Cannabis Grand Rounds Cannabis Grand Rounds

Dr. Chad Johnson is joining us for another episode of Cannabis Grand Rounds today. In this episode, we talk a little bit more about some of the oral preps and get into the transmembrane and transdermal challenges that cannabinoids can present to prescribers.

Dr. Johnson received his Ph.D. from the University of Maryland, Baltimore, focusing on medicinal chemistry and pharmacology. He is a faculty member in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Co-Director of the Master of Science in Medical Cannabis Science and Therapeutics (MCST) program at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy--involved in all basic science courses within the program. His research focuses on designing novel, fast-acting antidepressants and opioid analgesics with reduced reinforcement.

Dr. Chad Johnson received his Ph.D. from the University of Maryland, Baltimore, focusing on medicinal chemistry and pharmacology. He is a faculty member in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Co-Director of the Master of Science in Medical Cannabis Science and Therapeutics (MCST) program at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy--involved in all basic science courses within the program. His research focuses on designing novel, fast-acting antidepressants and opioid analgesics with reduced reinforcement.

He's with us today to discuss the challenges of cannabis formulation that impact the use of medicinal cannabinoids. Traditional Western medicine prefers the oral root of administration. And oral preps, unfortunately, present significant challenges, when it comes to the cannabinoids because of their chemical structures and the fact that they, at least in the oral preps, are in an aqueous environment.

Today Dr. Johnson is going to help us understand those challenges, and review the pharmacokinetics and a few of the pharmacodynamics of the various cannabinoid formulations.

Human agriculture started about 10,000 years ago and hemp was most likely one of the first cultivated crops. It is an extremely versatile crop with multiple uses back then and even more uses today.

American farmers including our founding father George Washington grew hemp as a staple crop in the 1700s. But it only became legal in 2018 with the passing of that year's Farm Bill.

So why did it take so long for the US to harness the power of hemp?  In this encore episode from August 2022, we dive into the history of hemp and CBD.

You've probably heard about the dangers of K2, Spice, and other strains of synthetic cannabis. As well as the horror stories of zombie-like states and fatalities.

But you might be surprised to hear about its noble beginnings. That's according to Dr. Andrew Coop.

Dr. Coop received his Ph.D. from the University of Bristol in the area of chemistry of drugs of abuse, followed by a Fogerty post-doctoral fellowship at the National Institutes of Health. He has been a faculty member in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Maryland since 1999, serving as chair of the department from 2007-2015. His NIH-funded research area focuses on the design and synthesis of new opioid analgesics with reduced tolerance, and the development of novel antidepressants.

He joins Dr. Hal Altman MD, MS in this encore episode from May 2022 to talk about his passion for this field, the early days of synthetic cannabis, and the higher efficacy and potency of these strains.


Be sure to also check out the other episodes in our series with Dr. Andrew Coop!

The endocannaba-what?! Many of us have heard of the numerous systems in our bodies that help us live our day-to-day lives.

But fewer have heard of the more recently discovered endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is critical for almost every aspect of our moment-to-moment functioning.

This episode from February 2022 will cover what the endocannabinoid system is, how it helps us, and where it fits in the world of cannabis.

Dustin Sulak, D.O. is a renowned integrative medicine physician based in Maine, whose practice balances the principles of osteopathy, mind-body medicine, and medical cannabis.

Regarded as an expert on medical cannabis nationally, Dr. Sulak educates medical providers and patients on its clinical use, while continuing to explore the therapeutic potential of this ancient yet emerging medicine.

He also runs the cannabis brand Healer, which offers a line of CBD & THC products and free dosage programs. He also wrote an essential handbook to have on any doctor's shelf, Handbook of Cannabis for Clinicians: Principles and Practice.

Dr. Sulak joins Dr. Leigh Vincour MD, MS, in this encore episode from June 2022 to talk about how he got into this field, cannabis activism, and fighting stigmas surrounding the substance.


Be sure to also check out the other episodes in our series with Dr. Dustin Sulak!