Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1488734
research focus 17 cannapatientcare.com november/december 2022 | cannabis patient care prescription painkillers for the relief of chronic pain has the potential to help veterans relieve substance use disorders and increase their well-being (12). Based on our research and findings in the studies described above, we set out to conduct an iCount for Veterans' study to discover how medical cannabis was helping veterans in Mas- sachusetts and nationally. iCount for Veterans is a partnership with Patriots Helping Vets, University of Massachusetts (UMass) Dartmouth, and the Cannabis Center of Excellence (CCOE) to ex- pand access to cannabis for veterans and conduct real-world studies on its impact on health and wellness. This study is ap- proved by the UMass Dartmouth Institutional Review Board (IRB), and the surveys and ongoing engagement with veterans as part of this study will be deployed and managed through iCount, a platform hosted by the CCOE. Study partners contrib- ute cannabis for veterans' research and access, depending on the unique research project. Project partners provide the products or other offers to veterans and deliver the cannabis to the retail outlets in Mas- sachusetts. Other project partners provide study products that are available nationally to veterans. The CCOE and Pa- triots Helping Vets will conduct research studies using the cannabis products to be sold to veterans through retail can- nabis dispensaries in different parts of Massachusetts. Sup- ported by Patriots Helping Vets to recruit veterans to partic- ipate, the CCOE facilitates the data collection (that is, basic demographics, self-reported health and wellness, and side ef- fects of using cannabis) from veterans who get the cannabis and report for the research studies. Veterans will be required to register to be part of the studies through a CCOE sign-up. They will receive a code to be present- ed at the participating Massachusetts cannabis retail outlets to confirm their status as a study participant. Here we report on some studies conducted through iCount for Veterans. iCount for Veterans Intake Survey Key Findings Recently, 368 veterans signed up for iCount for Veterans, and 232 have completed the iCount for Veterans intake survey. This survey enrolls veterans to be a part of the iCount for Veterans program, where veterans can participate in future studies without completing other intake questions. • In terms of health conditions veterans were experiencing (N=193), 75% reported depression/mood as the top health We support capacity building through collaboration and partnership; share knowlege of both the business and the science of the plant; amplify each other's possibilities for doing business su successfully; and seek to empower leaders whose focus includes eliminating health disparities. Cannabis Business Alliance is a community of entrepreneurs in the ancillary cannabis supply chain operating at the intersection of health and wellness. Learn more at cannabisbusinessalliances.com