Abstract Background Recreational cannabis legalization marked a significant policy shift in Canada, but has been difficult to evaluate because of the absence of a control group. Although it is unfeasible to evaluate legalization using a randomized controlled trial design, sophisticated statistical techniques can employ quasi-experimental designs using natural experiments. This study evaluates the impact of cannabis legalization in a longitudinal cohort of Canadian emerging adults by comparing changes in cannabis use frequency and related consequences over time to changes in a similar cohort in a United States jurisdiction where no policy change took place. Methods Two samples of emerging adults from Hamilton, Ontario, and...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Background After traumatic brachial plexus injuries, despite treatment with appropriate medications, some patients experience uncontrollable pain, which can be devastating. Cannabis-based medicine is considered to have pain-relieving benefits in this situation, but the evidence is limited. Questions/purposes Is cannabis-based medicine effective compared with the placebo in (1) reducing pain (measured by the VAS for pain) and neuropathic pain (measured by the DN4 questionnaire), and (2) improving sleep quality (measured by the VAS for sleep quality) in patients with traumatic brachial plexus injury? Methods This prospective, triple-blinded (the researcher administering the substance, the patients, and the...

Abstract This article explores the case of acute eosinophilic pneumonia (AEP) linked to heavy cannabis inhalation, amidst the rising prevalence of cannabis use globally. AEP, characterized by eosinophilic pulmonary infiltration, poses unique challenges due to its unclear pathogenesis. This case study involves a 20-year-old with recent intense cannabis use, presenting with acute chest pain, cough, and dyspnea. Diagnostic evaluation revealed bilateral interstitial syndrome on thoracic imaging and elevated blood eosinophilia. Additional investigation through bronchoalveolar lavage confirmed the diagnosis of AEP. The patient's condition rapidly improved with glucocorticoids, highlighting the significance of prompt treatment. This article underscores the importance of raising awareness among clinicians of the possibility of AEP following cannabis exposure as a diagnosis to consider, as timely...

Abstract Background: Medicinal cannabis clinical trials in palliative medicine present unique and complex challenges encompassing ethical, legal, and feasibility obligations, making consumer input essential. However, little is known about the consumer contribution in the medicinal cannabis research space. Objective: We present a case report on consumer contribution in the design and conduct of a Phase I/IIb medicinal cannabis clinical trial for anorexia in people with advanced cancer. Our discussion highlights the various ways consumers contribute through (1) lived experience, (2) knowledge, (3) inclusion as investigators, (4) advocacy, and (5) outreach, considering approaches that can mitigate bias. Conclusion: Consumer contribution shaped the study design, ensured...

Abstract Adolescence is a developmental period characterised by increased vulnerability to cannabis use disorder (CUD). However, previous investigations of this vulnerability have relied on cross-sectional comparisons and lack a detailed assessment of cannabis quantity, a potentially important confounding factor. Here, we aimed to investigate the one-year course of CUD in adolescents compared to adults who currently use cannabis, adjusting for a comprehensive measure of cannabis quantity. Data are from a one-year observational longitudinal study (CannTeen) of adolescents and adults who currently used cannabis regularly with five waves of assessment at 3-monthly intervals, based in London, UK. Participants were n = 70 adults (26–29, 45.7% female), who did...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract An 18-month-old previously healthy male presented unresponsive with generalized tonic-clonic activity. Seizures recurred despite multiple benzodiazepine doses, requiring intubation and mechanical ventilation. Extensive workup, including CT, MRI, lumbar puncture, respiratory panel, and blood cultures, failed to find an alternative cause for status epilepticus. Toxicologic testing confirmed a urine 11-nor-9-carboxy-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC-COOH) concentration >500 ng/mL and serum THC-COOH concentration of 256 ng/mL. Urine benzoylecgonine was also present at 74 ng/mL; no serum cocaine concentration was obtained. The patient returned to his neurologic baseline and was discharged after five days. To our knowledge, this is the first reported...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract This study used electronic health record (EHR) data from 9869 sexual minority patients aged 18 and older who had a primary care visit within a Los Angeles university health system (June 2020–May 2023). Sexual minority patients, defined as lesbian, gay, or bisexual, were screened for cannabis use and risk of cannabis use disorder (CUD) during annual wellness visits. Mental health diagnoses were extracted from patients’ EHR. Multivariable regression models were used to assess associations between sexual identity, sex, and cannabis-related outcomes, including cannabis use, risk of CUD, mental health diagnoses among individuals reporting cannabis use, and cannabis use for symptom management among those with a corresponding diagnosis. All models...

ABSTRACT Introduction: Cannabis-based medicine (CBM) is recommended for the treatment of tics in otherwise treatment-resistant adult patients with Tourette syndrome (TS). However, evidence in children with TS is very limited. Long-term effects of CBM in this population are unknown. Case presentations: We present two cases of long-term follow-up over six and five years, respectively, in male adolescents with TS who were administered CBM starting at the age of eight and 12 years, respectively. In one patient CBM treatment was initiated with pure tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and was later changed to current treatment with an oral THC-dominant cannabis extract (THC:cannabidiol (CBD)=25:<0.5) with a daily dose of 0.5-0.6 mL...

Abstract Parkinson’s disease (PD) is characterized by progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta, which leads to a reduction in the production of dopamine. Medication with levodopa becomes less effective as the disease progresses. Despite the excellent results observed in clinical practice with the medicinal use of Cannabis in the treatment of PD, the level of scientific evidence is still limited due to the small number of studies published in this field. We present the case of a 77-year-old man diagnosed 22 years ago with PD in an advanced stage, with significant bradykinesia, tremor, and rigidity along with the inability...

Abstract Background As cannabis becomes more integrated into Canadian society for medical and non-medical purposes, public health efforts have aimed to enhance public awareness and knowledge of the potential risks associated with cannabis use. However, no validated or established method to measure cannabis health literacy exists, limiting the ability to evaluate the impacts of public awareness initiatives. We aimed to develop and preliminarily validate a cannabis health literacy questionnaire (CHLQ) designed to measure an individual’s knowledge, understanding and utilization of health and safety information related to cannabis. Methods The CHLQ was developed using existing health literacy domains and alcohol health literacy attributes as a...