TORONTO, April 5, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - As part of its ongoing commitment to education, Bedrocan Canada Inc. (Bedrocan Canada) will host its inaugural Masterclass course for medical professionals on Saturday, May 14th, 2016. The renowned Masterclass program was developed in the Netherlands by Bedrocan BV and continues to attract participants from around the world each year. This is the first time that the in-depth seminar is being offered to Canadian physicians.

Our one-day Masterclass will explore medical cannabis from a practitioner's perspective, offering participants a number of detailed lectures, practical demonstrations, and a tour of Bedrocan Canada's facility. The Masterclass will offer a unique perspective into all facets of cannabinoid medicine, from chemistry and quality assurance, to patient care and safe consumption.

"It's important that healthcare practitioners have the opportunity to learn about cannabis from a medical and patient perspective, so they can make informed decisions," said Amanda Daley, Head of Medical Education and Outreach at Bedrocan Canada. "As more patients become interested in cannabis as a treatment for a variety of symptoms, doctors will need to be able to answer cannabis-related questions when their patients bring them up. The Masterclass is a unique opportunity for practitioners to learn from leaders in the field."

Twenty-five healthcare practitioners will participate. One major aim of the Masterclass is to bring together individuals from diverse fields and specialties. Interested candidates are invited to submit a brief motivation letter to [email protected] by April 22nd.

Bedrocan Canada is dedicated to its strong roots in the medical sector, and the Masterclass is the next step in a series of Bedrocan Canada initiatives that focus on advancing the field of cannabinoid medicine.

Presenters:

Dr. Arno Hazekamp, Head of Research and Education at Bedrocan BV, will offer his expertise in all facets of a science-based approach to medical cannabis. His first seminar will discuss the chemical properties of cannabis, providing a basis for understanding cannabinoids and terpenes as well as the body's own endocannabionids. Dr. Hazekamp will also conduct a seminar on administration forms, quality control, and product development. Dr. Hazekamp was actively involved in creating quality standards used by the Dutch Government, and was a co-founder of the non-governmental organization (NGO) NCSM, intended to inform physicians and patients of the proper use of cannabis in clinical practice.

He is the author of numerous scientific papers on cannabis chemistry, delivery mechanisms, quality control and patient surveys. As an international authority on biochemical cannabis research, he is considered one of the foremost researchers in the field.

Dr. Danial Schecter, the co-founder of the Cannabinoid Medical Clinic (CMClinic), a practicing family physician and leader in the field of cannabinoid medicine, will discuss his approach to prescribing, the patient perspective, and safe cannabis consumption in his clinical seminar. After working alongside some of Canada's leading researchers in the field of medical cannabis, Dr. Schecter developed a strong interest in the therapeutic use of cannabinoids. As a recognized medical expert in the field of prescription cannabinoids and medical cannabis, Dr. Schecter has given numerous presentations to fellow physicians and developed educational programs on this subject.

Tjalling Erkelens, the CEO and Founder of Bedrocan BV, will discuss the finer points of standardization, growing, and cannabis varieties.  For the past 20 years, Mr. Erkelens has developed and standardized methods of producing cannabis to medical grade. Under his leadership, Bedrocan BV has become the only company in the world whose cannabis is exported for patient use in full compliance with international law. Bedrocan BV currently supplies cannabis to patients in Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Finland, Poland and Norway, and to researchers around the world.

About Bedrocan Canada
Bedrocan Canada is focused on medical cannabis production and research, including the EQUAL Study, which is currently enrolling patients and evaluating how cannabis is affecting the quality of life of Canadian patients. Bedrocan's standardized strains have been used by tens of thousands of patients in seven countries around the world. www.bedrocan.ca

About Bedrocan BV
Bedrocan® BV has its roots in the agricultural sector of the northern Netherlands and is the only producer of medicinal cannabis for the Dutch Ministry of Health. The cannabis is produced to the highest quality standards, in compliance with national and international regulatory requirements. It has been sold in pharmacies on prescription since 2003, covered by health insurance in the Netherlands since 2011, and is the only cannabis in the world exported for medical use. 

About Canopy Growth Corporation
Canopy Growth is Canada's first publicly traded medical cannabis company and the first geographically diversified producer with multiple licenses under the Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations. Through its wholly owned subsidiaries, Tweed, Tweed Farms, and Bedrocan Canada, the Company operates three state-of-the-art production facilities in Ontario and distributes cannabis across the country to Canadian patients managing a host of medical conditions. The Company is dedicated to educating healthcare practitioners, providing consistent access to high quality medication, conducting robust clinical research, and furthering the public's understanding of how cannabis is used for medical purposes. www.canopygrowth.com.

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SOURCE Canopy Growth Corporation