A Yale-led analysis of the genomes of more than 1 million people has shed light on the underlying biology of cannabis use disorder and associated risks.

From the abstract: As recreational use of cannabis is being decriminalized in many places and medical use widely sanctioned, there are growing concerns about increases in cannabis use disorder (CanUD), which is associated with numerous medical comorbidities. A genetically informed causal relationship analysis indicated a possible effect of genetic liability for CanUD on lung cancer risk, suggesting potential unanticipated future medical and psychiatric public health consequences.

This study yields new insights into the genetic architecture of CanUD and how this risk interacts with traits crucial to public health and raises important concerns regarding the potential adverse consequences of the secular trend toward increased cannabis use consequent to legalization. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41588-023-01563-z

For complete article

Abstract

Context: Cannabis use among the general population has increased over time, in part due to decriminalization of use and greater social acceptance of cannabis use. These changes have contributed to increased availability of cannabis products, thus raising the likelihood that a subset of adolescent and young adult athletes will use cannabis. Therefore, it is imperative that clinicians and other providers working with young athletes have a thorough understanding of the impact cannabis can have on the athletic performance and overall health of a young athlete.

Survey studies suggest that up to 1 in 4 athletes have used cannabis at least once in the last year. Age, sex, race, sexual orientation, level of competition, and country of residence of an athlete all contribute to differing rates of cannabis use among athletes. The scientific literature does not support using cannabis for athletic performance, and multiple studies have demonstrated notable impairments in objective athletic performance measures. Cannabis use can also negatively impact an athlete’s overall health via cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and mental health symptoms and disorders.

Conclusion: Cannabis use among adolescent and young adult athletes is common, and rates of use are influenced by many different factors. Current evidence suggests that cannabis use can worsen sport performance, negatively impact an athlete’s general health, and contribute to negative mental health outcomes. (Source: Cannabis Use in Adolescent and Young Adult Athletes: A Clinical Review  2023 (sagepub.com)

Marijuana affects many parts of the body. These effects can impact your surgery through the following ways:

• Respiration: Marijuana affects the airways making it harder to place a breathing tube for anesthesia. Marijuana also affects the lungs and can cause wheezing, coughing, and chronic bronchitis.
• Cardiac effects: Marijuana affects heart rate and blood pressure and has the potential to increase risks of a heart attack and/or stroke.
• Pain management: Marijuana may interfere with pain control and the amount of pain medication needed to provide relief following an operation.

You should discuss with your surgical team if you are using any form of marijuana or cannabis products. It can affect the outcome of your surgery. It is recommended to stop using marijuana products 72 hours before surgery.

Their full statement goes into greater detail. https://www.facs.org/for-patients/safe-pain-management/marijuana-and-surgery/

Also see What They Don’t Tell You About Cannabis Before Surgery

Published: October 18, 202 3DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpain.2023.10.009

Highlights

• CBD products may have varying amounts of CBD, varying from none to much more than advertised.
• CBD products may contain other chemicals than CBD, some of which may be harmful.
• 16 RCTs for pain used pharmaceutical CBD in oral, buccal/sublingual, and topical forms.
• 15 of the 16 RCTs were negative: no greater pain-relieving effect for CBD than for placebo.
• Meta-analyses link CBD to increased rates serious adverse events and hepatotoxicity.

 Small clinical trials using verified CBD suggest the drug to be largely benign; while large scale evidence of safety is lacking there is growing evidence linking CBD to increased rates of serious adverse events and hepatotoxicity.

There is no good reason for thinking that CBD relieves pain, but there are good reasons for doubting the contents of CBD products in terms of CBD content and purity.

(for complete research The Journal of Pain – (US Association for Study of Pain, USASP)

Also see 

• Concerns About CBD
• Only Three Cannabinoid Based Medicines Have FDA approval HHC is not one of them. 

Team of researchers urges further study and evaluation of standards for medical use.

Date: October 20, 2023 Source: University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture

Summary: Cannabis use, even for medical purposes, could make some people sick due to harmful fungi that contaminate the plants. That is the finding of a recently published peer-reviewed journal article, whose authors recommend further study and consideration of changes to regulations to protect consumers, especially those who are immunocompromised. They examined data, previous studies, and U.S. and international regulations related to the cannabis and hemp industry. 

Cannabis research has mostly focused on the substance and medical uses of the plant, but with the increased legalization of cannabis for various uses, this article addresses the need for more study of potential health risks.

"Although fungi and mycotoxins are common and well-studied contaminants in many agricultural crop species, they have been generally under-studied in cannabis and hemp. This is partly because human health risk assessment methodologies used to regulate food and pharmaceuticals have yet to become standard for the emerging cannabis and hemp industries. Additionally, the wide range of consumer uses of cannabis and hemp flowers, including for medical use by patients with susceptible conditions, makes it uniquely challenging to assess and manage human health risk of these contaminants".

(For complete research ScienceDaily)