ABSTRACT Objective: Given the interest in the potential effects of cannabis on medical students, this study aims to establish the prevalence of recreational use within this population. Methods:We searched MEDLINE, LILACS, PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO/PsycArticles/APA Books), and SciELO for observational studies published before June 9, 2025, that reported cannabis use prevalence among medical students. We conducted subgroup analyses based on gender, study cycle, school type, decade of publication, and world region. Data were pooled using a random-effects model. Results: Our search identified 109 studies meeting the inclusion criteria, published between 1971 and 2025, encompassing data from 62,444 participants from 32 countries. Lifetime prevalence was 29.2%,...
Background and objectives Patient access to medicinal cannabis (MC) is impacted by several factors, despite legalisation of it for medicinal and related scientific purposes in 2016. This scoping review aimed to examine the barriers and enablers to accessing MC through general practitioners (GPs) in Australia. Methods Scientific and grey literature meeting inclusion criteria were identified from 2016 to 2023, resulting in 11 papers and 40 webpages being included in this review. Results Many GPs reported inadequate knowledge surrounding MC, forming a barrier to their approachability to discussion with patients. Living rurally and earning less money were barriers to patients’ ability to seek MC. Telehealth cannabis...
Abstract A 63-year-old woman presented with intractable nausea, vomiting, dyspnea, and weakness after cannabis use. She had multiple prior admissions for cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome. Upon arrival to the emergency department, she was hypotensive, tachycardic, and hypoxic. Laboratory results revealed an elevated troponin level (22,900 ng/L), NT-proBNP (21,092 pg/mL), lactic acidosis (lactic acid level of 7.1 mmol/L), and hypokalemia (potassium level of 2.6 mmol/L). The electrocardiogram showed ST-segment elevation in the anterior leads, and telemetry captured a wide complex tachycardia requiring cardioversion. The urine drug screening was positive for tetrahydrocannabinol. She was intubated and taken for urgent cardiac catheterization, which showed no coronary lesions. Right...
Abstract Medical cannabis (MC) has gained prominence in recent years as a potential therapeutic option for various diseases, with a particular focus on chronic pain syndromes. While its efficacy remains uncertain, the global prescription rates of MC are significantly increasing. Therefore, pain therapists must be well-informed about several aspects of MC treatments, including efficacy, safety, indications, contraindications, pharmacological interactions, dosages, possible adverse events (AEs), such as the risk of addiction, and medico-legal considerations. Based on the available literature, the efficacy of MC on pain of different origins was described by the majority of Authors as statistically significant compared to placebo, with a mean reduction...
