The Model of a Medical Cannabis Clinic

Abstract

The development of medical cannabis clinics has emerged in recent years to meet needs from patients and healthcare practitioners amid changing medical cannabis regulations. As more countries are approving the use of cannabinoids for medical purposes, demand for access has increased but has not yet matched medical cannabis training. In countries where robust medical cannabis programs exist, patients are still utilizing illegal markets without adequate medical supervision, and physicians still report reluctance or barriers to prescription. The clinical use of cannabinoid-based treatments requires specific training, to support the careful assessment of patients; appropriate choice of product and chemovar; precise, personalized initiation and titration process; patient education; and continuous monitoring. Consequently, a well-trained multidisciplinary team is necessary to provide best clinical practice. A leading medical cannabis clinic in North America has created a unique model of care where clinical practice interacts with cannabinoid research development. At the clinic, coordinated patient education across physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and support staff plays a pivotal role to improve patient outcomes. Additionally, the unique, high-quality clinical experience has initiated the development of continuing medical education programs and partnership with recognized academic institutions. In a multidisciplinary environment, the creation of medical cannabis educational material and resources for healthcare practitioners and patients is supported by a peer review from the team of experts. Encouraging clinicians to be more engaged, or even to provide direct medical supervision, raises the awareness about cannabinoid potential risks and benefits and builds interest for further training. A focused medical cannabis practice or clinic allows for accelerated learning and experience, as diversity of patient cases is available at a high volume. Similarly, the unique setting allows for comprehensive data collection and the development of robust clinical research programs.