Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Objective:Acute Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) administration in humans (Lawn etal., 2016) and rats (Silveira, Adams, Morena, Hill, & Winstanley, 2016) has been associated with decreased effort allocation that may explain amotivation during acute cannabis intoxication. To date, however, whether residual effects of cannabis use on effort-based decision-making are present and observable in humans have not yet been determined. The goal of this study was to test whether prolonged cannabis use has residual effects on effort-based decision-making in 24-hr abstinent cannabis using adults. Method:We evaluated performance on the Effort Expenditure for Reward Task (EEfRT) in 41 adult cannabis users (mean age =...

Please use this link to access this publication. ABSTRACT Background: US epidemiologic data show that nearly one in 10 individuals aged 50+ report past-year cannabis use, and nearly one in five users report medical use. However, research on older cannabis users, especially medical cannabis users, is scant. Objectives: We examined medical and nonmedical cannabis users aged 50+ on health-related characteristics, cannabis use patterns, and cannabis sources. Hypotheses were that compared to nonmedical users, medical users are more likely to have physical and mental health problems, use healthcare services, discuss their drug use with a healthcare professional, use cannabis more frequently, and purchase cannabis from...

Abstract STUDY QUESTION Is cannabis use assessed via urinary metabolites and self-report during preconception associated with fecundability, live birth and pregnancy loss? SUMMARY ANSWER Preconception cannabis use was associated with reduced fecundability among women with a history of pregnancy loss attempting pregnancy despite an increased frequency of intercourse. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Cannabis use continues to rise despite limited evidence of safety during critical windows of pregnancy establishment. While existing studies suggest that self-reported cannabis use is not associated with fecundability, self-report may not be reliable. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION A prospective cohort study was carried out including 1228 women followed for up to...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Introduction The relationship between cannabis use and hypertension is not clear based on prior epidemiological studies. Thus, we examined this relationship over a 3-year follow-up period using a large population-based sample from the USA. Methods Self-reported longitudinal data were obtained from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions Wave 1 (2001/2002) and Wave 2 (2004/2005). The sample was restricted to participants who did not report hypertension at baseline (n = 26 844; 51% 40 years and older, 51% female, 71% white). χ2-tests were used to examine the distributions of confounders stratified by the incidence of hypertension. Thereafter,...

Abstract Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most lethal subtype of glioma. Cannabis sativa is used for the treatment of various medical conditions. Around 150 phytocannabinoids have been identified in C. sativa, among them Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) that trigger GBM cell death. However, the optimal combinations of cannabis molecules for anti-GBM activity are unknown. Chemical composition was determined using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Cytotoxic activity was determined by XTT and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays and apoptosis and cell cycle by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). F-actin structures were observed by confocal microscopy, gene expression by quantitative PCR, and cell migration and...

Abstract The science of cannabis and cannabinoids encompasses a wide variety of scientific disciplines and can appear daunting to newcomers to the field. The encroachment of folklore and ‘cannabis culture’ into scientific discussions can cloud the situation further. This Primer Review is designed to give a succinct overview of the chemistry of cannabis and cannabinoids. It is hoped that it will provide a useful resource for chemistry undergraduates, postgraduates and their instructors, and experienced chemists who require a comprehensive and up to date summary of the field. The Review begins with a brief overview of the history and botany of cannabis, then goes on...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Objective This short communication reports on the association of annual measures of young adult (age 18–24) past month cannabis use with cannabis use disorder (CUD) treatment admissions by state in the U.S. from 2008 to 2017. Methods Annual data on percentage of past month cannabis use and the total number of CUD treatment admissions among young adults were acquired for each state from SAMHSA NSDUH and TEDS-A data sets. For each state, the correlation over time between cannabis use and treatment admissions rate was calculated and visualized in a choropleth map. Fixed-effects regression, where effects...

Abstract OBJECTIVES: Medications have only small to moderate effects on symptoms in fibromyalgia (FM). Cannabinoids, including medical cannabis (MC) may have potential to fill this gap. Since recreational legalisation of cannabis in Canada, patients have easier access and may be self-medicating with cannabis. We have examined the prevalence and characteristics of MC use in FM patients. METHODS: During a two-month period (June-August 2019), consecutive attending rheumatology patients participated in an onsite survey comprising 2 questionnaires: 1) demographic and disease information completed by the rheumatologist, 2) patient anonymous questionnaire of health status, cannabis use (recreational and/or medicinal) and characteristics of use. Results. In a cohort...

Please use this link to access this publication. Opinion statement The use of the cannabis plant by cancer patients has been rising significantly in the past few years worldwide, primarily driven by public demand. There is an obvious need for more reliable scientific data, pharmacology information, a better understanding of its mode of action, and available clinical evidence supporting its robust use. Physicians must complete a thorough medical assessment, screening for potential drugs, or treatment contraindications before allowing its consumption. In light of the growing popularity of cannabis usage, it is highly essential that, in the near future, the medical community will be able...

Abstract: Cannabis (Cannabis sativa), popularly known as marijuana, is the most commonly used psychoactive substance and is considered illicit in most countries worldwide. However, a growing body of research has provided evidence of the therapeutic properties of chemical components of cannabis known as cannabinoids against several diseases including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s disease, schizophrenia and glaucoma; these have prompted changes in medicinal cannabis legislation. The relaxation of legal restrictions and increased socio-cultural acceptance has led to its increase in both medicinal and recreational usage. Several biochemically active components of cannabis have a range of effects on the biological system. There is...