Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Background: Medical cannabis use is increasingly common in Australia. Patients and physicians need to be aware of the important implications that such use may have for driving. Objective: The aim of this article is to briefly review the scientific evidence regarding cannabis and driving impairment and discuss current legal issues affecting patients, as well as to update physicians on relevant issues and the best guidance to offer their patients. Discussion: Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) impairs driving performance and can increase crash risk. These effects are more pronounced in people who use THC occasionally and can last for...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Background Prior work suggests that perceived risk and perceived availability of cannabis independently affect cannabis use. However, perceived risk likely modifies the effect of perceived availability, and vice versa. This study explored trends in joint perceived risk and availability of cannabis from 2002 to 2018 and the relationship between combined perceptions and cannabis use, frequent use, and cannabis use disorder (CUD). Methods National Surveys on Drug Use and Health data (n = 949,285, ages 12+) were used to create combined categories of perceived risk of weekly cannabis use and perceived cannabis availability. Descriptive analyses compared joint...

Abstract As more states in the U.S legalize recreational and medicinal cannabis, rates of driving under the influence of this drug are increasing significantly. Aspects of this emerging public health issue potentially pit science against public policy. The authors believe that the legal cart is currently significantly ahead of the scientific horse. Issues such as detection procedures for cannabis-impaired drivers, and use of blood THC levels to gauge impairment, should rely heavily on current scientific knowledge. However, there are many, often unacknowledged research gaps in these and related areas, that need to be addressed in order provide a more coherent basis for public policies....

Abstract Background Cannabis use is common, especially among young people, and is associated with risks for various health harms. Some jurisdictions have recently moved to legalization/regulation pursuing public health goals. Evidence-based ‘Lower Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines’ (LRCUG) and recommendations were previously developed to reduce modifiable risk factors of cannabis-related adverse health outcomes; related evidence has evolved substantially since. We aimed to review new scientific evidence and to develop comprehensively up-to-date LRCUG, including their recommendations, on this evidence basis. Methods Targeted searches for literature (since 2016) on main risk factors for cannabis-related adverse health outcomes modifiable by the user-individual were conducted. Topical areas were informed...

Abstract As the human cannabinoid (CBD) market grows, there is an inevitable transfer of the same or similar products into the veterinary sector. Advances in veterinary medicine and care of companion animals has led to extended life expectancy and consequently, there is an increased incidence of age-related chronic conditions that compromise quality of life. CBD products may alleviate these conditions. Research into CBD for companion animal species is on the rise, however, we found that there are no licensed veterinary CBD products available in the market due to a lack of appropriate testing and/or data. Here we outline the data that is available and...

Abstract Introduction: As the medically prescribed use of cannabis flower continues to increase, there is a need to understand how vaporized cannabis can acutely affect driving-related skills and risk-taking behaviors in medicinal populations. Method: Given this, the present study examined the acute effects of vaporized cannabis flower on measures of hazard perception, driving-related risk-taking behaviors, and subjective perceptions of driving skills in a sample of adult medicinal cannabis patients. Participants (N = 38, M age = 43) attended both a baseline (no cannabis) and intervention appointment (with cannabis consumption), where they completed video-based tasks and self-report measures of driving ability. Results: After vaporizing one dose of their prescribed cannabis flower, participants exhibited no...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Background Driving under the influence of cannabis (DUIC) poses a significant public health threat. This study explores DUIC through a multifaceted lens, examining correlates of various wait times between cannabis use and driving, subjective perceptions of impairment, and differences between medical and non-medical cannabis users. Method Cross-sectional data from 979 cannabis users in Israel were collected through an online survey. DUIC risk was measured using reported wait times (categorized as low, moderate, and high risk) and driving while feeling cannabis effects. Logistic and multinomial regression identified correlates of DUIC risk. Results 23 % of the...

Abstract Introduction: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) represents a prevalent neurological complication affecting millions of patients globally. This clinical investigation evaluated the therapeutic efficacy and safety profile of a novel transdermal medical cannabis formulation (THC:CBD:CBN) in treating painful DPN of the lower extremities. Methods: This phase III, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial was conducted at Don Chan Hospital, Thailand, enrolling 100 participants over a 12-week intervention period. Using a computer-generated randomization sequence, participants were allocated to receive either the standardized cannabis formulation or a matched placebo. The primary outcome measure comprised pain intensity assessment using the validated Thai version of the Neuropathic Pain Symptom Inventory (NPSI-T). Secondary outcomes...

Abstract Background Canadian Veterans experiencing chronic pain report concerns about accessing accurate information on the risks associated with medical cannabis (MC) use. The Lower Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines (LRCUG) were developed to equip individuals who use cannabis recreationally with safer-use strategies. Many of the harm reduction recommendations for recreational cannabis use are relevant and important considerations for MC use. The primary objective of our study was to assess Canadian Veterans’ awareness of and interest in the LRCUG, and engagement in potential higher-risk MC use behaviours. Methods Canadian Armed Forces Veterans living with chronic pain (N = 582) were recruited online and through the Chronic Pain Centre...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract This study aimed to identify the strategies that medicinal cannabis patients employ to manage the risk of impaired driving, and the aetiological factors that influence the use of these strategies. A sample of medicinal cannabis patients (N = 58) from Queensland, Australia, participated in qualitative interviews. Thematic analysis revealed that medicinal cannabis patients employ a variety of strategies to mitigate impaired driving risk, despite commonly reporting driving after the recent use of cannabis. These strategies included the subjective assessment of impairment, waiting a specific post-consumption time-period, regulating cannabis consumption and driving behaviour, and adjusting on-road driving behaviour....