ABSTRACT Background: Germany experienced a steady rise in the prevalence of past-12-months cannabis use from 2012 to 2021. In 2024, cannabis was partially legalized for recreational use. Against this background, it is important to systematically examine consumption patterns in the early phase after legalization. Methods: Data are from the 2012 (n2012 = 9084), 2015 (n2015 = 9204), 2018 (n2018 = 9267), 2021 (n2021 = 9046), and 2024 (n2024 = 7534) waves of the Epidemiological Survey of Substance Abuse (ESA), a repeated cross-sectional survey of German-speaking adults in private households. Results: The prevalence of past 12-month cannabis use rose steadily from 4.6% in 2012 to 8.8% in 2021. The prevalence in 2024 was 9.8%, an additional increase compared...

ABSTRACT Background Cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs) are a potential treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but their long-term efficacy and safety need further investigation. This study assessed the changes in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and adverse events in PTSD patients prescribed CBMPs. Research design and methods This observational cohort study included PTSD patients enrolled on the UK Medical Cannabis Registry for 18 months or longer. Changes in PTSD-specific symptoms (IES-R), anxiety (GAD-7), sleep quality (SQS), and general HRQoL (EQ-5D-5 L) were assessed at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 18 months. Results In 269 patients, significant improvements in PTSD symptoms, anxiety, sleep quality, and HRQoL were observed...

Please use this link to access this publication. Objective: Epidemiologic surveys aim to estimate the population prevalence of cannabis use and cannabis use disorder. Prevalence estimates are important for understanding trends, such as the impact of policy change. Existing epidemiologic surveys have produced discrepant and potentially unreliable estimates. The current meta-analysis (PROSPERO CRD42022364818) aims to identify potential sources of unreliability in prevalence estimates of cannabis use and use disorder among the general population (age 12 and older). There was no specific hypothesis about overall prevalence estimate, but we expected significant variability (i.e., heterogeneity) in estimates based on factors such as country, year of data...

Abstract OBJECTIVES: Fibromyalgia (FM) is frequently associated with gastrointestinal (GI) disorders such as disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBIs). Current treatments for FM offer limited relief, leading to the exploration of alternative therapies such as medical cannabis. This study evaluates in the impact of Bedrocan® medical cannabis in FM patients and GI symptoms over six months. METHODS: Sixty FM patients were enrolled, receiving a Bedrocan® cannabis treatment for 6 months. A standardised questionnaire evaluating upper and lower GI symptoms and the Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQR) evaluating FM severity were administered at enrolment and 3 and 6-month follow-up evaluations. DGBIs, in particular, irritable bowel syndrome...

Abstract BACKGROUND: Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive compound in cannabis, is increasingly used recreationally, especially among young adults. Although often perceived as harmless, emerging evidence links THC to serious cardiovascular complications, including QTc prolongation, ventricular arrhythmias, and sudden cardiac arrest, even in individuals without underlying heart disease. CASE REPORT: A 26-year-old woman with a history of chronic cannabis use was brought to the Emergency Department (ED) after having a sudden cardiac arrest. Her initial rhythm was ventricular fibrillation, and return of spontaneous circulation was achieved following advanced cardiac life support. An initial electrocardiogram revealed sinus tachycardia with a QTc interval of 483 ms, and a urine drug...

Abstract We report the case of a 34-year-old female who presented with acute respiratory failure and hemoptysis, requiring intubation and mechanical ventilation. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy revealed progressively bloodier returns during lavage, consistent with diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH). This case highlights DAH as a rare but severe complication associated with cannabis use. DAH involves bleeding into the alveolar spaces, impairing gas exchange and causing respiratory distress. While cannabis use is not a well-established cause, this case underscores its potential to trigger serious respiratory complications. Recurrent DAH episodes can lead to long-term complications, such as interstitial fibrosis and emphysema, resulting in obstructive spirometry patterns. Acute complications, including...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Background Adverse childhood experiences and cannabis use are robustly associated with psychosis risk, with evidence suggesting their co-occurrence may synergistically amplify risk. Objective To synthesize evidence on the co-occurrence between adverse childhood experiences, cannabis use, and psychosis across different populations, examining effects across the psychosis spectrum and providing stage-specific intervention implications. Methods Systematic review of literature (January 2000–January 2024) across PubMed/MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Embase, and Web of Science. Studies were categorized into five groups: general population/community, high-risk, first-episode psychosis, established psychosis, and treatment-seeking clinical samples and intervention studies. Quality was assessed using appropriate tools. Results Sixty-two...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Aims To estimate the strength of association between psychiatric disorders and substance use disorders (SUD), and cannabis use and cannabis use disorder (CUD) during early pregnancy. Design Observational study. Setting Kaiser Permanente Northern California, USA. Participants 299 496 pregnancies from 227 555 individuals screened for cannabis use by self-report and a urine toxicology test at entrance to prenatal care in Kaiser Permanente Northern California during January 2011–December 2021 (excepting year 2020). The sample was 62.5% non-White, with a mean (standard deviation) age of 31.1 (5.5) years; 6.8% used cannabis; 0.2% had a CUD. Measurements Exposure variables included electronic...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Insomnia is characterized by difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep and affects 10–20 % of adults. Conventional pharmacotherapies for insomnia, initially comprising benzodiazepines and later the Z-drugs, often present significant adverse effects, including dependence and tolerance. Here we provide a brief review on cannabis therapy for insomnia and present a relevant case report. We first discuss the sleep stages and the main clinical aspects of insomnia. Next, we report the case of a 37 year-old patient who, after a grief situation, began to experience insomnia that was resistant to various conventional treatments, even with dosage adjustment. The...