Abstract Background An increasing number of countries legalise the use of medical cannabis or allow it for a narrow range of medical conditions. Physicians, and often the patients’ general practitioner, play a major role in implementing this policy. Many of them, however, perceive a lack of evidence-based knowledge and are not confident with providing patients with medical cannabis. The objectives of this review are to synthesise findings about hospital physicians’ and GPs’ experiences, attitudes, and beliefs towards the use of medical cannabis with the purpose of identifying barriers and facilitators towards providing it to their patients. Methods Peer-reviewed articles addressing hospital physicians’ and GPs’...

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 Pain prevalence among adults in the United States has increased 25% over the past two decades, resulting in high health-care costs and impacts to patient quality of life. In the last 30 years, our understanding of pain circuits and (intra)cellular mechanisms has grown exponentially, but this understanding has not yet resulted in improved therapies. Options for pain management are limited. Many analgesics have poor efficacy and are accompanied by severe side effects such as addiction, resulting in a devastating opioid abuse and overdose epidemic. These problems have encouraged scientists to identify novel molecular targets and develop alternative pain therapeutics. Increasing preclinical and clinical...

Abstract With the medical use of cannabis permitted in Canada since 2001, patients seek to use this botanical drug to treat a range of medical conditions. However, many healthcare practitioners express the need for further scientific evidence around the use of medical cannabis. This real-world evidence study aimed to address the paucity of scientific data by surveying newly registered medical cannabis patients, before beginning medical cannabis treatment, and at one follow up 6 weeks after beginning medical cannabis treatment. The goal was to collect data on efficacy, safety and cannabis product type information to capture the potential impact medical cannabis had on patient-reported quality...

Abstract Introduction As of January 2021, a total of 36 states and the District of Columbia (DC) have legalized medical cannabis use, and 14 states and DC have legalized adult nonmedical use. This manuscript qualitatively summarizes cannabis policies across states with legal adult use marketplaces. Methods Data are from state laws and regulations, collected through January 2021, and have been verified with state officials as part of ongoing state policy tracking efforts. Results State policies differ in how cannabis products are taxed, where revenues are allocated, restrictions on the types of available products, restrictions on additives and flavors, product packaging and labeling, advertising restrictions,...

Abstract The development of multidrug-resistant bacteria has revealed the need for new antimicrobial compounds. Cannabis sativa preparations have a long history of medical applications, including the treatment of infectious diseases. This review collects the information about the activity of C. sativa extracts and its main components (cannabinoids and terpenes) against pathogenic bacteria and fungus, to assess its potential using as antimicrobial agents.

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract The aim of this review is to discuss recent evidence on cannabis and driving ability. In particular, the review examines experimental research on the acute effects of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on driving-related neurobehavioral skills and driving performance based on simulator and road course studies. The evidence indicates that certain driving abilities are significantly, albeit modestly, impaired in individuals experiencing the acute effects of THC. Treatment effects are moderated by dose, delivery method, recency of use, and tolerance development, with inconclusive evidence concerning the moderating influence of cannabidiol. Emerging research priorities include linking neurobehavioral deficits to specific decrements in driving...

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...

Abstract Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological conditions worldwide. Cannabinoids, particularly cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), have demonstrated therapeutic potential in the treatment of epilepsy due to their interaction with the endocannabinoids system. Despite these developments, the use of medical cannabis is still complicated because of legal obstacles, the different psychoactive effects of different cannabinoid receptors, and concerns about long-term safety, especially in populations with young children. The development of new regulations will be essential to increasing access to patients' cannabis medications. Cannabis has the potential to change the therapeutic landscape for neurological illnesses like seizures, provided that science and regulation continue...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Introduction A clinical trial of Epidiolex®, the only US FDA-approved cannabis-derived consumer product (CDP), discovered an interaction with an immunosuppressant (tacrolimus) that led to drug toxicity, highlighting the unique intersection of prescription and commonly unregulated consumer products. Objective We aimed to identify if similar drug–drug interactions (DDIs) are occurring among the consumer CDP market, even though they cannot be identified through trials. Methods We searched Reddit for subreddits related to CDPs or health, resulting in 63,561,233 posts. From these, we identified 190 posts discussing both immunosuppressants and CDPs. Two blinded investigators evaluated the following. (1)...