Perceptions of the potential harmful effects of cannabis has dramatically decreased especially among adolescents and young adults. In parallel, cannabis use and the prevalence of cannabis use disorder continue to rise in the United States. This increased use was likely attributable to social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic, heightened excitement around potential psychomedical uses of cannabis, social media, and increased legalization. However, many clinicians feel ill-equipped to discuss cannabis with their patients. Clinicians may feel that they lack the knowledge or experience with managing cannabis use or have concerns that broaching the topic may compromise their relationship with the patient. However, it remains vital for clinicians to discuss patients’ cannabis use in a non-judgmental manner in order to understand their patients’ use and provide education and evidence-based treatments to address the potential harms.
In this workshop, presenters will review how to identify and diagnose cannabis use disorder and other cannabis-related problems such as cannabis-induced psychosis, cannabis withdrawal, and cannabis hyperemesis syndrome. Presenters will discuss various cannabinoids such as delta-8 and delta-9 THC, CBD, and synthetic cannabinoids, as well as delivery mechanisms. Potential hazards and psychomedical contraindications to recreational cannabis use will be discussed. Potential psychopharmacologic interventions for cannabis use disorder such as gabapentin, n-acetylcysteine (NAC), dronabinol, and CBD as well as psychotherapeutic interventions such as contingency management, CBT, and motivational interviewing will be reviewed.