Interview with Leah Sera, PharmD about the MS Degree in Medical Cannabis Science and Therapeutics at The University of Maryland School of Pharmacy
Today is Wednesday, April 20, 2022.\xa0 I don\u2019t typically publish podcast episodes on Wednesdays, but I have a good reason to publish one today!\xa0 According to a Time Magazine article, both marijuana smokers and non-smokers agree that April 20 (or 420) is recognized as a national holiday for cannabis culture.\xa0 In honor of 420, today\u2019s episode is an interview with Leah Sera, PharmD, Program Director of the Master of Science Degree in Cannabis Science and Therapeutics at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy.\xa0 It\u2019s the only MS Program in the US devoted to the comprehensive and holistic study of cannabis science.\xa0 If you want to hear about the program and how Dr. Sera uses her voice as an educator, you\u2019re in the right place.
Thank you for listening to episode 145 of The Pharmacist\u2019s Voice \xae Podcast!
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To read the full show notes with links and highlights from the interview, visit https://www.thepharmacistsvoice.com/podcast/ and click on episode 145. \xa0
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Subscribe to or Follow The Pharmacist\u2019s Voice Podcast!
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Bio:
Dr. Leah Sera is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science and Program Director for the Master of Science in Medical Cannabis Science and Therapeutics (MCST) program at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy. Dr. Sera received her PharmD from the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy in 2010. She completed a pharmacy practice residency at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda, MD and a specialty residency in pain management and palliative care at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy. She is a board-certified pharmacotherapy specialist and completed a Master of Arts in Instructional Systems Development at the University of Maryland Baltimore County in 2017.
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Dr. Sera teaches in several courses in the MCST program, including an introduction to medical cannabis history, culture, and policy; a course introducing students to patient care and the clinical uses of medical cannabis; she also mentors students in their capstone projects. In the Doctor of Pharmacy program, Dr. Sera teaches a variety of topics in required and elective courses in the Doctor of Pharmacy curriculum. Additionally, Dr. Sera holds an associate faculty position at the University of Maryland Graduate School. Dr. Sera maintains an active clinical practice in the Transitional Care Center at the University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center in Glen Burnie, MD.
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Dr. Sera has been invited to speak on pain management, palliative medicine, and cannabis therapeutics topics at professional pharmacy conferences and at medical centers such as the National Institutes of Health. She received a Leader in Healthcare Award in the category of medical cannabis from the Baltimore Business Journal in 2020.
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Mentioned in this episode
Here\u2019s the Real Reason We Associate 420 with Weed.\xa0 (From the website time.com, link accessed 4-18-22. The article was updated 4-13-2018, and originally published April 19, 2016.)
Leah Sera, PharmD LinkedIn Profile
National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine Marijuana and Medicine Report
Clinical Cannabinoid Pharmacy Certificate (CCPC)
International Society of Cannabis Pharmacists (ISCPh)
Society of Cannabis Clinicians
International Cannabinoid Research Society (ISRS)
Cannabis Pharmacy: The Practical Guide to Medical Marijuana by Michael Backes
Cannabis:\xa0 A Clinician\u2019s Guide by Betty Wedman-St. Louis (Editor)
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Highlights from the interview
It takes 2 years to complete the MS Degree in Medical Cannabis Science and Therapeutics at The University of Maryland School of Pharmacy. 30 credits are required.\xa0 Classes are primarily online.\xa0 An in-person visit to campus in Rockville, MD is required once/semester.\xa0 Classes are asynchronous, which is great for full-time working professionals and parents. \xa0
Dual degree opportunity!\xa0
PharmD students can also earn a MS Degree in Medical Cannabis Science and Therapeutics and graduate on-time.\xa0
Who pursues the MS Degree in Medical Cannabis Science and Therapeutics? \xa0
Students must have a BS Degree or higher to enter the program.\xa0 Past/current students have included pharmacists, physicians, nurses, physical therapists, grad students with basic sciences degrees, attorneys, public health professionals, patient advocates, entrepreneurs, business professionals, and more.
What can graduates do with their degree? \xa0
It\u2019s not just one thing.\xa0 Depending on the graduate\u2019s background and academic goals, they can take what they learned and apply it to their area of expertise.\xa0 Because this degree is fairly new (2019), there is limited data.\xa0 Some students have used the degree to\xa0
- Expand their practice
- Become an educator
- Pursue entrepreneurship
- As a stepping stone to something else, like quality assurance in industry or pursuing a PhD or other MS Degree (ex:\xa0 pharmacology, psychology, or business)
What is a common myth or misconception about the MS Degree in Medical Cannabis Science and Therapeutics at The University of Maryland School of Pharmacy? \xa0
- It is not a PharmD program.
- Completing the MCST Degree does not lead to any type of clinical licensure.
What\u2019s the program like?
There are foundational courses and electives.\xa0 To learn more, visit the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy\u2019s website.\xa0 The electives help students customize the program to suit their interests, such as law, clinical therapeutics, analytical testing, etc.
Which resources can be useful for learning about Medical Cannabis Science and Therapeutics?
What\u2019s NOT in the curriculum?
- There is NO hands-on interaction with the cannabis plant.
- There is NO training or education on the cultivation of the cannabis plant.
(**The focus is on therapeutics, health policy, and pharmaceutical sciences.)
How is the MS Degree program different from a certificate training program?\xa0 For example, the International Society of Cannabis Pharmacists has a Clinical Cannabinoid Pharmacy Certificate (CCPC).
- It\u2019s a MS Degree, not a certificate.
- The Program is comprehensive.
- Networking opportunities with other students in the program who are also passionate about medical cannabis science and with industry professionals. \xa0
- Diverse learners - not just pharmacists.
- Stepping stone to another degree, if desired.
What if students can\u2019t afford the time or tuition to pursue their MS Degree in Cannabis Science and Therapeutics (MCST)? \xa0
- Self-study is an option.\xa0 There are some professional organizations devoted to medical cannabis advocacy \xa0
- Financial Aid is available at the University of Maryland.
- This 2-year program can be stretched beyond 2 years (up to 5 years from the time of enrollment).
How do program graduates keep up with changes?
Get updates sent to you automatically!\xa0 (Brilliant idea\u2026thanks Dr. Sera!). Ex:\xa0 keyword searches on PubMed or sign up for newsletters from cannabis societies.\xa0 Get the information sent to you! \xa0
Go to conferences.\xa0 Examples:\xa0 Cannabis Conference West in California and Cannabis Conference East in Baltimore, MD.\xa0 To learn more, visit https://www.cannabisscienceconference.com. \xa0
There are textbooks about Medical Cannabis
- Cannabis Pharmacy: The Practical Guide to Medical Marijuana by Michael Backes
- Cannabis:\xa0 A Clinician\u2019s Guide by Betty Wedman-St. Louis (Editor)
What does the future hold for medical cannabis science and therapeutics?
- There will continue to be advances in medical cannabis research in the US and around the world. \xa0
- Improved acceptance of cannabis as medicine. \xa0
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