Quantum Units Education

A California veterinarian is advocating using medical marijuana to help improve the quality of life for some pets with untreatable conditions, according to ABC News.

Doug Kramer of the Vet Guru animal veterinary center says treating pets with medical marijuana could help pet owners put off the decision to euthanize their animals while treating the pets’ pain.

Ingrid Newkirk, President of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, told ABC News, “Our position is that anything that can help animals – if it’s truly, properly administered in the right amount [and] can relieve a dog’s pain – then they should be given the same consideration that humans in pain are given.”

Newkirk cautioned about the potential for abuse when people who use marijuana are around pets. “People amuse themselves by blowing smoke in a dog’s face to get him high or getting the cat drunk, and so, you know, that’s something that one has to guard against,” she said. “It has to be a genuine medical need, and if that is the best course of treatment then we are in favor of it.”

Full story of medical marijuana for pets at DrugFree.org

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Beedie Savage – President of Quantum Units Education

A drug that contains the active ingredient of marijuana may be more effective for pain relief than the smoked form of the drug, a new study suggests. Researchers at Columbia University in New York also found the pill, dronabinol, created less of a high than smoked marijuana.

Dronabinol, which contains THC, appeared to provide longer-lasting pain relief, HealthDay reports. It is approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat nausea and appetite loss associated with cancer and AIDS.

The study included 30 marijuana smokers who did not have pain. The researchers compared two strengths of smoked marijuana against two strengths of dronabinol and a placebo. For each of five sessions, the participants took dronabinol and then 45 minutes later smoked marijuana.

Full story of marijuana in pill form at DrugFree.org

Photos courtesy of and copyright PhotoPin, http://photopin.com/

Beedie Savage – President of Quantum Units Education

Professional marijuana growers, who are facing high startup costs, operational challenges and state regulations, are finding it difficult to make a profit, according to The Wall Street Journal.

An estimated 2,000 to 4,000 businesses are producing marijuana for legal purposes, the article notes. The National Cannabis Industry Association says total marijuana sales reached $1.2 billion to $1.3 billion last year.

Currently, Colorado allows about 110,000 patients to purchase marijuana if they have a prescription. Starting next January, anyone 21 or older will be able to buy the drug from retailers. According to Medical Marijuana Business Daily, annual sales in the state will triple in 2014, to at least $700 million.

In Colorado, marijuana growers must submit to background checks and place cameras in every room that has plants. While operational costs have increased, marijuana prices have dropped, partly because of increased competition. The price for a pound of high-quality marijuana in Denver decreased from $2,900 in April 2011, to $2,000 this year. Marijuana growers cannot obtain bank financing, because marijuana remains illegal under federal law.

Full story of marijuana growers profits at DrugFree.org

Photos courtesy of and copyright PhotoPin, http://photopin.com/

Beedie Savage – President of Quantum Units Education

Investors are paying more attention to the burgeoning marijuana market, in light of the drug’s legalization in Washington state and Colorado, USA Today reports. With more states considering similar legislation, and a growing number of Americans favoring legalization, the business community’s interest is increasing.

The trade journal Medical Marijuana Business Daily estimates the $1.5 billion legal market could reach $6 billion by 2018. “The industry has grown up a lot since we launched in 2011,” said the publication’s editor, Chris Walsh. “It was the activists and hippies. We’re seeing more grownups over the past two years, and it’s accelerating in the last six months.”

Investors are looking to back consulting firms, insurance agencies and software companies to serve the marijuana market, the article notes. They see a large, fragmented market, with a lack of leadership and tools to develop it. They are avoiding investing in businesses that buy and sell marijuana directly, since the drug remains illegal under federal law.

Full story of investors and marijuana at DrugFree.org

Photos courtesy of and copyright PhotoPin, http://photopin.com/

Beedie Savage – President of Quantum Units Education

NEW! Biology of Aging

3 CE hrs. $9
CEU Course Description
Biology of Aging describes some of the National Institute of Aging’s exciting findings about the basic biology of aging and points to directions for future investigation.

NEW! Suicide Prevention in High Schools

10 CEU hrs. $30
CE Course Description
This toolkit was prepared for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) by the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD) in collaboration with Education Development Center, Inc. This toolkit was developed to assist high school personnel design and implement strategies to prevent suicide and promote behavioral health among students.

NEW! Marijuana: Effects on Brain, Body and Behavior

2 CEU hrs $6
CE Course Description
This short course covers selected effects of marijuana on the brain, body and behavior. In addition to information about how it affects the mind and body, it includes statistics on marijuana use in the US.

Full information on the new courses and many others at Quantum Units Education

Beedie Savage – President of Quantum Units Education