Las Vegas Recovery Center’s Dr. Mel Pohl was scheduled to conduct the official welcome at the conference: “Medical Marijuana: From Theory to Practical Application.” The conference was scheduled for January 29, 2015, and brought together physicians, nurses, and those in the legal and law enforcement fields. Held at Harrah’s in Las Vegas, the conference was sponsored by Nevada’s Office of Continuing Medical Education and promises to lead to many positive discussions. The topic of the conference was medical marijuana and its impact on the community and the medical and legal fields. With the scheduled opening of marijuana dispensaries in Nevada, many in the community are wondering what this means for them. Presenters at this conference were talking about topics related to Nevada’s legalization of medical marijuana, including digging deeper into truths and myths associated with the legalization. Dr. Pohl gave the welcome address, and was joined by other professionals, such as Dr. Stuart Gitlow, president of the American Society of Addiction Medicine; Richard Dooley, deputy district attorney in the major narcotics division of the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office; and Bob Doyle, executive director of the Colorado Tobacco Education and Prevention Alliance. Dr. Pohl is no stranger to chronic pain management and the dilemma of using opiates and other medications long term. Over time, prescription painkillers and other drugs can easily become addicting, leading to a host of other problems. At Las Vegas Recovery Center (LVRC), Pohl and his colleagues use various techniques to help individuals addicted to painkillers overcome their addiction. He recommends finding other drug-free ways to reduce and manage pain, and our staff can help clients learn how to overcome their pain while recovering from their addictions.
