Abstract Context: Cannabis use has increased, in large part due to decriminalization. Despite this increase in usage, it remains unclear what proportion of athletes use cannabis and what effect it has on athletic performance and recovery. Objective: To systematically review cannabis use among athletes, including epidemiology, effect on performance and recovery, and regulations for use in sport. Data Sources: PubMed, MEDLINE, and EMBASE databases were queried from database inception through November 15, 2018. A hand search of policies, official documents, and media reports was performed for relevant information. Study Selection: All studies related to cannabis use in athletes, including impact on athletic performance or...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract In 2019, Marijuana Use Disorder (MUD) (DSM-IV) affected approximately 4.8 million (1.8%) Americans aged 12 and older. Given the continued evolving state-level marijuana/cannabis legislation, increased patterns of use in the general population, and nuances of diagnostic criteria (from DSM-IV to DSM-5) in a U.S. national survey, the objective of this study is to estimate and characterize individuals who met the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for MUD in the past year. Using public-use files from the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), we examined sociodemographic and selected behavioral indicators associated with MUD. NSDUH participants (32,893...

Abstract Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate cytotoxic, mutagenic and genotoxic effects on buccal mucosa and peripheral blood cells from marijuana and tobacco smokers. Methods: For this purpose, a total of 45 volunteers were distributed into four groups: CTRL group (control): individuals who did not smoke marijuana or tobacco (n = 11); Group M: Marijuana smokers (n = 13); Group T: Tobacco smokers (n = 13); Group M + T: Smokers of both marijuana and tobacco (n = 08). Results: Smokers of both marijuana and tobacco led an increase of micronucleated cells on buccal mucosa when compared to control group. The...

Abstract Marijuana ( Cannabis sativa ) is the most commonly used illicit drug worldwide as well as in the Unites States. Prolonged use of marijuana or repeated administration of its primary psychoactive constituent, Δ 9 -tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), can lead to physical dependence in humans and laboratory animals. The changes that occur with repeated cannabis use include alterations in behavioral, physiological, and biochemical responses. A variety of withdrawal responses occur in cannabis-dependent individuals: anger, aggression, irritability, anxiety and nervousness, decreased appetite or weight loss, restlessness, and sleep difficulties with strange dreams. But the long half-life and other pharmacokinetic properties of THC result in delayed expression of withdrawal symptoms, and...

Abstract Background Marijuana is the most popular drug of abuse in the United States. The association between its use and coronary artery disease has not yet been fully elucidated. This study aims to determine the frequency of coronary artery disease among young to middle aged adults presenting with chest pain who currently use marijuana as compared to nonusers. Methods In this retrospective study, 1,420 patients with chest pain or angina equivalent were studied. Only men between 18 and 40 years and women between 18 and 50 years of age without history of cardiac disease were included. All patients were queried about current or prior...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Insomnia symptoms have been linked to problematic marijuana use among young adults, but the mechanism underlying this association and whether sex differences exist, remains unclear. Using cross-sectional data, this study examined negative mood as a mediator of the association between insomnia and marijuana problems among male and female college students. Undergraduate students (n = 267; 61% female) reporting marijuana use in the past month completed an online survey assessing insomnia symptoms, negative mood and marijuana problems. Controlling for relevant covariates, negative mood was examined as a mediator of the association between insomnia and marijuana problems using bootstrapped...

Abstract The use of medical cannabis in children is rapidly growing. While robust evidence currently exists only for pure cannabidiol (CBD) to treat specific types of refractory epilepsy, in most cases, artisanal strains of CBD-rich medical cannabis are being used to treat children with various types of refractory epilepsy or irritability associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Other common pediatric disorders that are being considered for cannabis treatment are Tourette syndrome and spasticity. As recreational cannabis use during youth is associated with serious adverse events and medical cannabis use is believed to have a relatively high placebo effect, decisions to use medical cannabis during...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract The use of cannabis during pregnancy is a growing public health concern. As more countries implement legislation permitting recreational cannabis use, there is an urgent need to better understand its impact on fetal neurodevelopment and its long-term effects in exposed offspring. Studies examining effects of prenatal cannabis exposure typically employ injections of synthetic cannabinoids or isolated cannabis constituents that may not accurately model cannabis use in human populations. To address this limitation, we developed a novel e-cigarette technology-based system to deliver vaporized cannabis extracts to pregnant Long Evans rats. We used this model to determine effects of prenatal cannabis exposure...

Abstract Objective Cognitive deficits and microstructural brain abnormalities are well documented in HIV-positive individuals (HIV+). This study evaluated whether chronic marijuana (MJ) use contributes to additional cognitive deficits or brain microstructural abnormalities that may reflect neuroinflammation or neuronal injury in HIV+. Method Using a 2 × 2 design, 44 HIV+ participants [23 minimal/no MJ users (HIV+), 21 chronic active MJ users (HIV + MJ)] were compared to 46 seronegative participants [24 minimal/no MJ users (SN) and 22 chronic MJ users (SN + MJ)] on neuropsychological performance (7 cognitive domains) and diffusion tensor imaging metrics, using an automated atlas to assess fractional anisotropy (FA), axial...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Purpose: Twenty-nine states have bypassed federal regulations by legalizing marijuana (MJ) either medicinally, recreationally or both. The FDA states that there is no empirical evidence that MJ is effective to treat these disorders. With over a billion individuals living with a disability across the globe, it is crucial to fully research the efficaciousness and safety of medical MJ to treat this population. The purpose to present the results of a scoping review of studies focused on the levels of evidence currently available on medical MJ’s efficacy in treatment across a large range of disabilities. Methods: Databases were...