Medical Staff Professional University of California San Diego University of California San Diego San Diego, California
There is a disconnect between public policy and scientific knowledge around the use of cannabis and psychedelics that could lead to malpractice exposure or other liability for physicians recommending these treatments for their patients. State laws vary considerably, while Federal law defines them as drugs with no currently accepted medical use with high potential for abuse. Ketamine, a Schedule 3 drug, is a dissociative anesthetic that has risen in popularity, but again, its use is outpacing the science in some scenarios. Although cannabis and psychedelics therapeutic research is growing, they remain on the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Schedule I, rendering their prescription illegal under federal law. Doctors must be knowledgeable about the potential legal and ethical problems that may arise with respect to patients accessing these treatments. In this course, you will gain an understanding of the federal law in the area of psychedelic research as well as the most up-to-date compliance information available. You will also learn about several prosecutions of physicians related to the use of psychedelics.
Learning Objectives:
Identify the federal regulations that apply to the prescribing psychedelic medications, including case studies involving federal prosecutions of physicians.
Implement compliance measures in your practice to help mitigate the risks of utilizing psychedelic therapies
Discuss ethical considerations for psychoactive drugs: equity
Understand the risks and importance of patient vulnerability and defining boundaries.