Podcast

Digital Tools for Managing Cannabis Use with Alan Budney, PhD

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In episode 10, Drs. Grant and ⁠Alan Budney, PhD⁠ of Dartmouth explore the intersection of cannabis use and behavioral health, focusing on contingency management as a method for addressing problematic cannabis use. The discussion highlights the integration of digital technologies in interventions, the role of craving in cannabis use, and the challenges healthcare providers face in communicating about cannabis. Additionally, the conversation addresses the co-occurrence of mood disorders with cannabis use and the potential of social media to influence public perception and behavior regarding cannabis.

Dr. Alan Budney is a clinical psychologist and Professor of Psychiatry and Biomedical Data Science at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth University. He received his PhD in clinical psychology from Rutgers, served as a postdoctoral fellow and a faculty member at the University of Vermont, and after a stint at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, joined Dartmouth in 2012. Dr. Budney is known for his research on the development and evaluation of innovative behavioral treatments for problematic cannabis use in adults and adolescence and, in particular, for his interest in using digital technologies and social media to develop practical, useful interventions. His work also has concerned ways of improving doctor patient communication about both medicinal and recreational cannabis.

Minor Cannabinoids and Terpenes with Ziva Cooper, PhD

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In episode 9, Drs. Grant and Ziva Cooper discuss her research on medicinal cannabis, focusing on gender differences in cannabis response, the therapeutic potential of minor cannabinoids and terpenes, and the opioid-sparing effects of cannabinoids. The conversation highlights the complexities of cannabis research, including regulatory challenges and the need for further studies to clarify the role of cannabinoids in medicine.

Dr. Ziva Cooper is the Director of the UCLA Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoids in the Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior and Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences and Anesthesiology at David Geffen School of Medicine. Her current research involves understanding variables that influence both the therapeutic potential and adverse effects of cannabis and its constituents through a translational approach that includes double-blind, placebo-controlled studies.

Cannabis Advocacy and Regulation with Dale Gieringer, PhD

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In episode 8, Drs. Igor Grant and Dale Gieringer discuss Dr. Gieringer’s extensive involvement in cannabis legalization efforts in California, particularly through his work with California NORML. He reflects on the historical context surrounding cannabis laws, the significance of Proposition 215, the first medical marijuana initiative, and the subsequent passage of Proposition 64, which legalized recreational use. Dr. Gieringer emphasizes the need for continued advocacy and research in the field of cannabis, highlighting the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in harmonizing state and federal regulations.

Dr. Dale Gieringer has been the state coordinator of California NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws) since 1987. He is also Vice-Chairman of the national NORML board of directors, director of the California Drug Policy Forum (DPFCA). Dr. Gieringer has published research on medical cannabis usage, cannabis smoke harm reduction, potency testing, cannabis and driving safety, and drug urinalysis. He has testified before the legislature and in court on issues concerning personal use of cannabis.

Nuances of the Endocannabinoid System with Daniele Piomelli, MD, PhD

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In episode 7, Dr. Igor Grant and Dr. Daniele Piomelli examine intricacies of the endocannabinoid system (ECS), exploring its mechanisms, functions, and implications for health and medicine. They discuss the role of cannabinoids in signaling, the distribution of cannabinoid receptors, and the ECS’s influence on feeding behavior, pain management, and social interactions. The conversation highlights potential therapeutic approaches targeting the ECS, highlighting differences between central and peripheral Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase (FAAH) inhibitors, while also addressing the challenges faced in drug development and the need for further research.

Daniele Piomelli, MD, PhD is Distinguished Professor of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biological Chemistry, and Louise Turner Arnold Chair in the Neurosciences at UC Irvine. Additionally, he serves as Director of UCI’s multidisciplinary Center for the Study of Cannabis. Dr. Piomelli has led pioneering work into pathways involved in the formation and deactivation of brain endocannabinoids, uncovered important physiological functions of these compounds, and identified pharmacological agents that interfere with their deactivation.

Cannabis Use Disorder – Diagnosis and Symptoms with Meg Haney, PhD

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In episode 6, Dr. Grant and Dr. Meg Haney delve into the complexities of Cannabis Use Disorder, exploring its definition, withdrawal symptoms, and the psychological dependency associated with cannabis use. They discuss the impact of cannabis on sleep and mood, the prevalence of Cannabis Use Disorder among those with psychiatric conditions, and the challenges in treating cannabis dependency. The conversation also highlights the intersection of cannabis use with other substances, particularly tobacco, and emphasizes the need for further research to understand the therapeutic benefits and risks of cannabis use.

Meg Haney, PhD is Professor of Neurobiology (in Psychiatry) Columbia University Irving Medical Center Director, Cannabis Research Laboratory Co-Director, Substance Use Research Center. Dr. Haney is internationally recognized for her expertise in cannabis and cannabinoids. She conducts placebo-controlled studies testing 1) the efficacy of potential treatment medications for Cannabis Use Disorder, and 2) the potential therapeutic effects of cannabis and its constituents. Dr. Haney's research has been continuously supported by NIH since 1999. She has authored more than 160 articles in peer-reviewed journals, 11 book chapters, is an Associate Editor for Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, an Advisory Editor for Psychopharmacology and is the recent past President of the College on Problems of Drug Dependence.

Cannabis legalization in Canada: Lessons for the U.S. with Mark A. Ware, MD

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In episode 5, Dr. Grant speaks with Mark Ware, MD as he discusses the evolution of cannabis use in pain management, the implications of the Cannabis Act in Canada, and the differences in cannabis policies between Canada and the U.S. Dr. Ware highlights the importance of understanding the psychoactive effects of cannabis, the challenges in medical research, and the need for a cohesive regulatory framework to ensure safety and efficacy in cannabis products.

Mark A. Ware, MBBS, MSc, MRCP is an Associate Professor of Family Medicine and holds the Alan Edwards Chair in Clinical Pain at McGill University. He is also the Director of the interdisciplinary Alan Edwards Pain Management Unit at Montreal General Hospital. He was a co-founder of the non-profit Canadian Consortium for the Investigation of Cannabinoids and served as Executive Director from 2007 to 2018. Dr. Ware has advised the Canadian federal government on cannabis policy since 2001, and in 2016, he served as the vice-chair of the Federal Task Force on the Legalization and Regulation of Cannabis in Canada. The task force’s report became Canadian law as the Cannabis Act in October 2018.

Brain difference and early substance use: Which comes first? with Alex Miller, PhD

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In episode 4, Dr. Grant speaks with ⁠Alex P. Miller, PhD⁠, an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Indiana University School of Medicine. This conversation explores the intricate relationship between substance use, genetics, and brain structure, focusing on the ABCD study, which follows children over a decade to understand the onset of substance use and its effects on mental health. Dr. Alex Miller discusses the role of neuroimaging in identifying brain differences that may predispose individuals to substance use, the influence of genetics and environment, and the implications of these findings for understanding addiction and recovery.

Alex P. Miller, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Indiana University School of Medicine. Dr. Miller completed his Ph.D. in clinical psychology at the University of Missouri and a postdoctoral fellowship in substance use disorder genetics at Washington University School of Medicine. His research, supported by a K01 award from NIAAA, focuses on applying statistical genetics and neuroimaging data analysis to better understand the developmental neurogenetic etiology of substance use disorders and impulsive personality traits as a risk factor for the onset and progression of substance use disorders.

Cannabis use and cardiovascular risk with Jamie Corroon, ND, MPH

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In episode 3, Dr. Igor Grant speaks with Jamie Corroon, ND, MPH about the impact of cannabis use on cardiovascular health. They explore various studies focusing on heart disease, hypertension, and atherosclerosis, discussing both acute and long-term effects of cannabis. Dr. Corroon shares insights from his research, highlighting the importance of understanding the relationship between cannabis and cardiovascular outcomes, while also addressing the need for more rigorous studies to clarify potential risks.

Jamie Corroon, ND, MPH is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor and Assistant Project Scientist at the Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research at the University of California, San Diego. He recently completed a two-year postdoctoral fellowship in the Department of Family Medicine, where he investigated the impact of cannabis use on cardiovascular health. His work was funded by a T32 from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

Potential Implications of Rescheduling with Igor Grant, MD

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In episode 2 (Recorded in December 2024), Drs. Igor Grant and Jamie Corroon discuss the potential implications of rescheduling cannabis from a Schedule I to a Schedule III controlled substance. They explore the current scheduling system, the medicinal value of cannabis, the challenges researchers face under Schedule I, and how rescheduling could impact research and funding. They also emphasize the need for harmonization between state and federal laws to facilitate cannabis research.

Igor Grant, M.D., is Distinguished Professor of the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine. Dr. Grant served as Chair of the Department of Psychiatry from 2014-2019. He is Director of the HIV Neurobehavioral Research Program (HNRP), which includes the California NeuroAIDS Tissue Network (CNTN), the Translational Methamphetamine AIDS Research Center (TMARC), the HIV Neurobehavioral Research Center (HNRC), the CNS HIV Anti-Retroviral Therapy Effects Research (CHARTER) and the University of California Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research (CMCR). Dr. Grant is the founding Editor of the Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society and founding co-editor of the journal AIDS and Behavior.

Cannabis Impaired Driving with Tom Marcotte, PhD

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In Episode 1, Dr. Tom Marcotte discusses a significant study on the acute effects of cannabis on driving impairment, detailing the methodology, findings, and implications for public safety and law enforcement. The conversation explores how THC levels affect driving performance, the perception of impairment among users, and the challenges of conducting cannabis research in a regulated environment. Future research directions and participant recruitment for upcoming studies are also highlighted.

Tom Marcotte Ph.D. is Professor of Psychiatry at the University of California, San Diego, and Co-Director of the Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research, which has conducted clinical trials of cannabis for almost 20 years, and has an active, ongoing portfolio exploring the effects of cannabinoids (plant-based, synthetic) in various medical/psychiatric conditions. He is the principal investigator on studies addressing the effects that cannabis (including commercially-available products) has on driving performance, as well as methods for detecting cannabis-related driving impairment. He previously was the principal investigator on an NIH-funded take-home study of cannabis for the treatment of pain, and a co-investigator on cannabis studies addressing pain, as well spasticity in multiple sclerosis. He has been the PI on numerous HIV studies over the years, including projects aimed at examining antiretroviral treatment initiation in India, the development of brief screening tools for HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND), and studies examining the impact of HAND on real-world functioning. Dr. Marcotte has developed techniques for assessing the most complex of everyday tasks, driving an automobile, and examined the types of deficits that may predispose an individual to impaired driving abilities. Dr. Marcotte previously served as the Center Manager of the HIV Neurobehavioral Research Center (1996-2018), and Co-Director of CHARTER (a national multi-site study of the CNS impact of treatments for HIV). He co-edited the book Neuropsychology of Everyday Functioning (currently in its 2nd edition) and has been on the editorial boards of Neuropsychology and the Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society.