Honolulu's healthcare professionals are getting a fresh opportunity to boost their knowledge on a topic that's increasingly relevant for their patients: medical cannabis. Taking note of the spiral of interest in and availability of medical cannabis, the Hawaiʻi Department of Health is stepping up with free educational offerings. Licensed healthcare providers in the state are being given access to no-charge accredited Continuing Medical Education (CME) and Continuing Education (CE) courses regarding medical cannabis and cannabidiol (CBD), as reported by the Hawaiʻi Department of Health.
The CME and CE courses aim to educate healthcare providers about the endocannabinoid system and clinical uses of medical cannabis. According to the Hawaiʻi Department of Health, the curriculum includes research on cannabis-based treatments for conditions such as chronic pain and chemotherapy-induced nausea. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved cannabinoid-based medications, including Epidiolex, Marinol, and Cesamet, for certain medical conditions. Currently, 40 states permit medical cannabis use, despite its continued classification as a Schedule I substance under federal law.
This educational push is expected to particularly benefit healthcare providers in Hawaiʻi since, "With more than 120,000 patients having enrolled in Hawaiʻi’s medical cannabis program since its inception and about 30,000 patients currently registered, healthcare providers will likely encounter patients using cannabis for medical purposes," according to Dr. Kenneth Fink, DOH director, as mentioned in Hawaii, Department of Health press release. This preparation will assist in recognizing potential side effects and interactions with other drugs, improving patient safety over time.
The Hawaiʻi Department of Health emphasizes that while medical cannabis may benefit many patients, it can present risks for individuals who are immunocompromised, pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a history of mental health conditions. Although adverse effects are uncommon, they may include cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome and, in rare cases, acute psychosis. The department advises healthcare providers to monitor patients carefully and evaluate cannabis use as they would with any other therapy.
The Hawaiʻi Department of Health is offering a Medical Cannabis Course Bundle at no cost to the first 200 registered healthcare providers. The bundle includes a three-credit CME/CE course on medical cannabis, a two-credit CME/CE course on cannabidiol (CBD), and a module on Hawaiʻi-specific medical cannabis regulations. Interested providers can visit the Office of Medical Cannabis and Control (OMCCR) website for registration details.
