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History of Plant-Based Medicine and Medical Acceptance
  • Medicinal Cannabis

History of Plant-Based Medicine and Medical Acceptance

This course offers a deep dive into the historical and scientific evolution of cannabis, focusing on its use as a medicinal plant. Participants will explore the role of cannabis in ancient cultures, its criminalization in modern history, and the resurgence of interest in its medical applications. Through expert-led discussions, the course covers key developments in cannabinoid science, legal milestones, and safety considerations for medical cannabis use. Ideal for healthcare professionals seeking an understanding of cannabis in medicine, this course provides both historical context and current regulatory insights.

$195

FLEXIBLE TIMING

100% ONLINE

accredited COURSE

EXPERT INSTRUCTOR

The History of Cannabis and Medical Acceptance course provides a thorough exploration of cannabis from ancient times to its present-day role in medicine. It is designed to offer healthcare professionals a foundational understanding of cannabis' historical, scientific, and legal journey.

Unit 1: History of Cannabis
The unit begins by outlining the ancient origins of cannabis, its early use as a medicinal plant, and its cultivation across different cultures, including ancient China, India, and Egypt. Archaeological evidence, such as the Chester Beatty papyrus and the Yanghai Tombs, highlights early medicinal applications, while historical texts from figures like Herodotus and Dioscorides showcase cannabis’ integration into medicine. Moving forward, the course covers cannabis’ criminalisation, spurred by events like the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937 and subsequent global prohibition.

Participants will also learn about the modern revival of cannabis for medical use, led by scientific breakthroughs in cannabinoid research. The role of pioneers like Raphael Mechoulam, who discovered THC and CBD, is discussed, along with the development of synthetic cannabinoids and the discovery of the endocannabinoid system. The unit concludes by examining recent shifts in cannabis legislation, such as its rescheduling by the World Health Organisation and legal acceptance in countries like Australia, Canada, and the US.

This course combines historical insight with modern science, providing a comprehensive view of cannabis’ evolving place in medicine, along with key safety considerations and current regulations around its medical use.

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CPD Hours:

  • Education hours:  4.0
  • Reviewing performance hours: 5.0
  • Measuring outcome hours:  0.0
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Accreditations:

Royal Australian College of General Practice (RACGP) #411963

Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) #30965

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Study Mode:

100% online

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Study duration:

9.0 hrs self-paced

A/Prof Jonathan Arnold

This course is presented by A/Prof Jonathan Arnold.

He is a world leader in the science of cannabis and the cannabinoids. He is Deputy Academic Director of the Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics at the University of Sydney, Australia. This is a cross faculty research initiative that specialises in the discovery and development of cannabis-based medicines. In 2018 he was one of four scientists selected to advise the World Health Organisation (WHO) on their historical review of cannabis and the cannabinoids. A/Prof Arnold has over 20 years’ experience in cannabinoid pharmacology and has published extensively on the molecular, cellular, neurobiological and behavioural actions of the phytocannabinoids, cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

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