnect: March Members Call (Hosted by Dr. Dustin Sulak)
2024-03-08 09:00 - 10:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
About
Welcome to our new members-only series, CannaConnect!
Join us for these monthly member connection calls to introduce yourself, ask questions, and discuss with other members. SCC Board Member, Dr. Dustin Sulak, will be hosting our March 2024 call!
Each month will offer an interactive blend of networking, clinical case discussions, and the latest in cannabis news. Connect with fellow SCC members, find or offer mentorship, share insights on clinical practices, and welcome new members to our thriving community.
Dustin Sulak, DO
Dustin Sulak, D.O. is a traditional osteopathic general practitioner and expert in integrative medicine. His clinical practice focuses on treating refractory conditions in adults and children. Dr. Sulak received bachelor degrees in nutrition science and biology from Indiana University – Bloomington. He received his medical degree from the Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2008. Dr. Sulak is an internationally-renowned expert in medical cannabis and frequently educates clinicians, industry professionals, and patients at conferences, webinars, and retreats. In addition to co-authoring eight peer-reviewed publication on medical cannabis, he is the author of a foundational text on the clinical use of cannabis, Handbook of Cannabis for Clinicians: Principles and Practice, published in 2021. He is co-founder of Healer, a medical cannabis education and products company, and has served on the SCC’s board of directors since 2015.
Must be a member to attend these monthly calls; you can learn more about joining here.
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Journal Club: Dr. Ana Hounie Case Report on Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Patient
2024-04-02 09:00 - 10:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
This Journal Club series hosts monthly educational events where authors discuss their newly published scientific findings. Presentations will focus on a variety of articles and perspectives related to cannabis medicine, including but not limited to clinically-relevant articles and research methodology-focused papers.
This month’s installment will hear Dr. Ana Hounie discuss her recently published case study, Neurological Improvement with Medical Cannabis in a Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Patient: A Case Report.
Ana Hounie, MD, PhD
Founder and President of the Brazilian Association of Endcannabinology (Ambcann)
Founder and member of the consultative council of the Pan-American Medical Cannabis Association
Dr. Ana Hounie has a degree in Medicine from the Federal University of Pernambuco (1994) and a PhD in Sciences, in the area of Psychiatry, from the University of São Paulo-FMUSP (2003). She completed her postdoctoral studies at the USP Faculty of Medicine. She works mainly in the care and research of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Tourette Syndrome, having published a book on the latter syndrome, in which she is one of the main experts in Brazil. She is currently dedicated to the study of medicinal cannabis, with which she has clinical experience since 2016, conducting courses and lectures on the topic.
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CannaConnect: April Members Call (Hosted by Windi Muraszka)
2024-04-12 09:00 - 10:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
About
Welcome to our new members-only series, CannaConnect!
Join us for these monthly member connection calls to introduce yourself, ask questions, and discuss with other members. SCC Board Member, Windi Muraszka, will be hosting our April 2024 call!
Each month will offer an interactive blend of networking, clinical case discussions, and the latest in cannabis news. Connect with fellow SCC members, find or offer mentorship, share insights on clinical practices, and welcome new members to our thriving community.
Windi Muraszka, CNM, NP, MS
Windi Muraszka graduated Hunter College of Nursing of the City University of New York in 1992 and began working in Manhattan’s Upper East Side as a labor and delivery nurse. She attended Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing deep in the Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky, the birthplace of American Nurse-Midwifery. Her midwifery clinical training occurred at a Bronx Birthing Center, a Manhattan Planned Parenthood clinic, and at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn. She then completed a Master’s Program at Stony Brook University of The State University of New York. Upon graduation, she took a job at Wyckoff Height Medical Center, a Brooklyn community hospital where she has welcomed babies since 1996.
In 2014 Windi worked in concert with several physicians to establish a visionary new type of private practice maternity care service. The Augury for Women’s Health and Midwifery was a true coupling of the science of medical-based maternity care with the humanistic centering of a midwifery approach. This amalgam of ancient knowledge and sacred midwifery lineage married quite well with a modern evidence-based approach to women’s health and wellness, pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding and has become an answer to the prayers of so many women and families. Windi has worked with thousands of women through the years, catching over 2800 babies and now serving two full generations.
Windi became intrigued with the healing and wellness-supporting properties of cannabis when several members of her close family and friend circle were diagnosed with cancer and auto-immune disorders. After completing the New York State training program for medical cannabis providers, she decided to delve deeper into this field and matriculated in the first university program in the country offering professional medical cannabis training, the University of Maryland’s Medical Cannabis Science and Technology Master’s program.
Windi continues to serve the women and families of New York City in her role as midwife and nurse practitioner, now offering medical cannabis as one of the many tools she uses in optimizing their health. She looks forward to continuing the vision of the Society of Cannabis Clinicians by focusing on matters highly pertinent to women’s health and the nurturing of the next generation.
Must be a member to attend these monthly calls; you can learn more about joining here.
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SCC Special Webinar: The Future of Cannabis Nursing
2024-04-17 09:00 - 10:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
About
Join us for this special event where experienced SCC nurses discuss their path that led them to cannabis nursing, and the new roles they are developing to create pathways and opportunities for the integral role of nurses within integrative care teams.
Moderator: Windi Muraszka, DNP, CNM, WHNP, SCC Board Member
Panelists:

Katherine Golden, RN/CEO/ED & Founder of Leaf411
Heather Manus, RN, Founder of the Cannabis Nurses Network
Dawn-Marie Streensa, LPN, SDC, QA, SCC
Laura Barrett, MBA, BSN, RN
Kristie Peggins, DNP, AGACNP-BC, FNP-C, MS Medical Cannabis Science and Therapeutics

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CannaConnect: May Members Call (Hosted by Dr. Katia Tonkin)
2024-05-08 09:00 - 10:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
About
Welcome to our new members-only series, CannaConnect!
Join us for these monthly member connection calls to introduce yourself, ask questions, and discuss with other members. SCC Board Member, Dr. Katia Tonkin, will be hosting our May 2024 call!
Each month will offer an interactive blend of networking, clinical case discussions, and the latest in cannabis news. Connect with fellow SCC members, find or offer mentorship, share insights on clinical practices, and welcome new members to our thriving community.
Katia Tonkin, MBBS, MD, FRCP(UK), FRCPC
Katia Tonkin, MBBS, MD, FRCPC, FRCP (UK) is a medical oncologist who worked at The Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton Alberta Canada for 20 years and in London, Ontario Canada for six years prior to that. She did her medical oncology training at The Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto Ontario and has dual UK and Canadian oncology qualifications. Dr. Tonkin was involved for 30 years in clinical trials that specialized in breast and gynecological cancers.
She has a master’s degree from two years spent in the lab studying chemotherapy and radiation effects in immune compromised mice.
She became interested in medical cannabis in 2016 as many patients started asking about cannabis. After researching into it, Dr. Tonkin felt cannabis was likely to help many patients with a wide variety of problems.
She started treating patients in April 2017 and wants to pursue clinical research to further medical knowledge into appropriate uses of medical cannabis. Dr. Tonkin’s goal is to help uncover the true benefits and side effects of cannabis beyond the already very useful pragmatic clinical approach.
Must be a member to attend these monthly calls; you can learn more about joining here.
Register

CannaConnect: June Members Call (Hosted by Dr. Bobby Vincent)
2024-06-05 09:00 - 10:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
About
Welcome to our members-only event series, CannaConnect!
Join us for these monthly member connection calls to introduce yourself, ask questions, and discuss with other members. SCC Board Member, Dr. Bobby Vincent, will be hosting our June 2024 call!
Each month will offer an interactive blend of networking, clinical case discussions, and the latest in cannabis news. Connect with fellow SCC members, find or offer mentorship, share insights on clinical practices, and welcome new members to our thriving community.
Bobby Vincent, III, PharmD, RPh
Bobby Vincent, III, PharmD, RPh is a Clinical Cannabinoid Pharmacotherapist born and raised in Richmond, Virginia. Dr. Vincent is driven by a passion to bridge the medical cannabis industry with communities in need. Dr. Vincent currently serves the northern Virginia and Washington, D.C. metropolitan area as a pharmacist and medical consult– providing care for hundreds of cannabis patients. Dr. Vincent is the founder of Cannabis Health Alliances, LLC., building partnerships to advance therapy, policy and patient accessibility. He also serves as the Communications Chair for the Virginia Pharmacists Association’s Academy of Medical Cannabis and a member of the organizations Task Force for Racial Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Dr. Vincent is a graduate of Hampton University where he obtained a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. He is currently pursuing a Masters of Cannabis Science and Therapeutics at the University of Maryland, Baltimore – the first degree of its kind available in the United States. He has experienced a host of unique learning opportunities, including time abroad in Thailand, United Arab Emirates, and the Philippines as a medical volunteer. Dr. Vincent also spent time with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Office of Science Policy and Communications as a pharmacy intern.
Dr. Vincent was honored as a Virginia Pharmacists Association “10 Under 10” award recipient, recognizing upcoming pharmacists advancing health initiatives in their community. Dr. Vincent is also a recipient of the United States Public Health Service (U.S.P.H.S.) Excellence in Public Health Pharmacy Award. He uses his platform to advocate for the involvement of pharmacists in the medical cannabis industry. He also speaks to the importance of training the next generation of healthcare professionals on the medical advantages of cannabis, personally mentoring pharmacy students across the US. As an advocate, educator, and pharmacist, Dr. Vincent is enthusiastic about the evolution of cannabis as a medicine and the opportunities it continues to open up for patient care.
Must be a member to attend these monthly calls; you can learn more about joining here.
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Cerium Journal Club - Cardiovascular (Host: Jahan Marcu)
2024-06-05 17:00 - 17:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Zoom
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In this journal club meeting, we will delve into data on cannabinoids and the cardiovascular system from the Journal of the American Heart Association. This journal club meeting is reoccurring on the 1st Tuesday of every month at 8:00 PM EST. The meeting will feature a presentation on the background information of the research article, followed by a walkthrough and discussion of figures and tables.
Moderators and presenters include:

Phil Molloy, MD
Len Kamen, MD
Jahan Marcu, PhD
Teresa Simon, MPH
Who Should Attend:

This event is intended for doctors and healthcare professionals keen on staying abreast of the latest developments related to the cardiovascular system and cannabinoid research. This discussion is intended for clinicians and health professionals. This topic is also relevant for researchers, public health specialists, regulators, and students interested in substance use and the cardiovascular system. It offers a platform for a multidisciplinary dialogue on an issue of growing importance in our communities.
Special Features:

Expert-led Presentation on Recent Scientific Publications
Interactive Q&A and Discussion Sessions
Updates on Current Research Projects and Data Collection Programs
Content and Resources for the Discussion (check back for updates)

Association of Cannabis Use With Cardiovascular Outcomes Among US Adults
Objectives:

To critically assess figures and tables in a publication, regarding effects of cannabinoids on the cardiovascular system
To understand the complexities surrounding studies on the cardiovascular system
To evaluate the implication for public health, policy-making, and clinical practice considering current research.

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Quarterly Meeting: Cannabis Nursing Scope and Standards
2024-06-12 09:00 - 11:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Quarterly Meeting: Cannabis Nursing Scope and Standards
Featuring Dr. Deanna Collins Sommers, PhD, MSN, RN, PNP-PC
Wednesday, June 12th
9AM PT / 12PM ET
About
Join us for our summer Quarterly Meeting where we hear from Dr. Deanna Sommers on the development and future of the Scope and Standards for the new Cannabis Nursing specialty.
Dr. Deanna Collins Sommers, Ph.D., MSN, RN, PNP-PC, is an accomplished nursing leader, researcher, and author, a distinguished 33-year career in academic and healthcare institutional settings. In her career, Dr. Sommers has undertaken various leadership roles, including Associate Dean, Director of a College of Nursing, and Faculty at private non-profit academic institutions in the Midwest, United States. She currently holds a faculty position at an academic institution in Florida. She holds a terminal degree, a Doctor of Philosophy in Public Health with a specialization in Health Promotion and Community Education, a master’s degree in nursing, and certification as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner in primary care.
Dr. Sommers began her nursing education by obtaining an Associated degree in Nursing Science. She attended Wayne State University in Detroit, obtaining undergraduate and graduate degrees. With extensive experience spanning adult and pediatric intensive care units, Dr. Sommers has dedicated approximately 25 years to serving as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. She is an alumna of Pacific College and Health Sciences, additionally holding a Medical Cannabis Certificate.
In 2019, Dr. Sommers became a member of the American Cannabis Nurses Association, initiating her exploration into the field. Her cannabis journey took root with her attendance at the inaugural conference held in New Orleans. She quickly joined the credentialing committee and later became the chair of the committee. Dr. Sommers’ commitment to advancing the field of cannabis nursing is evident in her pivotal role as the Chair of the ACNA Credentialing Committee and a contributing author in Dr. Carey Clarks, Cannabis: A Handbook for Nurses (2021), “Chapter 3 Cannabis Pharmacology. She played a key role in the recognition of cannabis nursing as a specialty by the American Nurses Association (ANA), leading the writing subcommittee of the credentialing committee, aligning ACNA scope and standards with the updated ANA 4th edition scope and standards, and preparing the application for recognition of cannabis nursing as a specialty and the cannabis scope of practice statement to the ANA and editor. On September 28, 2023, Dr. Sommers delivered a webinar presentation hosted by ACNA, laying the groundwork for the establishment of the Cannabis Nurse Specialty. Recognizing her dedication, Dr. Sommers received the Presidency award for her contributions to the forthcoming “Cannabis Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice (2024)” by ACNA. Furthermore, she is a contributing author to Dr. Carey Clark’s “Cannabis: A Handbook for Nurses (2021),” specifically co-authoring Chapter 3 on Cannabis Pharmacology.
Actively involved in the American Cannabis Nurse Association, Dr. Sommers serves as an elected Board member, credentialing committee chair, and lead author/editor for cannabis nursing specialty recognition by the American Nurses Association.
Dr. Sommers embarked on her research journey in 1998, co-authoring “Evaluating Family Difference with the Assessment of Strategies Families Effective” with esteemed family nursing theorist Dr. Marylouise Freidemann at Wayne State University. In 2016, she published her doctoral research, titled “Social Ecological Predictors of Obesity among Hispanic Parents/Child Caregivers in Aurora, Illinois.” As the former chair and member of the Healthy Living Council (HLC), Dr. Sommers successfully secured grants and collaborated with diverse organizations to establish a community organization in partnership with a university and the city of Aurora, Illinois. This initiative aimed to promote wellness through sustainable healthy habits, resulting in her participation as a keynote speaker and the development of enduring community education programs in Aurora, Illinois.
Dr. Sommers’ research interests include obesity in families, acculturation, mindfulness, holistic nursing, and plant medicine. Complementing her professional achievements, she is a Reiki and Aromatherapy Practitioner, enhancing comprehensive care nurse capabilities. Dr. Sommers continues to share her cannabis knowledge with nursing students, faculty, and the community.
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Cerium Journal Club - Anxiety (Host: Jahan Marcu)
2024-07-02 17:00 - 18:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
About
In this journal club, we will examine published data on the effects of different legal market forms of cannabis on anxiety symptoms from a study published from the Journal of Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research (Link to article below). The event is hosted by Phil Molloy, MD, Len Kamen, MD, Teresa Simon, MPH, and Jahan Marcu, PhD.
Who Should Attend:
This event is intended for doctors and healthcare professionals keen on staying abreast of the latest developments related to the cardiovascular system and cannabinoid research. This discussion will also be relevant for researchers, public health specialists, regulators, and students interested in substance use and the cardiovascular system. It offers a platform for a multidisciplinary dialogue on an issue of growing importance in our communities.
Special Features:

Expert-led Presentation on Recent Scientific Publications
Interactive Q&A and Discussion Sessions
Updates on Current Research Projects and Data Collection Programs
Content and Resources for the Discussion (check back for updates)

Acute and Extended Anxiolytic Effects of Cannabidiol in Cannabis Flower: A Quasi-Experimental ad libitum Use Study
Objectives:

To help participants to be able to explain how THC-dominant and CBD-dominant cannabis may impact anxiety symptoms differently.
To discuss the strengths and limitations of the authors methodological approach in studying the effects of cannabis on anxiety.

Register

CannaConnect: July Members Call (Hosted by Dr. Patricia Frye)
2024-07-10 09:00 - 10:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
About
Welcome to our members-only event series, CannaConnect!
Join us for these monthly member connection calls to introduce yourself, ask questions, and discuss with other members. SCC Board Member, Dr. Patricia Frye, will be hosting our July 2024 call!
Each month will offer an interactive blend of networking, clinical case discussions, and the latest in cannabis news. Connect with fellow SCC members, find or offer mentorship, share insights on clinical practices, and welcome new members to our thriving community.
Patricia Frye, MD
Patricia Frye M.D. began her journey with medicinal cannabis as the first evaluating physician for a cannabis telemedicine platform, HelloMD. This was her first introduction to the use of cannabis as medicine and it proved to be an invaluable and career-changing experience. Intrigued by the testimony of thousands of patients and what she learned from the scientific literature, Dr. Frye went on to become professionally certified in Cannabis Science and Medicine by the University of Vermont School of Medicine.
Now in private practice, Dr. Frye focuses on the role of cannabis in the management of chronic pain, inflammation, autoimmunity, neurodegenerative disorders, autism, seizure disorders, and psychiatric conditions. She works closely with patients and their referring clinicians to develop sound treatment plans that are based on both observational and scientific evidence.
Dr. Frye earned her medical degree at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, where she also trained in pediatrics, and is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics. After completing her pediatric residency, she trained in Anesthesiology at Baylor College of Medicine where she gained experience working with adult patients in medical pain management and pain management procedures.
During her many years at Kaiser Permanente in Southern California her practice focused on children and teens with autistic spectrum disorder, learning and developmental disabilities, school problems, and behavior issues. She has served as a volunteer for several organizations which include the St. Mary’s AIDS Care Team, Phoenix House, an in-patient drug rehabilitation program for adolescents, Head Start Committee on Health, and Piedmont CASA where she served as an advocate for children in the family court system due to abuse or neglect.
Dr. Frye lectures internationally, educating medical providers, patient groups, policy makers, businesses, and government agencies on the endocannabinoid system and medical benefits of the cannabis plant. She serves on the Cannabis Trade Federation Task Force on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and the board of the Society of Cannabis Clinicians. In 2018 she authored the book “The Medical Marijuana Guide: Cannabis and Your Health”.
Must be a member to attend these monthly calls; you can learn more about joining here.
Register

CannaConnect: August Members Call (Hosted by SCC President Dr. Stephen Robinson)
2024-08-07 09:00 - 10:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
August 7th 9AM PT / 12PM ET
CannaConnect: August Members Call (Hosted by SCC President Dr. Stephen Robinson)
Welcome to our members-only event series, CannaConnect!
Join us for these monthly member connection calls to introduce yourself, ask questions, and discuss with other members. SCC President Dr. Stephen Robinson, will be hosting our August 2024 call!
Each month will offer an interactive blend of networking, clinical case discussions, and the latest in cannabis news. Connect with fellow SCC members, find or offer mentorship, share insights on clinical practices, and welcome new members to our thriving community.
Stephen Robinson, MD, MPH
Dr. Stephen S. Robinson grew up in Newark, NJ and graduated from Reed College in Portland, Oregon and the University of Washington Medical School in Seattle. Dr. Robinson completed his MPH at Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health.
His interest in both public health and global health became a lifelong commitment after his first visit to Cuba in the early ’70s. He completed his residency in internal medicine at Harlem Hospital Center and later served as a medical team leader to Ghana and Liberia with Operation Crossroads Africa.
In New York City, Dr. Robinson worked within the Sophie Davis School at the City College of New York for 15 years, to establish the CUNY Medical School. Esteemed colleagues included the late Dr. George I. Lythcott. During his tenure with the City University, Robinson also served as the interim director of the Physician Assistant Program at Harlem Hospital Center.
After working as Medical Director with Georgia’s Primary Care Assn., he left the US for five years and worked in Tanzania, setting up an exchange program between the Institute for Medical Research in Tanzania and the Public Health Sciences Institute at Morehouse College. While there, he also worked with Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health evaluating health facilities for their readiness to provide HIV/AIDS care and treatment.
Since his move to Oakland, California in 2010, Dr. Robinson has been evaluating patients for their use of medical cannabis. He participated on panels at numerous cannabis-related conferences and delivered presentations on cannabis’ medicinal benefits and dosing strategies to both professional and lay audiences. Dr. Robinson contributed to the revision of the Medical Board of California’s “Guidelines for the Recommendation of Cannabis for Medical Purposes.” He has been a board member of the Society for Cannabis Clinicians, and currently serves as president of the organization.
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CannaConnect: September Members Call (Hosted by Dr. Genester Wilson-King)
2024-09-05 09:00 - 10:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
About
Welcome to our members-only event series, CannaConnect!
Join us for these monthly member connection calls to introduce yourself, ask questions, and discuss with other members. SCC Vice President, Dr. Genester Wilson-King, will be hosting our September 2024 call!
Each month will offer an interactive blend of networking, clinical case discussions, and the latest in cannabis news. Connect with fellow SCC members, find or offer mentorship, share insights on clinical practices, and welcome new members to our thriving community.
Genester Wilson-King, MD
Genester Wilson-King, MD FACOG is a Board-Certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist with over 20 years of clinical experience providing compassionate and research-driven care to patients. In 2010, she founded Victory Rejuvenation Center (VRC), a private holistic and integrative wellness medicine practice that provides life-transforming management modalities and customized medicines to patients.
She is Vice President of the Society of Cannabis Clinicians, a non-profit that works to empower and educate healthcare providers on the use of cannabis medicine. She is a member of the Special Advisory Board of the Association for Cannabis Health Equity and Medicine, ACHEM, an organization that is a mutual benefit, professional medical association for BIPOC healthcare professionals and students active or interested in cannabinoid medicine and health equity. And finally, she is on the Board of Directors for Doctors for Drug Policy Reform, a national physicians’ association dedicated to the legalization and regulation of cannabis and psychedelics for adults.
A co-author of published articles on the Assessment of the Impact of Cannabis on Female and Male Sexual Function. Dr. Wilson-King is an expert on cannabis use in female health and Hormone Therapy for females and males.
Must be a member to attend these monthly calls; you can learn more about joining here.
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Cannabinoids for Anxiety and Depression
2024-09-10 16:00 - 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Register to attend Dr. Goldstein’s next webinar covering cannabinoids for anxiety and depression. Hemp cannabinoids and medical cannabis offer a natural and effective solution, providing pain relief with minimal side effects and additional benefits like improved sleep and reduced anxiety.
Time: 4pm Pacific time
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Special Legal Webinar: Implications of Cannabis Rescheduling on Healthcare Industry
2024-09-18 09:00 - 10:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Join us to hear from SCC member Richard Cheng about how healthcare delivery will be affected by the rescheduling of cannabis.
Richard Cheng, JD, CHC
Richard Cheng is a managing member of Ritter Spencer Cheng, PLLC (RSC) and regularly represents healthcare providers and cannabis businesses in transactional and regulatory matters. Prior to joining RSC, Richard was an equity partner at an AmLaw 100 global law firm where he launched and chaired the firm’s hemp practice group. Richard has taught cannabis law as an adjunct at UNT School of Law and represents a variety of physicians, healthcare providers and cannabis businesses. He has been recognized as a top cannabis legal expert by both Databird Research Journal and Cannabis Law Journal.
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Minor Cannabinoids: Review of Clinical and Preclinical Studies
2024-09-24 16:00 - 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Register to attend Dr. Goldstein’s next webinar covering minor cannabinoids: review of preclinical and clinical studies. Hemp cannabinoids and medical cannabis offer a natural and effective solution, providing pain relief with minimal side effects and additional benefits like improved sleep and reduced anxiety.
Time: 4pm Pacific time
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2024 National Interdisciplinary Cannabis Symposium 9/27-29 New York Law School
2024-09-27 08:00 - 2024-09-29 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | New York Law School, Tribeca, New York
Symposium Information
As of now, medical marijuana is legalized in thirty-eight states, with an additional 24 states, along with D.C., Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and various Tribal nations, enacting laws permitting adult use of marijuana. Furthermore, numerous other states are currently exploring legislation and referenda to legalize recreational marijuana by 2024.
These evolving legal shifts are profoundly influencing our legal system, families, and society at large. They present a dynamic and occasionally intricate terrain for a multitude of professions, including Law Enforcement, Judiciary, Legal Practitioners, Specialty Court Experts, Scientific Community, Drug and Alcohol Testing Sector, Academia, as well as Employment and Human Resource Associations & Organizations.
Our Symposium serves as a platform to bring together these diverse disciplines, each offering unique perspectives. Our overarching aim is encapsulated in the Symposium’s motto, “Educating One Another.” This year, we are pleased to announce the expansion of our partnerships and increased participation. Our discussions will be guided by professional facilitators, and we will once again honor outstanding contributions with the Symposium Education Award (SEA) (SEA Criteria). We warmly invite you to join us and engage in this enriching event!
The proceeds generated from the Symposium will cover operational costs and serve as seed funding for future endeavors. Additionally, any surplus funds will be donated to 501(C)(3) organizations. We extend our gratitude to all who have steadfastly supported this endeavor. Through initiatives such as scholarships for law students (Scholarship Application) and assistance with speaker travel expenses, we endeavor to foster inclusivity and accessibility within our community.
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CannaConnect: October Members Call (Hosted by Dr. Jeff Hergenrather)
2024-10-04 09:00 - 10:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
About
Welcome to our members-only event series, CannaConnect!
Join us for these monthly member connection calls to introduce yourself, ask questions, and discuss with other members. SCC Immediate Past-President, Dr. Jeff Hergenrather, will be hosting our October 2024 call!
Each month will offer an interactive blend of networking, clinical case discussions, and the latest in cannabis news. Connect with fellow SCC members, find or offer mentorship, share insights on clinical practices, and welcome new members to our thriving community.
Jeff Hergenrather, MD
Jeffrey Hergenrather, MD, a charter member of the Society of Cannabis Clinicians in 1999, would serve as president of the group 2008-2018. After graduating from UC Berkeley, Hergenrather got his MD from Brown University’s Program in Medicine in 1975. He had a one year rotating internship at the University of South Carolina’s Spartanburg General Hospital in the family practice program.
Hergenrather spent six years as the general practitioner caring for > 600-1500 residents of “The Farm,” an intentional community in rural Tennessee, and working as an emergency physician at Maury County Regional Hospital. At The Farm marijuana use was the norm for adults, and Hergenrather was able to observe its range of effects on people with various medical problems (and those in good health). He backed-up the Farm midwives with Ina May Gaskin for hundreds of births, and helped train midwives who would subsequently influence the American way of childbirth. His study of “Pollutants in Breast Milk of Vegetarians” ran as a letter to the New England Journal of Medicine (March 26, 1981).
Emergency Medicine would be Hergenrather’s specialty for more than 20 years after he moved to California in 1982, eventually settling in Sonoma County. After voters legalized the medical use of marijuana in 1996, Hergenrather could openly discuss it as a treatment option with patients. In 1999 he launched a private solo practice in the town of Sebastopol specializing in cannabis consultations. He joined the International Cannabinoid Research Society and began attending their annual symposia.
At the ICRS meeting in 2004 Hergenrather warned researchers from Sanofi-Aventis that —based on the range of beneficial effects reported by his patients— their plan to produce a cannabinoid-antagonist drug would have unforeseen negative consequences. He was unheeded —Rimonabant was marketed in Europe— but proved right in 2008 when it was withdrawn for safety reasons.
Many of the findings about cannabis as medicine reported by Hergenrather in SCC surveys have yet to be confirmed in clinical trials, but they have been of use to practitioners who accept the validity of clinical evidence. His pioneering 2005 paper “Cannabis Alleviates the Symptoms of Crohn’s Disease” was based on 38 patients’ seen by SCC physicians. His dramatic account of cannabis oil on a baby’s pacifier reducing an optic pathway glioma in 2011 alerted many doctors and patients to the anti-cancer potential of cannabinoids.
In December 2019 Hergenrather completed a three month ‘sabbatical’ as an Academic Visitor at the Technion Department of Biology, Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research Institute, in Haifa, Israel. His hobbies include organic farming (olives and apples), theater set design and building, and working with mosaic tile. He and wife Starr have been married 48 years and have four grown children, with whom, when they were young, lived in a schoolbus and later traveled the world with backpacks.
Must be a member to attend these monthly calls; you can learn more about joining here.
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2nd Annual Medical Cannabis Conference - A Consortium of Medical Cannabis Visionaries (October 12, 2024)
2024-10-12 08:00 - 18:00 (America/New_York) | University of Maryland School of Pharmacy Baltimore, MD, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, MD, United States
2nd Annual Medical Cannabis Conference
A Consortium of Medical Cannabis Visionaries
Saturday, October 12, 2024
University of Maryland School of Pharmacy
Baltimore, MD
We are thrilled to announce that our 2nd Annual Medical Cannabis Conference has now been scheduled! Join us this fall in Baltimore for an unforgettable day of connecting with clinical cannabis experts.
The event will feature a keynote from renowned cannabis physician, author, and Harvard Medical School instructor, Peter Grinspoon, MD. We look forward to bringing you a stellar lineup of speakers including SCC Board Members, representatives from the Medical Cannabis Science and Therapeutics program, local policy advocates, and others who are blazing the trail of patient-centered cannabis care and research.
Agenda

Peter Grinspoon, MD
Keynote Speaker

Deondra Asike, MD

Dustin Sulak, DO

Mary Lynn Mathre, RN

Tanya Scott Cannady, DNP, MHR, RN, NEA-BC, CPHIMS

Andrew Garrison, MPA

Patricia Frye, MD

Dawn Marie Steenstra, CEO, LPN

Laura Barrett, MBA BSN RN

Deborah Miran

Codi Peterson, PharmD, MS

Andrew Coop, PhD

Jahan Marcu, PhD

Max Alzamora, MD

Leah Sera, PharmD, MA, BCPS

Sandra Carrillo, MD

Bobby Vincent, III, MS, PharmD, RPh

Linda Klumpers, PhD

David Wolinsky, MD

Windi Muraszka, DNP

Shawn Casey, JD

Issac Wright, MBA

Peter Grinspoon, MD
Keynote Speaker

Peter Grinspoon, M.D. is a primary care physician, cannabis specialist and an Instructor in Medicine at Harvard Medical School. He is the author of the book ‘Seeing Through the Smoke: A Cannabis Expert Untangles the Truth about Marijuana’, which came out on 4.20.23. He is a TedX speaker, a national media figure and the author of the groundbreaking memoir ‘Free Refills: A Doctor Confronts His Addiction’

Deondra Asike, MD

Deondra Asike, MD is double board certified in anesthesiology and pain medicine. She is a Clinical Associate in the Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine at Johns Hopkins since 2015. She is a veteran of the United States Air Force and deployed to Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan in 2013. She received her medical degree at Georgetown University School of Medicine. Dr. Asike completed her anesthesiology residency at the San Antonio Military Medical Center and fellowship training in pain medicine at the University of Maryland. Dr. Asike is currently serving a second term on the Maryland Department of Health Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Advisory Board. Additionally, she chairs the Maryland Cannabis Public Health Advisory Council and The Maryland State Medical Society Cannabis Committee. She is a specialty expert and Maryland Spokesperson for Doctors For Drug Policy Reform, the nation’s first physician organization dedicated to the legalization, taxation, and effective regulation of cannabis for adults. She believes strongly in a holistic approach to chronic pain management that includes proper nutrition, physical therapy, behavioral therapy, and cannabis as medicine. Dr. Asike is a certifying provider with the Maryland Cannabis Administration. In 2022 she founded National Pain ReLEAF, a consultation practice primarily focused on guiding both patients and members of their healthcare team through a safe and effective incorporation of cannabis into a comprehensive pain treatment.

Dustin Sulak, DO

Dr. Dustin Sulak is a traditional osteopathic physician and expert in integrative medicine. His clinical practice in Maine focuses on treating refractory conditions in adults and children. Dr. Sulak is an internationally-renowned expert in medical cannabis, the author of Handbook of Cannabis for Clinicians: Principles and Practice, and co-founder of Healer, a medical cannabis education resource and products company. He serves on the board of directors of The Society of Cannabis Clinicians and is a passionate educator and leader in the medical cannabis field.

Mary Lynn Mathre, RN

Mary Lynn (ML) Mathre, RN, MSN is the President and co-founder of Patients Out of Time, a national non-profit founded in 1995 and dedicated to educating health care professionals and the public about the ECS and the therapeutic use of cannabis and first President and founding member of the American Cannabis Nurses Association in 2010. ML graduated from the College of St. Teresa in Winona, MN in 11975 and began her nursing career in the US Navy Nurse Corps. She earned her MSN degree from Case Western Reserve University in 1985 with her thesis on Marijuana Disclosure to Health Care Professionals. Her publications include Cannabis in Medical Practice: A Legal, Historical and Pharmacologic Overview of the Therapeutic Use of Cannabis (1997) and Women and Cannabis: Medicine, Science and Sociology (2003, co-editor). She was among the first group to become certified as an Addictions Registered Nurse (1989) and worked in several addictions treatment programs and served as the Addictions Consult Nurse at the University of Virginia’s Health System. More recently she is a founding member and President of the Academy of Cannabis Education which will continue the national clinical cannabis conference series originated by Patients Out of Time, while Patients Out of Time focuses on patient education and work to de-schedule the plant.

Tanya Scott Cannady, DNP, MHR, RN, NEA-BC, CPHIMS

Dr. Tanya Scott Cannady is a registered nurse with a diverse background in clinical and educational knowledge. She has functioned over the past 30 years as a transformational leader and disruptor. In 2023, she obtained a Doctor of Nursing Practice in Executive Leadership from the University of San Francisco, alongside a Certificate in Cannabis Therapeutics from Pacific College. Dr. Scott Cannady’s illustrious career is marked by her role as the Northern California Regional Director of Patient Care Services for Kaiser Permanente. She has previously co-lead the equity, inclusion, and diversity program in the East Bay for Kaiser reflecting her unwavering commitment to creating a healthcare environment that champions social equity and inclusivity. As an executive board member and treasurer for the American Cannabis Nurses Association, she is at the forefront of integrating cannabis therapeutics into patient care, advocating for a human-centered approach that prioritizes patient well-being and social equity in cannabis-centered care.

Andrew Garrison, MPA

Andrew Garrison is the Chief of the Office of Policy and Government Affairs for the Maryland Cannabis Administration and leads the Administration’s regulatory, legislative and intergovernmental efforts. He has held this position since September of 2022, which included the agency’s efforts on the adult-use implementation and Social Equity licensing application round, and lottery awards. Prior to serving in this capacity, he worked for the Maryland General Assembly’s budget office for four legislative sessions, with a particular focus on the State’s health regulatory agencies and behavioral health programs. He holds a Masters of Public Service and Administration from Texas A&M University with a concentration in Health Policy and Policy Analysis and a Bachelors of Arts from the University of Minnesota.

Patricia Frye, MD

Dr. Frye earned her medical degree at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. After completing her pediatric residency, she trained in Anesthesiology at Baylor College of Medicine. Dr. Frye focuses on the role of cannabis in the management of chronic pain, inflammation, autoimmunity, neurodegenerative disorders, autism, seizure disorders, and psychiatric conditions. Dr. Frye lectures internationally, educating medical providers, patient groups, policy makers, businesses, and government agencies on the endocannabinoid system and medical benefits of the cannabis plant. In 2018 she authored the book “The Medical Marijuana Guide: Cannabis and Your Health”.

Dawn Marie Steenstra, CEO, LPN

Dawn-Marie has been a bedside and community nurse for 26 years. As a passionate advocate for medical cannabis since her own cancer journey a decade ago, she now owns a consulting practice for cannabinoid therapeutics as an approved Clinical Director of Dispensaries for Maryland: Entourage Consulting Services. She works to help care for patients who have chosen to utilize cannabis for treatment for distressing symptom management. As a founding board member of the American Cannabis Nurses Association, Cannabis Nurses Network, and the National Clinical Director Consortium, Dawn-Marie is a pioneer in this new emerging aspect of healthcare with over a decade of experience with hundreds of patients.

Laura Barrett, MBA BSN RN

Nurse Laura is the Founder/Executive Director of the National Clinical Director Consortium, Owner, and Operator of Ask Nurse Laura, and on the Board of multiple non-profits including the Connor Sheffield Foundation. Additionally, she is teaching faculty at University of Maryland School of Pharmacy in the Master’s of Cannabis Science and Therapeutics program. She has worked in each of the plant touching cannabis fields from growing, processing, and opening dispensaries, as well as sales, marketing, and compliance. Nurse Laura works with providers, patients, caregivers, cannabis businesses, and traditional workplaces to educate, advocate, and collaborate to find the best options for improving quality of life in a safe, reliable manner.

Deborah Miran

Deborah Miran was a member of the Natalie M. LaPrade Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission from 2013- 2016, and was also a member of the executive committee, policy, and research subcommittees, and was chair of the education subcommittee. She was responsible for developing education programs for doctors and patients, and was also an integral part of crafting the current regulations. Prior to the commission she was president and founder of Miran Consulting, Inc. where she advised both brand and generic drug makers on the FDA approval process. Ms. Miran was senior director of regulatory affairs for Alpharma, a generic drug manufacturer, where she directed the submission activities for new and abbreviated new drug applications to the FDA. She has spent over 30 years in the US pharmaceutical industry. Ms. Miran received her bachelor of science in chemistry from Iowa State University.

Codi Peterson, PharmD, MS

Dr. Codi Peterson is a pediatric pharmacist and cannabis science expert. Leveraging a decade of clinical pharmacy experience, Codi strives to bridge the gap between healthcare and cannabis through education and advocacy. He is a PharmD graduate from Duquesne University and later graduated with an MS in Medical Cannabis Science & Therapeutics from UMaryland, Baltimore. Codi is the Chief Science Officer of The Cannigma, a science-forward media company dedicated to helping the world understand cannabis. Dr. Peterson is also an associate clinical professor at UC Irvine, where he contributes to advancing medical education. Additionally, he teaches pharmacology to paramedics in Southern California through OCEMT, and continues to practice pharmacy in an emergency department to this day. Codi is a co-founder of the Pharmacists Cannabis Coalition of California (PCCC), a public-benefit nonprofit dedicated to educating and elevating California pharmacists in the cannabis space.

Andrew Coop, PhD

Dr. Andrew Coop is a professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and associate dean for graduate programs at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy. Dr. Coop received his PhD from the University of Bristol in the area of chemistry of drugs with abuse liability. He has been a faculty member in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences since 1999, serving as chair of the department from 2007-2015. His NIH-funded research area focuses on the design and synthesis of new agents to delineate the mechanisms of action of drugs. Dr. Coop has a passion for communicating with the public about science, with the goal of encouraging a diverse next generation of professionals. He has been quoted in publications including The Atlantic, The Smithsonian, the Washington Post, and the best-selling book Dreamland. He is sought for lectures on his expertise on the chemistry and pharmacology of illicit drug use, serves as an expert witness in federal criminal trials, and testified to the US Senate HELP Committee in February 2019 on approaches to treat pain during the opioid crisis.

Jahan Marcu, PhD

Jahan Marcu, Ph.D is one of the top researchers and industry experts in the field, contributing to many innovative discoveries, applications, and standards for medical cannabis and its laboratory analysis, cultivation, manufacturing, and dispensing. He is a court qualified expert witness for cannabis and synthetic drugs, and is cited in case law. Dr. Marcu has also created training for the industry and internationally accepted methods for cannabis analysis, and has founded institutions and organizations for research, education, and training programs.

Max Alzamora, MD

Surgeon graduated from the San Martín de Porres University (2010), Master in Occupational Medicine, with studies in Functional Medicine at the IFM (USA). Diploma of Advanced Studies in Endocannabinology, Cannabis and Cannabinoids (University of Rosario – Argentina 2021).
Founder and President of the Peruvian Association of Cannabinoid Medicine in addition to being a Board Member of the Society of Cannabis Clinicians Latam Chapter.

Leah Sera, PharmD, MA, BCPS

Dr. Sera is an Associate Professor and Vice Chair of Academic Affairs in the Department of Practices Sciences and Health Outcomes Research at the University of Maryland Baltimore (UMB) School of Pharmacy. She is program co-director for the Graduate Studies in Medical Cannabis Science and Therapeutics.
In the Doctor of Pharmacy program, Dr. Sera teaches a variety of topics in required and elective courses in the PharmD curriculum. She teaches several courses in the Medical Cannabis program, including an introduction to medical cannabis history, culture, and policy and a course introducing students to patient care and the clinical uses of medical cannabis. Dr. Sera has served as a clinical pharmacist on palliative medicine and transitional care teams. Dr. Sera has been invited to speak on pain management, palliative medicine, and cannabis therapeutics at professional medical and pharmacy conferences and medical centers such as the National Institutes of Health. Her research interests include social determinants of health, health disparities, big data, medical cannabis utilization, and pharmaceutical health policy.

Sandra Carrillo, MD

Dr. Sandra Carrillo is a physician, and surgeon with a master’s degree in Health Services Management Health, certification in Regenerative Medicine and Epidemiology of Investigation. She is co-founder and President of the Colombian Medical Association of Medicinal Cannabis, Co-founder and Medical Director of Medicann Ips. Editorial and on the Review Board of the American Journal of Endocannabinoid Medicine (AJEM). as well as Board Member of the Society of Cannabis Clinicians Latam Chapter. Dr. Carrillo is co-creator of the Diploma in Therapeutic Applications of Cannabinoids from the University CES and the Colombian Medical College/ASOMEDCCAM.

Bobby Vincent, III, MS, PharmD, RPh

Bobby Vincent, III, MS, PharmD, RPh is a Clinical Cannabinoid Pharmacist and activist driven by a passion to bridge the cannabis industry with communities in need. Dr. Vincent currently serves the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area as a corporate regulatory affairs specialist and medical consult– serving as the regulator for multiple facilities and providing care for its hundreds of patients. Dr. Vincent is the founder of the non-profit Cannabis Health Alliances, building partnerships to advance therapy, policy and patient accessibility. Dr. Vincent is also the founder of Sheets Rolling Company, a hemp-based paper company for cannabis goods. He lends his time serving on the Board of Directors for the Society of Cannabis Clinicians and The Science & Regulatory Affairs Committee of the Council for Federal Cannabis Regulations.

Linda Klumpers, PhD

In the Netherlands, I grew up and earned a M.Sc. in Neuroscience from the University of Amsterdam. During my training at the Leiden University Medical Center, I obtained a Ph.D. in Clinical Pharmacology of Cannabinoids (see thesis) and I became a board certified Clinical Pharmacologist. While doing my Ph.D. studies, I worked at the Centre for Human Drug Research in Leiden as a Clinical Scientist on a variety of clinical studies. I have been studying cannabinoids in humans since 2006 and I (co-)authored various peer-reviewed cannabinoid publications including primary literature and book chapters. My work received seven honors and awards, including the BJCP Prize, handed out by the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. Noticing an urgent need for objective cannabis information and education in the United States, in 2016, I founded Cannify. Cannify helps patients and clinicians with cannabis safety and risk management, and product and science matching via an online tool, and provides general and customized education. In 2018, I co-founded pharmacology consulting company Verdient Science. In 2020 I successfully co-applied for a €1.9mln grant to research cannabinoids in chronic pain, and I headed the submission for a $1.9mln NIDA grant on behalf of a client to study cannabinoid intoxication reversal that got awarded in 2024. I am a Professor of Pharmacology with the University of Vermont and an Executive Editor of the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology.

David Wolinsky, MD

David Wolinsky was raised in the Chicago suburbs and completed his medical school and psychiatry residency training at Northwestern University and University of Michigan, respectively. He stayed on at the University of Michigan to complete an Addiction Psychiatry fellowship with the goal of honing his capacity for diagnosing and treating Substance Use Disorders (SUDS) and learning about clinical research opportunities in this realm. Throughout his training, David developed a keen interest in clarifying the adverse effects of cannabis as well as its potential medical benefits. This interest has followed him to the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, where he has worked as a study physician on numerous projects exploring the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic effects of cannabis and cannabinoid products. He has continued this work as the Medical Director of the Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit (BPRU), overseeing the medical aspects of the many clinical studies occurring on the unit. One of his more recent areas of focus has been the capacity of cannabis to yield psychedelic effects when administered in a treatment setting. He recently published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology a narrative review covering the literature on this topic and will soon be working on a randomized, placebo-controlled study verifying cannabis’ potential to yield mystical experiences in a guided therapy session.

Windi Muraszka, DNP

Windi Muraszka, DNP, MS-MCST, CNM, NP is a dual-certified Nurse-Midwife and Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner providing full scope care to patients in New York City since 1996. She began integrating medical cannabis therapeutics into her practice in 2019. Dr. Muraszka graduated from the MCST program in 2022, completed her doctorate in 2023, and currently serves on the SCC Board of Directors.

Shawn Casey, JD

Shawn Casey serves as the Deputy Chief Officer for Regulatory, Policy & External Affairs at the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority. She joined the CCA in 2022 after practicing law for a decade. Before joining the CCA, Shawn was a Senior Assistant Attorney General in Colorado, where she advised the state’s Marijuana and Liquor Enforcement Divisions for five years. She began her legal career clerking for judges on both the Colorado Court of Appeals and the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado. Shawn holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia and a law degree from the University of Arizona.

Issac Wright, MBA

Isaac Wright is the Medical Cannabis Program Manager with the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority (CCA). Isaac joined the CCA in July of 2023 with over 20 years of public service experience, including 16 years in leadership and oversight positions. In his role at the CCA, Isaac focuses on promoting patient health and safety through effective program management and administration. Isaac holds an MBA from Virginia Commonwealth University and a BS in Economics from James Madison University.

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CannaConnect: November Members Call (Hosted by Dr. Benson Hasuman)
2024-11-06 09:00 - 10:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
About
Welcome to our members-only event series, CannaConnect!
Join us for these monthly member connection calls to introduce yourself, ask questions, and discuss with other members. SCC Board Member / Treasurer, Dr. Benson Hausman, will be hosting our November 2024 call!
Each month will offer an interactive blend of networking, clinical case discussions, and the latest in cannabis news. Connect with fellow SCC members, find or offer mentorship, share insights on clinical practices, and welcome new members to our thriving community.
Benson Hausman, MD
Dr. Benson A. Hausman, MD, MPH, became involved with medical cannabis when from October 2012 to December 2017, he was the Executive Director and Chief Science Officer of the second largest medical cannabis dispensary in California, Elemental Wellness Center (EWC) in San Jose, and President of the Board of Directors of Coastal Americare, Inc., dba EWC. Dr. Hausman was in charge of strengthening the dispensary’s operations and medical work. He developed education, training and quality control of medical services as well as medical research carried out by EWC. He developed educational material on medial cannabis aimed at improving patient care and understanding at the physician, dispensary and local government levels, and was involved in strengthening quality control and safety of medical cannabis products, as well as linking laboratory analysis to specific therapeutic effects and treatment regimes.
Previously Dr. Hausman was an epidemiologist in International Public Health for over 30 years, working with various international aid organizations, including USAID, the Dutch and Danish governments, Doctors Without Borders (MSF), the Royal Dutch Tropical Institute, UNICEF and the World Health Organization. He has managed a diverse range of projects and programs from academic research to national disease control programs (diarrheal diseases, immunizations, tuberculosis). In this context he traveled to more than 25 countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America and Eastern Europe. Dr. Hausman has several publications to his name. He holds a BA degree from Tulane University, a MD degree from the University of Amsterdam, and a MPH degree from Johns Hopkins University.
Currently Dr. Hausman is Treasurer of the Board Directors of the Society of Cannabis Clinicians and is the sole proprietor of LuarBiasa Consulting. He writes a blog: Dr. Benson’s Cannabis Corner.
Must be a member to attend these monthly calls; you can learn more about joining here.
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CannaConnect: December Members Call (Hosted by Dr. Sherry Yafai)
2024-12-04 09:00 - 10:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
About
Welcome to our members-only event series, CannaConnect!
Join us for these monthly member connection calls to introduce yourself, ask questions, and discuss with other members. SCC Board Member, Dr. Sherry Yafai, will be hosting our December 2024 call!
Each month will offer an interactive blend of networking, clinical case discussions, and the latest in cannabis news. Connect with fellow SCC members, find or offer mentorship, share insights on clinical practices, and welcome new members to our thriving community.
Sherry Yafai, MD
Sherry Yafai, MD is a Cannabis and Emergency Medicine physician at Providence St. John’s Medical Center since 2009. Dr. Yafai started her medical career at UCSD Medical School graduating in 2005 and UCSD Emergency Medicine Residency in 2009. In 2017, after recreational marijuana laws had passed in California, Dr. Yafai opened her private Cannabis Clinic, the ReLeaf Institute, where she sees patients primarily referred by physicians for cannabis education and treatment. Roughly 75% of her patients are over the age of 50 and prefer to use non-smokable Cannabis products. She is the Secretary of the Society of Cannabis Clinicians, a member of the UCLA Cannabis Initiative and a distinguished speaker for UCSD Center for Medical Cannabis Research, Pacific Neuroscience Institute and multiple other medical programs. In 2018 she was accepted as an Adjunct Associate Professor at John Wayne Cancer Institute working with cannabis and cancer research. This year, Dr. Yafai has worked with the Los Angeles community to put together the first ever CME approved Medical Cannabis Conference designed to educate the healthcare community on dosing, indications and legal perspectives in the recreationally legal setting of California. The ReLeaf Institute Conference proudly hosted Kim Kirchmeyer from the Medical Board of California, the LA County of Public Health, The Department of Cannabis Regulations for LA, Clinical and Cannabinoids Research Journal and the Society of Cannabis Clinicians.
Of all of these positions, her most fulfilling role is as a medical educator. She currently sits on the Advisory Board for Canopy Health International and is a lead expert for cannabis education throughout the country. She has been interviewed by GOOP and The Doctors TV show. As a Board Member for the Society of Cannabis Clinicians, Dr. Yafai works to educate physicians, clinicians, and other health care providers on the most up to date clinical data and research in the field of Cannabis.
Must be a member to attend these monthly calls; you can learn more about joining here.
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January Cerium Journal Club - Challenging the Dogma: Does High-Dose CBD Potentiate THC's Psychoactive Effects? (Host: Jahan Marcu)
2025-01-08 20:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York)
About
Challenging the Dogma: Does High-Dose CBD Potentiate THC’s Psychoactive Effects?
Event Description:
Join us for a journal club where we will discuss the complex interaction between cannabidiol (CBD) and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). This session will explore a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, five-way crossover trial that investigated whether CBD counteracts the adverse effects of THC and enhances its analgesic properties. The study involved 37 healthy volunteers who received different combinations of THC and CBD or a double placebo on separate visits. This journal club is relevant for researchers, healthcare professionals, and anyone interested in understanding the intricate relationship between CBD and THC, particularly those involved in cannabis research, clinical practice, or policy-making.
Featured Article:
Gorbenko, A. A. et al. Cannabidiol Increases Psychotropic Effects and Plasma Concentrations of Δ 9 ‐Tetrahydrocannabinol Without Improving Its Analgesic Properties. Clin. Pharmacol. Ther. (2024) doi:10.1002/cpt.3381.
Speakers:
Phil Molloy, MD – Clinical education expert
Teresa Simon, MPH – Public health epidemiologist
Jahan Marcu, PhD – Cannabis researcher
Questions? Email Prctrials.info@gmail.com
PRC+ has education modules available for health care professionals: https://www.prc-trials-plus.com/education
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Special Webinar: Shaping Federal Cannabis/Cannabinoid Policy Under Fire by Steph Sherer (Americans for Safe Access)
2025-01-09 22:30 - 23:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
About
From Tipping Point to Breaking Point: Shaping Federal Cannabis/Cannabinoid Policy Under Fire
Unpack developments and trends from this Congressional session, learn how the election will impact cannabis/cannabinoid policy, and learn the critical need for physicians and health experts to be visible on Capitol Hill to ensure policy changes pave the way for an expanded definition of medicine rather than cementing a new chapter in prohibition.
Meet the Speaker:
Steph Sherer is the foremost international leader and expert on medical cannabis patient advocacy. Her direct experiences with the medical benefits of cannabis and political organizing led Sherer to form Americans for Safe Access (ASA) in 2002, with the purpose of building a strong movement to protect patients and their rights and transform US policy to allow for the recognition of cannabis as medicine. Today, ASA is the largest national patient-centric organization of medical cannabis, wellness, and healthcare stakeholders, addressing knowledge, policy, and regulatory gaps to ensure access to cannabis for therapeutic use and research.

Sherer is a powerful advocate, a skilled spokesperson, and an energetic initiator of strategic campaigns. For over two decades, she has pursued ASA’s vision by articulating the immediate needs of patients and incorporating strategies across many disciplines to break down political, social, academic, and legal barriers and clear the way for a national medical cannabis program and a pathway for the federal recognition of botanical cannabis medicines.

Sherer has devoted her career to disrupting policies perpetuating health inequalities and investing in innovative solutions to close the divide between wellness and medicine. Under her leadership, ASA has achieved many milestones toward its goals, including developing and implementing state medical cannabis access programs, protecting state laws through impact litigation, ending the federal interference with state medical cannabis programs, creating federal protections for medical professionals, creating product safety standards for the cannabis and hemp supply chain and trainings for regulators and workers to adhere to them, participating in efforts to reschedule cannabis in the U.S., supporting the FDA with a new approach and data to establish “currently accepted medical use,” removing federal barriers to research, coordinating efforts at the World Health Organization (WHO) to recognizes the therapeutic uses of cannabis, and ultimately changing the schedule of cannabis in internationally.

Sherer is returning to the role of Executive Director after spending several years advancing federal medical cannabis frameworks abroad, guiding cutting-edge research initiatives, and reforming international drug treaties. Sherer will lead a renewed, nationwide effort to fully integrate cannabis-based medicines into the U.S. healthcare system.
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Everything You Need to Know about CBD
2025-01-17 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York)
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Over more than 20 years Dr. Kirsten Shepard has established integrated practices that combine medical, chiropractic, acupuncture and physical therapy approaches to whole body care, including the opening of clinics across Texas and in Los Angeles.
Dr. Kirsten Shepard is an expert in her field; she has led educational sessions with other medical professionals and been recognized by notable leaders across health and fitness communities. She has been selected as a Profile of Prominence award recipient in Health Professions by the Texas legislature and received a Special Congressional Recognition from a Texas United States Senator.
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CannaConnect: January Members Call -- Getting the most out of your membership (Hosted by SCC Staff)
2025-01-22 22:30 - 23:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
About
Welcome to our members-only event series, CannaConnect!
Join SCC Program Director Christine Milentis and Membership & Communications Director Erin Pully for the first CannaConnect meeting of 2025!
During this informal gathering you will have the opportunity to meet and network with other members, learn more about our committee relaunch, membership benefits, and discuss ways in which you can be involved in furthering SCC initiatives in 2025 and beyond.
Join us to ask any questions you might have about seeking resources in the medical cannabis space. There will be a membership Q&A so that you can learn how to make the most of your member benefits and we will be able to walk you through any technical difficulties that are prohibiting you from interacting in the SCC membership portal.
Each future month of CannaConnect will be hosted by a member of the SCC Board of Directors and will offer an interactive blend of networking, clinical case discussions, and the latest in cannabis news. You are invited to come connect with fellow SCC members, find or offer mentorship, share insights on clinical practices, and welcome new members to our thriving community.
Thank you for being part of the Society!
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February Cerium Journal Club - Decoding the Clinical Spectrum of Semisynthetic Cannabinoid Toxicity (Host: Jahan Marcu)
2025-02-05 06:30 - 07:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
About
Decoding the Clinical Spectrum of Semisynthetic Cannabinoid Toxicity
Event Description:
This journal club will explore the rising public health concern of semisynthetic cannabinoids (SSCs), focusing on their toxicity and the increasing reports of associated adverse events. SSCs, such as hexahydrocannabinol (HHC), are often marketed as legal alternatives to traditional cannabis, but they can have potent and unpredictable effects. The discussion will center on thew case reports by Puri (2024) and Reiter (2024) which describes patients who developed potentially life-threatening symptoms after using synthetic or semi-synthetic cannabinoids. Key discussion points will include the challenges of regulating these substances, the lack of understanding regarding their long-term effects, and the need for greater awareness among clinicians and policymakers.
Featured Articles:
1. Puri, A., Costanzo, F., Rivera, J. & Bujdos, J. Catatonia Induced by First-Time Use of Synthetic Cannabinoids: A Case Report. Cureus 16, e53324 (2024).
2. Reiter, N. et al. Severe poisoning with semi-synthetic cannabinoids. Ugeskr. Læg. 186, 1–5 (2024).
3. O’Mahony, B., O’Malley, A., Kerrigan, O. & McDonald, C. HHC-induced psychosis: a case series of psychotic illness triggered by a widely available semisynthetic cannabinoid. Ir. J. Psychol. Med. 1–4 (2024) doi:10.1017/ipm.2024.3.
Speakers:
Phil Molloy, MD – Clinical education expert
Teresa Simon, MPH – Public health epidemiologist
Jahan Marcu, PhD – Cannabis researcher
Questions? Email Prctrials.info@gmail.com
PRC+ has education modules available for health care professionals: https://www.prc-trials-plus.com/education
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CannaConnect: February Members Call -- Cannabis & Sex (Hosted by Dr. Windi Muraszka)
2025-02-13 09:00 - 10:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
About
Welcome to our members-only event series, CannaConnect!
You are invited to attend the February meeting, hosted by SCC Board Member, Dr. Windi Muraszka, for a conversational gathering to meet and network with other members. She will be presenting newly released research on the topic of cannabis and sex.
Join us to ask any questions you might have about seeking resources in the medical cannabis space. Each month of CannaConnect is hosted by a member of the SCC Board of Directors and will offer an interactive blend of networking, clinical case discussions, and the latest in cannabis news. You are invited to come connect with fellow SCC members, find or offer mentorship, share insights on clinical practices, and welcome new members to our thriving community.
Thank you for being part of the Society!
Register

SCC Quarterly Meeting: Exploring Evidence-Based Cannabis Treatment Algorithms with CannaKeys
2025-03-26 09:00 - 10:00 (America/Denver)
About
Join us to hear from SCC partner, CannaKeys. The CannaKeys team strives to demystify the emerging field of the cannabinoid health sciences and reinforce the proper pathways for patient care utilizing cannabis and related therapies. They do this by creating platforms that offer easy access to the published science, aggregated critical data points, and guidance to practitioners and patients to ask the right questions and achieve optimal results more quickly.
Event Description:
The increasing use of cannabis for therapeutic purposes presents both opportunities and challenges for clinicians. From a harm reduction perspective and a commitment to generating optimal patient outcomes, it is crucial for healthcare professionals to access reliable, evidence-based information on cannabinoid-based therapies—particularly for chronic conditions that respond inadequately to conventional treatments.
In this interactive Zoom session, we will explore CannaKeys’ condition-specific treatment algorithms, grounded in the latest scientific evidence and designed to enhance clinical decision-making. We will examine their utility and limitations in evaluating patients, customizing cannabinoid-based therapies, and addressing practical considerations in clinical practice.
The presentation will be followed by a Q&A discussion to foster a conversational atmosphere, allowing participants to share insights, ask questions, and engage in dialogue about the integration of evidence-based cannabis therapeutics in clinical care.
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Bios:
Uwe Blesching, PhD
With nearly 20 years of experience in emergency medical services at the San Francisco Department of Public Health (Paramedic Division), Dr. Uwe Blesching, Ph.D., offers invaluable insights into how the choices we make and the drugs we take—both pharmaceutical and recreational—impact the body, mind, and spirit. He is the author of several acclaimed works, including The Cannabis Health Index (3rd edition), Breaking the Cycle of Opioid Addiction, and Your Cannabis CBD: THC Ratio (2nd edition). Challenging conventional views on the war on drugs, Dr. Blesching’s research and expertise highlight the potential of mind-altering plants and practices, when approached through evidence-based frameworks, to play a vital role in preventing and treating chronic conditions. He is also the co-founder and chief science officer at CannaKeys, where he continues to bridge science, wellness, and innovation.

Dave Rosenthal, MFA
David Rosenthal is Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of CannaKeys, where he develops innovative tools to help researchers, healthcare professionals, and patients navigate the science of the endocannabinoid system. Converting complex scientific data into user-friendly applications, David has been instrumental in establishing CannaKeys as a reliable platform for evidence-based insights into the ECS and cannabis therapeutics.
