Course Overview
Arkansas voters will have an opportunity to vote on ending cannabis prohibition in the Fall of 2022 — but the results may not count, pending the outcome of a lawsuit filed in August. After state officials previously certified that a sufficient number of signatures had been submitted to qualify a constitutional cannabis legalization measure for the ballot, the Arkansas State Board of Election Commissioners issued a ruling to block voters from seeing the measure, alleging that aspects of the language would be confusing to voters. If enacted the measure would allow adults 21 and older to purchase and possess up to an ounce of cannabis. The state’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Division would regulate and issue licenses for cultivation facilities and dispensaries; the state would collect revenue from a 10% supplemental tax on cannabis sales (in addition to normal state and local sales taxes). MPP’s summary of Issue 4 is here.
Although there are no state-mandated certifications required in Arkansas, Medical Marijuana 411 has developed an Arkansas-specific certification that includes key information about the Arkansas Medical Marijuana legal framework.
What does the Certification Include?
The Arkansas Medical Cannabis Foundational Certification will allow you to learn the core fundamentals of cannabis science and explore cannabis industry knowledge, so you are prepared to be certified in your state. Our courses and certifications will provide you with the knowledge and skillset to enter the cannabis job market competitively, right out of the gate.
This online course covers a series of 12 modules designed to teach healthcare and industry professionals the fundamental topics of cannabis and includes a specific module on the legal framework, forms, and other pertinent information regarding the Arkansas Medical Marijuana program.
In addition to Arkansas-specific regulations, learn about the federal legal framework of working with medical marijuana patients, the basics of the cannabis plant, the Endocannabinoid System, and how cannabinoid receptors work with our bodies. Additional modules will cover important topics like how to medicate, inhalation versus ingestion, contraindications, drug-on-drug interactions, and recommended rations for specific illnesses.
This certification also includes video testimonials from scientists and medical experts, downloadable infographics, and additional visuals to support the written content. The education is followed by an exam, and upon passing, you will receive your official certification.
Did you know? Healthcare professionals are permitted, by federal law, to talk to patients about medical marijuana, even in non-legal states. This is but one example of the wealth of information contained in MM411, Inc. certifications.
If you are a dispensary, medical group, or company and interested in multi-seat pricing or a customized, white-label course, please call 844.411.0500.
Credibility and Standards
MM411 certifications are designed to ensure that individuals and organizations meet specific standards of knowledge and competence in the field of medical cannabis. These certifications help establish credibility among healthcare providers, industry workers (budtenders) patients, and the medical community.
Comprehensive Education
The certification process typically involves comprehensive educational programs that cover various aspects of medical cannabis, including its medical uses, legal regulations, dosing, how to medicate, and potential interactions with other medications. This enables certified individuals to provide accurate and informed guidance to patients.
Enhanced Patient Care
By obtaining an MM411 certification, healthcare professionals and budtenders can enhance their ability to support patients effectively. This certification provides them with the tools and knowledge necessary to help patients navigate their medical cannabis journey, leading to improved treatment outcomes and overall patient satisfaction.
MM411 Arkansas Medical Cannabis Foundational Certification is important for several reasons:
- Comprehensive Knowledge: The certification program provides essential knowledge about the safe handling, storage, and distribution of marijuana products. This understanding is crucial for complying with Alaska’s regulations and ensuring the quality and safety of cannabis products.
- Regulatory Compliance: Certification through Medical Marijuana 411 helps ensure that individuals are familiar with the specific laws and regulations governing cannabis in Arkansas. Being knowledgeable about these regulations is essential for maintaining compliance, which can help prevent legal issues and sanctions.
- Enhanced Professionalism: Having a MM411 certification demonstrates a commitment to professionalism and a higher standard of care within the cannabis industry. This can build trust with customers, and employers, reinforcing your credibility as a handler of marijuana.
- Consumer Safety: With the certification, individuals learn about the importance of proper customer interactions, including accurately answering questions about product effects, dosing, and potential interactions, as well as knowing proper checks for identification.
Course Description & Syllabus
The Arkansas Medical Cannabis Foundational Certification will allow you to learn the core fundamentals of cannabis science and explore cannabis industry knowledge, so you are prepared to be certified in your state. Our courses and certifications will provide you with the knowledge and skillset to enter the cannabis job market competitively, right out of the gate.
The Medical Cannabis Foundational Course is an online course that covers a series of 12 modules designed to teach healthcare and industry professionals the fundamental topics of cannabis and includes a specific module on the legal framework, forms and other pertinent information regarding the Arkansas Medical Marijuana program.
In addition to Arkansas-specific regulations, learn about the federal legal framework of working with medical marijuana patients, the basics of the cannabis plant, the Endocannabinoid System, and how cannabinoid receptors work with our bodies. Additional modules will cover important topics like how to medicate, inhalation versus ingestion, contraindications, drug-on-drug interactions, and recommended rations for specific illnesses.
Since 2009, we’ve been committed to equipping the cannabis industry with top-notch knowledge. Chances are, many of your proficient employees have already benefited from our programs!
If you want to talk about how to train your entire team or have additional questions, please call us at 844-411-0500 or email at help@mm411.com.
Arkansas Medical Cannabis Legal Overview
In 2016 voters approved Amendment 98, a ballot initiative legalized medical cannabis in Arkansas. The legislature amended the voter-approved law in 2017. The first medical cannabis dispensary in the state did not open until 2019. Since then nearly 100,000 patients have registered with the medical cannabis program, with dozens of dispensaries operating across the state.
Source: Arkansas Department of Health, as of May 2022
Qualifying Conditions
- Cancer
- Glaucoma
- Positive status for human immunodeficiency virus/ acquired immune deficiency syndrome
- Hepatitis C
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
- Tourette’s syndrome
- Crohn’s disease
- Ulcerative colitis
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Severe arthritis
- Fibromyalgia
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Cachexia or wasting syndrome
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Intractable pain which is pain that has not responded to ordinary medications, treatment, or surgical measures for more than six (6) months
- Severe nausea
- Seizures including without limitation those characteristic of epilepsy
- Severe and persistent muscle spasms including without limitation those characteristic of multiple sclerosis
- and any other medical condition or its treatment approved by the Department of Health
Module 1 – US Legal
- U.S. Controlled Substances Act
- Drug Schedule – Cannabis Schedule I
- Drug Schedule (Graphic)
- COVID Cannabis Guidelines
- Economic Impact
- Cannabis genus of flowering plants in the family Cannabaceae
- Legal differentiation between hemp and marijuana distinguished by their respective concentrations of the cannabinoid delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
- 2018 Farm Bill
- Impact on hemp classification
- SAFE Banking Act
- U.S. Pat. No. 6,630,507
- Trademarks
- Ogden Memo
- Cole Memo
- Wilkenson Memo
- 2018 Sessions Memorandum
- Rohrabacher–Blumenauer Amendment
- Joyce Amendment
- Conant v. Walters
- What Medical Professionals Can Legally Provide To Their Patients (Graphic)
- Cåannabis and Cannabis-Derived Compounds: Quality Considerations for Clinical Research
- Guidance for Industry – Downloadable PDf
- Cannabis and Cannabis-Derived Compounds: Quality Considerations for Clinical Research
- Guidance for Industry – Video Explainer
- Taxes
- Affirmative Defense
- Bankruptcy Protection
- Employment Law
- Access to Banking – Financial Crimes Enforcement Network FinCEN Guidance
- Copyright and Registration
Module 2 – History
- Origins of Cannabis
- Early History of Cannabis Cultivation
- Silk Route
- Indica
- Sativa
- Ruderalis
- Hybrids
- Medical Cannabis Through The Ages – How Cannabis Spanned The Globe – Downloadable Graphic
- Medical Cannabis In Ancient China
- Medical Cannabis In Other Ancient Civilizations
- Cannabis Timeline – Downloadable Graphic
- Power Struggles Over Cannabis
- Cannabis In Europe and The West
- U.S. Prohibition
- Marihuana Tax Act
- Prohibition
- “Reefer Madness”
- The Implications of U.S. Prohibition
- Shafer Commission
- National Institute on Drug Abuse
- The Legacy Cannabis Marketplace
- Cannabis Cultivation Culture Booms
- The Beginning of the End of Prohibition
- Prop 215 – Compassionate Care Act
- I-502
- Amendment 64
- U.S. Cannabis Policy Today
- Legal Cannabis Lexicon
- Hemp vs. Cannabis
- ASTM – D37 Committee
Module 3 – The Endocannabinoid System (ECS)
- Introduction of the Endocannabinoid System (ECS)
- Largest Receptor System
- ECS – Vaideo Explainer
- Newly Discovered
- Chemical Bridge to All Bodily Functions
- Homeostasis
- Healthy Body = Healthy ECS
- ECS – Downloadable Graphic
- Dr Jake Felice – What is the Endocannabinoid System (ECS)? Video Interview
- Largest Neurotransmitter System of all “the body’s supercomputer”
- 1964 discovery of THC and CBD – Raphael Mechoulam, Ph.D and Yehiel Gaoni, Ph.D
- The Scientist – video regarding Raphael Mechoulam, Ph.D discoveries
- Allyn Howlett, Ph.D – Isolating THC in the brain – 1998
- No cannabinoid receptors in the cardiac and respiratory centers of the brainstem therefore no overdose from cannabis
- Raphael Mechoulam, Ph.D found in 1992, brain chemical that mirrors the effects of THC
- Two brain chemicals – anandamide, Sanskrit word “ananda” brain chemical that mimics THC and CBD, 2-Arachidonoylglycerol, which they named 2-AG.
- Endogenous Molecules “endocannabinoids”.
- CB1 receptors, and CB2 receptors
- Cannabinoids and how they attach to receptors
- CB1 receptors
- Located in the central nervous system and affect many brain functions including movement, anxiety, stress, fear, pain, appetite, reward, and motor control
- CB2 receptors
- CB2 receptors control the release of cytokines, immuno-regulatory proteins, that are linked to inflammation during illness or after injury.
- Retrograde Inhibition
- Lack of education on the Endocannabinoid System
- Clinical Studies
- At a Glance – Downloadable Infographic
- Homeostatsis
- Humand Thriving Behavior and the ECS
Module 4 – One Plant, One Complex Chemical Factory
- Minor Cannabinoids: CBG CBC CBN THCV
- Cannabinoid Guide – Downloadable Graphic
- Terpenes
- Terpene Chart – Downloadable Graphic
- What Are Terpenes? – Video
- The Entourage Effect
- Taming THC: potential cannabis synergy and phytocannabinoid-terpenoid entourage effects- Downloadable PDF
- Cannabis and Cannabis Extracts: Greater Than the Sum of Their Parts? – Downloadable PDF
- Tolerance and ECS Down Regulation
- Botanical vs. Single Molecule Compounds & Cannabinoids and Opioids
Module 5 – Getting Cannabinoids into the Bloodstream
- Inhalation: Smoking vs. Vaporization
- In the News Discussions
- Cannabis Flower vs. Concentrate
- Different Concentrate Consistencies
- Extraction Methods
- Winterization
- Concentrates Using Solvents
- Solventless Concentrates
- Edibles, Oral Mucosal, Topicals and Suppositories
- The Role of the Medical Provider
- The Role of the Dispensary: Experts within the Dispensary
Module 6 – Patient Centered Dosing
- Considerations Before Medicating with Cannabis
- Set and Setting
- Drug-Drug Interactions
- Relative Contraindications
- Youth Under 25
- Patients and Cardiac Conditions
- Patients with Psychiatric Diagnoses
- Immunocompromised Patents
- Biphasic Effect
- Finding the Appropriate Dose
- Recommended Ratios for Specific Illnesses
Module 7 – Laboratory Testing
- How Testing Works
- Contaminants: Pesticides, Fungi and Mold
- How to Interpret a Test
Module 8 – Clinical Practice
- Anxiety Disorders
- Cancer
- Epilepsy
- Gastrointestinal Disorders
- Glaucoma
- HIV/AIDS
- Migraine Headaches
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Neurodegenerative Disorders
- Neuropathy
- Pain
- Palliative Care
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorders
- Sleep Disorders
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- Endometriosis
- Premenstrual Syndrome and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
- Menopause
Module 9 – Cannabis and Opioids
- Opioids
- Cannabis and Opioids
- Global Patterns of Opioid Use and Dependence
- Opioid-Related Overdose Deaths
- Pain Management
- Comparative Pain Scale
- Addictive Potential of Opioids
- Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain
- Underlying Principles – Downloadable Graphic
- Studies Show Cannabinoid Medications Effective in Reducing Opioid Use
- Cause of Death by Drug – Downloadable Graphic
- Drug Dependence
- Opioid Use Disorder
- Emerging Evidence for Cannabis’ Role in Opioid Use Disorder – Downloadable PDF
- Cannabis: A Promising Option for the Opioid Crisis – Downloadable PDF
- Cannabis and NSAIDS: More Good News
Module 10 – Medical Myths and Facts
- Gateway Theory, Addiction and Brain Function
- Cannabis is Highly Addictive
- Cannabis Kills Brain Cells
- Cannabis Kills Motivation
- Cannabis Impairs Memory
- Cannabis Leads to Insanity
- Cannabis Causes Lung Cancer
- Most Recreational Users are Heavy Users
- Cannabis is Dangerous
Module 11 – Side Effects Abuse and Misuse
- Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD)
- Short Term Side Effects
- Long Term Side Effects
- Physical Effects
- Breathing Problems
- Increased Heart Rate
- Development
- Cannabinoid Hypermesis Syndrome (CHS)
- Mental Effects
- What to Avoid
- Cannabis and Driving
- Cannabis Over Consumption
- Cannabis Tolerance