Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Introduction: Cannabis use to alleviate medical symptoms is increasing in middle-aged and older adults. Cognitive impairment associated with cannabis use may be especially detrimental to these understudied age groups. We hypothesized that among middle-aged and older adults who used cannabis for 12 months, frequent (≥3 days/week) compared with nonfrequent (≤2 days/week) use will be associated with cognitive impairment. Materials and Methods: We performed secondary analysis on data from a clinical trial of cannabis use for medical symptoms. Participants (n=62) were ≥45 years, and completed a baseline and at least one postbaseline visit. Cognitive domains were assessed through...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Introduction Older adults are increasingly using medical cannabis (MC). It is unclear if therapeutic effects increase problematic use patterns. The current study addresses this issue by examining symptom trajectories across the day and using trajectories to predict problematic use. Methods One-hundred six older adults (age range 55–74) who endorsed medical conditions approved for treatment using MC were recruited online. Participants received six text messages/day to assess momentary symptoms for 15 days. Results Participants provided 5,156 momentary assessments across 1,106 use days. Symptom trajectories were examined across the day. There was a decline in all symptoms...

Abstract Background Cannabis use for non-medical purposes was legalized and regulated in Canada through the Cannabis Act in October 2018. This paper examined trends in use of cannabis for non-medical purposes and related indicators from pre- to post-legalization in Canada (2018–2022). Methods Data from 5 years of the Canadian Cannabis Survey, an annual web-based survey administered to Canadians 16 years of age or older, were used in the analysis (n2018=12,952; n2019=11,922; n2020=10,821; n2021=10,733; n2022=10,048). Cannabis measures include questions about use, types of products, sources, risk perceptions and beliefs, and exposure to public education campaigns and health warnings. Adjusted logistic regression models tested differences in outcomes over...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Introduction: Florida’s medical cannabis (marijuana) program is among the largest in the United States. Smokable cannabis forms were not legally available in this program until 2019, and five years after other forms of cannabis were available. This study assessed changes in Δ-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) dispensed per patient following legalization of smokable cannabis in Florida. Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental study used data from the Florida Department of Health Office of Medical Marijuana Use Reports on THC dispensing from April 6, 2018, through March 13, 2020. Certified medical cannabis user during the study period was included. The exposure...

Abstract Introduction: Playing-related musculoskeletal disorders (PRMDs) are musculoskeletal symptoms that interfere with the ability to play at the level a musician is accustomed to. Musicians have an 84% lifetime prevalence of PRMD. Many types of analgesia are inappropriate for this population due to their risks, but cannabidiol (CBD) has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties and can reduce the perception of pain. Medical cannabis has also been shown to be safer than other analgesia in terms of serious adverse events. This study explores the impact of medical cannabis for PRMD on perceptions of pain and mental health outcomes. Methods: Participants (n = 204) completed questionnaires...

Abstract Objective: An increasing number of Canadians are registering as authorized users of medical cannabis. Older patients comprise a growing subset of this population; however, relatively little information exists around age-related patterns of medical cannabis use. Methods: The Canadian Cannabis Patient Survey (CCPS) is a large cross-sectional survey of authorized medical cannabis patients in Canada. This publication summarizes the results of the CCPS 2021, with a focus on age-related outcomes and the elderly sub-population. Results: The survey was completed by 2,697 patients. The mean age of participants was 54.3 years of age and the proportion of female respondents was 49.1%. Among older patients, pain was the most common...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Context: Retrospective study of 36 individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD) certified for medical cannabis. Objective: We sought to examine whether medical cannabis certification was associated with a change in utilization of acute care medical services for patients with SCD. Methods: We identified patients with SCD certified for medical cannabis use between July 2014 and December 2021 using the New York State Prescription Monitoring Program (NYS PMP) and cross-matching to our electronic medical record. We estimated the mean incidences of Emergency Department (ED) visits, hospital admissions, inpatient days, and total acute encounters for SCD-related pain per month pre-...

Abstract Background Benzodiazepines are a class of medications that are being frequently prescribed in Canada but carry significant risk of harm. There has been increasing clinical interest on the potential “sparing effects” of medical cannabis as one strategy to reduce benzodiazepine use. The objective of this study as to examine the association of medical cannabis authorization with benzodiazepine usage between 2013 and 2021 in Alberta, Canada. Methods A propensity score matched cohort study with patients on regular benzodiazepine treatment authorized to use medical cannabis compared to controls who do not have authorization for medical cannabis. A total of 9690 medically authorized cannabis patients were...

Abstract Background and Objectives: Fibromyalgia is a multifaceted and frequently misunderstood chronic pain disease marked by widespread musculoskeletal pain and cognitive/somatic dysfunction. This trial aims to contribute to the existing knowledge on treating fibromyalgia (FM) with medical cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.) and explore a safer and more effective cannabis administration method. The goal is to provide evidence-based findings that can guide alternative treatment options for FM patients by assessing a pilot study. Materials and Methods: The trial was performed at the pain therapy unit of the San Carlo Hospital (Potenza, Italy) by administrating to 30 FM patients 100 mg/day of Bedrocan® (Bedrocan International, Veendam, The Netherlands) as a decoction....

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Background: There is a lack of studies on the course and effectiveness of medical cannabis in the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). Methods: Retrospective longitudinal (18 weeks) study of n=59 outpatients with MDD, treated with medical cannabis via a telemedical platform. Previous treatment with antidepressant medication was required for inclusion into the study. Standardized data collection was carried out at entry and during monthly consultations. Severity of depression was measured on a 0–10 point rating scale. Side-effects were assessed by a checklist. Results: Patients were 20–54 years old; 72.9% were male; one third reported times of regular...