Jeffrey Block, M.D.
Curriculum Vitae
Dr. Jeff Block is a trusted professional physician-botanist and subject matter expert. The established medical doctor combines 25 years of broad-based clinical healthcare experience with internationally recognized horticultural expertise, including tropical ornamental plants and botanical medicines. Dr. Block is an articulate and impactful communicator qualified to present live or virtually to diverse audiences in multiple settings, including teaching hospitals, academic institution education & research facilities, legislative & regulatory bodies, and community forums. Leading Physicians of the World; International Association of Anesthesiologists; and American Medical Association (AMA) Physician’s Recognition Award for Continuing Medical Education.
Jeffrey Sherwood Block, M.D. achieved his bachelor’s degree from Emory University (1978), majoring in analytical chemistry with a minor in psychology. He received his Medical Doctorate from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine (1982). Dr. Block is also Fellowship trained in Pain Management & Addiction Medicine and is an American Board-Certified Anesthesiologist.
Dr. Block is the Founder of Nurturing Nature Group Consultants – an independent agriculture, healthcare, and economic science consultancy advising botanical medicine industry development. His combination of clinical educator and healthcare science backgrounds includes agricultural science expertise as an internationally awarded horticulturist and owner of Block Botanical Gardens in Miami, Florida. Block additionally serves the Florida Department of Agriculture Extension Offices’ programming as a Certified Master Gardener and as a Florida Master Gardener educator for the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, which includes the University of Florida’s Hemp Pilot Project research program.
In 2014, Block was chosen as the Florida Medical Association’s “Designated Expert on Botanical Medicines” and was appointed to structure the framework and author the introductory chapter for physician education as mandated by Florida’s Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act. In 2015, he was subsequently selected by Florida’s Surgeon General to serve as the only physician appointed to the Florida Department of Health’s Negotiated Rule-Making Committee, determining the rules to Florida’s first legislation concerning cannabis when used as a botanical medicine.
As a uniquely qualified and trusted national leader of high-quality cannabinoid medicine education, Professor Block’s academic affiliations have been resourced to instruct health policy legislators, physicians, and attorneys at 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 has been featured in several blogs and AMA-PRA-1 awarded educational conference programs, including The Answer Page, Marijuana for Medical Professionals, Patients Out of Time, The Emerald Cup, and The American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M).
RAPHAEL MECHOULAM, PH.D.
Professor Raphael Mechoulam of Hebrew University in Jerusalem is widely regarded as ‘The Father of Cannabinoid Medicine’. Mechoulam recently praised Dr. Block’s clinical contributions to cannabinoid medicine’s supporting science through his textbook chapter published in Advanced Therapeutics in Pain Medicine (CRC Press 2020):
“Your outstanding review has addressed many important aspects very well indeed. I do hope that it reaches the hands of many readers, clinicians in particular! Congratulations. -R”
MAHMOUD A. ELSOHLY, PH.D.
While I’ve known many excellent healthcare professionals through my work with the Federal Government, remarkably few physicians enjoy Dr. Block’s academic understanding of botanical medicines. His clinical expertise in physiology and pharmacology, along with decades of experience cultivating plants and knowledge of processing their bioactive chemicals, is unique among doctors. I expect that Dr. Block’s ongoing contributions will be formative to responsibly develop medical cannabis programs in the United States.”
Mahmoud A. ElSohly, Ph.D.
Research Professor and Professor of Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery / School of Pharmacy / National Center for Natural Products Research / The University of Mississippi
Qualifications
Medical Doctor, State of Florida License ME42619: 1983 – Current
U.S. DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) License No. BB367454: 1983 – Current
Fellowship-Trained Pain Management & Addiction Medicine Consultant Specialist: 1986
Diplomate, American Board of Anesthesiology: Board-Certified Physician 1987 – Current
Bachelor’s Degree, Emory University – Analytical Chemistry (major); Psychology (minor): (1974-1978)
Vol. Professor Dept. of Anesthesiology – the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine (2009-present)
Only physician appointed to Florida DOH Rule-making Committee to establish industry standards (2015)
Author of several textbook chapters concerning Cannabinoids when considered for therapeutic medical purposes (2020-2023)
Author of Textbook Chapter: Endogenous Receptors & Medical Cannabis / Advanced Therapeutics in Pain Medicine – CRC Press (2020)
Author of Textbook Chapters: Brody’s Human Pharmacology 7th Edition / Chapters 24 Substance-Use Disorders & Chapter 30 Illicit Drugs (2023)
Author of Textbook Chapter: The History of Cannabis: A Story of Co-Evolution and Human Discovery / Cannabis Chemistry and Biology Fundamentals – Mahmoud El Sohley, Ph.D. editor (De Gruyer 2023)
President, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine Medical Alumni Association: (2015 & 2016)
Florida Hemp Pilot Project – Advisory Committee: UF/IFAS legislated research program (2016-present)
Director/Owner – Block Botanical Gardens (member American Public Gardens Assoc.) – Miami, Florida
Florida Master Gardener Course Instructor, Florida Department of Agriculture: University of Florida / IFAS
Licensure and Certifications
Medical License – State of Florida, ME 42619: 1983 – current
Registered, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA): No. BB3674543: 1983 – current
Certified, American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA): Certificate No. 13725 – 1987 – current
Certified, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS): current (exp. 2026)
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 # 10662 – Florida Society of Anesthesiologists (FSA)
Member # 0343266 – American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA)
Member # 35814096 – American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA)
Institutional Member # 2525 – 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)
