Abstract Previous systematic reviews and meta-analyses of cross-sectional data assessing the effect of cannabis on cognitive functioning and intelligence show inconsistent results. We hypothesized that frequent and dependent cannabis use in youth would be associated with Intelligence Quotient (IQ) decline. This study is a systematic review and meta-analysis. We searched Embase, PubMed and PsychInfo from inception to 24 January 2020. We included studies with non-treatment seeking samples and pre- and post-exposure measures of IQ. We requested data from authors if summary data was not available from published work. We preregistered our review with PROSPERO (ID no. CRD42019125624). We found seven cohort studies including 808...

Abstract Increasing numbers of patients are using cannabis before procedures that require anesthesia. This study set out to examine the impact of cannabis use on anesthetic agent requirements, associated cardiac and respiratory morbidity, and overall satisfaction levels in patients undergoing esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). This involved a retrospective review of patients undergoing EGD at a single center. Forty-seven, self-reported cannabis users were identified and 23 were successfully cross-matched with control participants for comparison purposes. The Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to evaluate differences in propofol administration between the 2 groups, and the McNemar test was used to test for differences in fentanyl and ketamine administration....

Abstract Background: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common and dosage-limited oxaliplatin-related toxicity. To date, there are no successful interventions for CIPN prevention or treatment. A therapeutic role for cannabis in diabetic and HIV-related peripheral neuropathy and a protective role in CIPN have been suggested. We examined the effect of cannabis on oncologic patients with CIPN. Methods: Medical records of 768 consecutive patients treated with oxaliplatin and 5-fluorouracil-based combinations at a tertiary medical center from October 2015 to January 2018 were reviewed. Excluded patients were those with pre-existing neuropathy or patients who received fewer than two cycles of oxaliplatin treatment. CIPN grade, oxaliplatin cumulative...

Abstract Background: Cannabis is legal for recreational and medical use in Canada. Our aim was to explore family experiences using medical cannabis for children with severe conditions in the context of legalization. Methods: We conducted a qualitative study using semistructured interviews between April and July 2019. Participants were parents of children attending BC Children’s Hospital oncology or palliative care clinics, recruited through posters, emails or referral. Participants were included if they spoke English and their child used any type of cannabis for medical purposes. Interviews included open-ended questions about the child’s cannabis use. Interviews were recorded and transcribed, and thematic analysis was performed using qualitative description....

Abstract Background Prior research examining the relationship between cannabis use, sedentary behavior, and physical activity has generated conflicting findings, potentially due to biases in the self-reported measures used to assess physical activity. This study aimed to more precisely explore the relationship between cannabis use and sedentary behavior/physical activity using objective measures. Methods Data were obtained from the 2005–2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. A total of 2,092 participants (ages 20–59; 48.8% female) had accelerometer-measured sedentary behavior, light physical activity, and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Participants were classified as light, moderate, frequent, or non-current cannabis users depending on how often they used cannabis in the...

ABSTRACT Background: Cannabis use is common and increasing among adults. Evidence connects cannabis use to poor periodontal health, but few prospective studies exist of adults in the United States. Methods: This investigation examined associations between cannabis use and self-reported adverse oral health conditions among participants (N = 18,872) in the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study, a nationally representative cohort. Survey-weighted regression modeling estimated associations between cannabis use and seven self-reported measures of oral health status, adjusted for tobacco use and other disease risk factors. Results: Reporting past-30-days cannabis use in any of PATH Waves 1–3 was positively and statistically significantly associated at Wave 4...

Abstract Background The US national surveys and data from legal adult use cannabis states show increases in the prevalence of cannabis use among older adults, though little is known about their manner of cannabis consumption. Here, we examine cannabis use frequency, routes of cannabis administration, and co-use with alcohol, focusing on adults aged 50–64 and ≥65. Methods Data come from a general population survey conducted January 2014–October 2016 (N=5492) in Washington state. We first estimate prevalence and trends in cannabis frequency, routes of administration, and co-use with alcohol in gender by age groups (18–29, 30–49, 50–64, ≥ 65). To test associations between cannabis frequency,...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Background Little is known about the the acute effects of cannabis on symptoms of OCD in humans. Therefore, this study sought to: 1) examine whether symptoms of OCD are significantly reduced after inhaling cannabis, 2) examine predictors (gender, dose, cannabis constituents, time) of these symptom changes and 3) explore potential long-term consequences of repeatedly using cannabis to self-medicate for OCD symptoms, including changes in dose and baseline symptom severity over time. Method Data were analyzed from the app Strainprint® which provides medical cannabis patients a means of tracking changes in symptoms as a function of...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Introduction The use of medicinal cannabis in the paediatric age group is increasing despite the lack of evidence for its efficacy or safety. Objective To map the available evidence on the efficacy and safety of medicinal cannabis in children and adolescents. Methods We conducted a scoping review and searched six electronic databases and grey literature. A study was eligible for inclusion when it investigated the efficacy or safety of medicinal cannabis for any condition, more than half of the participants were 0 to 18 years old, and had any study design except single case reports....

Abstract Background: The endocannabinoid system is a neuromodulatory system responsible for partial regulation of cognitive and emotional processes in the human central nervous system such as behavior, mood disorders, and neurologic disorders such as epilepsy. The endocannabinoid system is also prevalent throughout the peripheral nervous system and human body and its receptors and signaling pathways are present and active in areas including the male and female reproductive tracts and organ systems such as the urologic and gastrointestinal system. Summary: The purpose of this article is to provide the reader with a brief background on the endocannabinoid system and to discuss the implications of the...