David L. Nathan

Last updated

David L. Nathan (born 1968) is an American psychiatrist, writer, and founder and past president of Doctors for Cannabis Regulation. Best known for his advocacy of cannabis legalization, he has also published research in the academic and lay press on a range of other topics, including archeology, numismatics, the history of animation and early American football.

Contents

Originally from the Philadelphia area, Nathan graduated magna cum laude from Princeton University. He received his M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, where he distinguished himself in the development of medical education software. [1] He subsequently competed his psychiatry residency at McLean Hospital, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School, serving as Chief Resident of Bipolar and Psychotic Disorders in 1993–1994.

In addition to his writing and political activism, Nathan has a private practice in Princeton, New Jersey. He is the Director of Continuing Education at the Penn Medicine Princeton Health and a clinical associate professor at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

Cannabis legalization

Drawing from his experience in clinical psychiatry and the treatment of substance use disorders, Nathan is a vocal physician advocate of cannabis legalization. He has published numerous articles on the topic. [2] [3] [4] Nathan was one of the founding steering committee members of New Jersey United for Marijuana Reform, speaking at their televised launch in early 2015. [5] He was the first physician in New Jersey history to testify about marijuana legalization at the state legislature later that year. [6] In July 2019, Nathan was one of the first physicians to testify before the Judiciary Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives. [7]

In 2016, Nathan founded Doctors For Cannabis Regulation (DFCR), which advocates for the legalization, regulation and taxation of marijuana. [8] [9] [10] He was principal author of the organization's “Declaration of Principles,” [11] which was signed by number of nationally prominent physicians, including Joycelyn Elders, Andrew Weil, Chris Beyrer, David Lewis, and Lester Grinspoon.

Since 2020, Nathan has advocated standard labeling of cannabis products. [12] Along with his son Eli, a graphic designer, he designed the Universal Cannabis Product Symbol (UCPS). [13] The UCPS was renamed the International Intoxicating Cannabinoid Product Symbol (IICPS) and became the first and only international consensus standard when approved by ASTM International in 2022, [14] now bearing the designation ASTM D8441/D8441M. Montana was the first U.S. state to adopt the IICPS in late 2021. [15] New Jersey and Vermont have subsequently incorporated the IICPS design into their state symbols. [16] [17]

Other selected publications and projects

In archeology, Nathan published an analysis of a proto-cuneiform tablet dating to the Jemdet Nasr period of Mesopotamia (circa 3100-3000 BCE), which included the discovery of a previously unknown numerical sign. [18]

In numismatics, Nathan proposed that the first coins minted in the Western Hemisphere feature a Hebrew letter aleph (א), suggesting direct evidence for a Jewish presence or influence in the New World as early as 1536. [19] He noted that nearly all of the coin dies prepared under the tenure of the Mexican Mint's first assayer use this purported aleph symbol in place of the Christian cross potent mark found almost universally on medieval Spanish and Mexican coinage. Nathan also considered possible Jewish family connections to the known early Mexican mint workers. [20]

While researching the history of early animation, Nathan reconstructed the lost “Encore” sequence from Winsor McCay’s animated film Gertie using original drawings from 1914. With animation historian Donald Crafton, he coauthored an article about the structure and history of Gertie. [21] Nathan initiated a restoration of the entire film and a reconstruction of McCay's original vaudeville performance of Gertie. Crafton, Nathan and Marco de Blois of the Cinémathèque québécoise worked with a team of professionals from the National Film Board of Canada to complete the project, which premiered live during the closing ceremony of the 2018 Annecy Film Festival in France. [22]

Publishing in the Princeton Alumni Weekly, Nathan was the first to identify all 24 known members of Princeton University’s 1869 football team, who participated in the first intercollegiate American football game. [23] He published biographies and photographs of all the known players and shared his research into the possible identity of the unknown 25th player. [24]

Awards and honors

In 1990, Nathan received Princeton's Charles M. Cannon Memorial Prize for his senior thesis entitled Web Repair in Several Species of Orb Weaving Spiders. [25] In 2007, Nathan won the Odesser Award for Outstanding Contribution to Judaic Numismatics and Exonumia for his article on early Mexican coins. [26] In 2012, Nathan was elected as a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. [27]

Related Research Articles

<i>Gertie the Dinosaur</i> 1914 animated silent film

Gertie the Dinosaur is a 1914 animated short film by American cartoonist and animator Winsor McCay. It is the earliest animated film to feature a dinosaur. McCay first used the film before live audiences as an interactive part of his vaudeville act; the frisky, childlike Gertie did tricks at the command of her master. McCay's employer William Randolph Hearst curtailed McCay's vaudeville activities, so McCay added a live-action introductory sequence to the film for its theatrical release renamed Winsor McCay, the Famous Cartoonist, and Gertie. McCay abandoned a sequel, Gertie on Tour, after producing about a minute of footage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Legality of cannabis</span> Where cannabis is and is not legal

The legality of cannabis for medical and recreational use varies by country, in terms of its possession, distribution, and cultivation, and how it can be consumed and what medical conditions it can be used for. These policies in most countries are regulated by three United Nations treaties: the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances, and the 1988 Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances. Since its descheduling in 2020, cannabis is classified as a Schedule I drug under the Single Convention treaty, meaning that signatories can allow medical use but that it is considered to be an addictive drug with a serious risk of abuse.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Legalization of non-medical cannabis in the United States</span> Legalization of marijuana in the United States

In the United States, the non-medical use of cannabis is legalized in 21 states and decriminalized in 10 states, as of January 2023. Decriminalization refers to a policy of reduced penalties for cannabis offenses, typically involving a civil penalty for possessing small amounts, instead of criminal prosecution or the threat of arrest. In jurisdictions without penalty the policy is referred to as legalization, although the term decriminalization is sometimes used for this purpose as well.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Legal history of cannabis in the United States</span>

In the United States, increased restrictions and labeling of cannabis as a poison began in many states from 1906 onward, and outright prohibitions began in the 1920s. By the mid-1930s cannabis was regulated as a drug in every state, including 35 states that adopted the Uniform State Narcotic Drug Act. The first national regulation was the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cannabis in the United States</span> Legality, use, culture, market and production of cannabis in the United States

The use, sale, and possession of cannabis over 0.3% THC in the United States, despite laws in many states permitting it under various circumstances, is illegal under federal law. As a Schedule I drug under the federal Controlled Substances Act (CSA) of 1970, cannabis over 0.3% THC is considered to have "no accepted medical use" and have a high potential for abuse and physical or psychological dependence. Cannabis use is illegal for any reason, with the exception of FDA-approved research programs. However, individual states have enacted legislation permitting exemptions for various uses, including medical, industrial, and recreational use.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cannabis political parties</span> Political parties advocating cannabis legalization

Cannabis political parties are generally single-issue parties that exist to oppose the laws against cannabis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cannabis in Malawi</span> Use of cannabis in Malawi

Malawian cannabis, particularly the strain known as Malawi Gold, is internationally renowned as one of the finest sativa strains from Africa. According to a World Bank report it is among "the best and finest" marijuana strains in the world, generally regarded as one of the most potent psychoactive pure African sativas. The popularity of this variety has led to such a profound increase in marijuana tourism and economic profit in Malawi that Malawi Gold is listed as one of the three "Big C's" in Malawian exports: chambo, chombe (tea), and chamba (cannabis).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Legality of cannabis by U.S. jurisdiction</span> Cannabis laws by state and territory

In the United States, the use and possession of cannabis is illegal under federal law for any purpose by way of the Controlled Substances Act of 1970 (CSA). Under the CSA, cannabis is classified as a Schedule I substance, determined to have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use. Despite this, most states have legalized either or both the medical and recreational use of cannabis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Timeline of cannabis laws in the United States</span> Historical list in chronological order of U.S. cannabis law

The legal history of cannabis in the United States began with state-level prohibition in the early 20th century, with the first major federal limitations occurring in 1937. Starting with Oregon in 1973, individual states began to liberalize cannabis laws through decriminalization. In 1996, California became the first state to legalize medical cannabis, sparking a trend that spread to a majority of states by 2016. In 2012, Washington and Colorado became the first states to legalize cannabis for recreational use.

Doctors for Cannabis Regulation (DFCR) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which serves as a global voice for physicians and health professionals who support cannabis legalization and science-based regulation in the United States and abroad. DFCR promotes public education, global research, and advocacy to support legislative changes necessary for improved public health, social justice & consumer protections. DFCR was founded on September 30, 2015, by David L. Nathan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cannabis in New Mexico</span> Overview of the use and culture of cannabis in New Mexico, U.S.

Cannabis in New Mexico is legal for recreational use as of June 29, 2021. A bill to legalize recreational use – House Bill 2, the Cannabis Regulation Act – was signed by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham on April 12, 2021. The first licensed sales of recreational cannabis began on April 1, 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cannabis in New Jersey</span> Overview of the use and culture of cannabis in New Jersey, U.S.

Cannabis in New Jersey is legal for both medical use and recreational use. An amendment to the state constitution legalizing cannabis became effective on January 1, 2021, and enabling legislation and related bills were signed into law by governor Phil Murphy on February 22, 2021.

The list includes and details significant events that occurred in the global history of national-level implementations of, or changes made to, laws surrounding the use, sale, or production of the psychoactive drug cannabis.

Cannabis product testing is a form of product testing analyzes the quality of cannabis extracts, edibles, and THC and CBD levels in an emergent consumer market eager to sell adult use products. Analytical chemistry and microbiology laboratories are important entities in consumer protection. These labs not only determine the condition and viability of cannabinoids, water content, heavy metals, pesticides, terpenes, yeast, but also the presence of mold, mycotoxins, and solvents. These laboratories emerged when advocates of cannabis testing raised concerns about potential contaminants.

The Cannabis Law legalizes recreational cannabis in New York. It is chapter 7-A of the Consolidated Laws of New York, and was originally enacted by the Marihuana Regulation and Taxation Act on March 31, 2021 but has since been amended.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cannabis policy of the Joe Biden administration</span> Overview of the cannabis policy of the Joe Biden administration

U.S. President Joe Biden stated in February 2021 that his administration will pursue cannabis decriminalization as well as seek expungements for people with prior cannabis convictions. It can still be found on his campaign website under sentencing reform. As of October 2022, Biden pardoned thousands of people convicted of marijuana possession under federal law.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ASTM D8441/D8441M</span> Standard defining a symbol for cannabis products

ASTM D8441 is an ASTM International standard defining the International Intoxicating Cannabinoid Product Symbol (IICPS). As of mid-2022, the symbol has been incorporated into the universal symbols required for cannabis packages in the states of Montana, New Jersey, and Vermont.

References

  1. ↑ Molinoff, Sharon. “Computer aids come to Med School.” The Daily Pennsylvanian, Volume CVII, Number 91, 18 October 1991, p. 5. http://penn.veridiansoftware.com/cgi-bin/pennsylvania?a=d&d=tdp19911018-01.2.20#
  2. ↑ Nathan, David L. "David L. Nathan: A Doctor's Case For Legal Pot". WSJ. Retrieved 2023-04-11.
  3. ↑ "How to regulate pot when it's legal". CNN. 2013-08-27. Retrieved 2023-04-11.
  4. ↑ Epstein, Gene. "Unintended Consequences". www.wsj.com. Retrieved 2023-04-11.
  5. ↑ NJTV: “Debate to Legalize Marijuana in New Jersey.” http://www.njtvonline.org/news/video/debate-to-legalize-marijuana-in-new-jersey/
  6. ↑ Rizzo, Salvador. “Battle over legalizing marijuana taking shape in New Jersey.” November 17, 2015. http://www.northjersey.com/news/battle-over-legalizing-marijuana-taking-shape-in-new-jersey-1.1456519?page=all
  7. ↑ Marijuana Laws in America: Racial Justice and the Need for Reform, House Committee on the Judiciary, July 10, 2019. https://judiciary.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=2262
  8. ↑ Doctors For Cannabis Regulation, dfcr.org.
  9. ↑ "More and more doctors want to make marijuana legal". Washington Post. ISSN   0190-8286 . Retrieved 2023-04-11.
  10. ↑ Downs, David. "New Group 'Doctors For Cannabis Regulation' Is Going to Euthanize the War on Weed." East Bay Press, April 20, 2016. http://www.eastbayexpress.com/LegalizationNation/archives/2016/04/20/new-group-doctors-for-cannabis-regulation-is-going-to-euthanize-the-war-on-weed Archived 2016-04-21 at the Wayback Machine
  11. ↑ http://dfcr.org/wp-content/uploads/Declaration-of-Principles-1.pdf%5B%5D
  12. ↑ Nathan, David L. (2020-08-19). "Setting the Standard for Cannabis Labeling: Introducing the Universal Cannabis Product Symbol and the Universal Cannabis Information Label". Cannabis Science and Technology. July/August 2020. 3 (6): 44–52.
  13. ↑ "Is a 'Cannabis Facts' Label in our Future?". packagingdigest.com. 2021-04-28. Retrieved 2023-04-11.
  14. ↑ "Standard Specification for International Symbol for Identifying Consumer Products Containing Intoxicating Cannabinoids". www.astm.org. Retrieved 2023-04-11.
  15. ↑ "Labeling and Packaging". Montana Department of Revenue. Retrieved 2023-04-11.
  16. ↑ "Business Resources". Cannabis Regulatory Commission. Retrieved 2023-04-11.
  17. ↑ State of Vermont Cannabis Control Board, Rule 2: Regulation of Cannabis Establishments, November 2021. https://ccb.vermont.gov/sites/ccb/files/2021-11/Proposed%20Rule%202%20-%20Regulation%20of%20Cannabis%20Establishments.pdf
  18. ↑ Nathan, David L. “A ‘New’ Proto-Cuneiform Tablet.” Cuneiform Digital Library Bulletin 2003:4. http://cdli.ucla.edu/pubs/cdlb/2003/cdlb2003_004.html
  19. ↑ "Silver 4 real of Charles and Juana/Rincón, Francisco de/Espina, Pedro de, Mexico City (Mexico), 1538 - 1541. 2006.13.1". numismatics.org. Retrieved 2023-04-11.
  20. ↑ Hoge, Robert Wilson, Current Cabinet Activities, ANS Magazine, Spring 2007. http://numismatics.org/magazine/cabinetspring07/ Archived 2020-11-09 at the Wayback Machine
  21. ↑ Nathan, David L. and Crafton, Donald. “The Making and Remaking of Gertie.” Animation, March 2013 vol. 8 no. 1, pp. 23-46. http://anm.sagepub.com/content/8/1/23.abstract
  22. ↑ Annecy Film Festival website. https://www.annecy.org/programme/index:rdv-200001501093
  23. ↑ "When It All Began: Research Sparks Quest To Find Princeton's Unknown Player". Princeton Alumni Weekly. 2016-01-21. Retrieved 2023-04-11.
  24. ↑ "Biographies of Princeton's First Football Players". Princeton Alumni Weekly. 2014-10-17. Retrieved 2023-04-11.
  25. ↑ Nathan, David Lawrence (1990). "Web Repair in Several Species of Orb-Weaving Spiders".{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  26. ↑ Leonard, Robert D., Jr. “History of the Ben and Sylvia Odesser Award,” The Shekel, Vol. XLIII, No. 1., Jan.-Feb. 2010.
  27. ↑ "Princeton Health and Wellness - Press Releases". princetonwellbeing.com. Retrieved 2023-04-11.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.