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The Evolving Cannabis Space: From Medical Research and Education to Decriminalization and Regulations with Dr. Jeffrey Block
September 17 @ 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm EDT
Register Here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAtde-upjgtEtLTA35oyb9WDXtB5MwDSQ2z
Dr. Jeffrey Sherwood Block, an esteemed physician-botanist, boasts a distinguished career spanning over 25 years in clinical healthcare alongside internationally acclaimed expertise in horticulture, particularly in tropical ornamental plants and botanical medicines. As a trusted professional and articulate communicator, Dr. Block effectively engages diverse audiences, both live and virtually, in settings such as teaching hospitals, academic institutions, legislative bodies, and community forums.
Dr. J began his academic journey at Emory University, earning a Bachelor’s degree in 1978, with a major in analytical chemistry and a minor in psychology. In 1982, he acquired his Medical Doctorate from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. Specializing further, he completed Fellowship training in Pain Management and Addiction Medicine and became an American Board-Certified Anesthesiologist.
As the Founder of Nurturing Nature Group Consultants, Dr. Block leads an advisory firm that bridges agriculture, healthcare, and economic science to support the development of the botanical medicine industry. His horticultural expertise has garnered international recognition; Dr. B is an awarded horticulturist and the proprietor of Block Botanical Gardens in Miami, Florida. Additionally, Dr. Block contributes to the Florida Department of Agriculture Extension Offices as a Certified Master Gardener and educates at the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, where he participates in the University’s Hemp Pilot Project research program.
In 2014, the Florida Medical Association appointed Dr. Block as their “Designated Expert on Botanical Medicines.” In this role, he structured the educational framework and authored the introductory chapter for physician education under Florida’s Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act. The following year, Florida’s Surgeon General selected him as the sole physician to serve on the Department of Health’s Negotiated Rule-Making Committee, where he played a vital role in establishing Florida’s inaugural regulations for medical cannabis usage.
Dr. Block stands out as a national leader in cannabinoid medicine education. He educates health policymakers, physicians, and legal professionals at prestigious institutions, including the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Case Western Reserve University School of Law, Florida A\&M University School of Law, Baptist Health of South Florida, Nova Southeastern School of Pharmacy, University of Colorado, University of Kentucky, Miami-Dade County Medical Association, and the American Osteopathic Association.
He frequently contributes to prominent educational platforms and conferences. Dr. Block has featured in forums like The Answer Page, Marijuana for Medical Professionals, Patients Out of Time, The Emerald Cup, and The American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M). Recognized by Leading Physicians of the World and the International Association of Anesthesiologists, he has also received the American Medical Association’s Physician’s Recognition Award for Continuing Medical Education.
Licensure and Certifications
Medical License – State of Florida,
Registered, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA):
Certified, American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA):
Certified, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS):
Certified, Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS):
University Appointments
The UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI LEONARD M. MILLER SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, Miami, Florida
Professor, Department of Anesthesiology / Voluntary Adjunct 2009 – Present
Hospital Staff Privileges
SOUTH MIAMI HOSPITAL, Baptist Health Systems, Miami, Florida 2008 – Present
CritiCare Associates, Department of Medicine
Professional Clinical Experience
Anesthesiologist in Full-Service Practice
SOUTH MIAMI HOSPITAL, Baptist Health Systems, Miami, Florida 1988 – 2007
• Patient examination and data analysis of risk assessment for optimal patient outcome.
• Pain Management Consultant: Sub-specialty fellowship-trained physician specialist.
• Clinical research development improving treatment controls and/or curing of diseases.
• Investigating and testing new medications, products, and procedural techniques.
Locum Tenens Staff Anesthesiologist
ALACHUA GENERAL HOSPITAL, Gainesville, Florida 1987
BOCA RATON COMMUNITY HOSPITAL, Boca Raton, Florida
Ship’s Surgeon – U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Marine Staff Officer #67504 1986
AMERICAN HAWAII CRUISE LINES, Chicago, Illinois
Post Graduate Clinical Experience
JACKSON MEMORIAL AND AFFILIATE HOSPITALS 1982 – 1986
The University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
• Fellowship in Pain Management / Outpatient Anesthesia, Mt Sinai Medical Center (1985 – 1986)
• Residency in Anesthesiology (1983 – 1985)
• General Medicine Internship (1982 – 1983)
Education
The UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI LEONARD M. MILLER SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, Miami, Florida Doctor of Medicine, 1982
EMORY UNIVERSITY, Atlanta, Georgia
Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry, 1978
Graduate School Study – International Healthcare Systems: Socialised Medicine Models, London, UK 1978
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, University of Florida/IFAS Miami-Dade County Agricultural Extension Offices
Florida Master Gardener, 2009 – present; Gardener Instructor, 2014
Awards
Leading Physicians of the World, International Association of Anesthesiologists, 2014
American Medical Association (AMA) Physician’s Recognition Award for Medical Education, 2005
Best-in-Shows, Internationally awarded highest horticultural merit, including aroids, palms, bromeliads & orchids.
Professional Memberships
Member # 101747 – Florida Medical Association (FMA) and Dade County Medical Association (DCMA)
Member – Florida Society of Anesthesiologists (FSA)
Member – American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA)
Member – American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA)
Institutional Member – Block Botanical Gardens / American Public Gardens Association (APGA)
Founding Member – The Cure Alliance
Professional Career Interests Include:
Florida Master Gardener Class Educator – Horticulture, Plant Propagation, and Water Quality Expert;
Internationally recognized botanist-hybridizer accomplished in breeding tropical ornamentals;
Advising Member, Baptist Health of South Florida – Medical Ethics Leadership Committee;
Professional Pain Management / Addiction Issue Consultant – Opiate Agonist / Antagonist Receptors;
Pharma Product Development – Phase 3 Research: Vecuronium (Norcuron) Organon Pharmaceuticals;
Midazolam (Versed) Roche Pharmaceuticals; Alfentanil and Sufentanil – Janssen Pharmaceuticals.
Presentations, Research and Education
INCLUDING AMA PRA CAT 1 ACCME AWARDED CONTENT
Textbook Chapter Author: Brody’s Human Pharmacology 7th Ed. Chp 24&30 Substance-Use Disorders / Illicit Drugs (2023)
Textbook Chapter Author: History of Cannabis: A Story of Coevolution & Human Discovery / Chapter 1: De Gruyer (2023)
Post-Doctoral Fellows Lecturer: Dept. of Anesthesiology Pain Management – Univ of Miami Med. (2021 – 2022)
Botany Presentation: Four Decades of Anthurium Breeding: DocBlock Tropical Ornamental Plant Hybrids (2022)
Blog Author: The Answer PageTM (Harvard Med) Blog author expert on multiple Cannabis education topics – Boston, MA (2022)
Educational Content Author: The Answer PageTM (Harvard Med) Cannabinoids & Adaptive Immuno-Modulation – Boston, MA (2021)
Blog Author: Univ. of Florida/IFAS Hemp Pilot Project – A Physician’s Clinical Insights to Hemp (2021)
Physician Position Statement Author: “Urgent Considerations for Cannabis Used as a Medicine” – Miami Medicine Vol 92 No.4 (2021)
Legislation Author: Florida Medical Association: Medical Marijuana Resolution 21-202 – Adopted by full delegation (2021)
Physician Lecturer: Case Western Reserve University School of Law Physician Lecturer – Ohio Cannabis Law Course (2021)
Physician CME Lecturer – Puerto Rico CME & Agriculturist Course: “Cannabidiol: The Healing Power of Hemp?” (2021)
Physician CME Lecturer: American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine / A4M Lecture Cannabinoids & Immuno-Modulation (2020)
Dade County Medical Association – DCMA Physicians Leadership Academy: Medical Marijuana Project (2020)
Physician CME Lecturer: American Osteopathic Association (AOA) National Education Meeting – COVID & Cannabinoids (2020)
Author: Advanced Therapeutics Pain Medicine: Endogenous Receptors & Cannabis – CRC Press (2019)
Kentucky House of Representatives Judiciary Committee – Expert MD Testimony – Frankfort, KY (2019)
Physician CME Lecturer: MUSC Dept. of Psychiatry 2nd & 3rd Annual Cannabis Conferences – Medical University of South Carolina – Columbia, SC (2019-2020)
Physician CME Panel Moderator: MJ for MDs – Clinical Insight Cannabis Used as Medicine – Denver, CO (2018)
Physician Lecturer: Florida A&M University School of Law: Florida Cannabis Law Course – Orlando Campus (2018)
Physician Presenter: Emerald Cup Keynote Address “Medical Cannabis Prohibition Impact in the US” Santa Rosa, CA (2017)
Physician Author: Opinion Editorial – Better Patient Outcomes Depend on Better MMJ Legislation – Ft. Lauderdale Sun Sentinel (2017)
Physician Presenter: Multiple (7) University of Miami Miller School of Medicine department Grand Rounds – AMA PRA Cat 1 ACCME CreditTM Cannabinoid Medicines (2017-2023)
FL DOH Rule-making Committee physician selected to establish FL MMTC industry regulations (2015)
Physician CME Author: Florida Mandated Physician Education: “Botanical Medicine of Cannabinoids” – Florida Department of Health (2014)
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