Abstract Background Cannabis use during pregnancy is becoming more prevalent. While numerous studies have explored the relationship of cannabis use during pregnancy and outcomes for mothers and infants, uncertainty remains regarding the impact of cannabis use on pregnancy complications and later-life outcomes for offspring. Aims To produce a summary of the short and long-term effects of prenatal cannabis exposure on fetal growth and development, neonatal conditions, later-life, and maternal outcomes. Materials and Methods An overview of systematic reviews, an evidence and gap map, targeted updates of previous reviews, and de novo evidence synthesis was conducted. The databases searched include PubMed (National Center for Biotechnology Information); MEDLINE...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract The development of the brain is a highly coordinated process that begins early in gestation and relies on intricate interactions between maternal and fetal immune systems. Disruptions to this delicate prenatal immune environment can significantly impact fetal brain development, increasing the risk of a spectrum of neurological and behavioral disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety. While maternal exposure to viral and bacterial infections has been extensively studied as a driver of these disruptions, emerging research highlights the potential role of non-infectious exposures—such as drugs of abuse and environmental contaminants—in shaping neurodevelopmental...

Abstract Question A 3-year-old girl was brought to my office by her caregiver because she was not acting like herself. She was excessively sleepy, difficult to rouse, and had poor balance. The caregiver reported cannabis products in the home in the form of gummies the caregiver takes for sleep and anxiety. What symptoms should prompt consideration of marijuana ingestion and how should accidental ingestion be managed? Answer Cannabis is one of the most widely used drugs in the world. Many countries are decriminalizing and legalizing marijuana, but its negative impact on pediatric health is growing. Current evidence shows unintentional marijuana ingestion and severe toxicity are steadily...

Abstract Introduction The growing opioid crisis and persistent global health disparities underscore the urgent need for alternative therapeutic strategies. Cannabis, with its long-standing historical use and recent legislative developments, presents a potentially significant avenue for addressing these challenges. This review examines the evolving landscape of medicinal cannabis, drawing from historical ethnopharmacological data and contemporary scientific discussions. Methods This review synthesized evidence from historical ethnobotanical records, peer-reviewed studies, and outcomes derived from recent Global Health events. These events facilitated discussions among diverse stakeholders, including healthcare professionals, policymakers, researchers, industry representatives, farmers, and patient advocates. Case studies and successful models from the USA and Africa, including the...

Please use this link to access this publication. ABSTRACT Introduction Cannabis use disorder (CUD) is a growing global health concern, with limited pharmacological treatments currently available despite increasing prevalence and legalization trends. Areas covered This review explores the landscape of pharmacotherapies for CUD, including both repurposed agents and emerging investigational compounds. We summarize findings from recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses, with attention to mechanisms of action and clinical relevance. Agents discussed include gabapentin, N-acetylcysteine, synthetic cannabinoids, fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) inhibitors, orexin receptor antagonists, and psychedelics. A narrative approach was used, informed by targeted searches of PubMed, Google Scholar, and clinical trial registries...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Objective: Research on the patterns and correlates of cannabis use suggests a disproportionately higher use incidence across Indigenous populations in Canada and the United States. As cannabis use is related to several deleterious social and behavioral consequences for which Indigenous Peoples are disproportionately vulnerable, it is a public health concern. We gathered and organized the extant research on cannabis use among Indigenous groups to describe emergent themes and future research areas. Method: We conducted a scoping review of articles published between 2005 and February 2020 on Indigenous populations and cannabis use in Canada and the...

Abstract BackgroundObservational studies consistently report associations between tobacco use, cannabis use and mental illness. However, the extent to which this association reflects an increased risk of new-onset mental illness is unclear and may be biased by unmeasured confounding. MethodsA systematic review and meta-analysis (CRD42021243903). Electronic databases were searched until November 2022. Longitudinal studies in general population samples assessing tobacco and/or cannabis use and reporting the association (e.g. risk ratio [RR]) with incident anxiety, mood, or psychotic disorders were included. Estimates were combined using random-effects meta-analyses. Bias was explored using a modified Newcastle–Ottawa Scale, confounder matrix, E-values, and Doi plots. ResultsSeventy-five studies were included. Tobacco use...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors face increased risks of long-term health complications, compounded by engagement in risky health behaviors such as smoking or vaping nicotine or cannabis products (e.g., inhaled substance use). This scoping review explores the existing literature on inhaled substance use among AYA cancer survivors to better understand the prevalence, methods, and contributing factors driving these behaviors. While combustible cigarette smoking is decreasing, vaping remains prevalent, and both are associated with inhaled cannabis co-use. Mental health challenges experienced by AYA survivors, such as depression and anxiety, may drive increased substance use...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Background While a key goal of liberalizing cannabis policy is to reduce harms related to criminal justice involvement, the degree to which this occurs and how it varies by policy format is uncertain. We completed a systematic review of changes in cannabis offences overall and across subgroups after cannabis policy liberalization. Methods A search of 7 databases was conducted for studies examining changes in cannabis offences, including arrests, charges, convictions, and referrals, before and after cannabis policy changes. Four types of cannabis policy change were considered: medical legalization, non-medical decriminalization, non-medical legalization, and non-medical commercialization....

Abstract Cannabis sativa L., one of the oldest cultivated crops, has a complex domestication history due to its diverse uses for fibre, seed, oil, and drugs, and its wide geographic distribution. This review explores how human selection has shaped the biology of hemp and drug-type Cannabis, focusing on acquisition and utilization of nitrogen and phosphorus, and how resulting changes in source–sink relations shape their contrasting phenology. Hemp has been optimized for rapid, slender growth and nutrient efficiency, whereas drug-type cultivars have been selected for compact growth with large phytocannabinoid-producing female inflorescences. Understanding these nutrient use and ontogenetic differences will enhance our general understanding of resource allocation...