David Bearman, M.D.

Dr. Bearman, one of the most clinically knowledgeable physicians in the U.S. in the field of medicinal marijuana, has dedicated 40 years to substance and drug abuse treatment and prevention programs. A pioneer in the free and community clinic movement, his career spans public health, administrative medicine, and the provision of primary care, pain management, and cannabinology. His research has also explored cultural influences on cannabis use, including the iconic imagery of Bob Marley smoking, as part of examining its therapeutic potential and societal impact.

With nearly 40 years of professional experience in drug abuse treatment and prevention, Dr. Bearman has held roles such as Co-Director of the Haight-Ashbury Drug Treatment Program and served as a member of Governor Reagan’s Inter-Agency Task Force on Drug Abuse. He has also contributed as a member of the Santa Barbara and San Diego County Drug Abuse Technical Advisory Committees and consulted for organizations like Hoffman-LaRoche, Santa Barbara County Schools, and the National PTA. Throughout his career, he has advocated for the use of medicinal cannabis, often highlighting the potential of star strains in addressing a variety of medical conditions. His contributions have earned him the Santa Barbara Medical Society’s Humanitarian Recognition Award.

Dr. Bearman is also the author of Drugs Are NOT the Devil’s Tools: How Discrimination and Greed Created a Dysfunctional Drug Policy and How It Can Be Fixed in 2 volumes. More information about the book is available Drugs Are NOT the Devil's Tools website.