Dr. Terel Newton, MD

Presentation Title:

Breaking the Pill Cycle: Medical Cannabis as a Remedy for Polypharmacy

Dr. Terel Newton, MD, Florida Medical Director, Trulieve, Medical Director, Total Pain Relief, LLC and Interventional Pain Consultant

Abstract:

Introduction:

Polypharmacy is the concurrent use of multiple medications. These can be several medications for a single condition or adding additional medications to combat the side effects of other medicines. This is a significant concern among older adults, increasing the risk of adverse drug events, potential for fall injuries, and other complications. Many patients and physicians set goals for using medical cannabis to replace or reduce other medicines.

Polypharmacy and Frailty in Older Adults:
Frailty is a complex geriatric syndrome associated with decreased physiological reserves and increased vulnerability to stressors. A systematic review published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology found a significant association between polypharmacy and frailty among older adults. The review included 25 observational studies and highlighted that 16 of 18 cross-sectional analyses and five of seven longitudinal analyses showed a positive correlation between the number of medications taken and the presence of frailty (1) . The review suggested polypharmacy may be a significant contributor to the cause of frailty.

Impact of Medical Cannabis on Polypharmacy:
A multi-site, prospective study (2) examined the patterns of medical cannabis use among patients over the age of 50. The study reported that nearly half of participants either reduced or discontinued use of medications while also having improvements in quality of life observed over six months. No serious adverse events were reported, suggesting that medical cannabis may be a safe and effective treatment option for older adults dealing with age-related medical conditions.

Medical Cannabis Use in Florida:
As of March 2025, the Florida Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU) reported over 900,000 qualified patients with active ID cards, reflecting the growing acceptance and utilization of medical cannabis in the state (3).

Potential of Medical Cannabis in Addressing Polypharmacy:
A study published in Preventing Chronic Disease examined the association between polypharmacy and health-related quality of life among patients with chronic conditions. The findings indicated reducing the number of medications could improve patients' quality of life and reduce psychological distress. (4)

Conclusion:
The risks associated with polypharmacy among older adults necessitates the exploration of alternative therapies to manage chronic conditions effectively. Medical cannabis presents a potential option to reduce the number of medications required and improve patients' quality of life. Further research is needed to fully understand the safety, efficacy, and long-term effects and exploration of personalized treatment plans is recommended to ensure patients do not suffer from withdrawal syndromes while reducing medications.

References:

Gutiérrez-Valencia, M., Izquierdo, M., Cesari, M., Casas-Herrero, Á., Inzitari, M., & Martínez-Velilla, N. (2018). The relationship between frailty and polypharmacy in older people: A systematic review. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 84(7), 1432–1444. https://doi.org/10.1111/bcp.13590
Pearson B, Walker M, Tempero J, Ong K, Lucas P. (2024). Medical Cannabis for Patients Over Age 50: A Multi-site, Prospective Study of Patterns of Use and Health Outcomes. Cannabis. Retrieved from https://www.cannabisclinicians.org/2024/06/21/medical-cannabis-for-patients-over-age-50-a-multi-site-prospective-study-of-patterns-of-use-and-health-outcomes
Florida Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU). (2025). OMMU Update: Qualified Patients Report. Retrieved from https://knowthefactsmmj.com
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2022). Association Between Polypharmacy and Health-Related Quality of Life. Preventing Chronic Disease. Retrieved fromhttps://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2022/22_0062.htm

Bio:

Dr. Terel Newton is a dedicated medical director and physician in the cannabis industry, known for his unwavering passion. He is a summa cum laude graduate of East Carolina University in the Department of Biology, with a concentration of Anatomy, Cell Biology, and Genetics. He has completed extensive training at reputable institutions located in North Carolina, Vermont, Baltimore, Washington D.C, and Boston, in addition to attending cannabis conferences worldwide. Dr. Newton holds a board certification in Anesthesiology, is Fellowship-Trained in Interventional Pain procedures, and has earned certifications in Addiction Medicine, Medical Cannabis Recommending Physician, and Medical Marijuana Treatment Center Director.

Throughout his career, Dr. Newton has actively participated in over 100 events, including abstract submissions and reviews, continuing medical education courses, live and recorded conferences, webinars, TV interviews, dispensary tours, and clinic presentations. He is well-respected in the healthcare and medical cannabis industries as an advocate and educator for patients, providers, and support groups.

Currently, Dr. Newton serves as the Florida Medical Director for Trulieve, where he continues to advocate for the benefits of medical cannabis and promote awareness and education.