SIS-11 - Debate: The High and Lows of Medical Cannabis for Chronic Pain

Thursday, September 5, 2024

2:10 PM – 3:00 PM PST

Location: Gracia 3-4 (Level 3)

CE: Contact Hours: 1 | Pharmacotherapy: 1 | Mate: 1

Co-Presenter(s)

Paul J. Christo, MD, MBA

Associate Professor
The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Johns Hopkins Medicine
Baltimore, Maryland

Slides
Shravani Durbhakula, MD, MPH, MBA

Assistant Professor
Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
Nashville, Tennessee

One of the oldest documented medicines in history, cannabis has many therapeutic uses. Unfortunately, it’s also the most commonly used illegal substance in the U.S. and world and its use is controversial. Some believe that cannabis has no medical properties that can’t be obtained just as effectively with standard pharmacological therapies. Others believe that restricting or banning use condemns countless individuals to needles and inhumane suffering. We will debate the value of cannabis based on the evidence and practice patterns.

Learning Objectives:

Identify the supportive evidence for cannabis use
Recognize the evidence against cannabis use
Describe when clinicians might consider cannabis use for patients in pain
Describe the harms of cannabis use