Cannabis Perspectives

As discussions about the federal scheduling of cannabis continue, efforts by medical cannabis advocates are intensifying. One such advocate is Americans for Safe Access (ASA), a nonprofit organization founded by patients for patients. Since 2002, ASA has been championing the rights of medical cannabis patients and has recently launched new campaigns and strategies to refocus attention on patient needs. In this interview, Steph Sherer, founder and president of ASA, reflects on past successes in medical cannabis advocacy, shares her perspective on recent cannabis and hemp policymaking, and outlines the next steps for advancing a unified medical cannabis message on Capitol Hill—a message that could bring about the changes patients have long awaited.

In light of recent headlines concerning cannabis laboratories throughout the country, Cannabis Science and Technology reached out to Douglas Duncan, Laboratory Director of Kairos Labs in Detroit, MI and member of our Editorial Advisory Board for more information. In this interview, Duncan shares his perspectives on lab shopping, major challenges in the industry today, and innovations in cannabis testing laboratories for the future. He also shares insights into consumer practices and the potential effects of a federal rescheduling of cannabis.

In the ongoing dialogue surrounding cannabis, the testimonials of medical cannabis patients stand as crucial reminders of its impacts and benefits in the industry. For a deep dive into this topic, Cannabis Science and Technology sat down with Nikki Lawley, founder of Nikki and the Plant, LLC, for her take on the challenges patients face today in the midst of discussions of industry developments such as the rescheduling of cannabis. A traumatic brain injury survivor, Lawley now actively supports medical cannabis access and engages diverse audiences through her journey as a pediatric nurse-turned-patient-and-advocate. Here, she explains the importance of educating people about cannabis, the need for patient perspective in cannabis policy decisions, and the benefits of empathetic approaches to medical cannabis use.

The continued expansion of the cannabis industry, particularly in the new recreational market in Rhode Island, is simultaneously increasing the opportunities for professions as well. One advantage here is education; formal training from experts provides an edge for those looking to lead and innovate in their field. In response to this need, the University of Rhode Island (URI) offers an Undergraduate Certificate in Cannabis Studies, a minor in cannabis studies, an upcoming Graduate Certificate in Cannabis Sciences, and more in order to evolve the way students learn and are prepared for the wide-ranging opportunities in the cannabis industry. In this interview, Program Director Stephanie Forschner-Dancause, PhD, shares insights into the curriculum of URI’s cannabis courses as they prepare students to ensure the industry's future is credible and grounded in evidence-based practices.

To date, many US states permit cannabis use in some form. As cannabis continues to become more prevalent in the country, cannabis courses in higher education institutions are also becoming more common—and necessary in order to meet the need for educated professionals in this expanding industry. One notable institution offering cannabis education courses in a state with relatively new cannabis laws is Saint Louis University (SLU) in Missouri. SLU offers a Certificate in Cannabis Science and Operations, earned through online courses on various topics in the cannabis industry, from cultivation and manufacturing to dispensary ownership and pharmacological properties. In this interview, Stacy Godlewski, director of Saint Louis University’s Cannabis Science and Operations program, shares insights into how the program prepares its students for successful careers in various areas of cannabis business.