Cannabis and Public Health: Potential Risks and Side Effects of Medical Cannabis
4 Hours CE/CPD | Online Course with Dr. Kenneth Finn, M.D.
As cannabis legalization, commercialization, and normalization continue to expand, healthcare professionals and workplace leaders need clear, balanced, and evidence-informed education.
Cannabis and Public Health provides essential knowledge on the potential risks, side effects, public health implications, and workplace considerations associated with medical cannabis.
Presented by Dr. Kenneth Finn, M.D., this course is designed for healthcare professionals, HR leaders, and other decision-makers who need to understand cannabis-related issues with greater clarity and confidence.
Course Overview
Across this 4-hour CE/CPD course, participants will explore the pharmacology of cannabis, medical applications, potential risks, side effects, public health concerns, workplace implications, and current issues surrounding cannabis use.
For healthcare professionals, the course addresses important knowledge gaps around cannabis use, helping practitioners better understand how to discuss risks, benefits, and clinical considerations with patients.
For HR professionals and workplace leaders, the course examines how cannabis use may affect productivity, safety, workplace culture, policy development, and risk management.
Supported by video lectures, a fully illustrated course workbook, companion course, lesson quizzes, online exam, certificate of completion, and lifetime access, this course provides a practical foundation for informed professional decision-making.
What You Will Learn
Topic Focus Cannabis Pharmacology Understanding how cannabis interacts with the body and why effects may vary between individuals Medical Applications Exploring current medical use, claims, clinical considerations, and evidence-informed discussion Risks & Side Effects Identifying potential adverse effects, safety concerns, and public health implications Healthcare Decision-Making Supporting informed, evidence-based conversations in clinical practice Workplace Considerations Understanding potential effects on safety, productivity, workplace culture, and HR policy Regulation & Public Health Examining the wider implications of cannabis legalization, normalization, and commercializationCourse Content
The course combines cannabis pharmacology, medical use, risk awareness, side-effect education, workplace considerations, public health discussion, and professional decision-making.
Module Focus Cannabis in a Changing Landscape Legalization, normalization, commercialization, and the need for informed professional education Pharmacology and Medical Use How cannabis works, why it is used medically, and what professionals need to understand Risks, Side Effects and Safety Potential adverse effects, safety issues, clinical concerns, and public health implications Clinical Practice Considerations Practical guidance for healthcare professionals addressing cannabis-related questions Cannabis in the Workplace Implications for HR leaders, safety-sensitive roles, productivity, culture, and policy development Professional Decision-Making Using evidence-informed knowledge to support responsible decisions in healthcare and organizational settingsWho This Course Is For
This course is suitable for physicians, nurses, pharmacists, healthcare professionals, rehabilitation professionals, HR managers, HR leaders, workplace safety professionals, and other professionals who need a clearer understanding of cannabis-related risks, side effects, and public health implications.
It is especially valuable for professionals involved in clinical decision-making, patient education, workplace policy, safety-sensitive environments, employee wellbeing, and organizational risk management.
About Dr. Kenneth Finn
Dr. Kenneth Finn, M.D., is board certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Pain Medicine, and Pain Management.
He has served on the Colorado Governor’s Task Force on Amendment 64 and the Colorado Medical Marijuana Scientific Advisory Council, bringing extensive experience to the discussion of cannabis, medicine, regulation, and public health.
His leadership roles within the American Board of Pain Medicine further reflect his expertise in pain medicine, clinical care, and responsible professional education.
Included With This Course
Included Details Video Lectures 2.5 hours of video lectures presented by Dr. Kenneth Finn, M.D. Fully Illustrated Workbook Supporting workbook with detailed explanations, visual aids, and practical learning exercises Companion Course Structured companion lessons designed to reinforce and deepen course understanding Lesson Quizzes Knowledge checks designed to reinforce learning throughout the course Online Exam Assessment included for successful course completion Certificate 4 Hours CE/CPD following successful completion Lifetime Access Study at your own pace and revisit the material whenever required .nat-ce{margin:50px 0;padding:36px 0 20px;border-top:1px solid #e5e5e5;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;color:#222}.nat-ce h2{margin:0 0 10px;color:#c3283d;font-size:30px}.nat-ce p{margin:0 0 18px;font-size:16px;line-height:1.7;color:#545454}.nat-ce-info{margin-bottom:24px;padding:16px 18px;background:#fafafa;border-left:4px solid #c3283d}.nat-ce-cue{margin:0 0 16px;text-align:left;color:#222;font-size:14px;font-weight:bold;letter-spacing:.03em;text-transform:uppercase}.nat-ce-row{display:flex;gap:14px;overflow-x:auto;padding:4px 20px 20px 0;scroll-snap-type:x proximity}.nat-ce-card{scroll-snap-align:start;flex:0 0 min(245px,76vw);max-width:min(245px,76vw);border:1px solid #e5e5e5;background:#fff;box-sizing:border-box}.nat-ce-board{height:86px;padding:12px 14px;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5;background:#f7f7f7;color:#222;font-size:13px;font-weight:bold;line-height:1.35;display:flex;align-items:center;box-sizing:border-box}.nat-ce-hours{padding:12px 14px 14px;color:#545454;font-size:13px;line-height:1.5}.nat-ce-hours strong{display:block;margin-top:3px;color:#c3283d;font-size:26px;line-height:1}.nat-ce-note{margin:18px 0 0!important;font-size:13px!important;line-height:1.7!important;color:#666!important}CE Finder
This course has been approved for continuing education by numerous professional boards and associations worldwide. Scroll sideways to find your board or association.
Course: Potential Risks and Side Effects of Medical CannabisApprovals Listed: 2
CE Broker Provider: # Scroll right to view all approvals in alphabetical order → American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians (ACBSP) Approved Hours
4 CEU/CPD Self-Cert Approved Hours
4
Approval requirements can change. Please confirm acceptance with your own board, association, employer, or regulatory authority before registration.
Potential Risks and Side Effects of Medical Cannabis
Professional Reviews & Feedback
The reviews below represent feedback provided by students and practitioners through Trustpilot, Google Reviews, and Judge.me.
★★★★★ 4.8 average rating across reviews collected via Trustpilot, Google Reviews, and Judge.me“Dr. Kenneth Finn presents a balanced and evidence-informed examination of cannabis that every healthcare professional should hear.”
Sharon M., RN“The course helped me better understand both the potential benefits and the very real risks associated with cannabis use.”
Michael R., PT“I appreciated that the material remained objective throughout. The goal was education rather than advocacy.”
Angela S., LMT“The sections covering public health concerns and unintended consequences of legalization were particularly insightful.”
Thomas H., DC“This course filled several knowledge gaps I didn't realise I had regarding cannabis products and patient safety.”
Karen F., OT“Dr. Finn explains a complex and often emotionally charged topic in a calm, factual, and professional manner.”
Brian P., ATC“The discussion of cognitive effects, dependency concerns, and long-term health implications was extremely valuable.”
Melissa N., Massage Therapist“A very useful course for healthcare providers who want to better answer patient questions about cannabis.”
Patrick T., PTA“The course provided a much deeper understanding of the current research landscape and where knowledge gaps still exist.”
Jennifer L., RMT“I appreciated the focus on critical thinking and evidence evaluation rather than relying on popular narratives.”
Christopher D., MD“The material on adolescent exposure and developing brains was especially important and thought-provoking.”
Nadia B., RN“Dr. Finn does an excellent job separating scientific evidence from marketing claims and public perception.”
Kevin K., PT“The course strengthened my confidence when discussing cannabis use with clients and patients.”
Rachel V., Manual Therapist“I found the information on workplace implications and public safety concerns particularly relevant.”
Daniel G., HR Manager“The course was informative without being alarmist. It presents risks realistically and responsibly.”
Catherine A., LMT“An excellent overview of cannabis-related health risks presented by someone with obvious subject-matter expertise.”
Lars W., Physician Assistant“The discussion of potency trends and commercialisation provided important context that is often overlooked.”
Monica J., RMT“This course challenged several assumptions I had about cannabis and encouraged a more evidence-based perspective.”
Omar E., PT“The material was current, balanced, and highly relevant for healthcare professionals working with diverse populations.”
Susan C., RN“A thoughtful and exceptionally well-presented course that should be required viewing for anyone advising patients about cannabis use.”
Przemyslaw Z., MD .nat-student-reviews { margin: 50px 0; padding: 42px 0; border-top: 1px solid #e5e5e5; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; background: #ffffff; } .nat-section-heading { max-width: 1100px; margin: 0 auto 30px auto; text-align: left; padding: 0 20px; } .nat-section-heading h3 { margin: 0 0 8px; color: #545454; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.4; letter-spacing: 0.02em; text-transform: uppercase; } .nat-section-heading h2 { margin: 0 0 12px; color: #c3283d; font-size: 30px; font-weight: 700; line-height: 1.3; } .nat-section-heading p { margin: 0 0 14px; max-width: 900px; color: #545454; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.7; } .nat-review-summary { display: inline-block; margin-top: 6px; padding: 8px 14px; border: 1px solid #e4e4e4; background: #fafafa; color: #545454; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.5; } .nat-review-scroll { display: flex; gap: 20px; overflow-x: auto; scroll-snap-type: x mandatory; padding: 20px; } .nat-review-card { flex: 0 0 340px; scroll-snap-align: start; background: #fafafa; border: 1px solid #e4e4e4; border-left: 4px solid #c3283d; padding: 24px; } .nat-review-card p { margin: 0 0 18px; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.7; font-style: italic; } .nat-review-author { color: #545454; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 600; border-top: 1px solid #e6e6e6; padding-top: 12px; } .nat-review-scroll::-webkit-scrollbar { height: 8px; } .nat-review-scroll::-webkit-scrollbar-track { background: #f0f0f0; } .nat-review-scroll::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb { background: #c3283d; } @media (max-width: 768px) { .nat-section-heading h2 { font-size: 26px; } .nat-review-card { flex: 0 0 290px; } .nat-review-summary { font-size: 13px; } }
