Abstract Although Canada legalized cannabis beverages in 2019, most available research on acute cannabis intoxication derives from dried flower and edible products. The distinct bioavailability and pharmacokinetic properties of phytocannabinoids ingested from beverages, however, contribute to significantly different acute and long-term effects that need to be better understood to ensure consumer safety. Objective: This review investigates existing cannabis beverage literature, with a particular focus on acute intoxication effects. Method: PubMed, PsycINFO and Web of Science databases were systematically searched. A structured search generated 29 eligible studies, comprising studies of consumption patterns and beliefs, advertisements and marketing, acute effects in human models, and drink composition. Results: Human studies report aversive acute subjective and physiological effects...

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...

Abstract Objective: An increase in medical cannabis and prescribed cannabinoids use for chronic pain management has been observed in Canada in the past years. This study aimed to: 1) Describe clinicians’ perceived risk associated with the use of medical cannabis and prescribed cannabinoids for the management of chronic pain; and 2) Identify sociodemographic and professional factors associated with perceived risk of adverse effects. Method: A web-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Quebec, Canada in 2022. A convenience sample of 207 clinicians was recruited (physicians/pharmacists/nurse practitioners). They were asked to rate the risk of adverse effects associated with medical cannabis (e.g., smoke, or oil) and prescribed cannabinoids (e.g.,...

Abstract Aims Cannabis use may increase the risk of self-harm, but whether legalization of cannabis is associated with changes in self-harm is unknown. We examined changes in cannabis-involvement in emergency department (ED) visits for self-harm after the liberalization of medical and legalization of non-medical cannabis in Canada. Methods This repeated cross-sectional study used health administrative data to identify all ED visits for self-harm in individuals aged ten and older between January 2010 and December 2021. We identified self-harm ED visits with a co-diagnosis of cannabis (main exposure) or alcohol (control condition) and examined changes in rates of visits over four distinct policy periods (pre-legalization, medical liberalization, non-medical...

Abstract Background This review aimed to examine the recent breakthroughs in medical cannabis research, explore the shifting public perceptions and the stigma associated with its use and discuss strategies for enhancing the safety of medical cannabis. Methods We reviewed literature on medical cannabis and also synthesized the connections between scientific research, public perception and safety considerations in the uses of medical cannabis, providing a comprehensive understanding of how these elements influence each other and shape the future of medical cannabis use for patient adherence. Results The landscape of medical cannabis has evolved dramatically over the past few decades. The transition from prohibition to medical...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Background Natural and synthetic cannabinoids are being used worldwide to treat various symptoms in cancer patients. This study aims to map the therapeutic benefits and adverse effects associated with the use of cannabis-based drugs in these outcomes. Methods Following Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines a scoping review was conducted. The study protocol was available in the Open Science Framework public repository. An extensive search strategy involving databases like Cochrane Library, Embase, CINAHL, Medline/PubMed, Lilacs, Google Scholar, and Open Gray for gray literature analysis was executed by a skilled librarian. The inclusion criteria were primary studies (observational...

ABSTRACT Cannabis, the most commonly used recreational drug, is illicit in many areas of the world. With increasing decriminalization and legalization, cannabis use is increasing in the United States and other countries. The adverse effects of cannabis are unclear because its status as a Schedule 1 drug in the United States restricts research. Despite a paucity of data, cannabis is commonly perceived as a benign or even beneficial drug. However, recent studies show that cannabis has adverse cardiovascular and pulmonary effects and is linked with malignancy. Moreover, case reports have shown an association between cannabis use and neuropsychiatric disorders. With growing availability, cannabis misuse...

Abstract Background: With recent changes in legislation regulating recreational and medical cannabis use around the globe, increased use in pregnancy is to be expected. Objectives: To investigate the association between cannabis use during pregnancy and birth outcomes. Method: Data from the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study (MoBa), a prospective pregnancy cohort, were used. Participants were recruited from all over Norway between 1999 and 2008: 9,312 women with 10,373 pregnancies who reported use of cannabis before or in pregnancy. Women reported on their illegal drug use before pregnancy and at pregnancy weeks 17/18 and 30 and at 6 months postpartum. Linear regression was used to estimate crude and adjusted...

Abstract Medical cannabis with cancer as a qualifying condition has become legalized in more states, but currently there are no standardized measures of perceived benefits and harms of cannabis use in cancer. This study surveyed a population-based sample of cancer survivors (n = 1539) with various types of cancer including breast (25%), prostate (17%), and gastrointestinal (11%) cancers. Item response theory analyses were used to evaluate the items for measuring perceived benefits and harms. Item response theory evaluates survey items by estimating the accuracy (analogous to reliability) and severity reflected by each item. Item response theory analyses showed all the items were accurate (reliable) measures of...

Abstract Objective: Cannabinoid usage is widespread in the self-management of various medical ailments. However, adverse effects have been reported with use, especially pertaining to the gastrointestinal system in adults and aged patients. These range from nausea, vomiting, bloating, or abdominal pain. This systematic review of previously reported cannabis-induced gastrointestinal symptoms in the adult population from the literature provides an analysis of relevant data to enhance knowledge and awareness of this topic.Methods: PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, Cochrane Central, EMBASE, and Google Scholar databases were searched for relevant studies published from inception to March 2023. Results: The search yielded 598 results, of which 13 were deemed relevant and underwent further...