Pain management is the most commonly reported reason for seeking medical cannabis, which is associated with lower opioid use, fewer medication side effects and better quality of life in patients with chronic pain. In a nation undergoing an opioid epidemic and beginning to understand more about the impacts of chronic pain, cannabis is becoming more and more of an appealing option for patients and doctors alike. Unfortunately, our government has ignored the evidence.

This session will feature Dr. Crowley who recently led a study examining the efficacy of standardized, cannabis-based formulations to manage chronic non-cancer pain, exploring the findings, which indicate that cannabis is a safe and effective pain management tool. Dr. Crowley will also discuss opiate use and the reduction of opioid medication while using cannabis for pain management.

Learning Objectives:

• Review the current status of the opiate crisis in the United States
• Explore the results of a recent study examining cannabis as a treatment for noncancer pain
• Identify approaches to use and standardized formulas to deliver cannabis in a reliable way
• Discuss the implications of adding cannabis to a pain management strategy