Abstract Aims Cannabis use may increase the risk of self-harm, but whether legalization of cannabis is associated with changes in self-harm is unknown. We examined changes in cannabis-involvement in emergency department (ED) visits for self-harm after the liberalization of medical and legalization of non-medical cannabis in Canada. Methods This repeated cross-sectional study used health administrative data to identify all ED visits for self-harm in individuals aged ten and older between January 2010 and December 2021. We identified self-harm ED visits with a co-diagnosis of cannabis (main exposure) or alcohol (control condition) and examined changes in rates of visits over four distinct policy periods (pre-legalization, medical liberalization, non-medical...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Background Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARPi) play a pivotal role in ovarian cancer management. With medical cannabis emerging as a novel component of supportive care, this study investigated the impact of medical cannabis use on oncological outcomes in patients with ovarian cancer undergoing PARPi therapy. Methods The study included patients from a single institution database treated for ovarian cancer between January 2014 and January 2020 who received PARPi maintenance therapy in a first-line or recurrent disease setting after a confirmed response to platinum-based treatment. The study categorized patients as cannabis users and cannabis-naïve. Univariate and...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Objectives Medical cannabis is increasingly used by young patients with cancer. We aimed to describe the patterns and perceptions of medical cannabis use among young adults with cancer. Methods This cross-sectional survey was conducted from March to May 2021 and included patients aged 18–45 from the Department of Oncology at Sheba Medical Center, as well as participants from the Stop-Cancer social platform. Participants completed an anonymous questionnaire assessing demographics, disease status, cannabis permit status, use patterns and perceptions. Results Of the 605 participants who completed the survey, 250 held an active cannabis permit. Median age was 38 (IQR...

Please use this link to access this publication. Highlights •Our study reveals diverse Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) dosing patterns among patients with medical conditions, drawn from longitudinal purchase data, providing insights into patient dosing. •Six trajectory groups illustrate varied THC and CBD dosing trends over time, reflecting nuanced patient behaviors and highlighting dynamic dosing trajectories. •Patients exhibit customized dosing preferences, with THC favored by patients with chronic pain and cancer and CBD preferred by those with epilepsy, indicating tailored dosing preferences. •Many patients exhibited fluctuating dosing behaviors, highlighting the necessity for personalized dosing strategies and emphasizing fluctuating dosing behaviors. •Our findings stress the...

Please use this link to access this publication. Key Points Question  Is cannabis use associated with increased risk of head and neck cancer (HNC)? Findings  In this cohort study of 116 076 individuals, people with cannabis use disorder had an increased risk of any HNC, as well as oral, oropharyngeal, nasopharyngeal, salivary gland, and laryngeal cancer, compared with a group of matched individuals. Meaning  The results of this study suggest that patients with cannabis-related disorder may be at an increased risk for HNC, and further studies are required to further explore the strength and potential mechanisms of this association. Abstract Importance  Cannabis is the most commonly used illicit substance...

Abstract Introduction: Cannabis policy is rapidly changing in the USA and across the globe, with 24 states legalizing cannabis for adult use and 38 states making medical cannabis available for those with qualified conditions. Building on prior evidence, we reviewed the recently published literature (from the past 5 years) focused on the treatment effects of naturally derived medical cannabis products within the pediatric population. Methods: We conducted a systematic literature review of three electronic databases using MeSH terms and free-text. A study was eligible for inclusion if it investigated the efficacy of medical cannabis for any condition, it was published in 2019 or later, and the mean...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Objective Dramatic changes in state-level cannabis laws (CL) over the past 25 years have shifted societal beliefs throughout the United States, with unknown implications for youth. In the present study, we conducted an updated systematic review and meta-analysis examining estimated effects of medical cannabis legalization (MCL) and recreational cannabis legalization (RCL) on past-month cannabis use among US youth. Method A systematic review was conducted following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, followed by a subsequent meta-analysis investigating the associations between state-level cannabis laws (ie, MCL vs non-MCL, and RCL vs non-RCL)...

Key Points Question  Is there an association between year-long cannabis use for medical symptoms and brain activation during cognitive processes implicated in cannabis use? Findings  In a cohort study of adults who newly obtained medical cannabis cards for symptoms of depression, anxiety, pain, or insomnia, functional magnetic resonance imaging measures during working memory, reward, and inhibitory control tasks did not differ statistically from baseline to 1 year and were not associated with changes in cannabis use frequency. Meaning  The absence of activation differences in this study suggests that adults using cannabis for medical symptoms over 1 year may not experience significant changes within reward, working memory, or...

Abstract Background This review aimed to examine the recent breakthroughs in medical cannabis research, explore the shifting public perceptions and the stigma associated with its use and discuss strategies for enhancing the safety of medical cannabis. Methods We reviewed literature on medical cannabis and also synthesized the connections between scientific research, public perception and safety considerations in the uses of medical cannabis, providing a comprehensive understanding of how these elements influence each other and shape the future of medical cannabis use for patient adherence. Results The landscape of medical cannabis has evolved dramatically over the past few decades. The transition from prohibition to medical...

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...