In 2014, the state of Maryland legalized the use of medical cannabis and partially decriminalized possession. Prior to 2014, Maryland’s per capita spending on arrests for possession of marijuana was the third highest in the country. It is clear we have come a long way, but we still have some ways to go to overcome barriers in conducting basic and clinical research on the health benefits of drugs like cannabis and psilocybin, rather than focusing most research on the harmful effects. Researchers can easily be discouraged by the layers of approvals that must be obtained from different agencies and organizations due to the Schedule I classification (defined as drugs with no accepted medical use) and there aren’t enough diverse groups of funders that would support research on the benefits of these drugs. If we further research on the medicinal value of these drugs, we can successfully equip our future clinicians with the proper knowledge to determine the appropriate drug, potency, daily dosage, and route of administration. The purpose of this article is to provide basic information on the topic of drugs with medicinal properties as far as where we are as a country, what advantages Maryland holds, how these factors impact us as social workers and a vision for the future.
Where are we now as a country?
In November of 2020, Oregon became the first state in the nation to decriminalize all drugs. In that same month, New Jersey became the first state in the mid-Atlantic region to pass a law for recreational cannabis, and our neighbor, the District of Columbia recently introduced legislation that would legalize and regulate the cultivation, production and sale of recreational cannabis. Most importantly, on December 4, 2020, the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment & Expungement (MORE) Act passed the House and became the first cannabis reform legislation that would decriminalize and de-schedule marijuana at the federal level and center on reparative justice. Although the bill must still pass the Senate, it is a monumental achievement when it comes to the fight against the War on Drugs. Descheduling marijuana from its Schedule I classification will open the doors for equitable research on the medical benefits, which could lead to enhanced educational programs and therapeutic centers with licensed practitioners.
What advantage does Maryland have?
We have two main institutions in research and education pushing the boundaries and getting ahead of the curve.
In 2019, the John Hopkins Center for Psychedelic & Consciousness Research facility opened its doors and is one of the leading psychedelic research institutions in the US. Their psychedelic research group has been conducting studies for over 20 years on patients suffering with various mental health disorders. In the absence of federal funding, the center relies strictly on gifts from private donors. Psychedelic healing techniques through therapy are new but the studies show that this modality permits “an individual to access unconscious and highly defended memories that are accessible through other modalities only after many years of work….they cut through denial and provide a safe container for the release of trauma” (Coleman, 2). This approach can be phenomenally useful for our veterans and immigrants who suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). There is a direct intersection between PTSD, substance addiction, major depression, and suicidality. Treatment for these debilitating mental health conditions can take years, and even then, some never recover. With the psychedelic modality, for many participants drastic improvements can be made in a matter of a few sessions. The Kojo Nnamdi Show featured Dr. Matthew Johnson, a professor and the Associate Center Director (at John Hopkins), who stated that their phase II and III trials are well underway, which are the final stage trials that can lead to approvals by the FDA. Dr. Johnson believes there is a strong possibility that psilocybin will be medically approved by the FDA for treatment of major depressive disorder across the US. The future of mental health practice may lie behind cannabis & psychedelic assisted therapy as an adjunct to traditional therapy since it continues to gain respect with psychiatrists and other clinicians.
In 2019, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy (UMB SOP) launched its new Masters of Science in Medical Cannabis and Therapeutics program. It is the only school in the tri-state region with such a program. This program not only prepares future entrepreneurs but also clinicians on gaining the knowledge needed to support patients, add to current research, and help develop well-informed medical cannabis policies in the future that could set the grounds for the possible cannabis and psychedelic therapy centers. Other institutions that offer some form of a certificate on medical cannabis are mainly focused on the business, policy and distribution, whereas UMB SOP is the only one offering therapeutic-related training. That is what sets us apart and places our future clinicians ahead of the curve. Although the program does not include any coursework related to psychedelics in therapeutic settings, it may be a good idea for the school to collaborate with John Hopkins and vamp up their program. This would then create the only program in the country with such distinctive options, forging new frontiers toward future therapy that would attract students from not just all over the country but even the world. Click here to view the current description on courses offered.
How does this impact us as future social workers?
At present, our School of Social Work does not have a dual-degree program with the School of Pharmacy, but it does allow for students to take courses as an elective from other graduate schools, provided it relates to their social work degree. To do so, the student must fill out this form. Upon graduating, the student will only receive one degree with one transcript reflecting a Master’s in Social Work. At the moment, nothing will be reflected on the degree showing training in cannabis therapeutics, but perhaps this may change in the future. Having a dual-degree or a certificate program may be highly beneficial to future social workers and alumni given the direction that we are headed in, not just as a state, but as a country overall. It may be efficient for both schools to first consider a certificate program and eventually push toward a dual degree program. Through a certificate program we can open up the doors to our alumni and help with enhancing their credentials. Many do not envision social workers’ involvement in drug assisted therapy, but there is a link between the two. Mary Cosimano, LMSW has shown this as a guide/facilitator working at the John Hopkins Psychedelic & Consciousness Research center while conducting over 450 study sessions. Obtaining the much-needed credentials in this field will make our social workers more competitive in the future.
As policy makers and activists push for the de-scheduling of therapeutic drugs on a federal level, demand for certified practitioners will increase and the University of Maryland is in a perfect position to increase its leverage by joining forces between both schools to create a program that will equip future practitioners with tools to meet the demand. If you, the student, find this topic appealing and would be interested in such a program, please let us know via this form or contact us at sswstudentjournal@gmail.com or okazi@umaryland.edu.
Vision for the future
The trajectory of the War on Drugs is shifting as the thick walls are slowly being torn down one piece at a time with the nation heading towards a more progressive and balanced view on the medicinal properties of drugs. If we succeed in de-scheduling on a federal level, it would be a huge factor that would pave the path and open up the door for transparency, accountability and a proper check and balance system that would allow healthcare practitioners to do a better job in assisting their clients through a mixture of modern medicine and integrative medicine. As progress is made in the direction of decriminalization, legalization and de-scheduling on a federal level, there is potential for huge socio-economic impacts and major reduction of stigma against use, abuse and addiction. Individuals with substance abuse are more likely to find recovery in rehab facilities than in jail. People completing proper treatment can become productive members of society more easily than convicted felons.
If Oregon became the first state in the nation to decriminalize all drugs, could Maryland become the first state in the nation that develops integrative medical facilities which incorporate a modern approach to medicine along with alternative methods? We can balance out the scales by incorporating various departments that include but are not limited to art therapy, yoga therapy, dance therapy, massage therapy, and medicinal drug therapy. As our Mental Health Practitioners work toward getting trained and eventually becoming legally licensed in cannabis and psychedelic therapy, Maryland can become the leading pioneer for this new and groundbreaking field of study.
Additional References not included in text:
Coleman, R. (2020). Psychedelic Psychotherapy. Transform Press.
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