Abstract Cannabis is a psychoactive substance the availability and use of which, in various forms, has been liberalized in many countries across the world. Cannabis use, including by women of reproductive age, has become increasingly common, with (in some studies) >5% of women using the substance even during pregnancy to self treat nausea, vomiting, stress, anxiety, depression, insomnia, chronic pain, and other conditions. Women who use cannabis during pregnancy are more likely to have a medical or mental health condition; they are commonly unaware that cannabis is associated with pregnancy related risks. These risks arise from effects of cannabis on cannabinoid receptors in the...

Abstract Purpose of Review Review recent research regarding the relationship between cannabis use, weight, eating behaviors, eating disorders, and physical activity. Recent Findings Cannabis, particularly the cannabinoid Δ9-tegrahydrocannabinol (THC), is associated with increased appetite, food cravings, overconsumption, and decreased physical activity. Cannabidiol (CBD) appears to be associated with decreased appetite. While cannabis use is not correlated with binge eating, cannabis use disorder is associated with loss of control eating. Despite cannabis’ association with unhealthy eating and sedentary behavior, most studies suggest that cannabis use is not associated with weight gain, or may even facilitate weight loss. Summary The state of the literature regarding the...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Cannabis (also called marijuana) is naturally derived from the cannabis plant and can be consumed in many different product formulations that have varying concentrations of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the most prevalent psychoactive substance. Almost half of states in the United States have legalized recreational use for adults. Fortunately, longitudinal epidemiological studies indicate that less than 20% of youth report current cannabis use and that their lifetime use has actually decreased over the last few decades. Nevertheless, with the increasing availability of different formulations with higher concentrations of THC and notable increase in use among adults, pediatricians...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Purpose of review Cannabis sativa and constituent cannabinoids are in widespread use for the treatment of sleep disorders where many patients desire pharmacotherapy. Previous reviews highlight a lack of high-quality evidence to support the efficacy and long-term safety of cannabinoids in various conditions. We aim to provide an update of recent original research evaluating cannabinoid-based therapeutics in sleep disorders. Recent findings We identified twenty-one recent studies of cannabinoids for insomnia, subjective sleep impairment, obstructive sleep apnoea, rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder, and restless legs syndrome. We note trends towards the use of minor cannabinoids, studies...

Abstract The legalization of cannabis for medical and recreational purposes has progressed internationally. Cannabis and cannabinoids are advocated for a plethora of medical indications. An increasing number of medical and nonmedical users regularly consume large doses of delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main active component of cannabis. Aim: to summarize the evidence on (1) risks of recreational cannabis use and (2) effectiveness and safety of medicinal cannabis. Findings on recreational use: Cannabis is mostly used to experience its acute rewarding effects. Regular use of high THC products can produce addiction (cannabis use disorder or CUD). Acute consumption of high THC doses (including unintentionally) can cause time-limited...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Background The emergence of legal cannabis industries poses a new public health challenge. Health information labels are part of the public health strategy for tobacco and alcohol, but there is limited research on cannabis-related messaging. This study explored perceptions of cannabis health information labels among people who used cannabis in the last 12 months residing in the U.S. and Canada. Methods The Global Drug Survey (GDS) is a large anonymous cross-sectional web-survey. In GDS2019, respondents were presented with six labels with cannabis-related health information (dependence; driving stoned; harms of smoking; harms to developing brain; lack...

Please use this link to access this publication. ABSTRACT Objectives: This paper reviews research on the topic of cannabis use and mental health harms in older adults and illustrates potential contributing factors and special clinical considerations for working with this population. Known risk factors for cannabis-related mental disorders and mental health problems are outlined, first for the general population and then specifically for older adults. Methods: Studies were identified through online databases using a variety of search words. Articles were included in the review if they were peer-reviewed or published by a reputable national organization, published in English, and were pertinent to the topic of mental...

Abstract Background Medicinal cannabis (MC) has been used extensively throughout history. However, its criminalization in the United States in 1937 spurred the international community to follow suit, including Norway. Despite being reintroduced as a medical treatment in many countries in recent years, the use of MC in Norway is confined to a select few patient groups, and medical specialists must formally apply for authorization from the Norwegian authorities to prescribe the drug. Objective To assess Norwegian physicians’ perceived knowledge of, experience with, and attitudes towards MC. Methods A cross-sectional survey consisting of 31 closed-ended items captured physicians’ perceived knowledge of, experience with, and attitudes...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Cannabis sativa, widely known as ‘Marijuana’ poses a dilemma for being a blend of both good and bad medicinal effects. The historical use of Cannabis for both medicinal and recreational purposes suggests it to be a friendly plant. However, whether the misuse of Cannabis and the cannabinoids derived from it can hamper normal body physiology is a focus of ongoing research. On the one hand, there is enough evidence to suggest that misuse of marijuana can cause deleterious effects on various organs like the lungs, immune system, cardiovascular system, etc. and also influence fertility and cause teratogenic effects. However, on the other...

ABSTRACT Objectives: The principal objective of our study was to document the short-term impact of the legalization of recreational cannabis on active cannabis use, cannabis use disorder, and various psychotic disorders. Methods: We carried out a retrospective observational study of patients who were at least 12 years old and who had visited a psychiatrist in the emergency unit of the Centre hospitalier universitaire de Sherbrooke (CHUS). We included all the consultations of this type over a 5-month period, immediately following the legalization of recreational cannabis in Canada. We then divided our population into an adult (over 18) and teenager group (12 to 17) compared the data...