Cannabis for medical use in Malta

Abstract

In March 2018, Malta amended the Drug Dependence (Treatment Not Imprisonment) Act to permit licensed medical practitioners to prescribe medicinal cannabis, in line with provisions laid down by the Superintendent of Public Health. In February 2019, the European Parliament, in the resolution on medical cannabis, called on policy-makers to provide healthcare professionals with training on medical cannabis. The objective of the study was to develop and validate a framework for an online medicinal cannabis course that primarily caters to health care professionals and members of the medicinal cannabis industry in Malta and may also be of value and interest to health professionals and members of the medicinal cannabis industry in other countries. An internet search was done to identify the available medicinal cannabis courses available online. Qualitative data covering learning outcomes, topics, accreditation level, logistics and target audiences was compiled and analyzed. Online courses for medicinal cannabis typically included history, pharmacology, indications and country-specific regulations for medicinal cannabis. At present, there is no course offered that is specific to the Maltese regulations nor the European Union. Almost all of the courses provide a certificate of completion, some of which require passing an examination prior to completion. Lectures of the online courses were delivered asynchronously as pre-recorded videos which allowed participants to follow at their own pace. Based on the initial research, an initial framework was created and was subject to validation via a focus group discussion involving experts in the field of medicinal cannabis. With the recommendations obtained from the focus group discussion, a final framework was created. The final course framework included a comprehensive outline of topics that will be of valuable use for health care professionals and members of the medicinal cannabis industry not only in Malta but in other countries as well. The student has the option of taking the whole course, which consists of eight modules, or to take individual modules depending on his/or her interest or need. Similar to pre-existing online courses, the lectures for the course will also be delivered via pre-recorded videos that will not only allow flexibility of schedule but also cater to individual learning styles as well. An assessment will be given at the end of each module which the student will be required to pass prior to being awarded a certificate.