Cannabis products have become more accepted throughout the U.S. society. At present, 24 states have legalized recreational marijuana, and 2 additional states have decriminalized its use. Medical marijuana is currently legal in Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor is an advocate for recreational use. This has attracted a number of local dispensaries and other supply chain businesses in the cannabis industry to northeastern Pennsylvania. These organizations pay family-sustaining wages and, due to the group of cannabis products and uses around the country, these firms are rapidly creating jobs.
The rapid growth and acceptance of both medical and recreational uses of cannabis will create a demand for persons with expertise in various aspects of the industry, most especially, in the field of health care. This would include medical practitioners, nurses, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, health care coordinators, medical office staff, and pharmacists. Because cannabis remains a federally controlled substance, there will also be a demand for people who understand the legal implications of its use.
With the growing use of medicinal cannabis, healthcare workers will need to know about products on the market claiming therapeutic benefit (e.g., CBD or cannabidiol). Some of these products are disease specific and they can pose a risk to society. The risk is multifaceted. False claims of effectiveness can lead to consumers foregoing safe and effective mainstream treatment. False claims of purity and strength can lead to toxic exposures. Wilkes University will provide valuable information to the public for safe and effective self-administration for medicinal use.
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