CPE
Merrill Norton, PharmD, DPh, ICCDP-D
Today’s pharmacists face both a clinical and ethical dilemma surrounding the medical use of a DEA Schedule I drug: marijuana, or specifically, one of its components, cannabidiol (CBD). Evidence-based drug information on OTC products and prescription medications with product safety guidelines have been the cornerstones of pharmacy practice. With medical marijuana use becoming commonplace in many states, pharmacists are often requested to provide patients with appropriate drug information. This has been challenging because there is limited medical-based information or documentation on cannabis. Since CBD’s introduction to the public marketplace, a plethora of misinformation has arisen based on opinion and conjecture. As of 2020, there are three CBD categories (industrial hemp-derived, marijuana-derived, and pharmaceutical-derived) that are becoming robust markets.
States that have legalized the use of medical cannabinoids have done so for “qualifying medical uses” (Table 1). Most of these legal changes have occurred since 2013 and have created a medical dilemma for health professionals. Depending on the state, the use of combination drugs that contain both tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and CBD may be permitted for these specific medical conditions, whereas other states may only allow CBD-containing products. As of 2019, 33 states have approved medical marijuana state programs. An additional 13 states have allowed the use of “low THC, high CBD” for qualifying medical reasons. Figure 1 depicts the current legalized medical use of cannabis or cannabinoids, such as CBD, for each state.
Some patient populations are demanding the use of medical marijuana for various chronic disease states, but there is a lack of medical knowledge on how to provide and improve health care with cannabinoids in these varying populations. With this direction of the expanding medical marijuana and CBD markets, pharmacists need to know the most current, evidence-based information. This will allow them to effectively counsel their patients on the appropriate uses, benefits, and risks of CBD products and medical marijuana.
CPE assessment
This assessment must be taken online; please see “CPE information” in the sidebar on the previous page for further instructions. The online system will present these questions in random order to help reinforce the learning opportunity. There is only one correct answer to each question.
CPE information
To obtain the 2.0 contact hours (0.2 CEUs) of CPE credit for this activity, you must complete the online assessment with a passing grade of 70% or better, complete the evaluation, and CLAIM CREDIT at http://apha.us/CPE. You will have two opportunities to successfully complete the assessment, and the questions will be in randomized order. The current policy of the APhA Education Department is not to release the correct answers to any of our CPE tests.
This policy is intended to maintain the integrity of the CPE activity. Learners who successfully complete this activity by the expiration date can receive CPE credit. Please visit CPE Monitor for your statement of credit/transcript.
To claim credit
1. Go to http://apha.us/CPE.
2. Log in to your APhA account, or register as a new user.
3. Select “Enroll Now” or “Add to Cart” (click “View Cart” and “Check Out”).
4. Complete the assessment and evaluation.
5. Click “Claim Credit.” You will need to provide your NABP e-profile ID number to obtain and print your statement of credit.
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