Caregiving for the Caregiver -- A discussion of cannabis medicine with Dr. Bonni Goldstein

Summary: Jason, Elizabeth and Dr Bonni Goldstein discuss the history of the marijuana plant and its medicinal benefits, as well as the obstacles families of children with complex healthcare needs have faced in access and use of cannabis medicine for their children. Dr. Bonni also speaks as a caregiver to caregivers. In the show she also reveals how the endocannabinoid system of caregivers and those who experience chronic stress can become unbalanced. Bonni Goldstein, MD is the Medical Director of Canna-Centers Wellness and Education, a California-based medical practice devoted to educating patients about the use of cannabis for serious and chronic medical conditions.  After years of working in the specialty of Pediatric Emergency medicine, she developed an interest in the science of medical cannabis after witnessing its beneficial effects in an ill friend.  Since then she has evaluated thousands of patients for use of medical cannabis.  She has a special interest in treating children with intractable epilepsy, autism, and advanced cancers. Dr. Goldstein recently authored the book Cannabis Revealed: How the world’s most misunderstood plant is treating everything from chronic pain to epilepsy. Dr. Goldstein has presented her clinical experiences at both national and international medical conferences.  She has appeared on the TV show The Doctors and is featured in a new documentary  called “Weed the People” featured at the 2018 South by Southwest festival.