Although conventional cigarette smoking among young adults has declined markedly over the past several decades, there has been a substantial increase in the use of vaporizing devices. While originally designed as alternative delivery vehicles for nicotine in place of tobacco, advances in technology and lack of strict regulation has given rise to the use of these devices as delivery vehicles for a variety of substances, especially cannabis. Unfortunately, very little information is available about the safety of the active and inactive ingredients present in products used for vaping. This program will provide participants with an overview of cannabis, vaping, and their overall systemic adverse effects. Special emphasis will be given to the oral complications associated with vaping, as well as treatment planning strategies for patients who vape.

Upon successful completion of this program, participants will be able to:

• Describe the pharmacology of cannabis, including its mechanism of action, routes of administration, and available formulations.
• Compare smoking and vaping as alternate delivery systems for introducing drugs like nicotine and cannabis into the lungs.
• Describe the oral and systemic complications encountered by patients who vape.
• Explain currently available treatment strategies and patient care planning techniques for patients who vape cannabis.