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Pharmacology of Cannabis, Tobacco and Vaping

  • Course Number: GMS 6510
  • Credit Hours: 2 credit hours
  • Course Format: This online course is tailored for asynchronous distance learners.
  • Course Syllabus: View Full Course Details

Course Description

The use of cannabis and tobacco products has become more widespread in recent years, particularly as medicinal and recreational cannabis use has been legalized in many states and tobacco use has shifted toward electronic nicotine delivery systems. This expansion has led to new laws, more abundant scientific inquiries and increased mainstream use, despite the lack of research on long-term effects. It’s become more important than ever for professionals in medical, pharmacy and research roles to develop a comprehensive knowledge of these products.

This course explores the medical and recreational use of cannabis and tobacco products with objective, scientific and medically based information. The wide variety of ways cannabis and tobacco plants and their derivatives are used is examined to provide an in-depth, practical knowledge base for medical professionals and scientists. Specific topics include the effects of cannabis on the body, the pharmacology of tobacco, e-cigarettes and vaping and more.

Prerequisites

This course requires a BA or BS and a strong science foundation with at least five full semester courses related to biology, chemistry and/or physics.

Course Highlights

Cannabis use, tobacco use, e-cigarettes and vaping

Who Is This Course For?

This course benefits individuals who wish to pursue a career in medicine or pharmacy, as well as current nurses, physicians, physician assistants, clinical scientists, professors, researchers and professionals in pharmacy, drug development, biotechnology and pharmacology roles.

Topics Covered in This Course Include:

  • Introduction to Cannabis
  • Cannabis Effects on Brain Function
  • Cannabis Effects on Appetite, Nausea and Pain
  • Cannabis and Epilepsy and Neurodegenerative Disorders
  • Introduction to Tobacco
  • Tobacco Pharmacology
  • Effects of Tobacco Use on the Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Systems
  • Effects of Tobacco Use on the Nervous System
  • Tobacco Use in Pregnancy
  • Effects of Second-Hand Smoke
  • E-Cigarettes and Vaping
  • Pharmacological Tobacco Cessation

For more course information, please refer to course syllabus.

Learning Outcomes

Successful completion of this course will prepare students to study pharmacology and therapeutics in the context of the usage of cannabis and tobacco products.  Students who take this course will be able to:

  1. Identify the various bioactive products that may be isolated from cannabis and understand the effects that cannabis-derived products have on the human body.
  2. Describe the different routes of administration used for tobacco products, the pharmacodynamics/pharmacokinetics of nicotine, its physiological effects and pharmacological cessation treatments available.
  3. Demonstrate the ability to apply pharmacological principles and an understanding of cannabis and tobacco in multiple choice examinations, research assignments and homework exercises.

Schedule

This is a self-paced course that is offered in the spring, fall and summer.