CannMed 2022: Medical Practicum Organizers Share Their Insight, Part II: Dr. Kevin Spelman

The upcoming CannMed conference—taking place May 3–5 in Pasadena, California—will feature an exciting full-day medical practicum organized by Bonni Goldstein, MD, (the practicum’s originator); Kevin Spelman, PhD, MCPP; Dustin Sulak, DO; and Eloise Theisen, NP, AGPCNP-BC. During this practicum, each of the presenters will share the latest research, their clinical experience, and practice guidelines related to cannabinoid therapeutics. This course is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing for 9.5 contact hours.**

In this interview series, we speak to each of the organizers to learn more about them and what attendees can expect from the practicum. Here in Part II, Dr. Kevin Spelman shares his insights.

What are some of the clinical applications for medical cannabis?

Kevin Spelman, PhD, MCPP: Anxiety, seizure disorders, pain, mood disorders, sleep issues, and autoimmune disorders.

How is medical cannabis dosed and what methods are being used by patients?

Kevin Spelman, PhD, MCPP: Dosing has a high interindividual variability. Best to start at very low doses and work up so the optimal "physiological" dose can be found (versus a "pharmacological" dose)

Can cannabis be used to get you off opioid addiction?

Kevin Spelman, PhD, MCPP: Yes, if used in conjunction with a proper protocol, cannabis has been used successfully for weaning people from an opioid addiction.

How does cannabis interact with other prescription medications?

Kevin Spelman, PhD, MCPP: While there are theoretical concerns of cannabis preparations negatively interacting with other drugs, the concern has not been a chief complaint (cc) in clinical situations.

How is cannabis used to treat acute and chronic pain?

Kevin Spelman, PhD, MCPP: For acute pain, tinctures or inhalation can have a quick effect. For more chronic pain, ingestibles make better sense for their longer duration in effect.

How is medical cannabis being used in pediatric patients? Is there clinical evidence for using cannabis to treat anxiety and ADHD?

Kevin Spelman, PhD, MCPP: There have been positive clinical studies on cannabis use (specifically CBD) in anxiety disorders since the 1980s, so anxiety is a well-known and successfully treated indication. As for ADHD, there are many case studies showing beneficial effects and recent clinical trial that was favorable for ADHD.

To find out more about CannMed’s medical practicum, please visit: https://cannmedevents.com/practicum/

**CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS: This course is provider-approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, provider number 16845, for 9.5 contact hours.