Marijuana: Fact or Fiction. Art, Pain, and Cannabinoids

WHAT:  “Marijuana: Fact or Fiction. Art, Pain, and Cannabinoids,” Sponsored by the Washington Academy of General Dentistry

WHERE:  Washington AGD Educational Center, Heyamoto Conference Room, 19415 International Blvd, #410, SeaTac, WA 98188

WHEN:  Saturday, January 21, 2017, 8:00am – 5:00pm

Course Outline:
Cannabis, marijuana, is legal in the states of Washington, Oregon, and Colorado for both medical and recreational use. Is it as benign as proponents say? No. Are the warnings of “Reefer Madness” true? No. On January 21st, 2017 at the Washington AGD Educational Center we will talk about what is true about the benefits of medical marijuana. We will also talk about the harm it can do, especially to young people. This discussion is based on current science.

Few dentists or other healthcare practitioners understand what cannabis does, positive or negative. The cannabinoid system in the human body is enormously important in controlling such diverse mechanisms as pain, mood, and inflammation. Hacking this system with cannabis drugs can be beneficial and it can be dangerous. Learn how it works and what we actually know. In the morning David Carsten, DDS, MAGD, Dentist Anesthesiologist will explain the essentials of the pharmacology and physiology of cannabis. He will talk about the relevance to treatment both from a dentist’s perspective and an anesthesiologist’s perspective. Blaine Chatterton is a chronic pain patient and marijuana consultant. He will talk about his real life experience and his experience as a consultant for people seeking relief. In the afternoon, Bill Griesar, PhD, Neuroscience WSU Vancouver and Psychology, Portland State University will lead an exploration of the science of cannabinoids. Included is Jeff Leake, MFA, who will speak regarding the effect of these drugs on artists developing works of art. Ram Kandasamy, PhD, Neuroscience, WSU Vancouver will discuss his latest research on cannabinoids. Cole Dawson, undergraduate, WSU Vancouver, will be leading an examination of brain specimens. At the end of the day there will be a panel discussion to answer your questions. The most critical information that we all should know as doctors, patients, and parents will be available to you.

Learning Objectives:
Learners will hear about the history, pharmacology, and physiology of cannabis
Participants will examine the various uses and abuses, the benefits and dangers of cannabis.
Participants will learn about practical implications of cannabis use.
Participants will hear about examples of medical marijuana use today.
Participants will hear about the real life experience of a chronic pain patient.
Participants will learn of the complexity and variability of drug content.
Participants will have a clear grasp of where cannabis acts in the brain and how this might relate to various therapeutic effects, including pain reduction.
Participants will gain an understanding of the long history of cultivation, artistic use, and medical use of marijuana.
Participants will be able to examine brain specimens to gain a hands-on appreciation of how this family of drugs work.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:  “Marijuana: Fact or Fiction. Art, Pain, and Cannabinoids”

SYLLABUS: Art, Pain & Cannabinoids in Seattle 2017

SLIDES: Bill Griesar, Ph.D., NW Noggin

SLIDES:  Bill Griesar, Ph.D., NW Noggin UPDATE

SLIDES: Ram Kandasamy, Neuroscience, WSU Vancouver

SLIDES: Jeff Leake, MFA, NW Noggin