The Vote 4 Medicine Debacle is a ‘gift’ that just keeps on giving!

The use of cannabinoids in medical treatments for children and adolescents is rising, often to manage conditions like epilepsy or chemotherapy-induced nausea. While this approach may seem promising, comprehensive research sheds light on the serious risks associated with these substances for young individuals.

Increased Risk of Adverse Events: A detailed review of 23 clinical trials involving over 3,600 children and adolescents revealed significant risks linked to cannabinoid use. Compared to other treatments or placebos, these substances were associated with a higher likelihood of unpleasant side effects. Many participants experienced such severe adverse events that they withdrew from the studies altogether.

For developing bodies, these risks are especially troubling. Symptoms like diarrhoea, extreme drowsiness, and signs of liver stress or damage were frequently reported, raising serious concerns about the impact on children’s health.

Concerns in Key Treatment Areas: Cannabinoids are often used as treatments for epilepsy and to manage chemotherapy-related nausea in children. However, the findings from the review call into question whether the potential benefits justify the heightened risks. Both conditions require effective relief, but exposing young, developing bodies to substances with such serious side effects demands caution and careful consideration.

Long-Term Risks and Unanswered Questions: One of the major concerns highlighted by this research is the lack of information on the long-term effects of cannabinoids in younger individuals. Most trials only tracked participants for short periods, meaning the potential for chronic health impacts, dependency, or other developmental issues remains largely unknown.

(For complete research J.A.M.A)

Also see 

• Failing Mental Health and ‘Vote for Medicine’ Models: Cannabis Conundrum Grows
• Cannabis as ‘Medicine’: Pot Propaganda, Emotive Anecdote, Marketing Manipulation and the Side-Stepping of Science’
• Insight: Marijuana Treatment | SBS 2014 (The alarm was sounded here)

The impact of cannabis on human fertility has emerged as a critical public health concern, particularly as global cannabis consumption has surged by 23% since 2010. With 209 million users worldwide and growing, most being males of reproductive age, understanding cannabis’s effects on fertility has never been more urgent. This increase coincides with a troubling trend – global sperm counts declined by 51.6% from 1973 to 2018, and continue to fall at an accelerating rate.

The convergence of rising cannabis use and declining sperm counts has spurred renewed scientific interest in how cannabis, particularly its primary psychoactive compound THC, affects male fertility. Two landmark studies – Morishima’s groundbreaking 1984 research and Kuzma-Hunt’s comprehensive 2024 analysis – provide crucial insights into the cellular and molecular mechanisms through which cannabis influences reproductive outcomes.

(Source: https://wrdnews.org/cannabis-male-fertility-epigenetic-harms-a-four-decade-research-evolution/)

Cannabinoid-mediated targeting of mitochondria on the modulation of mitochondrial function and dynamics

 A B S T R A C T: Mitochondria play a critical role in the regulation of several biological processes (e.g., programmed cell death, inflammation, neurotransmission, cell differentiation). In recent years, accumulating findings have evidenced that cannabinoids, a group of endogenous and exogenous (synthetic and plant-derived) psychoactive compounds that bind to cannabinoid receptors, may modulate mitochondrial function and dynamics. As such, mitochondria have gained increasing interest as central mediators in cannabinoids’ pharmacological and toxicological signatures. Here, we review the mechanisms underlying the cannabinoids’ modulation of mitochondrial activity and dynamics, as well as the potential implications of such mitochondrial processes’ disruption on cell homeostasis and disease. Interestingly, cannabinoids may target different mitochondrial processes (e.g., regulation of intracellular calcium levels, bioenergetic metabolism, apoptosis, and mitochondrial dynamics, including mitochondrial fission and fusion, transport, mitophagy, and biogenesis), by modulating multiple and complex signaling pathways. Of note, the outcome may depend on the experimental models used, as well as the chemical structure, concentration, and exposure settings to the cannabinoid, originating equivocal data. Notably, this interaction seems to represent not only an important feature of cannabinoids’ toxicological signatures, with potential implications for the onset of distinct pathological conditions (e.g., cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, metabolic syndromes), but also an opportunity to develop novel therapeutic strategies for such pathologies, which is also discussed in this review.

Conclusion: Findings thus far suggest that cannabinoids directly or indirectly affect mitochondria functioning through multiple molecular mechanisms. Ultimately, these cannabinoids’ actions may lead to biologically relevant effects on distinct cell lines and tissues, both damaging and protective. It is worth mentioning that cannabinoids are a structurally diverse family of compounds with numerous biological targets. This multiplicity of targets may justify, at least in part, the differentiated or preferential intracellular responses of specific cannabinoids and adds a new layer of complexity to distinguish the effects of cannabinoids through a specific receptor or signalling pathway. Further studies addressing the mechanisms of action of cannabinoids at the mitochondrial level will thus be fundamental to a deeper understanding of their pharmacological activities and risks associated with their misuse. Moreover, the cannabinoids’ modulation of mitochondrial activity and dynamics may be particularly crucial to the toxicological signature of cannabinoids and constitute an opportunity for developing novel therapeutic strategies. In fact, defects in mitochondrial function seem to be a common feature of many human pathological conditions, such as cancer, metabolic syndromes (e.g., obesity) and neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, Huntington’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease) [176]. The selective targeting of mitochondria through the activation of specific cannabinoid-induced cellular pathways might become an appealing approach to obtain efficient treatments for mitochondria-related diseases in the future. (Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36516885/)

(D.I. Commentary: You will find in studying the above excerpt (and full research) that there is, in a number of instances, a dose dependent effect of cannabis shown on for example mitochondrial function. 

It is important to understand that to control all they do mitochondria have their own genetic blueprint.

High cannabis doses cause mitochondria dysfunction cellular damage and death. So, this is the problem with having unrestricted upper limits on available cannabis products. 

Therefore, simply looking at urine samples, as some pregnancy studies do, only tells you if women have used cannabis in the last month, so we don't separate low from high use and any immediate effect will be lost and we are not getting any real accurate understanding of the impact being made on the mitochondrial function, because there is no, or little data on THC and CBD or other cannabinoid concentrations in the cohort studied.

We are playing with receptors and functions we are only now learning the tip of the iceberg about. A broad-brush estimate of the number of mitochondria per cells is something like 5,000 for heart, around 2000 for liver, but 100,000 or so for oocytes, so these are the cells that can get really disrupted and none of this is good for foetal and human healthy development.)

Also see

• Maternal cannabis use in pregnancy and child neurodevelopmental outcomes
• Self-reported Daily, Weekly, and Monthly Cannabis Use Among Women Before and During Pregnancy
• Cannabis Harms: An Overview of the Known Neurotoxicity and Thalidomide-like Genotoxicity of Cannabis
• Cannabis Use during Pregnancy: Pharmacokinetics and Effects on Child Development.
• Genotoxicity and Neurotoxicity of Cannabis: 66th CND – Vienna UN 2023

The Changing Landscape of Cannabis Use: The legalisation of recreational cannabis in California has led to significant shifts in consumption patterns, notably among pregnant individuals. A time-series study involving 300,993 pregnancies screened for cannabis use revealed a rise in prenatal cannabis consumption following the enactment of recreational cannabis legalisation (RCL). This increase was observed particularly in jurisdictions permitting adult-use cannabis retailers. The study highlights how legal changes can influence public health, warranting a closer examination of their long-term implications. According to a study published in PMC, legalisation led to easier cannabis access, greater acceptance, and reduced stigma, which contributed to increased prenatal cannabis use.”

Risks Associated with Prenatal Cannabis Use: According to the study, prenatal cannabis use carries several risks for both mothers and their babies. The findings indicate that 6.6% of pregnancies screened positive for cannabis use, with 3.6% identified through toxicology testing alone. Maternal risks include gestational hypertension and preeclampsia, while neonatal risks involve low birth weight and preterm birth. These outcomes underscore the importance of heightened awareness and careful consideration of cannabis use during pregnancy, particularly in areas where the substance is readily available.

The Role of Local Policies: The study revealed that the surge in prenatal cannabis use was mainly seen in regions where adult-use cannabis retailers were legally permitted. Prior to the full implementation of RCL, 57.8% of pregnancies occurred pre-RCL, with 26.5% occurring post-RCL. The data suggests that local policies significantly shape consumption behaviours, highlighting the impact of greater accessibility of cannabis products in these jurisdictions. This underscores the importance of local policy decisions in influencing public health trends.

The Need for Informed Choices: As cannabis legalisation spreads across the United States, it is crucial for expectant individuals to be aware of the potential risks associated with cannabis use during pregnancy. Health professionals can provide essential education and guidance to ensure informed decision-making regarding substance use in such a critical period. While some may view cannabis as a safer alternative for managing pregnancy-related symptoms, comprehending the full spectrum of risks is vital for protecting maternal and neonatal health.

The study highlights the complex link between legalisation and public health. As an organisation that supports drug-free living, it’s important to raise awareness and educate people to prioritise the health and well-being of future generations.

Source: JAMA Network

As cannabis is legalized and is more accessible in various forms across the country, there is increasing concern among health care providers about potential impact on children. Researchers at Nationwide Children’s Hospital have new findings to add to the existing evidence that cannabis exposure before birth can negatively impact children.

In a study published today in JAMA Pediatrics, researchers found prenatal cannabis exposure was associated in early childhood with poorer thinking skills and behaviors such as impulse control, paying attention, planning ability, and more aggressive behavior, all of which play a vital role in how children perform in school and interact with others.

“Although cannabis is a natural [only ‘maybe natural’ in its un-engineered state]  product, there are still many risks to using it during pregnancy,” said Sarah Keim, PhD, principal investigator in the Center for Biobehavioral Health at Nationwide Children’s, and lead author of the study. “Some women may turn to cannabis to help deal with some common issues of pregnancy including nausea, sleep problems and stress. This is not recommended. Consulting with a health care provider to find safer options to help with these issues during pregnancy is important.”

Researchers used multiple assessments, including asking parents about their child’s typical behaviors and measurement of skills related to impulse control, paying attention, solving problems, and managing emotions in preschool-aged children. Results showed children exposed to cannabis had more difficultly controlling their impulses, paying attention and planning, and showed more aggressive behavior when researchers observed their behavior in a play laboratory environment.

“Our findings were not surprising – they actually confirm and expand on longstanding evidence from previous research,” said Dr. Keim. “With our more contemporary and diverse sample of women and children, and with much higher potency of cannabis now than in past decades, this study validates previous research and supports existing clinical recommendations for patients.”

The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists both caution against cannabis use during pregnancy because of possible health risks to mothers and children.

More information is available at Nationwide Childrens.org/Research. Cannabis Use During Pregnancy Can Impact Thinking | Newswise