Marijuana and the Developing Brain

Marijuana and the Developing Brain

Date: June 23rd, 2022

Time: 10:00AM - 11:30AM

National data indicates that many youth do not believe using marijuana at their age is potentially harmful. Marijuana concentrates are being promoted as a cure all for many medical conditions without evidence based medicine. Rumors abound, and the facts can be elusive. What is a parent to do? Some of our kids are very confused about what's safe, what's legal, what's CBD, what's Delta-8, what's in edibles, and just the overall topic. Let's put aside the legal issues and the judgment and get in the right frame of mind to talk with our kids about today's marijuana. With marijuana youth use rates on the rise, this topic should concern parents of youth of all ages. Dr. Merrill Norton is a nationally recognized expert in the impact of marijuana (and other drugs) on the teen brain. He will share with prevention experts and parents the newest information on today's marijuana and how it can affect the developing brain and pregnancy. Dr. Norton engagingly presents information to help professionals and parents feel more confident in discussing marijuana's impact on the developing brain.

Learning Objectives:

Participants will:

• Demonstrate an understanding of the marijuana in 2022 effects on the developing adolescent brain;
• Review the latest research information of marijuana concentrates on the effects on the unborn and the pregnant woman;
• Develop a working knowledge of current marijuana concentrates and derivatives such as Delta 8 THC, Delta 10 THC, and others.

Presenter: Dr. Merrill Norton

Dr. Merrill Norton is an EMMY winning Clinical Associate Professor Emeritus of the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy with his specialty areas to include psychopharmacology and addiction pharmacy. He was most recently honored by the Georgia Addiction Counselors Association’s Board of Directors and Certification Board with being bestowed the first Certified Master Addiction Counselor (CMAC) credential in the state. His recently updated book, Understanding Substance Use Disorders Pharmacology, has been used to train thousands of mental health professionals nationally and his latest book, and The Pharmacist’s Guide to Opioid Use Disorders was released in December 2018.

Dr. Norton completed his undergraduate and graduate work at the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy. He accomplished a three year addiction medicine fellowship under the direction of Douglas Talbott MD at Ridgeview Institute and has state, national, and international credentials in the treatment of mentally ill/addicted/chronic pain individuals. He has also been a faculty member of the Fairleigh-Dickinson University Postdoctoral Training Program in the Masters of Psychopharmacology, Alliant International University of San Francisco College of Psychology, University of Georgia School of Continuing Education, and Berry College in the areas of Psychopharmacology and Addiction Pharmacy. His areas of specialty in addiction pharmacy are the management of chronic pain in the substance use disordered patient and the neuroscience of substance use disorders.

Since his recent retirement from UGA , Dr. Norton’s primary focus is to provide the latest scientific information to communities, educators, healthcare professionals, prevention specialists, treatment providers, and especially families, on the diseases of substance use disorders.

Audience: The training was designed for all audiences.

Skill Level: The training was designed for any skill level.

An application for continuing education credit has been submitted to the NCSAPPB.

Funding in whole or in part for this event was provided by the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services with funding from Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services