title: Clinical Approach to the Heavy Cannabis User in the Age of Medical Marijuana.
abstract: This article begins with a case vignette exemplifying the common clinical problem of heavy marijuana users. The epidemiology and basic science underlying cannabis dependence is outlined, followed by clinical strategies for basing a therapeutic alliance on known research findings and using motivational interviewing to deal with typical patterns of denial.
authors.affiliation: a Past President, California Society of Addiction Medicine , San Francisco , CA , USA.|b Co-Chair, Youth Education & Prevention Working Group, Lt. Governor's Blue Ribbon Commission on Marijuana Policy , CA , USA.
authors.forename: Timmen L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Cermak
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects*; D013759:Dronabinol / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D043884:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1 / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D043884:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1; D013759:Dronabinol
keywords: Adolescence; cannabis use disorder; endocannabinoid; treatment; “medical” marijuana