Abstract Cannabis (Cannabis sativa/indica), also known as marijuana, has been used for medicinal and recreational purposes for millennia. There has been a recent trend to legalize the use of cannabis, as illustrated by the recent legalization votes in numerous states in the United States and legislation in Canada to allow recreational cannabis use. With this increasing consumption of cannabis, dermatologists will see increased pressure to prescribe cannabis and will see the side effects of cannabis use with greater frequency. There are several approved medical indications for cannabis use, including psoriasis, lupus, nail-patella syndrome, and severe pain. In addition, very preliminary studies have suggested cannabis...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract There is a growing interest in the use of medical cannabis for a variety of dermatologic conditions. Despite the lack of evidence to validate the effectiveness and safety of marijuana, it is approved to treat a variety of dermatologic conditions in the United States. Furthermore, medical cannabis dispensaries have been making unsubstantiated claims about medical cannabis. It is important for dermatologists to know about the purported use of medical cannabis to help patients navigate this new treatment option, particularly as cannabis becomes legal in Canada in October 2018. We collected and tabulated the dermatologic indications...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Background Since its legalization in Canada, cannabis use has expanded to include commercially available topical formations. Several scientifically unsupported claims regarding the therapeutic efficacy of topical cannabis are also being made. Developing an understanding of the consumer uses of topical cannabis is important for clinicians to provide appropriate counseling and inform potential areas of therapeutic development. We are examining the prevalence, purpose of use, and sources of information regarding topical cannabis in the Canadian population, with a focus on dermatologic uses. Method A cross-sectional, anonymous electronic, voluntary survey was developed to assess the use of...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Background This review is one of a series on drugs used to treat chronic neuropathic pain. Estimates of the population prevalence of chronic pain with neuropathic components range between 6% and 10%. Current pharmacological treatment options for neuropathic pain afford substantial benefit for only a few people, often with adverse effects that outweigh the benefits. There is a need to explore other treatment options, with different mechanisms of action for treatment of conditions with chronic neuropathic pain. Cannabis has been used for millennia to reduce pain. Herbal cannabis is currently strongly promoted by some patients...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Purpose  Increased cannabis use and recent drug approvals pose new challenges for avoiding drug interactions between cannabis products and conventional medications. This review aims to identify drug-metabolizing enzymes and drug transporters that are affected by concurrent cannabis use and, conversely, those co-prescribed medications that may alter the exposure to one or more cannabinoids. Methods  A systematic literature search was conducted utilizing the Google Scholar search engine and MEDLINE (PubMed) database through March 2019. All articles describing in vitro or clinical studies of cannabis drug interaction potential were retrieved for review. Additional articles of interest were...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Aims To examine changes in the evidence on the adverse health effects of cannabis since 1993. Methods A comparison of the evidence in 1993 with the evidence and interpretation of the same health outcomes in 2013. Results Research in the past 20 years has shown that driving while cannabis-impaired approximately doubles car crash risk and that around one in 10 regular cannabis users develop dependence. Regular cannabis use in adolescence approximately doubles the risks of early school-leaving and of cognitive impairment and psychoses in adulthood. Regular cannabis use in adolescence is also associated strongly with...

Please use this link to access this publication. Summary Cannabis potency, defined as the concentration of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), has increased internationally, which could increase the risk of adverse health outcomes for cannabis users. We present, to our knowledge, the first systematic review of the association of cannabis potency with mental health and addiction (PROSPERO, CRD42021226447). We searched Embase, PsycINFO, and MEDLINE (from database inception to Jan 14, 2021). Included studies were observational studies of human participants comparing the association of high-potency cannabis (products with a higher concentration of THC) and low-potency cannabis (products with a lower concentration of THC), as defined by the studies...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Importance  As of March 2015, 23 states and the District of Columbia had medical marijuana laws in place. Physicians should know both the scientific rationale and the practical implications for medical marijuana laws. Objective  To review the pharmacology, indications, and laws related to medical marijuana use. Evidence Review  The medical literature on medical marijuana was reviewed from 1948 to March 2015 via MEDLINE with an emphasis on 28 randomized clinical trials of cannabinoids as pharmacotherapy for indications other than those for which there are 2 US Food and Drug Administration–approved cannabinoids (dronabinol and nabilone), which include nausea and...

Abstract Background: The management of chronic pain is a complex challenge worldwide. Cannabis-based medicines (CBMs) have proven to be efficient in reducing chronic pain, although the topic remains highly controversial in this field. Objectives: This study's aim is to conduct a conclusive review and meta-analysis, which incorporates all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in order to update clinicians' and researchers' knowledge regarding the efficacy and adverse events (AEs) of CBMs for chronic and postoperative pain treatment. Study design: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: An electronic search was conducted using Medline/Pubmed and Google Scholar with the use of Medical Subject Heading (MeSH) terms on all literature published up to...

ABSTRACT Background Cannabis is one of the most widely used substances worldwide. Heavy use is associated with an increased risk of cannabis use disorders, psychotic disorders, acute cognitive impairment, traffic injuries, respiratory problems, worse pregnancy outcomes, and there are indications for genotoxic and epigenotoxic adverse effects. International regulation of medical and non-medical cannabis use is changing rapidly and substantially, highlighting the importance of robust public health monitoring. This study aimed to describe the trends of key public health indicators in European Union (27 member states + UK, Norway and Turkey) for the period 2010 to 2019, their public health implications, and to identify the...