Professional Organization Focuses on the Therapeutic Application of Cannabis
Santa Barbara, CA - April 20, 2009 - We are proud to announce the founding of the American Academy of Cannabinoid Medicine (AACM). The AACM is the professional medical organization dedicated to the clinical and scientific understanding of the endocannabinoid system , the therapeutic application of cannabis and cannabinoid and establishing high standards for the practice of cannabinoids medicine.
Goals
A principal goal of the AACM is disseminating accurate, scientific data regarding the clinical utility of cannabis.
Promote and support exemplary ethical and practice standards in the asseesment, approval and/or recommendation of the medicinal use of cannabis and cannabinoids
Toward that end we have promulgated certifying practice standards and guidelines for practicing physicians who, acting within relevant state law, recommend and approve the medicinal use of cannabis. (Note: There are 14 states in the U.S. which specifically approve of the legal use of cannabis for medicinal purposes.)
Provide education with accurate data to the medical community and lay public on the endocannabionoid system and the medical utility of cannabis. And cannabinoids
Return cannabis to the United States Pharmacopeia
Cannabis is Medicine
The AACM recognizes that the active ingredients of the cannabis plant are useful in treating a variety of illnesses . The AACM bases our assessment on the thousands of scientific studies done internationally which have clearly demonstrated the medical utility of cannabis and cannabinoids. These scientific studies have been done both here and abroad. They affirm the medical benefits of cannabis which has been included in all the great historical material medica from the Pao Ting said to have been written in 2637 B.C. to the United States Pharmacopeia. Links to many of these modern studies will be available on our website.
Research base
Modern research augments anecdotal knowledge gained from thousands of years of therapeutic use of cannabis preparations. The AACM is dedicated to applying and promoting the understanding of credible review reports like the U.S. government commissioned and funded 1999 Institute of Medicine Report and the 1997 House of Lords Science and Technology Committee report on Medicinal Cannabis.
Since these reports were released, additional research has expanded our knowledge of the therapeutic value of cannabis and cannabinoids and the mechanism of action of these therapeutic agents. The AACM is a resource for a better understanding of the clinical implications of this modern research.
Clinical Expertise
Much has been written and said about medicinal cannabis, but very little effort has been made to utilize the expertise of clinicians and researchers in the field. The AACM is an organization designed to fill that need. Our membership has experience treating thousands of patients with cannabis and cannabinoids. We have both a clinical and research knowledge base.
Medical Information Resource
The Academy will serve as an authoritative information source for doctors, state medical boards and the media on the medical application and research related to the clinical use of cannabis and cannabinoids. We are dedicated to educating physicians about the clinical, therapeutic usefulness of cannabis. There are a myriad of diseases whose symptoms respond to this class of medications.
Membership
Presently our bylaws provide for several categories of membership: Fellow, Member, Associate Member, Resident/Student, Supporting and Honorary. We encourage all practitioners, researchers, graduate students and others with a serious interest in the cannabinoid medicine field to join.
Background
The physicians in governance positions for AACM represent a diversity of experience across a broad range of settings in clinical practice, clinical research, and policy-making positions. Specialties represented include Rehabilitative Medicine, Neurology, Internal Medicine, Psychiatry, Public Health, and Family Practice, plus expertise in addiction medicine, pain management, ALS and medical geography.
The members of the AACM have the medical training, clinical experience and familiarity with the scientific literature to speak knowledgeably about the current medical utility and future therapeutic potential for cannabis and cannabinoids. We are excited about the prospects of gaining a deeper understanding of the endocannabinoid system and what that will mean for better understanding of brain functioning and disease treatment.
Members of the AACM Board of Directors are:
Greg Carter, MD
President
Sunil Aggarwall, Ph.D.
Vice President for Research and Outreach
David Bearman, MD
Vice President for Credentialing & Quality
Christopher Fichtner, MD
Vice President for Public Policy
Jeffrey Hergenrather, MD
Vice President/Secretary
Frank Lucido, MD
Vice President for Public Affairs
David G. Ostrow, MD, Ph.D.
Vice President for Education
Suggested Reading:
For those wishing to know more about this emerging field we recommend:
1. IACM – News, Newsletter of the International Association for Cannabis as Medicine
www.cannabis-med.org
2. O’Shaunessy’s, the Journal of Cannabis in Clinical Practice
www.ccrmg.org/journal.html
3. Journal of Cannabis Therapeutics, Reprints:
www.cannabis-med.org/membersonly/mo.php
4. International Cannabinoid Research Society, Symposium Reprints:
www.cannabinoidsociety.org
Contact:
For comments from AACM on clinical efficacy of cannabis and cannabinoids or radio or TV appearances please contact:
AACM VP
Frank Lucido ,M.D.
(510) 848-0958
AACM VP
David Bearman, M..D.
(805)-961-9988