Global Regulatory Frameworks for Medicinal Cannabis Training

Broadly speaking, medicinal cannabis is cannabis prescribed to relieve the symptoms of a medical
condition, such as pain associated with cancer complications. It is important to make the distinction
between medicinal cannabis and recreational cannabis. For some people suffering from chronic or terminal illnesses, conventional medicines do not work, or do not work as effectively as medicinal cannabis. Also, for some patients, conventional medicines may work but cause debilitating side effects that cannabis can help to relieve.
The aim of this course is to equip policy makers and reform advocates with the regulatory tools required to fundamentally change the current approach and use of medicinal cannabis to create a healthier and safer world.
Broad Training Objective.
By the end of the program, delegates will be able to gain insight into:
ü The history of medical cannabis
ü Clinical uses of Medicinal cannabis
ü The political context
ü Aims and principles of effectives cannabis regulation
ü A spectrum of policy options
ü Legal regulation of cannabis
ü Cannabis regulation models
ü Learning from the success and failures of alcohol & tobacco regulation
ü Getting the right regulatory balance
ü Moving forward given what we know and what we don’t know.
Course Main Module
Medicinal Cannabis Cultivation
ü The pharmacognosy of cannabis
ü Plant botany and plant requirements
ü Stages of cannabis cultivation and production
ü Grow / facility design decisions
ü Water & Nutrients IPM – Integrated Pest Management
ü Genetics, Mother Plants and Clone
ü Legal considerations during cultivation
Review the Operation of the Narcotic & Psychotropics Drugs Acts – (Global, Regional, Kenyan
Context)
ü Does the Act give effect to the Single Convention?
ü What the Act does and does not do
ü What the Act should and should not do
ü Is the licensing scheme for cultivation, production and manufacture effective?
ü What improvements can be made?
The Practical Detail of Regulation
A) Production
ü Licensing
ü The Borland- Regulated market model
ü Quality Controls
ü Security
ü Production limits
ü Small scale production
B) Price
ü Price controls
ü Impact of legal medicinal cannabis price on the illegal market
ü Displacement effects of relative price changes
C) Tax
ü Tax options
ü Tax revenue research and estimates
D) Production & Preparation
ü Preparations & Formulations
ü Methods of administration
E) Packaging
ü Tamper proofing
ü Information of packaging & packing design
ü Packaging information
H) Purchaser
ü Purchaser licensing
ü Permitted or designated locations for sale
I) Outlets
ü Responsibility for regulatory oversights
J) Marketing
ü Regulatory marketing
ü Lessons from the regulation of tobacco smoking
ü Lessons from the regulation of alcohol marketing
ü Article 13 of the framework convention on tobacco control
ü Current cannabis advertising, promotions regulations around the world
K) Institutions for regulating cannabis market
ü International
ü National governments
ü Local/Municipal
Legal Advice for Cannabis Businesses:
ü How to navigate the complex regulatory environment
ü Unique issues in this industry
ü Commercial vs regulatory balance
ü Suitable persons, directors and staff
ü The medicinal cannabis space
Legal Issues Emerging in the Courts
Examine critical issues that are appearing before the courts, including:
ü Changing perspective of courts regarding cannabis use for pain relief
ü Criminal issues suppliers need to be aware of
ü Tension between an inadequate licit scheme and illicit sources
ü Doctors successfully using the defence of medical necessity
ü Liability: use as medication for children and the associated child protection issues
ü Evolving defences for drug-driving on medicinal cannabis
Prescribing Medicinal Cannabis in the Clinical Setting
ü Develop good understanding of the therapeutic properties of medicinal cannabis
ü Differentiate between adverse and therapeutic effects of medicinal cannabis
ü Identify the clinical applications of medicinal cannabis in General Practice
ü Explore the current and potential future treatment landscape and current legislation including
prescribing, access, and the Special Access Scheme
Way forward After the Training
Participants will develop a work plan through the help of facilitators that stipulates application of skills
acquired in improving their organizations. ASPM will monitor implementation progress after the training.
Training Evaluation:
Participants will undertake a simple assessment before the training to gauge knowledge and skills, another assessment will be done after the training in-order to demonstrate knowledge gained through the training.