According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, cannabis use rates increased in 2020, with almost 50 million individuals 12 or older reporting use of cannabis in the past year. This increase is reflected in the state-specific data for HHS Region 8 in five of the six states (Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Utah). With this data in mind, the Mountain Plains ATTC is sponsoring a ten-part webinar series that will address and review the latest science for cannabis including: prevention and treatment issues; public policy; medical marijuana; and special populations and cannabis (adolescents, women and maternal health, older adults, and individuals with Serious Mental Illness). The webinar on March 30th will offer access to a national expert on cannabis and the opportunity to get specific questions answered live. Finally, a special session targeting professionals providing SUD treatment services will be offered on April 8th focusing on treatment planning and case management for clients with medical marijuana prescriptions.

Dates, Times, and Topics

• All webinars are from 10 AM - 11:30 AM Mountain Time or 11 AM - 12:30 PM Central Time.
• December 1, 2021 – Cannabis Legalization: What Does it Mean for Public Health & Social Equity
• December 15, 2021 – The Neurobiology of Addiction and Prevention
• January 12, 2022 – Cannabis Misuse & Cannabis Use Disorder
• January 26, 2022 – Cannabis and Medical Marijuana Issues Panel
• February 9, 2022 – Cannabis and Physical and Mental Health-What do we (think we) know?
• February 23, 2022 – The Green Adolescent Brain
• March 9, 2022 – Older Adults
• March 23, 2022 – Perinatal Cannabis Use
• March 30, 2022 – Wrap-Up with Live Q&A 
• April 8, 2022 – Treatment Planning and Case Management

Cannabis Legalization: What Does it Mean for Public Health & Social Equity

December 1, 2021 | 10 AM - 11:30 AM Mountain/11 AM - 12:30 PM Central

Presented by Beau Kilmer, PhD, McCauley Chair in Drug Policy Innovation, Director of the Drug Policy Research Center at RAND

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The Neurobiology of Addiction and Prevention

December 15, 2021 | 10 AM - 11:30 AM Mountain/11 AM - 12:30 PM Central

Presented by Ruben Baler, PhD, Health Scientist Administrator, National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

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Cannabis Misuse & Cannabis Use Disorder

January 12, 2022 | 10 AM - 11:30 AM Mountain/11 AM - 12:30 PM Central

Presented by Alan Budney, PhD, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Center for Technology and Behavioral Health

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Cannabis and Medical Marijuana Issues Panel

January 26, 2022 | 10 AM - 11:30 AM Mountain/11 AM - 12:30 PM Central

Presented by Moderator Charles Smith, PhD, SAMHSA Regional Administrator, Region 8 and panelists:

• Alan Budney, PhD, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Center for Technology and Behavioral Health
• Aaron Norton, PhD, LMHC, LMFT, MCAP, CRC, CFMHE, Clinical Mental Health Counselor, Integrity Counseling, Inc.
• Roneet Lev, MD, FACEP, Emergency and Addiction Physician
   
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Cannabis and Physical and Mental Health-What do we (think we) know?

February 9, 2022 | 10 AM - 11:30 AM Mountain/11 AM - 12:30 PM Central

Presented by Andrew McLean, MD, MPH, Clinical Professor and Chair, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences

Objectives: After the presentation, the participant

• Will have an understanding of the scientific evidence of risks and benefits of cannabis use in humans (with a focus on psychiatric issues)
• Will have a general knowledge of the body’s endocannabinoid system
• Will be able to explain THC potency and its effects on the brain
   
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The Green Adolescent Brain 

February 23, 2022 | 10 AM - 11:30 AM Mountain/11 AM - 12:30 PM Central

Presented by Christian Thurstone, MD, Behavioral Health – Adolescent Outpatient, Denver Health

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Marijuana/Cannabis Use Among Older Adults: Findings from Epidemiologic Data

March 9, 2022 | 10 AM - 11:30 AM Mountain/11 AM - 12:30 PM Central

Presented by Namkee Choi, PhD, Louis and Ann Wolens Centennial Chair in Gerontology, University of Texas at Austin

Learning Objectives: After attending this webinar, attendees will be able to better understand marijuana/cannabis use among older adults with respect to:

• Recreational and medical marijuana use and use frequency
• Cannabis use disorder rates; other substance use & use disorders
• Stressors, social support, mental disorders & suicidal thoughts
• Risks for DUI, ED visits, & healthcare service use
• Poison control center calls related to marijuana
• Marijuana treatment admissions
   
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Perinatal Cannabis Use: Understanding the Concerns

March 23, 2022 | 10 AM - 11:30 AM Mountain/11 AM - 12:30 PM Central

Presented by Maridee Shogren, DNP, CNM, CLC, Clinical Professor, University of North Dakota

Learning Objectives:

• Identify three maternal/fetal physiological concerns associated with cannabis use during the perinatal period
• Recognize two of the most common reasons why pregnant and postpartum people use cannabis during the perinatal period
• Discuss the current recommendations regarding cannabis use during pregnancy and lactation
• Consider the potential impact of cannabis legalization on the pregnant and postpartum people
   
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Wrap-Up with Live Q&A

March 30, 2022 | 10 AM - 11:30 AM Mountain/11 AM - 12:30 PM Central

Presented by Roneet Lev, MD, FACEP, Emergency and Addiction Physician

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The Clinician’s Guide to Addressing Medical Cannabis in Substance Use Treatment Settings

April 8, 2022 | 10 AM - 11:30 AM Mountain/11 AM - 12:30 PM Central

Presented by Aaron Norton, PhD, LMHC, LMFT, MAC, Clinical Mental Health Counselor, Integrity Counseling, Inc.
 

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Resources

SAMHSA - Know the Risks of Marijuana