Cannabis has been used for religious, spiritual, industrial, therapeutic, and other purposes for thousands of years. It has a complex and culturally significant history throughout the world. During the past several decades, social perspectives on the recreational and medicinal use of cannabis have evolved.
As a result of changes in social and legal perspectives, there has been a surge in cannabis legislation during the last few decades that has outpaced the research available on the use of cannabis and how it impacts the body. This creates new job opportunities and career paths for those passionate about this industry and makes it a great time to explore an online medical cannabis course.
Although the use of medical cannabis has its challenges for healthcare providers, legislators, and employers, it also provides opportunities for those seeking to learn more about the medicinal benefits of cannabis and employment in this field.
The outcome of this medical cannabis course is for you to learn the fascinating history, culture, business factors, as well as the legal, ethical, and social issues related to medical cannabis. You will also learn about the current healthcare applications of medical cannabis and what effects cannabis has on the body. Earning your certificate of completion in this course can open new career opportunities for you as you explore the expanding cannabis industry.
(8.0 contact hours)
Expiration Date (Next date of course revision): 09/01/2026
No one in a position to control content has conflicts of interests or relevant financial relationships to declare for this activity.
Accreditation refers to recognition of continuing nursing education only and does not imply ALLEGRA approval or endorsement of any commercial product.
Accreditation:
(The section includes Allegra accreditation information per product type) Allegra determines this information.
American Nurses Credentialing Center
ALLEGRA Learning Solutions, LLC is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.
ALLEGRA Learning Solutions, LLC was awarded Accreditation with Distinction, the highest recognition awarded by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Accreditation Program.
ALLEGRA Learning Solutions courses are acceptable for continuing education in all states.
American Board of Managed Care Nursing
The American Board of Managed Care Nursing recognizes all of ALLEGRA Learning Solutions' ANCC accredited courses for continuing education credit for Certified Managed Care Nurses (CMCNs).
National Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors
ALLEGRA Learning Solutions is an approved provider with the National Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC) (Provider #107194).
National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators
ALLEGRA Learning Solutions, LLC is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation. To satisfy the requirement for renewal of certification by continuing education for the National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators (NCBDE), continuing education activities must be applicable to diabetes and approved by a provider on the NCBDE List of Recognized Providers (www.ncbde.org). NCBDE does not approve continuing education.
Instructor(s):Cyndie Koopsen
Cyndie Koopsen, RN, BSN, MBA, HNB-BC, RN-BC, HWNC-BC is a nurse who has cared for patients in acute care settings, community clinics, and the home. Her professional nursing career has involved nursing executive leadership and administration, accreditation consultation, staff development and education, community education and wellness, and holistic care. She has designed, developed, and presented numerous educational programs for audiences covering integrative health, promotion and wellness, and chronic disease management and prevention. She is the co-author (with Caroline Young) of two health care textbooks. She is the co-CEO and co-founder of ALLEGRA Learning Solutions, LLC and has designed and developed over 300 online professional continuing education courses.
Caroline Young
Caroline Young, M.P.H., has an extensive public health background that includes experience in research, workshop presentations in various areas of health care, and online and onsite teaching. She has expertise in holistic community health and wellness program design, development, marketing, implementation, and evaluation. She has also designed, developed, and presented integrative health programs for culturally diverse populations, senior populations, and faith communities. She is the co-author (with Cyndie Koopsen) of two health care textbooks. She is the co-CEO and co-founder of ALLEGRA Learning Solutions, LLC and has designed and developed over 300 online professional continuing education courses.
Requirements:
Hardware Requirements:
- This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.
Software Requirements:
- PC: Windows 10 or later.
- Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
- Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox is preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
- Adobe Acrobat Reader
- Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.
Other:
- Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.
Instructional Material Requirements:
The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online.
Completion Requirements:
You must complete all lessons to receive your certificate. You must pass the final exam in all lessons with a score of 80% or higher AND complete the Evaluation Form in order to receive your Certificate of Completion. Finals are graded as Pass or No Pass. Receipt of your certificate indicates successful completion of the course and that you have passed all final exams with a score of 80% or greater. You may retake final exams as many times as necessary within the duration of the course at no additional charge.
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Lesson 1
The History, Culture, and Business of Cannabis
Cannabis has been used for religious, spiritual, industrial, therapeutic, and other purposes for thousands of years. It has a complex, colorful, and culturally significant history throughout the world. During the past several decades, social perspectives on the recreational and medicinal use of cannabis have evolved. The business of cannabis has also evolved, and with it, there are important considerations for those involved in every aspect of it to ensure that individuals who use cannabis can be assured a safe and effective product.
The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe the physical components of cannabis, as well as important aspects of the history of its use, and elements of the business of cannabis, including aspects that address environmental and human health.
Cannabis and Its Effects on the Body
The use of medicinal plants by humans has occurred since prehistoric times. As a result of changes in social and legal perspectives, there has been a surge in cannabis legislation during the last few decades that has outpaced the research available on the use of cannabis and how it impacts the body. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a complex biological system comprised of chemical signals and cellular receptors present in the brain and throughout the body. It interacts with cannabis and its compounds and can result in a variety of psychological and physiological effects. If overused, cannabis can also result in many disorders, including the cannabis use disorder (CUD).
The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe the endocannabinoid system, the effects of cannabis on the human body, and various use disorders related to cannabis.
Cannabis—Legal and Social Considerations
Evolving cannabis legalization across the United States and globally is changing the way individuals live with these new laws. While cannabis is still illegal at the U.S. federal level, hemp and its extractions (such as cannabidiol, or CBD) are legal. Cannabis consumers and their reasons for using cannabis are diverse, and they challenge the stereotypes typically associated with cannabis use. While cannabis laws are evolving, there are still social, ethical, and legal issues associated with its use that present both challenges and opportunities for healthcare providers, legislators, as well as employers, and employees of all industries.
The outcome of this course is for the learner to identify key state and federal laws related to the use of cannabis, identify key demographic characteristics of cannabis users, and explain issues related to cannabis as it affects healthcare, employment, social justice, ethics, and legislative advocacy.
Healthcare Applications of Cannabis
Because of the long history of cannabis as a medicinal plant, there are many who view it as effective in treating a variety of medical and psychiatric conditions. Currently, the research about the effectiveness of cannabis remains diverse, with a few conditions having some credible evidence of benefit for anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, neuroprotective, and neuroregenerative processes. There are many considerations about what health conditions could benefit from its use, and there are many routes of cannabis administration that influence the decision to use it.
The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe the various health conditions for which cannabis may, or may not be effective, as well as to describe the routes of administration, and clinical concerns about drug interactions and monitoring its effectiveness.
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