As medical providers, Athletic Trainers need an understanding of Cannabis Basics to provide the best options for their patients.

We also need to know and understand the differences between HTC, Weed/ Marijuana and Cannabis / CBD

Dr. Jeff Konin is the country's leading authority on Cannabis in AT.

What does Cannabis mean to us in the healthcare setting

2-5min

Cannabis is now legal in 33 states, so it’s already here and we need to educate ourselves about it

“There’s something there.”

We continue to learn more, and it is already being used medicinally for multiple afflictions

In the 70’s classifications of drugs came about, and cannabis was classified as a Schedule I drug (along with heroin and LSD)

It’s classification limited studies over the years

There’s a 3 step process through the government to study cannabis, but it takes 6-10yrs to get approved and about $50,000

Plant forms of cannabis

5-7:15min

Some portions of cannabis are non-psychogenic

Hemp can be extracted from THC and is .3% of the THC

Hemp is the largest product exporter and importer from other countries (makes paper, gasoline oil, fabrics, colognes, etc)

The 2018 Farm Bill was put out by president to allow agricultural growth of hemp (extracted from the plant) in particular

CBD and THC have made a such a difference in many people’s lives, that it “can’t possibly be just the placebo effect”

CBD vs THC

7:15-9:15min

There are different portions of the plant, when extracted

CBD comes in the form called cannabinoids, which come in 200-300 various versions and have different properties and potentially different benefits

Some of these cannabinoids are also found in other plants such as rosemary and thyme

The PLANT works with a system in your body that already exists, the  “endocannabinoid system” and has ZERO psychogenic effects

THC comes in multiple forms, and how you put them in your body determines the effects it has

THC will cause psychogenic effects

Edibles and/or lotions take longer to get into the system and have longer-lasting effects (CBD or THC)

From a medicinal aspect, people believe hybrid is the most beneficial as it causes an “entourage effect” (synergistic effect)

Some effects

9:15-11min

THC is not addictive or a gateway drug

0 deaths from THC overdose reported

In some chronic young smokers, there’s a short-term condition called Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3576702/

Long-term adult smokers may have secondary psychosis due to use, and long-term smokers may accrue damage to lungs

With patients that we are working with, the use of THC/CBD would be more for the short-term benefits

More information about the use of Cannabis?

11-12:15 min

The advocation of these products to minors should not be done because of the lack of research, although there are specific laws for minors and medicinal use