2000 - Iowa City, IA

The First National Clinical Conference on Cannabis Therapeutics

"Science - Based Clinical Applications"

Iowa City, Iowa - April, 2000

Co-sponsored by Patients Out of Time and the College of Medicine and the College of Nursing of the University of Iowa, was the first accredited therapeutic cannabis education program held in the US since 1860. The entire conference was broadcast live to various locations including McGill University in Canada and to the health education network of the State of Oregon.The sponsorships of the Colleges of Medicine and Nursing were critical to our work, enabling the agenda to be accredited for professional education for MD’s, RN’s, SW’s, JD’s and other professionals. To be so honored the faculty and the presentations had to meet the highest of academic standards. All conferences in the series have received this accredited status. The faculty was of the highest quality; the press response supportive and the studies were presented under the theme of Science Based Clinical Applications, forming a benchmark of knowledge from which there has been no retreat.

Statement of Purpose (from Conference Brouchure)

Due to marijuana prohibition, healthcare professionals have had no formal means of education about the therapeutic use of cannabis, despite its illegal use by tens of thousands of patients throughout the country. This conference marks the beginning of the re-education for clinicians about the efficacy of cannabis in medical practice. Science Based Clinical Applications was chosen as the theme to highlight the numerous research findings which have sparked a renewed interest in this ancient medicine and broadened our understanding of how it works. The content and presenters have been chosen to provide the fundamental knowledge essential for clinicians to ensure safe and appropriate care of patients who may benefit from its use.

This conference comes after the completion of the Institute of Medicine's (IOM) 18-month study on the medical efficacy of marijuana. The conference is especially designed for physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals who care for patients with cancer, HIV/AIDS, glaucoma, chronic pain, spasticity, seizure disorders, orsubstance abuse. Healthcare providers who work in family practice, oncology, HIV/AIDS, pain management, physical medicine rehabilitation, substance abuse treatment, or public health will benefit from this information. The conference will also be of interest to attorneys and health policy advocates as well as patients.

Conference Agenda and Faculty

Friday, April 7

Overview of the conference: Al Byrne, Lcdr., USN (ret): Co-founder, Patients Out of Time

Welcome: Melanie Dreher, RN, PhD, FAAN: Dean, The University of Iowa College of Nursing

Opening Address: Janet E. Joy, PhD: Study Director, Institute of Medicine, Marijuana & Medicine: Assessing The Science Base

History of Medical Use of Marijuana:

Michael Aldrich, PhD: Institute for Community Health Outreach, San Francisco, CA

Kevin Zeese, Esq: President, Common Sense for Drug Policy

Lawrence Hirsch, Esq: Lead Attorney, Cannabis Patients Class Action Case

Meta-Analysis of State Clinical Cancer Studies, Cannabis Efficacy: Richard Musty, PhD - University of Vermont

Clinical Review, 3000 Cases: Tod Mikuriya, MD - Practicing Psychiatrist, Berkeley, CA

Conducting Cannabis Research in the United Kingdom: Dr. David Hadorn - GW Pharmaceuticals

Case Presentations of Legal Marijuana Patients:

Glaucoma: Robert Randall, Elvy Musikka, with Paul Palmberg, MD - Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Miami, Florida

Multiple Sclerosis: Barbara Douglass, with Denis Petro, MD - Neurologist, Washington, DC

Chronic Pain: George McMahon, Irvin Rosenfeld, with Juan Sanchez-Ramos, MD - University of South Florida

The Voices and Experiences of Families and Care Providers:

Mae Nutt: Director, Patients Out of Time

Scott Imler: President, Los Angeles Cannabis Resource Center

Margaret McMahon: Patients Out of Time

Saturday, April 8

Cannabis and Human Cannabinoids: Their Potentials as Medicines: David W. Pate, PhD, MSc - HortaPharm BV, The Netherlands

Herbal versus Pharmaceutical Cannabis Preparations:John McPartland, DO, MS - Physician, Middlebury, VT

Potential Health Risks of Therapeutic Cannabis:

Cognitive Effects: Robert Block, MS, PhD - The University of Iowa College of Medicine

Physiological Effects: Denis Petro, MD - Practicing Neurologist, Washington, DC

Pulmonary Effects: Donald Tashkin, MD - UCLA

Use During Pregnancy: Melanie Dreher, RN, PhD, FAAN - The University of Iowa College of Nursing

Psychosocial Study of AIDS Patients Using Cannabis: Kathleen Boyle, PhD - UCLA

Guidelines for Dosage and Administration of Cannabis: Mary Lynn Mathre, RN, MSN, CARN - University of Virginia

Current Marijuana Research and Research Questions: Ethan Russo, MD - University of Montana

OPEN FORUM FOR QUESTIONS OF ALL TOPICS DISCUSSED

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