Medical Cannabis Programs

Pharmacists play an important role in supporting patients in making informed choices about their care. Pharmacists can have a role in counselling patients related to cannabis use, including drug interactions, management of side effects, potential addictive behaviours and contraindications.

The BCPhA Medical Cannabis Programs are designed to give pharmacists the necessary knowledge and skills required to respond to inquiries by clients, patients and other healthcare providers on cannabis legal status, usage, proper assessment, monitoring and care plan development.

The Medical Cannabis Core Education Program (MCCEP) is designed to give an introduction to cannabis and cannabinoids in Canada. It will take healthcare professionals on the journey from legislation to using cannabis in care of patients. This program is comprised of six evidence-based modules that provide the necessary knowledge and skills required to respond to inquiries by clients, patients, and other healthcare providers on cannabis legal status, usage, proper assessment, monitoring, and care plan development.

After successful completion of this program, learners will be able to:

• Understand the Federal and provincial legislation, regulations, policies, and guidelines related to cannabis.
• State and briefly summarize the four ethical principles of beneficence, non-maleficence, respect for persons, and accountability/fidelity as it applies to patient care.
• Become familiar with knowledge sources to access reliable data.
• Describe the main components of the cannabis plant, the major difference between cannabis constituents, the evidence about the endocannabinoid system, and cannabinoid interactions with different organs.
• Explain cannabinoid pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, safety, side effects, precautions, contraindications, and potential drug-drug interactions.
• Explain the clinical relevance of different administration routes and describe available dosage forms and their relevant clinical differences.
• Apply clinical knowledge and effective communication and collaboration with the patient circle of care for evidence-based patient assessment, care plan development, monitoring and follow-up.

This program is CCCEP accredited for 10.0 CEUs (1525-2021-3256-I-P; expires August 23, 2022).

The Medical Cannabis Advanced Program (MCAP) is designed to explore the inter-relationship between cannabinoids and opioids and potential clinical implications on opioid crisis management. It provides you with knowledge about the potential benefits of cannabinoid acids and the relationship between hemp seed oil and Essential Fatty Acids to the cannabinoids. You will also, learn about other plants that produce phytocannabinoids.

After successful completion of this program, learners will be able to:

• Discuss the current opioid crisis and recent clinical practice guidelines in Canada
• Explain the potential cannabis and opioid inter-relationship
• Explain the opioid reduction strategies through using cannabis for non-cancer pain patients
• Discuss the current evidence on the potential benefits of cannabinoid acids
• Discuss other plants that produce phytocannabinoids and explain hemp oil and essential fatty acids' relationship to medical cannabis

This program is CCCEP accredited for 2.0 CEUs (1525-2021-3255-I-P; expires xxx xx, 2022).