Abstract Background The opioid overdose epidemic in Canada and the United States has become a public health crisis - with exponential increases in opioid-related morbidity and mortality. Recently, there has been an increasing body of evidence focusing on the opioid-sparing effects of medical cannabis use (reduction of opioid use and reliance), and medical cannabis as a potential alternative treatment for chronic pain. The objective of this study is to assess the effect of medical cannabis authorization on opioid use (oral morphine equivalent; OME) between 2013 and 2018 in Alberta, Canada. Methods All adult patients defined as chronic opioid users who were authorized medical cannabis...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract We examined knowledge and practice of harm reduction strategies among people who use cannabis attending an annual public cannabis advocacy event. We also assessed the sources from which they glean information about cannabis. Participants (n = 472) completed a brief survey assessing cannabis use, sources for information on cannabis, and harm reduction strategies. Participants’ knowledge of cannabis was based mostly on their own experiments and experiences rather than on information from health professionals. Participants generally had low accuracy in identifying effective harm reduction techniques and low rates of utilizing effective harm reduction techniques, using them at...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Background Studies have shown a high degree of comorbidity between cannabis use disorder (CUD) and other mental illnesses. However, there is a paucity of research on the comorbidity between CUD with major depression (MD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). This systematic review with meta-analysis aimed to assess the prevalence and strength of association between co-morbid CUD with MD and GAD. Methods An extensive search of Medline, CINAHL, PsycINFO, EMBASE, and grey literature were conducted to cover articles published between January 1st, 1980, and July 31st, 2020. Inclusion criteria were publications in English Language, original research, nationally representative samples, and...

Abstract The legal landscape of cannabis (marijuana) has dramatically changed over the past few years in several countries worldwide. Many patients now have legal access to products derived from cannabis. In the Middle East, Lebanon became the first Arab country to legalize cannabis for medical and industrial use recently in 2020. Other Middle Eastern and Arab countries continue to completely ban the use of cannabis and products derived from cannabis. This article is a call to conduct medical research in the use of cannabis for medical purposes to determine the suitability and need for this substance in the Arab world. Based on these studies,...

Abstract Background Endoscopy under propofol sedation has become a routine procedure. Given the number of Canadians undergoing an endoscopy annually, as well as the pervasive use of cannabis by many patients, understanding the effect of cannabis use on the propofol dose at endoscopy is highly relevant. We aimed to evaluate the association between cannabis exposure and the propofol dose needed to achieve adequate sedation at endoscopy. Methods A case-control study of individuals undergoing endoscopy was conducted at a single outpatient endoscopy clinic in London, Ontario between 2014 and 2017. Cases included all individuals with any self-reported cannabis exposure, while controls included all individuals without...

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study was to explore the association between respiratory symptoms among U.S. adolescents who were current (past 30-day) users of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and/or cannabis, as well as lifetime users of cannabis with electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS). Methods Wave 4 from a national probability sample (N = 14,798) of adolescents (12–17 years) using Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study data was used for this study. Retention rate was 88.4%. Results The odds of indicating “wheezing or whistling” in the chest were roughly two times higher among those who had used cannabis in ENDS (adjusted odds ratio 1.81, 95% confidence interval 1.47–2.22);...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Background: Cachexia is a prevalent condition associated with underlying chronic disease. Wasting of skeletal muscle and adipose tissue loss in cachectic patients is associated with higher rates of disability, reduced quality of life (QoL), and worse prognosis. There is a large unmet need to develop strategies to treat cachexia as there are currently no standardized guidelines in the management of cachexia. Activation of endogenous cannabinoid receptors, through exogenous cannabinoids, has demonstrated potential in increasing appetite, reducing catabolism, and has shown anti-inflammatory properties. Since no single pharmacological agent is currently recommended for use in cachexia, the potential...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Drug-related problems are growing in Nigeria. Yet, there is a paucity of research on the motives for using cannabis and its contribution to drug-related problems. Understanding the underlying motives for taking cannabis from users’ perspectives would facilitate the provision of harm reduction policies/interventions. Using normalization framework, semi-structured interviews were conducted with young adults who use cannabis in a city located in Anambra State, South-Eastern Nigeria. Data were analysed thematically. Participants shared extensive personal experiences of how cannabis was used for social, conformity, and enhancement motives. Cannabis served as a social lubricant and was taken when...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract The e-cigarette or vaping product-use-associated lung injury outbreak in the United States has raised concerns about the potential health effects of cannabis vaping, a method of cannabis use that is becoming increasingly popular. We used 2017–2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data to estimate yearly prevalence and trends of past-30-day cannabis use and vaping among US adults. We used multivariable logistic regression to evaluate the associations of cannabis vaping with high-risk behaviors, asthma, and other respiratory symptoms. Our sample size was 160,209 (53,945–2017; 55,475–2018; and 50,789–2019). Past-30-day cannabis use prevalence increased from 10.0% (95% CI, 9.4%–10.7%) in 2017 to 13.4% (12.8%–12.0%) in 2019. Similarly, past-30-day cannabis vaping prevalence increased from 1.0%...