The Use of Medical Marijuana for the Relief of Chronic Pain

Medical cannabis is safer and more effective than opioids, reducing harm to users and improving and increasing their quality of life.

Ohio Mental Health Professionals’ Attitudes, Knowledge, and Experience Regarding Medical Marijuana

Increasing positives attitudes toward medical marijuana (MM) is evident by the number of states who have authorized MM and in national surveys. Based on 177 participants responding to an anonymous electronic survey, the study found that Ohio licensed counselors and social workers hold generally positive views about MM regardless of one’s license or supervisory status. Participants’ attitude toward national legal adult use and opinion regarding recreational use significantly predicted participants attitude toward national legalization of MM, but age, having a chemical dependency license, and personal use of MM did not add to the prediction model. In addition, most reported having clients who use marijuana and directly asked about MM, yet nearly all had clients they believed should not use MM and would be reluctant to refer if a history of substance abuse was present. Additional concerns about MM were expressed by participants, and the training needs for practice and future directions for research are discussed.

High Times for U.S. Employees: Human Resource Management Considerations in Addressing Marijuana Legalization in U.S. Organizations

Recent changes in state laws have legalized marijuana use for their state citizens. Originally by 2016, twenty-six states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico had legalized marijuana for medical use (State Medical Marijuana Laws, 2016). In the 2020 elections eighteen states, two U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia legalized recreational use of cannabis. We now have thirty-six states, four U.S. territories, and D.C. who have legalized medical use of the drug use (State Medical Marijuana Laws, 2021). This however creates some major issues for Human Resource professionals due to the fact that federal law still considers marijuana use illegal. This creates a confusing situation for organizations and especially Human Resource professionals who must create and enforce policies on the use of prescription and non-prescription drugs within the work environment. The purpose of this research is to determine if medical marijuana should be protected in the workplace and under what conditions. Based on the literature three research questions were posed and three hypotheses were tested based on analyzing data from a survey questionnaire that was completed by 57 working adults. Results indicate that they support the use of medical marijuana as a viable medical treatment and companies should recognize and support this medical remedy. Results indicate employees should be protected in their use of marijuana under the FMLA. Results also indicate marijuana should also be considered for long-term and permanent illnesses under the ADA. Implications are employees see marijuana in a positive light, as a viable medical treatment, and expect human resource management to support policies that allow for use of marijuana.

QOLP-03. OBSERVATIONS OF COMPLEMENTARY CANNABIS THERAPY IN MALIGNANT GLIOMA PATIENTS

INTRODUCTION As of 5/15/2021, medical marijuana programs exist in 37 states, and marijuana is legal for recreational use in 17 states. In Connecticut, the CT Medical Marijuana Program (MMP) was created in 2012 and I began certifying my patients with malignant glioma (brain cancer) for the program in 2014. I now provide data on my experience with complementary cannabis therapy. PART 1 Between 9/1/2014 and 6/1/2018, 23 patients with malignant glioma were registered in the CT MMP and received a card. Of these 23 patients, 15 patients took a daily cannabis oil supplement for at least 6 months during their treatment, and 7 patients used cannabis products only as needed. 3 patients are still alive, all in the daily cannabis oil group (41, 54 and 77 months). The median overall survival in the daily group was 22.0 months, versus 16.9 months in the as needed group. PART 2 Since 9/1/2014, 71 patients with malignant glioma were certified for the CT MMP. Of these 71 patients, 15 did not complete the patient registration process and did not receive a card for the MMP. As of 5/15/2021, of the 56 registered patients, there are 20 Active patients and 36 Inactive patients. Regarding the Inactive patients, 29 have died and 7 are alive but did not renew their card. Amongst Active patients, 4 are currently taking a daily cannabis oil supplement as a complementary therapy, and 16 are currently using cannabis products only as needed for symptoms. The 4 patients employing complementary therapy currently have a survival of 8, 31, 33, and 35 months. CONCLUSION In my experience, complementary cannabis treatment is well tolerated in malignant glioma patients, and can provide significant palliative benefit to treat insomnia and nausea. Serious adverse events attributed to cannabis products, or decreased survival, have not been observed.