Marijuana and Synthetic Cannabinoids: High-lights of the Science

Approved for 1 CPCS Credit

As marijuana sources expand to medical-use and legal recreational-use, attorneys encounter more cases involving these substances and their role in impairment. What are the differences between marijuana metabolites? What are some pearls in interpreting drug testing results? How do the various sources of marijuana (edibles, "joints", oils) differ in potency and effects on the body? What is the science behind the marijuana breath testing device? What are synthetic cannabinoids and how do they compare with marijuana? These and other questions will be answered in this one-hour presentation.

Attend and Learn

1. State the scientific name of the parent marijuana compound and 2 major metabolites

2. Cite 2 differences between marijuana and synthetic cannabinoids

3. Identify 1 similarity between marijuana and synthetic cannabinoids

4. Provide 1 reason why determining impairment based on marijuana levels (or its metabolites) is challenging

About the Speaker

Allison A. Muller, Pharm.D, D.ABAT, FAACT Principal/Owner: Acri Muller Consulting, LLC

Dr. Allison Muller is a board-certified toxicologist (D.ABAT), fellow of the American Academy of Clinical Toxicology (FAACT), and registered pharmacist with over 20 years’ experience in the field of clinical toxicology. After a nearly 20-year career leading the Poison Control Center at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, which included consulting on toxicology cases from 21 counties in Pennsylvania and Delaware, Dr. Muller is presently an independent consultant specializing in medical communications and providing expert witness testimony on cases involving medications, alcohol, chemicals, and environmental toxins. She is also adjunct faculty, teaching pharmacology and toxicology to second-year veterinary medicine students, at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine.