Exposing the Wellness Gap
Many doctors across the world possess what is known as a cannabis knowledge gap, meaning their medical school education didn’t include materials on the topic of cannabis. The problem remains that many state-level, provincial-level, and even international-level medical cannabis frameworks place doctors as the gatekeepers of the medicine, despite not knowing how to dose, prescribe, and advise on medical cannabis consumption to their patients.
As a plant, cannabis has been known as one of the most commonly used illicit drug across the world. However as both medical and recreational laws change across the globe, the conversation around cannabis has changed entirely. What was once tied to a stigma of laziness and “stoner culture” is now being heralded as an alternative pain treatment to opioids, an avenue for managing seizures, while having the ability to address symptoms related to the treatment of cancer. Currently, cannabis stands in the center of the medical world. With sweeping legalization at both the medical and recreational levels, cannabis has been under the spotlight as of late, especially in North America. As cannabis is still a relatively new subject of research in the world of clinical studies and double-blind placebo-based research, whether or not the medicine is embraced by doctors is another story. To complicate the topic of medical cannabis further, doctors might still prescribe to an outdated stigma, or what is known as “reefer madness.”
The Complicated Task of Prescribing and Recommending Medical Cannabis
Prescribing or recommending cannabis to patients is no small task either, regardless of whether or not a doctor is supportive of cannabis therapy. Cannabis as a medicine is considered non-traditional, and what works for one patient won’t necessarily work for another. Patients are set out on a “cannabis journey,” discovering what types of products and consumption methods work best for their condition. While the non-psychoactive cannabinoid CBD has been reported to address seizures related to rare forms of epilepsy including Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, how to best administer this medicine is highly debated. Should young patients consume this product sublingually, through vaporization, or even through smoking? The conversation continues on the best practices, and many doctors might feel overwhelmed at the task of successfully dosing and prescribing cannabis to patients.
The Tools Available To Close The Cannabis Knowledge Gap
Sail exists to close this cannabis knowledge gap experienced by doctors. As a set of software tools designed to help doctors dose, prescribe or recommend cannabis with confidence, Sail leverages clinically validated data to help doctors offer the therapeutic benefits of cannabis to their patients. Health professionals leveraging Sail can find simplicity in the often complicated topic of cannabis, and make important decisions regarding a patient’s health right at the point of care.
For the doctors who might not have answers to their patients’ questions on the topic of medical cannabis, the right answers are no longer complicated, and the topic of medical cannabis is no longer intimidating. Cannabis as a medicine needs to be further normalized and embraced as a legitimate form of treatment. Currently, that is not the case; call it old fashion, but many doctors are hesitant to adopt new treatment methods.
Citing a lack of clinical research, cannabis as a medicine remains highly contentious, and for good reason. Sail stands as the bridge between these discussions, the mediator that offers guidance, points in the right direction and offers tools that can give patients increased access to this medicine. Therapeutic options that are free from addiction and possible overdose are available, it’s simply a matter of time and a small push in the right direction.