External glands called trichomes manufacture the active ingredients in cannabis: cannabinoids
The California Board of Registered Nursing has approved Continuing Education Credits for nurses attending the $140, six-hour seminar, which “will include an overview of cannabis, the various cannabinoids (endogenous, phyto-cannabinoids and pharmaceutical cannabinoid products) and the newly discovered endogenous cannabinoid system (ECS) that is present in all humans. By understanding the ECS, it becomes more clear as to how and why cannabis is a safe and effective medication for a wide array of illnesses and conditions. The nurse’s role in patient care and education regarding the safe use of cannabis, including ingestion methodologies and interactions with prescription opiates, will be discussed. State and federal laws regarding cannabis as medicine will also be presented.”
Complete article here:
http://www.eastbayexpress.com/LegalizationNation/archives/2012/09/12/what-nurses-need-to-know-about-the-endocannabinoid-system-and-cannabis