Abstract Cannabis products are increasingly perceived and advertised as natural and safe treatments for a variety of conditions, including chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP). The number of prescriptions for medicinal cannabis (MC) currently averages >80 000 per month for >1 million Australians. Although over 800 different cannabis products are available to prescribe in Australia, only two are registered on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods and approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration for specific clinical indications. Using treatment for CNCP as an example, evidence of efficacy across nine systematic reviews was inconsistent and/or of low quality and, with the exception of neuropathic pain, was unable to...

Abstract Purpose The aim of this randomized, placebo-controlled, two-stage, phase II/III trial was to determine the efficacy of an oral cannabis extract in adults with refractory nausea and/or vomiting during moderately or highly emetogenic, intravenous chemotherapy despite guideline-consistent antiemetic prophylaxis. Here, we report results of the prespecified combined analysis including the initial phase II and subsequent phase III components. Patients and Methods Study treatment consisted of oral capsules containing either tetrahydrocannabinol 2.5 mg plus cannabidiol 2.5 mg capsules (THC:CBD) or matching placebo, taken three times a day from days –1 to 5, in addition to guideline-consistent antiemetics. The primary measure of effect was the...

Abstract Coincident with the legalisation of cannabis in many nations, rates of cannabis use during pregnancy have increased. Like prior investigations on smoking and alcohol, understanding how prenatal cannabis exposure (PCE) impacts offspring outcomes across the lifespan will be critical for informing choices for pregnant people, clinicians, and policy makers alike. A thorough characterization of the life-long impacts is especially urgent for supporting all of these stakeholders in the decision-making process. While studies in humans bring forth the most direct information, it can be difficult to parse the impact of PCE from confounding variables. Laboratory studies in animal models can provide experimental designs that allow for causal inferences...

Abstract Cannabis abuse has been linked to acute psychotic symptoms as well as to the development of schizophrenia. Although the association has been well described, causation has not yet been investigated. Therefore, we investigated whether cannabis or cannabinoid use is causal for the development of schizophrenia, conducting a systematic literature review according to the PRISM guidelines. Epidemiological studies and randomized clinical trials investigating the links between cannabis and psychosis-like events (PLE) and schizophrenia were identified (according to PRISM guidelines), and relevant studies were included in a Forest plot analysis. Confounder analysis was performed using a funnel plot, and the Hill causality criteria were used...

Abstract Background With rising anxiety disorder diagnoses, many individuals are seeking alternatives to standard pharmacotherapies, like medicinal cannabis. This systematic review focuses exclusively on anxiety-related disorders and examines a wide range of cannabis-based preparations and interventions. Method We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and PsycInfo (October–December 2023) for peer-reviewed empirical studies, excluding case series, case studies, and review papers. Inclusion criteria were studies on adults (18+ years) diagnosed with anxiety-related disorders, examining the efficacy or effectiveness of medicinal cannabis. Studies on recreational cannabis or cannabis-use-disorder were excluded. The MASTER and QualSyst tools were used to assess bias. Results Fifty-seven studies met the inclusion criteria: 40...

Abstract There is emerging evidence that the endocannabinoid system (ECS) plays a significant role in the pathophysiology of many psychiatric disorders, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Increasing evidence suggests that a number of neurobiological correlates between endogenous cannabinoid function and cognitive dysfunction are seen in ADHD, making the ECS a possible target for therapeutic interventions. Cannabis use and cannabis use disorder are more prevalent in individuals with ADHD, compared to the general population, and there is growing popular perception that cannabis is therapeutic for ADHD. However, the relationship between cannabis use and ADHD symptomology is poorly understood. Further understanding of the role of...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Objective To evaluate the association between cannabis use during pregnancy and the risk for long-term neuropsychiatric pathology in the offspring. Data Sources MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane library databases were systematically searched until January 22, 2024, with no language or date restrictions. Study Eligibility Criteria Studies were eligible for inclusion if they reported quantitative data on any long-term neuropsychiatric outcome in offspring whose mothers used cannabis during pregnancy for medical or recreational use, by any route and at any trimester, in comparison to offspring of women who abstained from cannabis use during pregnancy. All observational study...

Abstract Background: Now that the Cannabis Act legalizing the use of cannabis has come into effect in Germany, the frequency of cannabis use in Germany may rise, and with it the number of cannabisrelated visits to emergency departments. Methods: In this narrative review, we identify and evaluate the observed trends in case numbers after cannabis legalization in other countries, the common reasons for emergency department visits, and the options for treatment. Data on trends in cannabis-related emergency contacts in Germany were provided by the Poison Control Center North and are evaluated descriptively. Results: The prevalence of cannabis use in Europe is estimated at 8%. In Canada, after...

Abstract This Special Issue aims to highlight some of the most recent developments in the study of Cannabis sativa by collecting contributions that range from studies on the crop and its interaction with the environment and pathogens to the pharmaceutical applications of cannabinoid-based drugs, also including the health risks associated with the consumption of C [...].

Abstract Background: Awareness has recently risen about the potential associated risks to the cardiovascular health of cannabis users. The objective was to evaluate the possible association between major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and the use of cannabis or cannabinoids. Methods: Original pharmacoepidemiological studies providing risk estimates on cannabis-related MACE (ie, cardiovascular death, non-fatal acute coronary syndrome (ACS) including myocardial infarction (MI) or non-fatal stroke) published from 1 January 2016 to 31 January 2023 were included in the systematic review exploring PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus (last search: 20 September 2023). Design, duration, baseline characteristics, exposure, inclusion criteria, sample size, effect size and confusing factors, including...