Science sparked Susan Hewlings’ interest in cannabis.
Hewlings, PhD, RN, is a scientist and consultant in the dietary supplement, CBD, and cannabis industries. Ten years ago, when friends who were opening dispensaries and seeking her advice and recommendations, she began exploring the science of it all.
“It’s evolved over the years,” says Hewlings, who is also a full-time professor at Central Michigan University. “I wanted certification to support all the work and knowledge that I have acquired.”
A Clinically Oriented and Robust Cannabis Certificate Program
Hewlings enrolled in UVM’s Cannabis Science and Medicine Professional Certificate, an online program designed for physicians, dispensary personnel, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, physician assistants, and regulators.
Offered by the UVM Larner College of Medicine Department of Pharmacology, the 7-week cannabis certificate program covers cannabis history, business, law and policy, plant biology, biological effects on humans, production and safety, pharmacology, and clinical research.
“The depth and breadth of this program (is why I chose UVM). It wasn’t just a one-weekend workshop,” she says. “It covered every aspect and it was clinically oriented.”
The UVM cannabis certificate program gives professionals assurance they can accurately inform patients and customers, as well as gain a competitive advantage as a knowledgeable, trustworthy provider who can effectively minimize the risks and maximize the benefits of cannabis for therapeutic use.
Hewlings is director of scientific affairs for Nutrasource, which helps health product companies launch science-backed products through regulatory consulting, clinical trials, and testing. She is also the co-founder and science director for Substantiation Sciences, a claim substantiation and science consulting firm.
Hewlings says she can apply the knowledge she learned at UVM in many different ways.
“The UVM program had great foundational information, readings, and videos. I knew about the evidence-based pieces, but I didn’t know about plant biology and taxonomy,” she says. “Having studied human health and physiology for 20 years, and having studied the endocannabinoid system, I’ve pieced together a lot of exercise, health, and wellness information. This program closed some open-ended questions along the way.”
