wk 12 - Cannabis and Pharmacy School

what is cannabis?

all parts of the plant genus Cannabis

what is cannabinoids?

compounds that bind to cannabinoids in body

• THC: delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (psychoactive)

• CBD: cannabidiol (non-psychoactive)

what is a cannabinoid ratio?

ratio of THC:CBD in a product

what is hemp?

Cannabis sativa L. from all parts of plant w/ < 0.3% of THC

what is hemp vs. marijuana?

hemp: all parts of sativa L. plant w/ < 0.3% THC

marijuana: all parts of satvia L. plant w/ >/ 0.3% THC (federally schedule I)

what is cultivation?

growing, cloning, harvesting, drying, curing, grading, trimming cannabis plants for sale

what is a processor?

extracts conc. cannabis and/or compounds, blends, infuses, manufactures conc. cannabis or cannabis products

what is a retailer?

person who sells at retail any cannabis product, sale of which a license is required under provisions of this chapter

What are Rx cannabinoid products?

• dronabinol (Marinol), syn. THC, for N/V, loss of appetite from chemo or HIV/AIDS

• nabilone (Cesamet), syn. THC, for N/V (chemo)

• cannabidiol (epidiolex), plant-derived CBD, for Lennox-Gastaut, Tuberous Sclerosis, Syndrome (seizure)

what are available OTC cannabinoid products?

• CBD (plant-derived) marketed for pain, inflammation, sleep, etc

what are available dispensary cannabinoid products?

• CBD or THC (plant-derived), state specific

what year did the USP add cannabis?

1850

what year did the marijuana tax act start outlawing marijuana?

1937

what year did the USP remove marijuana?

1942

what year was cannabis classified as a sched. 1 drug?

1970

in what year did california become the 1st state to legalize medical cannabis?

1996

what is marijuana considered federally?

• a schedule 1 CS (w/ MDMA [ectasy], heroin, LSD, methaqualone)

• lack of safety use for drug under medical supervision

what is hemp considered federally?

-The 2018 Farm Bill (aka Agriculture Improvement Act): hemp = cannabis sativa L. < 0.3% THC)

-removed hemp from Controlled Substances Act

-FD&C act: regulates cannabis or cannabis-derived compounds

As of 2025, are there any addressing of marijuana legalization or rescheduling?

None

How many states, territories and including the district of Columbia allows medical cannabis use?

39 states

3 territories

District of columbia

43 places total (39 + 3 + 1)

What was the NYS program timeline?

• July 2014: legalized medical cannabis ([CCA] Compassionate Care Act signed)

• July 2015: 5 org.’s received licensure

• Jan. 2016: 1st medical NYS dispensaries open

• mar. 2021: marijuana regulation & taxation act signed

• adult use dispensaries open

Cannabis cannot be given in a Rx. What is the method to “prescribe” cannabis?

Patient will get a certification for cannabis

what is the process for a patient to get medical cannabis?

pt talks to provider → find a certifying provider (a provider that gives the patient a certification for cannabis) → bring certification to purchase medical cannabis

Can you see a pt’s cannabis use in the PMP registry?

Yes via the Medical Cannabis Data Management System (MCDMS) located within the Health Commerce System (HCS)

what is the expiration date of a certification?

1 year

what is the exception to certification expirations?

no expiration for terminally ill patients

what is the expiration policy if a patient gets a new certification?

old certification expires, and new certification and new certification expiration will be issued

what are rules to the dispensary?

What are current legal NYS cannabis regulations?

What are current illegal NYS cannabis regulations?

what is the intern permit’s expiration date?

5 years

how much full time experience does an RPH graduate need as a pharmacy intern?

at least 6 months of full-time experience

how much full time experience does a PharmD graduate need as a pharmacy intern?

no requirement; will have completed it during the PharmD

21 years

30 days and 10%

C. 48 hrs

Manufacturers, Outsourcing Facilities (503b) and Wholesalers

5 yrs