Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Cannabis use in cancer care is increasingly common for symptom management, but emerging studies suggest potential interactions with immunotherapy that may reduce treatment efficacy. This review explores findings from recent studies, highlights the need for cautious interpretation and discusses the appropriateness of medicinal cannabis use during cancer immunotherapy. While three key studies (Taha et al., 2019; Bar-Sela et al., 2020; Hadid et al., 2024) observed lower response rates and reduced survival in patients using cannabis alongside immunotherapy, methodological concerns and demographic differences raise questions about their findings. Critiques by Piper et al. emphasise the need...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract The global prevalence of cannabis use during pregnancy is increasing, driven by perceived therapeutic benefits and greater societal acceptance. Concurrently, the psychoactive potency of cannabis products has risen significantly, due to increase in concentrations of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) from 5% to 30%. THC crosses the placenta, disrupts the endocannabinoid system critical for neurodevelopment, and accumulates in fetal tissues. THC is transferred into breast milk, with breastfed infants receiving ~2.5% of the maternal dose, raising concerns regarding neurodevelopmental consequences. An increasing number of studies and metanalysis have demonstrated association of prenatal cannabis exposure with low birth weight,...

Abstract Cannabis use during pregnancy is increasing; the study of adverse outcomes in cannabis-exposed pregnancies is therefore important. Previous articles in this series described increased risks of maternal adverse outcomes, fetal adverse outcomes, birth defects in newborns, and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in childhood. This article examines neuropsychiatric adverse outcomes in offspring gestationally exposed to cannabis. Currently available research suggests that prenatal cannabis exposure is associated with increased risks of ASD, ADHD, psychosis proneness, psychotic like experiences, internalizing problems, externalizing problems, attention problems, thought-related problems, social problems, impaired executive function, and observed aggression. There is insufficient study of prenatal cannabis...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Objective: Cannabis markets are evolving in terms of greater diversity and potency of products. The current study examined changes in cannabis use and modes of consumption among 16- to 19-year-olds in three markets with different regulatory frameworks: England, Canada, and the United States (US). Methods: Repeat cross-sectional online surveys were conducted in 2017, 2018, and 2019, with samples of 16- to 19-year-olds recruited from commercial panels in Canada (n = 11,779), England (n = 11,117), and the US (n = 11,869). Regression models examined changes in the prevalence of any cannabis use and use of...

Please use this link to access this publication. ABSTRACT Aims To estimate associations between both current- and prior-year medical cannabis dispensary densities and hospitalizations for cannabis use disorder in California, USA between 2013 and 2016. Design Spatial analysis of ZIP code-level hospitalization discharge data using Bayesian Poisson hierarchical space–time models over 4 years. Setting and cases California, USA from 2013 to 2016 (6832 space–time ZIP code units). Measurements We assessed associations of annual hospitalizations for cannabis use disorder [assignment of a primary or secondary code for cannabis abuse and/or dependence using ICD-9-CM or ICD-10-CM (outcome)] with the total number of medical cannabis dispensaries per square...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Previous studies based on relatively weak analytical designs lacking contextualization and appropriate comparisons have reported that the legalization of marijuana has either increased or decreased crime. Recognizing the importance for public policy making of more robust research designs in this area during a period of continuing reform of state marijuana laws, this study uses a quasi-experimental, multi-group interrupted time-series design to determine if, and how, UCR crime rates in Colorado and Washington, the first two states to legalize marijuana, were influenced by it. Our results suggest that marijuana legalization and sales have had minimal to...

Abstract In this review, state-of-the-art evidence on the relationship between cannabis use, traffic crash risks, and driving safety were analyzed. Systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and other relevant papers published within the last decade were systematically searched and synthesized. Findings show that meta-analyses and culpability studies consistently indicate a slightly but significantly increased risk of crashes after acute cannabis use. These risks vary across included study type, crash severity, and method of substance application and measurement. Some studies show a significant correlation between high THC blood concentrations and car crash risk. Most studies do not support this relationship at lower THC concentrations. However, no scientifically supported...

Abstract Cannabis accounts for the largest share of the illicit drug market, with a high prevalence of use even among adolescents. To tackle this longstanding problem, many kinds of reforms to national cannabis control policies have been implemented in Europe, but their effectiveness is still unclear. This paper analyses the association between selected categories of cannabis policy reforms and changes in perceived cannabis availability and patterns of use among adolescents. Data from 20 European countries across 15 years were drawn from a novel database of the European school Survey Project on Alcohol and other Drugs (ESPAD). Our analysis is based on a Difference-in-Differences design,...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Background: Medicinal cannabis prescriptions are on the rise in Australia, and general practitioners will increasingly encounter patients using cannabis-based products. Objective: The aim of this review is to provide a primer on the safety issues that need to be considered with medicinal cannabis. Discussion: Medicinal cannabis is generally well tolerated when dosed appropriately. It is important for doctors to consider carefully the Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and/or cannabidiol (CBD) content of the products. CBD is not intoxicating and has fewer safety concerns than THC. When commencing a new medicinal cannabis product, the recommendation is to prescribe relatively...

Abstract Cannabis use is a modifiable risk factor for the development and exacerbation of mental illness. The strongest evidence of risk is for the development of a psychotic disorder, associated with early and consistent use in youth and young adults. Cannabis-related mental health adverse events precipitating Emergency Department (ED) or Emergency Medical Services presentations can include anxiety, suicidal thoughts, psychotic or attenuated psychotic symptoms, and can account for 25–30% of cannabis-related ED visits. Up to 50% of patients with cannabis-related psychotic symptoms presenting to the ED requiring hospitalization will go on to develop schizophrenia. With the legalization of cannabis in various jurisdiction and the...