Background
The medicinal use of Cannabis (marijuana) has been legalized for medical use in 30 states, with a wide range of specificity for approved medical conditions in each state. Additionally, “recreational” cannabis use has been legalized in a number of states and cannabis is used by millions of Americans. Yet, nationally, Cannabis remains classified as a schedule I drug by the FDA, making the use of cannabis and any participation in activities along the process from seed to sale to consumption a federal crime and continues to be a crime in many states.
At this particular moment (May 2019) in our nation's history, the political environment and in the healthcare sector provides a fertile ground for exploration of citizen engagement in the political process. The Citizens4health Cannabis Project provides a framework to address personal as well as political challenges and to experiment in ways to improve our personal and political lives.
The initial focus of Citizens4health Cannabis Project are issues related to the state of Pennsylvania.
The challenge of medical and recreational cannabis
In the medical arena:
In the healthcare arena, the use of Cannabis is wide spread without well established evidence for efficacy in many medical conditions.
We are committed to the underlying principles for safe and effective medical treatment utilizing medical cannabis when indicated
In the social arena:
The established of well supervised state based programs allows for experimentation in medical service delivery.
In the political arena:
The tension between the federal government's Cannabis policy, legal enforcement, state regulations and individual use provide a fertile arena to explore and address the challenges of American democracy and to engage citizens with relevant stakeholders in the political ecosystem.
Our vision
By September 2020, every individual who experiences medical conditions and symptoms that prevent them from optimal health has access to and is able to receive evidence based, best practice informed treatment that improves their wellbeing in outcomes that matter for them.
Citizens4health Cannabis Project is driven by a vision of individuals who live in a state of optimal wellbeing and health and flourish as individuals living in their community and are engaged in their political ecosystem.
Our goal is to create a dynamic website and associated programs that explore the role of Cannabis in the medical setting.
By September 2020
Citizens4health Cannabis Project website CannabisRx, is the leading destination website for individuals, health care professionals, regulators and researchers (as well as other stakeholders) interested in incorporating Medical Cannabis into the clinical setting.
The Citizens4health Cannabis Project is a leading contributor to the evolving knowledge base for evidence based utilization of Cannabis for medical and health conditions.
Citizens4health Cannabis Project Mission:
Citizens4health Cannabis Project’s mission is to make the medical ecosystem in general and the patient in particular more knowledgeable and active in their care by providing reliable, timely, user friendly information and tools to facilitate competent, effective, safe clinical care for individuals with medical conditions and symptoms where Medical Cannabis can improve outcomes..
Citizens4health Cannabis Project Goals:
The goal for Citizens4health Cannabis Project is to create a systematic practical approach that will lead to a “turn key solution” to best practice in the use of Medical Cannabis and treating complications of Cannabis in the clinical setting . (Safe, Timely, Effective, Efficient Equitable and Patient-centered). Additionally, the project will provide knowledge and tools to facilitate the health professionals working together in a continuous quality improvement process to find a collaborative method to reduce the occurrence, severity, duration, and devastating outcomes of acute and chronic pain, traumatic brain injury, neurocognitive disorders and more.
In addition the project aims to,
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Reframing the Cannabis conversation to one that focuses on the following aspects of the Bio-Medical-Social- Political Cannabis Ecosystem.
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Frame Cannabis related challenges in a manner that promotes collaboration among varying interest groups and provides and monitors agreed upon measurable outcomes.
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Provide actionable information and citizen participation and engagement tools to target the complexity of Cannabis use, abuse and overdose.
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Provide information and tools to assure appropriate medical management of patients who can benefit from Cannabis
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Provide resources and assure access for individuals who require treatment for Cannabis dependence, abuse and addiction.
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Identify the local, state and national ecosystem associated with Cannabis and provide tools for increased transparency and accountability.
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Enhance the citizen- government interaction and collaboration .
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In the political sphere we will explore ways to enhance citizen participation in their political ecosystem. (Cannabis Citizen Brief on the CannabisRX)
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Create and makes available user friendly, authoritative, informational products about Medical Cannabis that facilitate improved patient- clinician interaction leading to improved health care outcomes.
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Utilize a crowdsourcing, multidisciplinary approach to the education and research of Medical Cannabis .
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Contribute to the evolving knowledge base of evidence based interventions utilizing Medical Cannabis
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Translate and disseminate research and successful programs to patients, appropriate caregivers, organizations and the general public.
Citizens4health Cannabis Project Timeline: (Coming Soon)
We hope you will find Citizens4health Cannabis Project helpful in your pursuit of optimal health care and engaged citizenship. We are continually improving this program and will greatly appreciate your comments and feedback.
Elements of Citizens4health Cannabis Project
In order to achieve our vision, the Citizens4health Cannabis Project will incorporate a number of elements that address the complexity of the challenge of medical cannabis use, the legal and criminal justice issues associated with drug use. We use behavioral economic principles, digital technology, political insights, crowdsourcing and principles of solution journalism in our effort.
Our multi phase plan includes meaningful information and tools for crowdsourcing citizen participation in the policy discussion, implementation and accountability of stakeholders.
The CannabisRx Website
CannabisRx addresses the knowledge and information gap in the emerging landscape of Medical Cannabis. CannabisRx is a comprehensive virtual health center and associated activities and programs dedicated to best practice for medical Cannabis. CannabisRx provides patients, health care providers and institutions focused information, programs and tools to achieve optimal outcomes for individuals utilizing Medical Cannabis in the medical setting.
The Cannabis Clinician Rx Website
Cannabis Clinician Rx addresses the knowledge and information gap in the emerging landscape of Medical Cannabis. CannabisRx is a comprehensive virtual health center and associated activities and programs dedicated to best practice for medical Cannabis. CannabisRx provides patients, health care providers and institutions focused information, programs and tools to achieve optimal outcomes for individuals utilizing Medical Cannabis in the medical setting.
Citizens4health Cannabis Project Case Presentation
Citizens4health Cannabis Project Case Presentation provides a framework for action oriented collaborative process that addresses the complexity of the challenge. The Case Presentation will provide relevant and reliable background information about the problem and frame it in a manner that contributes to solving the problems. The Case Presentation includes the exploring the various stakeholders, relevant data, and assessment of the problem and treatment plan.
Increasing the knowledge base for Cannabis in medical practice through crowdsourcing
We provide an easy-to-use platform that can be used by local entities to assist in their efforts to provide solutions to the opioid related problems. The platform includes best practice information, process and related resources to provide services and link to providers at the local level. The Opioid Epidemic Project and Case Presentation websites are focused on cities, neighborhoods, counties and other local entities. Entities interested in "duplicating" and customizing the websites for their local environment can contact Citizens4health.
The Place of Cannabis in Treatment
Nearly 100 Conclusions on the Health Effects of Marijuana and Cannabis-Derived Products Presented in New Report; One of the Most Comprehensive Studies of Recent Research on Health Effects of Recreational and Therapeutic Use of Cannabis and Cannabis-Derived Products. Link to the report
Best Practice, Evidence-based Inventory and Database for Information and tools for best practice
Developing and updating evidence-based inventory of clinical, social, legal and public policy materials and process related to the our vision. We start with focusing on pain to be followed by Dementia, MS and addressing "the drug war".
There is a theoretical rationale for cannabis’ efficacy for pain management, although the subjective pain relief from cannabis may not match objective measurements of analgesia.
Taking Personal, Social and Political Action
Providing individual-facing Personal Health Manager for personal engagement for individuals suffering with pain and opioid addiction. Social and political tools to engage with stakeholders locally and nationally.
Real Time Monitoring the Use of Cannabis in the Medical Setting and its Consequences
Ongoing collection and analysis of population and individual data associated with the prevalence and treatment of pain conditions. The data will feature The Pain Opioid Epidemic Case Presentation Progress Notes and occasional Clinical Case Conference focusing on individual situation.
Democratization of the Cannabis Ecosystem
Public offering through Fund Me sites
Our Team
Our team includes individuals and organizations from the many areas that impact the opiate epidemic. We look forward to expand our team and are interested in citizens motivated by our vision to join our efforts.
Our Advisors
Our advisors will include individuals, groups and organizations from academia, government, social service agencies, media, and the private sector. A list individuals and groups will be available shortly.
Disclaimer
The information on Cannabis Rx is provided to facilitate achieving optimal healthcare outcomes and to provide a framework for engaging in the Medical Cannabis Ecosystem. Any information should not be construed as providing actual medical information. For personal medical issues consult with a licensed healthcare provider.