Abstract Background and aims Public health concerns regarding pregnant women’s health after the enactment of the Cannabis Act in Canada (CAC) (a law that allowed non-medical cannabis use), and the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, call for a contemporary assessment of these two events. Our study measured associations between the CAC, the COVID-19 pandemic and the monthly prevalence rates of cannabis-, all drug- and alcohol-related diagnosed disorders among pregnant women in the province of Quebec. Design, setting and participants This was a quasi-experimental design applying an interrupted time-series methodology in the province of Quebec, Canada. The participants were pregnant women aged 15–49 years, between...

Abstract The aim of this study is to determine factors associated with cannabis discontinuation, to assess the impact of mental health and addiction interventions on cannabis discontinuation during pregnancy and to investigate the neonatal impact of cannabis discontinuation. This is a 10-year cohort study in a tertiary hospital in Barcelona, Spain, including women with self-reported cannabis use during pregnancy. Main outcome was cannabis discontinuation based on biological sample testing. Secondary outcomes were neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission, preterm birth, birth weight and bottle-feeding. When cannabis use was detected during pregnancy, 32 out of 81 (38.3%) discontinued cannabis during pregnancy vs. four out of...

Abstract As more states legalize cannabinoid products for recreational use and medicinal purposes, the prevalence of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome has become increasingly common. Yet, it remains unrecognized to many healthcare providers along with the most efficacious treatments. Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome most often presents with episodic vomiting secondary to chronic daily cannabis use over several months to years. Patients often complain of nausea and abdominal pain that is improved by taking hot showers or baths. Symptoms are alleviated with the cessation of cannabis use over a period of 6–12 months. Treatment for acute attacks often consists of parenteral benzodiazepines in the inpatient setting. Long-term management and...

Abstract Cannabis is the most prevalently used psychoactive substance in the United States. Cannabis has conflicting federal and state legal status in the US, however medical and recreational cannabis use are increasing. When assessing health outcomes, cannabis use classification has been modeled largely as current use status (never/former/current) or cumulative use (joint-years). These methods do not describe longitudinal patterns of use which may have unique relationships with health outcomes. We used cannabis use data spanning 30 years from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults Cohort (CARDIA) to create trajectories of current cannabis use during young and middle adulthood. We identified 5 unique patterns...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract The recreational use of cannabis products has risen considerably worldwide over the past decade. As the cannabis legal market grows, a critical challenge has been to make substantiated claims about the benefits and adverse health problems triggered by cannabis exposure. Despite accumulating evidence from animal studies demonstrating the role of cannabinoids on bone metabolism, there are conflicting results in clinical literature regarding their effects on bone health outcomes. We undertook a systematic review to assess the evidence for the safety of cannabis use on bone health. We searched the databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and...

Abstract There has been a significant increase in the consumption of cannabis for both recreational and medicinal purposes in recent years, and its use can have long-term consequences on cognitive functions, including memory. Here, we review the immediate and long-term effects of cannabis and its derivatives on glutamatergic neurotransmission, with a focus on both the presynaptic and postsynaptic alterations. Several factors can influence cannabinoid-mediated changes in glutamatergic neurotransmission, including dosage, sex, age, and frequency of use. Acute exposure to cannabis typically inhibits glutamate release, whereas chronic use tends to increase glutamate release. Conversely, the postsynaptic alterations are more complicated than the presynaptic effects, as...

Abstract An increase in products containing phytocannabinoids, particularly cannabidiol, is often observed in human and veterinary markets following the legalization of hemp (cannabis) for industrial purposes. In veterinary medicine, derivatives of Cannabis sativa are used for managing pain (osteoarticular, oncological, and neuropathic), epilepsy, and behavioral disorders, as well as oncological, immune-mediated, cardiovascular, and respiratory diseases. In addition, there is growing interest in incorporating C. sativa into livestock feed. To elucidate the mechanisms of action of phytocannabinoids, a thorough understanding of the endocannabinoid system and its role in maintaining homeostasis is essential. Short-term use of phytocannabinoid products appears generally safe, but further research is required to understand the routes...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Cannabis and the marijuana derived from it, which mainly contains the psychoactive ingredient tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), is increasingly being used both for medicinal purposes and as a narcotic. While many emphasize the positive aspects and uses of cannabis, it is equally important to examine the potential negative effects on health. Here, we pay special attention to undesired cardiovascular effects, as the cardiovascular system is known to react strongly to psychoactive substances. This article highlights the current scientific findings on the effects of cannabis and marijuana on the heart and cardiovascular system. Since many patients conceal their marijuana...

Abstract Cannabis products (CPs) and cannabis-based medicines (CBMs) are becoming increasingly available and are commonly used for pain management. The growing societal acceptance of cannabis and liberalization of cannabis laws allows patients to access CPs with minimal clinical oversight. While there is mechanistic plausibility that CPs and CBMs may be useful for pain management, the clinical trial literature is limited and does not refute or support the use of CBMs for pain management. Complicating matters, a large and growing body of observational literature shows that many people use CPs for pain management and in place of other medications. However, products and dosing regimens in...

Abstract The neurobiological mechanisms that regulate the appetite-stimulatory properties of cannabis sativa are unresolved. This work examined the hypothesis that cannabinoid-1 receptor (CB1R) expressing neurons in the mediobasal hypothalamus (MBH) regulate increased appetite following cannabis vapor inhalation. Here we utilized a paradigm where vaporized cannabis plant matter was administered passively to rodents. Initial studies in rats characterized meal patterns and operant responding for palatable food following exposure to air or vapor cannabis. Studies conducted in mice used a combination of in vivo optical imaging, electrophysiology and chemogenetic manipulations to determine the importance of MBH neurons for cannabis-induced feeding behavior. Our data indicate that cannabis vapor increased...