Martha Rosenthal

Previous research has shown medical cannabis (MC) to help reduce anxiety for some individuals, although most studies show trends using cross-sectional designs or conduct secondary analyses of preexisting data. The present study systematically tracked 416 registered MC patients in Florida across 45 days to assess daily shifts in anxiety levels. Using daily recording software, collected data included the frequency of MC use, other substances (e.g., alcohol, anxiolytic medication), other activities (e.g., exercise, meditation), length of previous MC use, and history of anxiety, among other demographic variables. Using linear mixed-effects modeling, results showed that MC use led to the largest anxiety relief across the 45-day period. When participants only used other substances or engaged in activities on certain days, they also saw anxiety reductions, but the major factor in any measurable change in anxiety when comparing different groups to one another was MC use. Age, sex, history of MC use, length of anxiety, and route of MC administration did not significantly contribute to the findings. Sensitivity analyses revealed that novice and experienced MC patients had similar anxiety reductions, although novice patients had slightly better relief outcomes than experienced patients across the 45 days. The anxiolytic effects of MC documented in this study comport with other published work conducting secondary analyses of preexisting data. Although MC can have anxiogenic effects in some individuals, others find it to be an effective way to reduce daily anxiety.

Cannabis has been used therapeutically for millennia; the legal and social stigmas against it have existed for less than 100years. Currently, some form of medical marijuana is available in almost all of the United States. The most common conditions patients report using medical marijuana for are pain, muscle spasms, anxiety, depression, and insomnia. Despite medical cannabis’s apparent safety and efficacy, there are roadblocks in its path to acceptance, since medical cannabis does not conform to many of the standards of traditional Western medicine. Cannabis medicine is not as consistent and replicable as standard pharmaceuticals, and many physicians have not been educated as to its effects and use. However, the use of medical cannabis may itself influence Western medicine, by encouraging healthcare professionals to recognize the complexity inherent in all systems; appreciate the uniqueness of everybody; honor the patient, not the pill; encourage inwardly focused attention; increase the acceptance of whole plant medicine; encourage inquiry into psychedelic drugs; and recognize the importance of critical thinking.

"A divisive topic like drugs requires a balanced textbook. Drugs: Mind, Body, and Society does not push a ! @drugs are good or ! @drugs are bad agenda, offering students a comprehensive overview of neutral, easy-to-read content. Providing the most updated Canadian data and examples from a highly experienced and well-respected Canadian adaptor, Drugs provides students with engaging, in-depth coverage of both the behavioural and biological foundations of drugs in Canada and beyond."--

Medical marijuana (MMJ) is currently legal in 35 US states, with an estimated 3.6 million state-legal medical cannabis patients. Although there are currently over 440,000 MMJ patients in the state of Florida, there are limited data on their demographics, reasons and patterns of use, and successes or failures of treatment. The goal of this study is to examine the demographics, perceptions, and use of medical cannabis among patients in Florida, as well as their perceptions of the quality of information received from physicians and dispensaries. One hundred and fifty-seven MMJ patients completed an online survey regarding their characteristics and use. Patients in Florida shared many characteristics with patients in other states, such as race, use frequency, and administration technique. Patients most commonly used MMJ to treat their symptoms of anxiety, pain, and stress and reported great therapeutic effectiveness. A majority (65%) of patients also reported either a reduction or total discontinuation of at least one prescription or over-the-counter drug. The findings highlight the need to further investigate the use of MMJ as a viable treatment for pain and anxiety and to improve access of quality cannabis information to patients, physicians, and dispensary employees.

Little is known about the clinical training or practice experiences among physicians who certify patients for medical marijuana. The objective of this study was to determine information sources, factors influencing recommendations, clinical practices in patient assessment, communications, and recommendations, and priority areas for additional training among physicians who certify patients for medical marijuana. A cross-sectional state-wide anonymous survey of registered medical marijuana physicians in Florida between June and October 2020 was administered. Numerical responses were quantified using counts and percentages. The frequencies for "often" and "always" responses were aggregated when appropriate. Among 116 respondents, the mean (standard deviation) age was 57 (12) years old, and 70% were male. The most frequently used information sources were research articles (n = 102, 95%), followed by online sources (n = 99, 93%), and discussions with other providers and dispensary staff (n = 84, 90%). Safety concerns were most influential in patient recommendations (n = 39, 39%), followed by specific conditions (n = 30, 30%) and patient preferences (n = 26, 30%). Ninety-three physicians (92%) reported they "often" or "always" perform a patient physical exam. Eighty-four (77%) physicians provided specific administration route recommendations. Half (n = 56) "often" or "always" provided specific recommendations for Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol: cannabidiol ratios, while 69 (62%) "often" or "always" provided specific dose recommendations. Online learning/training modules were the most preferred future training mode, with 88 (84%) physicians "likely" or "very likely" to participate. The top 3 desired topics for future training were marijuana-drug interactions (n = 84, 72%), management of specific medical conditions or symptoms (n = 83, 72%), and strategies to reduce opioids or other drugs use (n = 78, 67%). This survey of over 100 medical marijuana physicians indicates that their clinical practices rely on a blend of research and anecdotal information sources. While physicians report clinical factors as influential during patient recommendation, patient assessment practices and treatment regimen recommendations vary substantially and rely on experimental approaches. More research is needed to inform evidence-based practice and training, especially considering details on drug interactions, risk-benefit of treatment for specific clinical conditions, and strategies to reduce opioid use.

This paper explores the potential of collaborative interdisciplinary teaching as a mechanism for advancing feminist pedagogies. The authors, individually and collectively, engage in feminist academic work (e.g., scholarship and teaching) that challenges traditional academic expectations in our disciplines and at our institution. We do this in spite of our understanding that power relations within the academy and in traditional academic disciplines tend to marginalize methodologies that promote emancipatory and progressive ideas (see Katuna). Furthermore, we embrace academic feminism, particularly in the classroom, as having interdisciplinary potential in its ability to draw from multiple fields of thought simultaneously to help students develop critical approaches that ultimately contribute to equity and equality, within and beyond the academy.

The article discusses the promises and hindrances of interdisciplinary feminist pedagogies and collaborative teaching through an integrative case study, as considered and implemented in a team-taught Gender Perspectives course delivered by the authors in 2009 and 2012. Topics mentioned include the theoretical supports and structure of the course, as well as the lessons learned, changes made, and their influence on the classroom environment..

There are many contraceptive choices available to people today. Learning about them can be dry, but the game “Name that Contraceptive!” can be a fun and interactive way to review, remember, and retain the details about contraceptive options. Name that Contraceptive is a card game in which students “bid” on the number of clues it will take them to correctly identify a method of contraception. Easy to prepare and to use, this game is appropriate for school-based or community-based sexuality students from high school to adulthood. It can be played with large or small classes. Using Name that Contraceptive will facilitate learning by helping students review the information, encouraging them to compare and contrast different categories of contraceptive methods, getting students actively engaged in the process, and by adding variety to the classroom experience.