Dr. Ryan Zaklin MD, MA, PC - the Endocannabinoid System (ECS), the physiological system responsible for maintaining balance in relation to ourselves and our environment is one of the most important discoveries of this last century. Cannabinoids are the diet of the ECS. When our self-made endocannabinoids are not sufficient, we must supplement with phytocannabinoids produced by plants. Mind-body practices, such as meditation, mindfulness and yoga serve as the exercise, paving new pathways of awareness. This event will introduce the ECS to those not yet familiar, as well as give an overview on Cannabis therapeutics basics and how cannabis, along with other plants and modalities may be used to optimize the ECS, particularly as it applies to the aging population.   

In depth discussions on how to;

• Understand the importance of The Endocannabinoid System
• Understand certain basics of Cannabis Therapeutics
• Understand the ECS and Cannabis Therapeutics as it relates to the aging population 

Panel Discussion - what does the data tell us! Here we will address the risks of cannabis including dependence and addiction, and its influence on major mental illness. We’ll also dig deep and discuss the use of cannabis as an alternative to opioids and benzodiazepines, and its role, if any, in treating use disorders. Session Panelists – Jordan Tishler, MD, Kate Schultz, MSN, NP-C, add'l panelist to be announced 

Adam Abodeely MD, MBA, FACS, FASCRS Founder, Owner ReserveMD - The Endocannabinoid System (ECS) plays a significant role in the health and function of our gastrointestinal system thereby making it an ideal target for cannabinoid therapy. A complex interaction exists between our gut bacteria, the human endocrine, lymphatic, and nervous system. Cannabinoid therapy is showing promise for a variety of gastrointestinal conditions aiming at managing pain and inflammation, improving the overall health of our gastrointestinal cells, affecting intestinal motility, and acting as a potential anti-cancer compound. New and emerging concepts are being explored that will continue to harness the benefits and expand the use of cannabinoids for conditions including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), cachexia, chemotherapy-induced nausea/vomiting and cancers.   

Panel Discussion - our discussion will focus on the role that mind-body practices and other healthy lifestyle choices contribute to optimal functioning of the Endocannabinoid System (ECS). How to address ECS dysfunction without the use of cannabis will be examined. A few minutes of this session will be dedicated to a guided meditation provided by Dr. Zaklin. Session Panelists – Dustin Sulak DO, Ryan Zaklin, MD, MA, PC and Marissa Fratoni, RN (Moderator) 

Dustin Sulak DO -10 years of clinical experience, shares his methods for creating personalized treatment plans, including relevant background information on cannabis dose-response effects, delivery method selection, strategies for the cannabis naive, experienced users, opioid-dependence, seizures, and more.   

Keynote Speaker - Michael Latulippe, Advisor to the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission and Supporting Speakers - Elizabeth Dost, Clinical Director of MPAA and Jeremiah MacKinnon, Advisory Board Member to MPAA - Protecting the medical marijuana patient supply after recreational sales begin is something that separates Massachusetts from other states that have legalized marijuana for non-medical uses. This first in the nation "Patient Supply Safety Net" was primarily the outcome of successful patient advocacy coordinated by the Massachusetts Patient Advocacy Alliance (MPAA) the group that drafted and help pass the 2012 ballot question to legalize medical use marijuana in the Commonwealth, and Michael Latulippe, the appointed registered qualifying patient advisor to the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission. Michael will share how he derived the term "Patient Supply Safety Net" in order to help other patient advocates push a coherent and strong message. Will further discuss and provide a few of the issues associated with the first iteration of the Cannabis Control Commission's regulations around patient supply in Massachusetts and how it can be improved upon similar to other states like Illinois commitment to developing their own version of a patient supply safety net.

Panel Discussion - Past and Present Lessons Learned and the Future of Targeted Therapy The current growth and excitement of the cannabis industry has resulted in a flurry of research focused around understanding the clinical applications of the individual compounds found within the cannabis plant. Despite this, studies have continually supported the idea that the synergy that exists between all of the compounds via the “entourage effect” is more effective than the therapeutic potential of isolated molecules such as THC or CBD alone. This discussion will focus on understanding the historical perspective and future directions surrounding cannabis strains “chemovars” and will attempt to shed some light on how relative concentrations of chemical compounds found within the plant might be harnessed to affect disease-specific outcomes. Session Panelists Dr. Jordan Tishler, Dr. Adam Abodeely  

Keynote Speaker - Dr. Jordan Tishler, President of Association of Cannabis Specialists, CMO inhaleMD. Imagine if you had a serious infection and needed an antibiotic, yet no one could clearly tell you which one or how much of a dosage to take, how to administer it, or what potential side effects it may have. Such a situation anyone would be frustrated, confused and feel abandoned in the process. That lack of guidance and informed consent could be considered malpractice. Yet, in many occasions our current system for dispensing medical cannabis is close to being similar informing ill and unknowledgable patients too "figure it out”. 

It seems patients can and are easily led astray by more favorable commercial sales, processes or product sets. Although like many new lines of business it takes time to nurture processes, quality control, standards etc. many see this is the case although still concerned hearing more and more cases where patient prescriptions and medications aren’t being properly provided instead many are introduced to other commercial products recommended at the point of sale. In short, the integrity of our existing process and system is flawed as this not only harms patients desperately seeking the care and relief they need, but undermines the very trust on which a medical system must abide by and built on.  

The pharmacy system was developed to ensure the safety of the patients and the quality and reliability of medicines offered. Through the 20th century, legal and ethical advances increased the precision of prescriptions and ensured that proper dosage, untainted medicines, and proper information is and must be given to patients. Two essential ingredients that form the backbone of the pharmacy industry: the prescription and the prohibition of unsubstantiated medical claims. 

Here we will discuss the history and development of the pharmacy industry from a regulatory standpoint, and the lessons both the federal government and our industry can take away. We will further identify and address the lessons learned from the "incubators of the states" and review what a "greatest hits" of the states' programs may look like if implemented as national policy.   

Carey Clark, PhD, NP, RN - President, American Cannabis Nurses Association (ACNA) The National Council of States Boards of Nurses (NCSBN) has issued a call that all nursing's students be educated around 6 essential areas of medical cannabis care. 

This talk discusses the implications of the NCSBN call, the work that that the American Cannabis Nurses Association is undertaking to help support the education of nurses around cannabis care, and the forthcoming Wolters Kluwer publication of the textbook Cannabis: A Handbook for Nurses. Learners may feel inspired to share their cannabis care knowledge with colleagues and patients and begin to formulate their own action plans for creating change and ending the lingering prohibition-era stigma.     

Rahim Dhalla, PharmD, RPh Hybrid Pharm Owner & Founder -1-year into federal Canadian legalization. What happens when Canada legalized cannabis? You open a cannabis specialty compounding pharmacy dedicated to helping patients utilize cannabis safely and effectively. Our talk will dive into current best practices as well as look into compounding with cannabis for specific patient populations. We will share our successes and challenges in developing Canada’s first cannabis specialty pharmacy; Hybrid Pharm   

Dr. Melani Kane (Bersten), Executive Director, International Society of Cannabis Pharmacists, PharmD provides an in-depth review of the possible side effects and drug interactions with the use of Cannabinoid medicine. Audience members will review unique patient cases and develop recommendations to relieve toxicity.