First Harvest Financial's Board Advisor Dr. Gregory L. Smith, MD, MPH Launches New Website for Medical Cannabis

Medical expert, avid researcher and medical cannabis advocate, Gregory L. Smith, MD, MPH, is well-known for his textbook, Medical Cannabis: Basic Science and Clinical Applications. He also acts as a strategic advisor to First Harvest Financial as its Director of Medical Affairs. With years of experience in the cannabis industry and a firm understanding of the science behind the plant, Dr. Smith recently launched his new website, which serves as an inside source for medical cannabis information and news.

Visitors to the newly released http://gregorylsmithmd.com will find videos and news articles hand-selected by Dr. Smith about medical marijuana, advancements in legalization and how marijuana is changing the medical field. The site will also be the premier news source for all things related to Dr. Smith’s book—Medical Cannabis: Basic Science and Clinical Applications—one of the first science-based, peer reviewed textbooks on medical cannabis written for medical professionals.

Dr. Smith, who has been practicing medicine for nearly 30 years, spent approximately half of his career working in California, where he studied medical cannabis. It was during this time that Dr. Smith realized there were very few, if any, reliable scientific print resources on prescribing medical cannabis. Dr. Smith was inspired to help other physicians and medical professionals develop a strong knowledge about medical cannabis in order to better both their patients' lives and the practice of modern medicine.

The new website will showcase information that is valuable not only to medical professionals hoping to learn more about administering cannabis to patients, but also to caretakers, patients and anyone in pursuit of scientific-based research on medical cannabis and its effects on the human body. Visitors can easily access articles written by Dr. Smith, such as “Medical Cannabis 101,” which provides a historical overview of cannabis and its role in human life and also breaks down the science behind the interaction between cannabis and the human body. Dr. Smith will also select some of the best scientific and medical resources on the workings of medical cannabis to share with his readers.

In the video section of Dr. Smith’s site, visitors can access interviews featuring Dr. Gregory L. Smith and experienced science and medical professionals, exclusive web programs from CannaInsider and other industry sources, as well as educational lectures Dr. Smith has conducted in the past, such as his CANNAtalk on Alzheimer’s. The videos are concise and informative, calling viewers’ attention to the need for medical professionals to receive a more thorough education on medical cannabis in order to better serve their patients and their practice.

“It is estimated that less than 1% of physicians in the US use medical cannabis in their practice. Less than 5% have had any education or training in the use of cannabinoids, even the very safe and effective CBD oil,” Dr. Smith wrote. “Not unexpectedly, there is essentially no consistent training or education of medical students, even to this day, on cannabinoids, medical marijuana or the ECS.”

From cancer patients to those struggling with chronic pain, seizures, and PTSD, Dr. Smith has seen the significant difference in people who switch from traditional prescription medications, including opioids, to medical marijuana. The difference in patient mood, mental stamina and overall physical wellbeing is something Dr. Smith feels every medical professional should be aware of. His latest book and most recent research were aimed at educating primary care physicians, family practice physicians, internists, pain specialists, oncologists, geriatricians, medical students, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and other medical professionals on administering medical marijuana safely and appropriately.

In addition to highlighting the need for medical marijuana legalization and education, gregorylsmithmd.com also provides a look into Dr. Smith’s opinion on the War on Drugs and the impact the federal government has had on limited marijuana research.

“Being placed in Schedule I severely limited human research on cannabinoids for the past 40 years; therefore, almost all of the research in humans is either very old, from the 70s and 80s, is based off of small, poor-quality studies, or was done using synthetic pharmaceuticals and not whole plant marijuana,” said Dr. Smith. “Just in the past few years have high quality, whole plant marijuana studies in humans started to be published.”

To remain up to date on medical marijuana research and news, or to learn more about Dr. Greg Smith and his latest publication, Medical Cannabis: Basic Science and Clinical Applications, visit gregorylsmithmd.com today!

About Dr. Gregory Smith MD, MPH
Dr. Gregory Smith, MD, MPH earned his medical degree from Rush Medical School in Chicago, and a Masters of Public Health from Harvard University.  He completed residency training in Preventive Medicine at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Since leaving the US Army with the rank of Major, Doctor Smith has been in primary care practice in California, Georgia and Florida for the past 25 years. He first trained on use of medical cannabis in California in 2000, and has made medical cannabis and CBD oil part of his practice since that time. Dr. Smith is an avid writer, having published two medical textbooks, a novel entitled, Malpractice, and articles with many magazines and over a dozen peer reviewed medical publications.

About First Harvest Financial
First Harvest Financial, Inc. works directly with those professionals looking to strategically enter and capitalize on growing and creating  cannabis-based solutions in today's marketplace. The firm manages a private equity fund investing in legal, cannabis-related companies, primarily medical cannabis-based solutions. First Harvest Financial provides accredited investors a diversified portfolio approach to  investing in ancillary businesses related to the cannabis sector. For more information, please visit: http://www.firstharvestfinancial.com/