November 28, 2018
College of Pharmacy Building
The University of Michigan College of Pharmacy is offering a course focusing on the science and facts of cannabis in the winter 2019 semester.

The University of Michigan College of Pharmacy is offering a course focusing on the science and facts of cannabis in the winter 2019 semester.

“Certainly, Michiganders’ vote to legalize recreational marijuana indicates that the days of demonizing cannabis are over,” says course coordinator Gus Rosania, PhD, Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences. “We know a lot more today about how drugs work than we did in the early-mid 1900’s – when the concepts and laws that ultimately led to complete cannabis prohibition were enacted in the USA. Students want to know the science and facts, which is what we will offer them.”

Invited lecturers in the course include leading doctors, psychologists, pharmacoepidemiologists, lawyers, and social policy experts. “We will present and discuss the underlying biology, chemistry, pharmacology, toxicology, epidemiology, pharmacokinetics -all the hardcore science- related to cannabis efficacy and safety as a herbal medicine, as well as the possible risks of misuse and abuse,” explains Rosania.

“But this course goes beyond the science of cannabis to discuss its regulatory history, why the Food and Drug Administration has approved a cannabis-derived prescription drug, and why the Drug Enforcement Administration still considers cannabis a Schedule 1 substance with no known medical use,” continues Rosania. Local and national medicinal cannabis business, industry, politics, and activism will also be discussed.

“One way or another, the legalization of recreational marijuana in Michigan will pose opportunities and challenges for our communities. Regardless of their career path choices, we will be providing students with the best possible information on the underlying science behind cannabis.”

PharmSci 420 will be offered on Fridays this winter term, for 2 credit hours, 2-4 p.m. Prerequisites are: Junior or Senior standing for undergraduates, or graduate student standing; Completion of Organic Chemistry (Chem 210/211) and Biology (Biology 172 or Biology 195).

For more information, visit the course description page.