History of Medical Cannabis

Ends tomorrow! Save on skills that make you shine with 40% off 3 months of Coursera Plus. Save now

History of Medical Cannabis

This course is part of Medical Cannabis: The Health Effects of THC and CBD Specialization

Instructor: Kent Hutchison

17,544 already enrolled

Included with

Learn more

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

347 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule

2 weeks at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

98%

Most learners liked this course

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

347 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule

2 weeks at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

98%

Most learners liked this course

What you'll learn

Learn about the basic pharmacology of cannabis and how cannabinoids effect the body.
Learn about the history of cannabis cultivation and legality.
Learn about the barriers and approaches to cannabis research.
Learn about the epidemiological data on cannabis use in terms of cognition, education, and behavior.

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

3 assignments¹

AI Graded see disclaimer

Taught in English

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Learn more about Coursera for Business

logos of Petrobras, TATA, Danone, Capgemini, P&G and L'Oreal

Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is part of the Medical Cannabis: The Health Effects of THC and CBD Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

Learn new concepts from industry experts
Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 4 modules in this course

This History of Medical Cannabis course is designed to have you think critically about past, present, and future research on the health effects of cannabis by developing a more nuanced understanding of the barriers to research as well as different approaches to research. You will learn about the history of cannabis cultivation, the legal history of cannabis or "marijuana", and the obstacles that led to the lack of science on its medicinal use. You will also learn how to critically evaluate research on the effects of cannabis and discuss the associated risks of using cannabis in the context of public health and epidemiological research. Finally, you will learn about how to administer cannabis products in ways that minimize risk and maximize any potential benefits. Obtaining this knowledge will be helpful in terms of informing public policy, public health, and personal decisions regarding the use of cannabis products.

In this module, we will discuss the biological characteristics of cannabis and the effect cannabinoids have on the body. Will will cover the basic pharmacology of THC and CBD and the action these cannabinoids have in the brain. Lastly, we will evaluate the evidence for what is called the entourage effect.

What's included

9 videos11 readings

9 videosTotal 127 minutes

Introduction to Module7 minutes
Lecture - Introduction to Professor and Course6 minutes
Lecture - Why is this topic (and course) important?20 minutes
Lecture - What is Cannabis?19 minutes
Interview with Nolan Kane12 minutes
Lecture - Physiological Effects of Cannabinoids in the Body17 minutes
Lecture - More on Cannabinoids in the Brain19 minutes
Lecture - Deep Dive on Cannabinoid Pharmacology11 minutes
Interview with Meg Haney15 minutes

11 readingsTotal 141 minutes

Course Updates and Accessibility Support1 minute
Lecture PDF - Introduction to Professor and Course10 minutes
NAS Report (Including link to required materials)30 minutes
Lecture PDF: Why is this topic important?10 minutes
Lecture PDF - What is cannabis?10 minutes
Lecture PDF - What does cannabis do in the body?10 minutes
Lecture PDF: More on Cannabinoids in the Brain10 minutes
NAS Report30 minutes
Lecture PDF -Deep Dive on Cannabinoid Pharmacology10 minutes
Taming THC – Entourage Effect (Russo, 2011)10 minutes
The Case for the Entourage Effect (Russo, 2019)10 minutes

In this module, we will discuss the history of cannabis as an alternative medicine and the legal history of cannabis in both the US and abroad. We will discuss the variety of different product types post-legalization, how products are made, and implications for safety. We will also discuss the cannabis industry and how it compares to other mature industries like the pharmaceutical and alcohol industries.

What's included

7 videos11 readings1 assignment

7 videosTotal 97 minutes

Introduction to Module4 minutes
Lecture - Cannabis History11 minutes
Lecture - Legal History16 minutes
Lecture - Legalization in States and Countries7 minutes
Lecture - History of Products and Formulations20 minutes
Lecture - Business Models - Are Marijuana Companies Rolling in Cash?20 minutes
Interview with Mark January20 minutes

11 readingsTotal 110 minutes

Lecture PDF - Cannabis History10 minutes
NAS Report - History of cannabis & its pharmacology10 minutes
History of Cannabis and Its Preparations in Saga, Science, and Sobriquet (Russo, 2007)10 minutes
The Pharmacological History of Cannabis (Russo, 2014)10 minutes
Lecture PDF - Legal History10 minutes
NAS Report - Cannabis policy10 minutes
Lecture PDF - Legalization in States and Countries10 minutes
Lecture PDF - History of Products and Formulations10 minutes
Lecture PDF - Business Models10 minutes
Jeffrey Vinik thinks cannabis stocks are a bad idea: ‘Nobody’s going to make money’10 minutes
Marijuana is getting cheaper. For some states, that's a problem.10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Quiz #130 minutes

In this module, we will discuss the legal barriers to institutional research in the US and how this has impacted conducting much-needed cannabis research. You will learn the difference between high quality, rigorous research design compared to biased sources of information. Lastly, you will learn how the placebo effect works and evaluate how much of a role it plays with regards to the medical benefits of cannabis.

What's included

6 videos8 readings1 assignment1 peer review

6 videosTotal 81 minutes

Introduction to Module4 minutes
Lecture - Barriers to Research18 minutes
Lecture - End Result of Barriers to Research18 minutes
Lecture - How to Evaluate Evidence17 minutes
Lecture - Internal and External Validity13 minutes
Lecture - Placebo Effect12 minutes

8 readingsTotal 80 minutes

Lecture PDF - Barriers to Research10 minutes
NAS Report - Barriers to cannabis research10 minutes
Lecture PDF - End Result of Barriers to Research10 minutes
NAS Report - Research gap10 minutes
Lecture PDF - How to Evaluate Evidence10 minutes
Watch these Videos10 minutes
Lecture PDF - Internal and External Validity10 minutes
Lecture PDF - Placebo Effect10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 10 minutes

Quiz #210 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 60 minutes

Infographic Assignment #160 minutes

In this module, we will review the animal and human literature with regards to the effects of cannabis in the brain. We will discuss the epidemiology of cannabis use and review public health data. Lastly, we will discuss the best practices for using it medically, such as to minimize the risks and harms while maximizing the benefits.

What's included

8 videos11 readings1 assignment1 discussion prompt

8 videosTotal 99 minutes

Introduction to Module3 minutes
Lecture - Cannabis and Brain Morphology10 minutes
Lecture - Cannabis and the Brain Part II10 minutes
Lecture - Impact of Legalization on Epidemiology16 minutes
Interview with Kevin Gray20 minutes
Lecture - Changes in Potency11 minutes
Lecture - Public Health Data13 minutes
Lecture - General Guidelines to Reduce Harm and Maximize Benefits16 minutes

11 readingsTotal 110 minutes

Lecture PDF - Cannabis and Brain Morphology10 minutes
NAS Report10 minutes
Dr. Carl Hart Debates Bill O'Reilly (Video)10 minutes
Lecture PDF - Cannabis and the Brain Part 210 minutes
Lecture PDF - Impact of Legalization10 minutes
Lecture PDF - Changes in Potency10 minutes
Lecture PDF - Public Health Data10 minutes
Practical considerations in medical cannabis administration and dosing10 minutes
Lecture PDF - General Guidelines10 minutes
An observational postmarketing safety registry of patients in the UK, Germany, and Switzerland who have been prescribed Sativex® (THC:CBD, nabiximols) oromucosal spray10 minutes
THC:CBD in Daily Practice: Available Data from UK, Germany and Spain10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 10 minutes

Quiz #310 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 60 minutes

Exercise #160 minutes

Earn a career certificate

Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.

Instructor

Instructor ratings

(124 ratings)

Kent Hutchison

University of Colorado Boulder

4 Courses29,547 learners

Offered by

University of Colorado Boulder

Explore more from Public Health

Technion - Israel Institute of Technology
Medical Cannabis for Pain Control
Course
University of Colorado Boulder
Medical Cannabis: The Health Effects of THC and CBD
Specialization
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Introduction to Cannabis
Course
University of Colorado Boulder
Cannabis, Chronic Pain, and Related Disorders
Course

Why people choose Coursera for their career

Felipe M.

Learner since 2018

"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."

Jennifer J.

Learner since 2020

"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."

Larry W.

Learner since 2021

"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."

Chaitanya A.

"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."

Learner reviews

5 stars
87.03%
4 stars
9.79%
3 stars
1.72%
2 stars
0.28%
1 star
1.15%

Showing 3 of 347

Reviewed on Aug 24, 2020

Great course! Mr. Hutchison definitely framed each part - modules, interviews, assignments, & quizes - to be fully comprehensible and educational. I can't wait to take the next course.

Reviewed on Aug 14, 2023

Very insightful course, which in my case, helps me to pave the way for higher level courses that can equip me with valuable knowledge on medical cannabis.

Reviewed on Jul 16, 2020

Excellent! A pleasure to learn from Professor Hutchison. Looking forward to the next class.

View more reviews

Frequently asked questions

To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.

When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.

Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.