Summer in Seattle is on its way out and there is much to do before the rainy season begins! I have a running list of mini projects for our new home, hikes to tackle while the weather is still optimal, planning needed for organizational involvement, and BCPS recertification to complete. Needless to say, lots of unfinished loose ends!
This module set contained some interesting resources and articles. As with some of the previous recertification modules, the clinical topics don't fit neatly together but provided a nice bit of variety to keep me interested. The clinical topics include STDs, Diabetes, and Epilepsy. The article that was most intriguing was that on cannabidiol pharmacology and its potential therapeutic role in epilepsy. It was an interesting read and gave a great summary of the current state of the evidence for neuropyschiatric purposes. I found this article to be very timely, given the recent DEA decision to keep marijuana as a Schedule I drug, due to the lack of "currently accepted medicinal use, a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision, and a high potential for abuse". This was echoed to some degree in the module article. Upon reviewing the complete responses from the DEA, HHS, FDA, and NIDA, the decision details the totality of the scientific evidence across other major clinical areas that led to reaffirming the Schedule I status. Worth a quick skim if you have the time and interest (link below).
Although there will be no change in the schedule status of marijuana at this time, the DEA is making attempts to tie up loose ends and respond to reasons for criticism of this schedule status. One of the criticisms involves difficulties in conducting research on medical marijuana due to its Schedule I status. The DEA has agreed to allow a policy change to increase sources of medical marijuana for research from one sole provider (the University of Mississippi) to allow others to register for research purposes. It will be interesting to see how this evolves moving forward.
For additional details and information, check out:
DEA Press Release on Marijuana and Industrial Hemp (8/11/16): https://www.dea.gov/divisions/hq/2016/hq081116.shtml
ASHP Policy Statement 1101, Medical Marijuana (pg. 136): http://www.ashp.org/DocLibrary/BestPractices/ashp-policy-positions-1982-2016.pdf
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