Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract The objective of this study was to identify how cannabis use features within the sexual lives of young sexual minority men who use substances, and how this might intersect with features of their contemporary socio-cultural contexts in a setting where non-medical cannabis was recently legalised: Vancouver, Canada. Forty-one sexual minority men ages 15 to 30 years were recruited between January and December 2018 to participate in in-depth, semi-structured 1-2 h interviews about their experiences of using substances (e.g. cannabis) for sex. Drawing on constant comparative analytic techniques, two themes emerged with regards to participants’ perceptions of, and...

Abstract Background Heavy cannabis use is known to have an adverse impact on cardiovascular and cerebrovascular outcomes in the general population and in patients presenting for surgery. However, there have been no studies that have focused on patients undergoing vascular surgical procedures. The objective of this study was to determine the perioperative risk of cannabis use disorder (CUD), primarily cardiovascular risk, in perioperative vascular surgery patients. Methods Using the National Inpatient Sample from 2006 to 2015, we conducted a retrospective cohort study involving those undergoing one of six elective and emergent vascular surgical procedures (carotid endarterectomy [CEA], infrainguinal bypasses, open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, aortobifemoral bypass, endovascular aortic aneurysm repair, or peripheral...

Abstract Background: Cannabis is known to have a broad range of effects on behavior, including experiencing a “high” and tranquility/relaxation. However, there are several adverse behavioral sequalae that can arise from cannabis use, depending on frequency of use, potency (e.g., THC content), age of onset, and cumulative exposure. This systematic review examined evidence for cannabis-related adverse behavioral sequalae in otherwise healthy human subjects. Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a systematic review of cross-sectional and longitudinal studies from 1990 to 2020 that identified cannabis-related adverse behavioral outcomes in subjects without psychiatric and medical co-morbidities from PubMed and PsychInfo searches. Key search terms included “cannabis”...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Cannabis is the most widely used illicit drug worldwide, and it is estimated that up to 30% of people who use cannabis will develop a cannabis use disorder (CUD). Demand for treatment of CUD is increasing in almost every region of the world and cannabis use is highly comorbid with mental disorders, where sustained use can reduce treatment compliance and increase risk of relapse. In this narrative review, we outline evidence for psychosocial and pharmacological treatment strategies for CUD, both alone and when comorbid with psychosis, anxiety or depression. Psychosocial treatments such as cognitive behavioural...

Abstract As cannabis-derived products have become more available, veterinarians are seeing more cases of toxicosis. In addition, animal owners are having an increasing interest in using these products for their pets. This review looks at the situation in Europe and North America, the different types of cannabis and cannabis-derived products with historical examples of use in animals, and the cannabis industry. The existing regulatory framework for use in humans and animals as medicines and/or supplements was examined. Finally, a review of the clinical indications for which medicinal cannabis is authorised, a discussion of toxicosis, and recommendations and warnings around medical cannabis use are presented.

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Cannabis use is linked to symptoms of depression and anxiety, particularly among sexual minorities. This study examines the relationships between cannabis, and depression and anxiety symptoms at 13, 15, and 17 years using cross-lagged models in a predominantly White (n = 1,430; 92%) subsample of 1,548 participants from the Quebec Longitudinal study of Child Development. Multigroup analyses were conducted to examine the models according to sexual orientation. Demographic covariates were included as control variables, as well as alcohol, cigarette, and other drug use to examine cannabis specificity. The full sample revealed small bidirectional associations, which...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Background and aims Research from cohorts of individuals with recreational cannabis use indicates that cannabis withdrawal symptoms are reported by more than 40% of those using regularly. Withdrawal symptoms are not well understood in those who use cannabis for medical purposes. Therefore, we prospectively examined the stability of withdrawal symptoms in individuals using cannabis to manage chronic pain. Design, Setting, Participants Using latent class analysis (LCA) we examined baseline cannabis withdrawal to derive symptom profiles. Then, using latent transition analysis (LTA) we examined the longitudinal course of withdrawal symptoms across the time points. Exploratory analyses...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Background The high prevalence of inadequately managed chronic pain indicates the need for alternative and multimodal treatment options. Use of cannabinoids in medicine is becoming a growing area of interest, specifically in the context of chronic pain. The efficacy of cannabinoids for the treatment of chronic pain is not well established. Aims The objectives of this rapid systematic literature review are to summarize the efficacy and secondary effects of cannabinoids for chronic pain management. Design Rapid systematic review of randomized control trials. Participants Individuals with chronic pain (n = 1352). Methods Embase, Cochrane, PubMed, and CINAHL databases were searched. Inclusion criteria included cannabis of any...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Ethnopharmacological relevance There are many studies and therapeutic properties attributed to the flowers and leaves of the Cannabis species, but even with few pharmacological studies, Cannabis sativa L. (Cannabaceae) roots presents several therapeutic indications in folk medicine. Aim of the study: This study aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and spasmolytic effects as well as the toxicological profile of the aqueous extract of Cannabis sativa roots (CsAqEx) in mice. Materials and methods We assessed the anti-inflammatory effect with carrageenan-induced leukocyte migration assay, and carrageenan and histamine-induced paw edema methods; The spasmolytic effect was assessed through in vitro assays with isolated mice trachea. To assess motor coordination and mobility, mice went through the...