Webinar: What addiction professionals should know about medical marijuana

Medical marijuana is now broadly or partially legalized in 28 states, though it remains illegal under federal law. Variation in laws can create confusion for mental health professionals, raising a number of questions for mental health professionals in both clinical and forensic settings. This confusion has led to many questions by practitioners, such as: What does the law say about medical marijuana in my state? How do I know whether my client is using medical marijuana therapeutically vs. abusing it? What are the risks, side effects, and potential drawbacks of medical marijuana? If my client uses medical marijuana, can employers discriminate against him or her? What do I do if a client is referred to me for substance use disorder treatment but is legally taking prescribed marijuana? This webinar seeks to answer these questions and more.

Learning Objectives

• Understand and explore the medicinal uses of medical tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), as well as contraindications.
• Explore ethical and legal implications for medical marijuana.
• Identify strategies for addressing abuse or addiction of medical THC vs. legitimate medical use.