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Cannabis in Clinical Practice: What Every Clinician Needs to Know

CE Hours 4.25 Clinical Care Medications Addiction Disease Treatment Medicine Safety

About this course

Cannabis use is increasingly common among patients across all medical specialties. Clinicians who never recommend cannabis still care for patients who use it. Multiple studies show that doctors are often not aware of their patient's use of cannabis.


Updated with evidence, clinical guidance, and emerging research published through 2026, this program provides practical guidance for clinicians caring for patients who use cannabis. Participants will learn the fundamentals of the endocannabinoid system, cannabis therapeutics, safety considerations, adverse effects, contraindications, clinically significant drug interactions, and the current evidence for common medical indications through case-based learning.


Designed for clinicians and healthcare professionals involved in direct patient care, this program emphasizes practical decision-making, risk reduction, patient communication, documentation, and shared decision-making strategies that can be applied immediately in clinical practice.

Learning Objectives

  • Define the role the endocannabinoid system place in the human body and how cannabis and cannabinoid interact with it.
  • Demonstrate clinical competence in managing patients who currently use cannabis or request guidance in the potential use of medical cannabis.
  • Perform a risk assessment regarding cannabis use, identifying patients who may be having adverse effects, and the understanding of harm-reductions approaches for people who have addictions.
  • Confidently discuss cannabis use with patients and utilize a practical framework for shared decision making.

Learning Levels

  • Beginner
  • Intermediate
  • Advanced

Target Audience

Primary Doctors, Specialist Doctors, Nurse Practitioners, Nurse Leaders

Course Instructor(s)

  • Janice Makela MD

    I am a board-certified physician specializing in Hospice and Palliative Care, Geriatrics, and Internal Medicine. I'm also a Cannabis Expert. I am currently a Hospice Medical Director.

    With 20 years of clinical experience and over a decade in medical education, I bring deep expertise to my work. I graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) medical school and completed both my residency in Internal Medicine and my Geriatric fellowship at UIC.

    I then served as an instructor for the geriatric fellowship program at UIC and as a physician at the Jesse Brown VA for over a decade. Even after leaving UIC to work full-time in hospice, I was frequently invited back as a guest lecturer. I have 20 years of experience in Hospice and Palliative Care, including critical work during the COVID pandemic.

    I was among the first physicians to sit for and pass the Hospice and Palliative Care boards, exemplifying my commitment to being at the forefront of new medical fields, just as I am now with Cannabis Medicine.

    My journey into Cannabis Medicine began through my role as a Hospice and Palliative Care physician, where I saw firsthand the potential benefits for patients. I am committed to educating patients, doctors, and industry stakeholders on the medical use of cannabis. I also advocate for regulations that ensure safe access to cannabis products for those who need them. My approach is grounded in evidence, not hype. I recognize that legal restrictions have limited research and thoughtfully navigate both what we know and what remains uncertain in Cannabis Medicine.

    I offer personal educational programs for physicians who want to learn how to better care for their patients who use cannabis.

Disclosure

DISCLOSURE OF RELEVANT FINANCIAL RELATIONSHIPS CE Learning Systems adheres to the ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Medical Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CE activity ― including faculty, planners, reviewers, or others ― are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (formerly known as commercial interests). The following relevant financial relationships have been disclosed by this activity’s planners, faculty, and the reviewer: PLANNERS AND REVIEWER The planners of this activity have reported that they have no relevant financial relationships. FACULTY The faculty of this activity have reported that they have no relevant financial relationships.

References

  • American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists. (2025). ACOG clinical consensus no. 10: Cannabis use during pregnancy and lactation. Obstetrics and Gynecology, 146(4), 600–611. https://doi.org/10.1097/AOG.0000000000006053
  • Braun, I. M., Bohlke, K., Abrams, D. I., Anderson, H., Balneaves, L. G., Bar-Sela, G., Bowles, D. W., Chai, P. R., Damani, A., Gupta, A., Hallmeyer, S., Subbiah, I. M., Twelves, C., Wallace, M. S., & Roeland, E. J. (2024). Cannabis and cannabinoids in adults with cancer: ASCO guideline. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 42(13), 1575–1593. https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO.23.02596
  • Chou, R., Fu, R., Ahmed, A. Y., & Morasco, B. J. (2026). Cannabis-based products for chronic pain : An updated systematic review. Annals of Internal Medicine, 179(2), 230–241. https://doi.org/10.7326/ANNALS-25-03152
  • Florian, J., Salcedo, P., Burkhart, K., et al. (2025). Cannabidiol and liver enzyme level elevations in healthy adults: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA Internal Medicine, 185(9), 1070–1078. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.2025.2366
  • Gorelick, D. A. (2023). Cannabis-related disorders and toxic effects. New England Journal of Medicine, 389(24), 2267–2275. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMra2212152
  • Hsu, M., Shah, A., Jordan, A., Gold, M. S., & Hill, K. P. (2026). Therapeutic use of cannabis and cannabinoids: A review. JAMA, 335(4), 345–359. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2025.19433
  • Kansagara, D., Terry, G. E., Ayers, C. K., & D'Souza, D. C. (2026). Cannabis and mental health: A review. JAMA Internal Medicine, 186(5), 618–628. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.2025.8215
  • Karst, M., Meissner, W., Sator, S., Keßler, J., Schoder, V., & Häuser, W. (2025). Full-spectrum extract from Cannabis sativa DKJ127 for chronic low back pain: a phase 3 randomized placebo-controlled trial. Nature Medicine, 31(12), 4189-4196. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-025-03977-0
  • Nachnani, R., Knehans, A., Neighbors, J. D., Kocis, P. T., Lee, T., Tegeler, K., Trite, T., Raup-Konsavage, W. M., & Vrana, K. E. (2024). Systematic review of drug-drug interactions of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabidiol, and Cannabis. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 15, 1282831. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2024.1282831
  • Shah, S., Schwenk, E. S., Sondekoppam, R. V., et al. (2023). ASRA Pain medicine consensus guidelines on the management of the perioperative patient on cannabis and cannabinoids. Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine, 48, 97–117. https://doi.org/10.1136/rapm-2022-103966
  • Ryan, S. A., Ammerman, S. D., O'Connor, M. E., COMMITTEE ON SUBSTANCE USE AND PREVENTION, & SECTION ON BREASTFEEDING (2018). Marijuana Use During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Implications for Neonatal and Childhood Outcomes. Pediatrics, 142(3), e20181889. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2018-1889

CE Process Info

Content

  • Handouts
    8 parts
    • Link to Penn State Cannabis Drug Interaction Checker
    • Penn State list of Narrow Therapeutic Index (NTI) Medications
    • References for Lecture 1 with links
    • References for Lecture 2 with links
    • References for Lecture 3 with links
    • References for Lecture 4 with links
    • References for Lecture 5 with links
    • Full References for Course (alphabetized by author)
  • Introduction to the Endocannabinoid System
    2 parts
    • Lecture 1: Intro to the Endocannabinoid System
    • Post Lecture 1 Quick Quiz
  • Cannabis Formulations, Dosing, and Patient Safety
    2 parts
    • Lecture 2: Cannabis Formulations, Dosing, and Patient Safety
    • Post Lecture 2 Quick Quiz
  • Cannabis Drug Interactions, Side Effects, Adverse Events, and Cannabis Use Disorder
    2 parts
    • Cannabis Drug Interactions, Side Effects, Adverse Events, and Cannabis Use Disorder
    • Post Lecture 3 Quick Quiz
  • Medical Conditions and Cannabis
    2 parts
    • Medical Conditions and Cannabis
    • Post Lecture 4 Quick Quiz
  • Case Studies: Communication and Clinical Application
    1 parts
    • Case Studies: Communication and Clinical Application
  • Joint Accreditation

    Joint Accreditation (JA)

    In support of improving patient care, CE Learning Systems is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

  • Physicians (ACCME) Credit Designation Statement (ACCME)

    CE Learning Systems designates this live activity for a maximum of 4.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

  • Nurses (ANCC) Credit Designation Statement (ANCC)

    Successful completion of this program qualifies for up to 4.25 contact hours for nurses.

  • Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE)

    This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credits for learning and change.

FAQs

  • Who is this for?
    This is for physicians and nurses who want clear evidence-informed understanding of cannabis and its impact on patient care.
  • Do I need prior knowledge of cannabis medicine?
    No. this course is designed for physicians and nurses who are new to the subject, as well as those who want to strengthen their current understanding.
  • How will this course help my clinical care?
    This course will help develop the skills needed to have conversations about cannabis with patients. It will also give you the clinical competence to discuss the risk and benefits of cannabis with patient.
  • Is this only for doctors who write cannabis cards?
    No. This program is built to help every doctor understand cannabis medicine and how impacts everyday clinical care. Doctors who write for cannabis cards can also benefit from this lecture.
  • Is this course evidence based?
    Yes. This course is grounded in current clinical evidence, established medical principles, and practical considerations relevant to patient care.
  • How current is the information in this presentation?
    This presentation reflects current knowledge and research as of July 2026.
Cannabis in Clinical Practice: What Every Clinician Needs to Know
You Have Completed This course
$397
You are enrolled
  • CE Hours
    4.25
  • Type
    Self-Paced
  • Publication Date
    Jul 21st, 2026

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