28 November, 2017
NSW patients to get faster access to medicinal cannabis
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Cannabis as Medicine? Overview
It is utterly mind-blowing that people have no idea that Cannabis has been part of the medical prescription landscape for over 20 years. That’s right T. G. A (Therapeutic Goods Administration) trialled and approved cannabis based medicines have been available as an option to alleviate, if only in small ways, some of the symptoms of a couple of diseases or help with recovery from treatment. However, the claims of this plant being a ‘miracle cure’ for just about everything, have existed for of 100 years… yet in no credible and advanced research has any of the properties of the Cannabis plant ‘cured’ anything, ever! There is no argument that some components of this incredibly complex plant can have some therapeutic benefit, be it ever so small, but deriving such from the plant with out co-opting some of the more detrimental components has proven incredibly difficult. On top of that, the evidence emerging from latest science, sees that some of these therapies, do more harm than good, with the temporary alleviating of a symptom on one hand, and incurring along term genetic harm on the other! Again if facts and evidence matter to your best-practice health care, then this is the space for you. Make informed decisions based on science, and not quackery!
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Self-reported Daily, Weekly, and Monthly Cannabis Use Among Women Before and During Pregnancy
Monday, August 05, 2019 70Conclusions: Results of this study show that the frequency with which women in California use cannabis in the year before and during pregnancy has increased over time, corresponding with increasing acceptance of cannabis use and decreasing perceptions of cannabis-associated harms. Future studies are critically needed to determine whether and how the adverse outcomes of maternal perinatal cannabis use on the health and development of infants and children vary with daily vs less frequent use.... -
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Self-reported Daily, Weekly, and Monthly Cannabis Use Among Women Before and During Pregnancy
Thursday, July 25, 2019 14JAMA Netw Open. 2019;2(7):e196471. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.6471 Findings In this serial cross-sectional study of 367 403 pregnancies among women in Kaiser Permanente Northern California who were universally screened for self-reported cannabis use as part of standard prenatal care, annual relative rates of daily, weekly, and monthly cannabis use in the year before pregnancy and during pregnancy increased from 2009 to 2017. Relative rates of self-reported daily cannabis use in the year... -
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Using Cannabis during pregnancy linked to fetal alcohol spectrum disorder-like symptoms in animal study.
Thursday, July 25, 2019 12Professor Jennifer D. Thomas, co-director of the Center for Behavioral Teratology at San Diego State University who co-authored the rodent study told Newsweek : "Although it has been known that prenatal alcohol exposure can adversely affect later behavioral development, this study suggests that prenatal cannabis exposure can also influence behavioral development, and that effects may be more severe when combined with alcohol. "These results are important, as pregnant women may not be aware... -
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Self-Reported Marijuana Use Is Associated with Increased Use of Prescription Opioids Following Traumatic Musculoskeletal Injury.
Sunday, July 07, 2019 39BACKGROUND : Cannabinoids are among the psychoactive substances considered as alternatives to opioids for the alleviation of acute pain. We examined whether self-reported marijuana use was associated with decreased use of prescription opioids following traumatic musculoskeletal injury. METHODS : Our analysis included 500 patients with a musculoskeletal injury who completed a survey about their marijuana use and were categorized as (1) never a user, (2) a prior user (but not during recovery),... -
Prenatal Exposure to Cannabis Affects the Developing Brain (Marijuana for Morning Sickness a Massive Mistake!)
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Cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabidivarin (CBDV)
Wednesday, July 03, 2019 146Cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabidivarin (CBDV) are natural cannabinoids which are consumed in increasing amounts worldwide in cannabis extracts, as they prevent epilepsy, anxiety, and seizures. It was claimed that they may be useful in cancer therapy and have anti-inflammatory properties. Adverse long-term effects of these drugs (induction of cancer and infertility) which are related to damage of the genetic material have not been investigated. Therefore, we studied their DNA-damaging properties... -
Marijuana Edibles: Buyers and Users Beware
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Marijuana Study Finds CBD Can Cause Liver Damage
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Chemical in Marijuana Raises IOP
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Cannabis – NO CURE – for Opioid Crisis!
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Association between medical cannabis laws and opioid overdose mortality has reversed over time
Wednesday, June 12, 2019 80Chelsea L. Shover, Corey S. Davis, Sanford C. Gordon, and Keith Humphreys Edited by Kenneth W. Wachter, University of California, Berkeley, CA, and approved May 16, 2019 (received for review February 27, 2019) Medical cannabis has been touted as a solution to the US opioid overdose crisis since Bachhuber et al. [M. A. Bachhuber, B. Saloner, C. O. Cunningham, C. L. Barry, JAMA Intern. Med. 174, 1668–1673] found that from 1999 to 2010 states with medical cannabis laws experienced slower... -
Why Medical Marijuana May Not Be OK for Treating PTSD
Wednesday, June 12, 2019 72Just to lay the foundation, I have been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) , anxiety and depression …on a recent trip to Las Vegas, where Pot has been legalized, I decided to try a very small amount of chocolate with what they said was about 20 milligrams of THC to see if it would help me with some pain I was having. What followed was a nightmare. It took roughly two hours to kick in and by the time it did, we were poolside. I literally felt like I was in and out of... -
Stoned Babies and Underachieving Adults
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(U.S.A.) - Key Takeaways From FDA’s Historic CBD Regulations Meeting
Monday, June 03, 2019 64“Currently, states are struggling with the lack of sound scientific research available in CBD and long-term health impacts, including those to children,” Pam Miles of the Virginia Department of Agriculture, said. She added that her department “is hopeful that FDA will begin to supply significant leadership as it related to CBD, including research related to its health impacts.”…Brenda Morris, representing the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, talked about the “patchwork... -
Ireland ‘sleepwalking’ into liberal cannabis regime, warn doctors
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Hepatotoxicity of a Cannabidiol-Rich Cannabis Extract in the Mouse Model
Monday, May 20, 2019 207Abstract : The goal of this study was to investigate Cannabidiol (CBD) hepatotoxicity in 8-week-old male B6C3F1mice. Animals were gavaged with either 0, 246, 738, or 2460 mg/kg of CBD (acute toxicity, 24 h) or with daily doses of 0, 61.5, 184.5, or 615 mg/kg for 10 days (sub-acute toxicity). These doses were the allometrically scaled mouse equivalent doses (MED) of the maximum recommended human maintenance dose of CBD in EPIDIOLEX®(20 mg/kg). In the acute study, significant increases in... -
USA - NL holds up employer’s refusal to hire medical cannabis user
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The Need for Federal Regulation of Marijuana Marketing
Saturday, May 18, 2019 144The Need for Regulation: It is critical that regulators investigate these problematic marketing practices across all marijuana brands, not just MedMen, to ensure that health claims are independently verified and youth are protected from marijuana marketing. Precedent exists for federal action to regulate MedMen’s national marketing strategy because the responsibility to regulate “products containing cannabis and cannabis-derived compounds” currently rests with the FDA under the Federal Food,... -
Former ‘Budtender’ from the Marijuana Industry Speaks Out
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Clinicians and Scientists release Statement of Concern regarding marijuana policy (USA)
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Cannabis Use During Pregnancy May Affect Brain Development in Offspring
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Cannabis sativa (Hemp) Seeds, D9-Tetrahydrocannabinol, and Potential Overdose
Monday, May 06, 2019 135Abstract Introduction: Cannabis sativa (hemp) seeds are popular for their high nutrient content, and strict regulations are in place to limit the amount of potentially harmful phytocannabinoids, especially D9-tetrahydrocannabinol (D9-THC). In Canada, this limit is 10 lg of D9-THC per gram of hemp seeds (10 ppm), and other jurisdictions in the world follow similar guidelines. Materials and Methods : We investigated three different brands of consumer-grade hemp seeds using four different... -
There's nothing funny about today's highly potent marijuana. It killed my son.
Monday, May 06, 2019 128“I want to die,” he wrote before hanging himself at the age of 31. “My soul is already dead. Marijuana killed my soul + ruined my brain.” Andy wanted to quit. He couldn't A new study shows he's not alone The peer-reviewed medical journal The Lancet last month published a major study that found people who use high-potency marijuana daily are five times more likely to develop psychosis than those who never partake. The researchers compared data for more than 2,100 people in multiple countries.... -
Canadian Government: Cannabis health warning messages
Monday, May 06, 2019 93Part 1: Health warning messages for cannabis products that are dried cannabis or cannabis accessories that contain dried cannabis WARNING: Cannabis smoke is harmful. Harmful chemicals found in tobacco smoke are also found in cannabis smoke. WARNING: Do not use if pregnant or breastfeeding. Using cannabis during pregnancy may harm your baby and result in low birth weight. WARNING: Do not use if pregnant or breastfeeding. Substances found in cannabis are also found in the breast milk of mothers... -
Medical cannabis industry should be told to provide evidence if it wants products prescribed, MPs hear
Wednesday, April 17, 2019 122Keith Ridge told the House of Commons Health and Social Care Select Committee hearing on medical cannabis policy that he saw the primary purpose of rescheduling medical cannabis as supporting development of good evidence. Evidence for the prescribing of medical cannabis is lacking, Keith Ridge, chief pharmaceutical officer for England, has told MPs. For complete story -
Pregnant women who use marijuana heavily to treat morning sickness affect part of the baby's brain associated with memory
Wednesday, April 17, 2019 100Daily Mail April 2019 11:16 Using marijuana during pregnancy to treat morning sickness could damage an unborn baby's brain, a new study says. Research conducted on rats found that expecting mothers who used cannabis affected the section of the brain involved in memory and learning. The rate of pregnant women using pot for severe nausea and vomiting has increased by 11.3 percent over the last decade and by more than 62 percent for general overall use. Previous studies have shown that children... -
Opioid and Cannabis Co-Use among Adults with Chronic Pain
Wednesday, April 17, 2019 109Relations to Substance Misuse, Mental Health, and Pain Experience - Journal of Addiction Medicine: doi: 10.1097/ADM.0000000000000493 Results: Results suggest that, compared to opioid use alone, opioid and cannabis co-use was associated with elevated anxiety and depression symptoms, as well as tobacco, alcohol, cocaine, and sedative use problems, but not pain experience. Conclusions: These findings highlight a vulnerable population of polysubstance users with chronic pain, and indicates the... -
Online cannabis oils contain dangerous amounts of psychoactive THC
Wednesday, April 17, 2019 140Although specialist doctors registered with the General Medical Council (GMC) have been allowed to prescribe cannabis-derived medicines since November 2018, a lack of research into their effects is leaving patients open to buying unlicensed products, sometimes containing over 400 times the legal limit of certain key ingredients. Leading scientists and clinicians from the University of Bath and University College London (UCL) recently published a review that describes the ranges of... -
Marijuana as a cure for opioid use? Nation's top drug scientist says she's skeptical
Monday, April 01, 2019 116( USA Today , March 20) As opioid misuse continues to grip the nation, some states are allowing medical marijuana to be used as a treatment for opioid addiction. However, Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) , says there is currently no scientific evidence for marijuana to be used in such a way. "If you don’t treat it properly, your risk of dying is quite high," Volkow told USA TODAY . "My main concern is by basically misinforming potential patients about... -
USA: Workplace Weed use a Worry – Funeral Director May Seek Reasonable Accommodation for Off Duty Medical Marijuana Use
Sunday, March 31, 2019 125On March 27, 2019, the New Jersey Appellate Division in Wild v. Carriage Funeral Holdings Inc. Background Facts : Justin Wild, a licensed funeral director, was employed by Carriage Funeral Holdings (Carriage). In 2015, Wild was diagnosed with cancer and was prescribed medical marijuana as part of his treatment. In May 2016, while working, Wild was in a car accident and was taken to an emergency room. Wild disclosed to the hospital that he had a license to use medical marijuana. Because Wild... -
Medical marijuana does not exist
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Marijuana Use is Not Associated with Changes in Opioid Prescriptions or Pain Severity Among People Living with HIV and Chronic Pain
Tuesday, March 19, 2019 188JAIDS Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes: February 20, 2019 - Volume Publish Ahead of Print - Issue - p doi: 10.1097/QAI.0000000000001998 Background: People living with HIV (PLWH) commonly report marijuana use for chronic pain, though there is limited empirical evidence to support its use. There is hope that marijuana may reduce prescription opioid use. Our objective was to investigate whether marijuana use among PLWH who have chronic pain is associated with changes in pain... -
Doctors accuse Britain's first medical cannabis clinic of making unfounded claims over pain relief
Tuesday, March 12, 2019 147The private Medical Cannabis Clinic (MCC) opened in Manchester last week Further branches are scheduled for Birmingham and London’s Harley Street Doctors now claim the drugs pain-relieving qualities have been exaggerated Britain’s first dedicated medical cannabis clinic has been accused by doctors of making unfounded claims for the drug’s pain-relieving qualities. For complete article -
Should Physicians Recommend Replacing Opioids with Cannabis?
Tuesday, February 26, 2019 173JAMA. 2019;321(7):639-640. doi:10.1001/jama.2019.0077 The evidence that cannabis is an efficacious treatment for opioid use disorder is even weaker. To date, no prospective evidence, either from clinical trials or observational studies, has demonstrated any benefit of treating patients who have opioid addiction with cannabis. If Cannabis Is Recommended Medicine, It Should Be Held to Medical Standards Conclusions For chronic pain, there are numerous alternatives to opioids aside from cannabis.... -
Legal cannabis oil sold in British health shops can get users high and make it dangerous to drive, study shows
Friday, February 22, 2019 238Cannabis oil sold as a health product in Britain can get users 'high', study finds Researchers found driving under the influence of CBD cannabis ‘may be harmful' The products have soared in popularity amid claims they help combat ailments By JONATHAN BUCKS FOR THE MAIL ON SUNDAY 17 February 2019 The legal version of cannabis sold as a health product in the UK can get users ‘high’ and even make it dangerous to drive, a study has found. Cannabis oils and capsules said to help reduce anxiety and... -
Cannabinoids could help manage spasticity in motor neuron disease
Monday, February 04, 2019 273Cannabinoids could help manage spasticity in motor neuron disease A very similar drug already exists as a trailed, tested and approved pharmaceutical; if fact has been in on the register for decades… Sativex (nabiximols) is the first cannabis-based medicine to be licensed in the UK. The drug can prescribed for the treatment for MS-related spasticity when a person has shown inadequate response to other symptomatic treatments or found their side effects intolerable. Sativex can be used in... -
Why the Cleveland Clinic won’t recommend medical marijuana for patients
Monday, February 04, 2019 250“In the world of healthcare, a medication is a drug that has endured extensive clinical trials, public hearings and approval by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration,” Medical Director says. “Medications are tested for safety and efficacy. They are closely regulated, from production to distribution. They are accurately dosed, down to the milligram. Medical marijuana is none of those things! -
Watchdogs are set to ban High Street CBD
Monday, February 04, 2019 216Watchdogs are set to ban High Street CBD 'cannabis' oil for up to 18 months as experts probe whether it has any real health benefits The CDB oil is derived from cannabis but does not contain 'active' THC drug The oil is promoted as a cure for anxiety, insomnia and joint and muscle pain The Food Standards Agency says it counts as a 'novel food' and needs approval So Trading Standards will be instructed to pull items from shops for 18 months -
2018 Papers
Wednesday, January 23, 2019 2162018 European Pain Federation Cannabis Position 2018 PAIN-Cannabis and cannabinoids for the treatment of People With Chronic Non Cancer Pain “There really is nothing, zero, in the literature which would support dispensary cannabis in any chronic non-cancer pain condition.” K. Finn, MD -
Colorado Emergency Medical Doctors Open Letter to ALL Physicians!
Friday, January 18, 2019 197Dear Doctors, who are mandated to do 'No Harm'! My name is Karen Randall. I am an emergency physician (also residency trained in pediatrics and family medicine). I spent numerous years as an academic teaching physician at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. I moved to Colorado to be back home. I moved here in 2013. I moved just in time to see this town I live in, Pueblo, go from a blue collar working town to a drug infested town that is not safe. I appreciate your article about brain sizes, view... -
Medicinal cannabis a honey pot for crooks
Monday, January 14, 2019 254The documents offer unprecedented insight into the challenges of establishing and regulating an industry where the product is traditionally illegal. Picture: AFP SEAN PARNELL 12:00AM JANUARY 7, 2019 High demand for a stake in Australia’s medicinal cannabis industry — including from people with links to organised crime — has caught the regulator unprepared and under-resourced, an internal audit has found. Documents obtained under Freedom of Information laws show independent auditors hired by... -
Low doses of widely consumed cannabinoids (cannabidiol and cannabidivarin) cause DNA damage and chromosomal aberrations in human-derived cells.
Thursday, November 29, 2018 222Abstract Cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabidivarin (CBDV) are natural cannabinoids which are consumed in increasing amounts worldwide in cannabis extracts, as they prevent epilepsy, anxiety, and seizures. It was claimed that they may be useful in cancer therapy and have anti-inflammatory properties. Adverse long-term effects of these drugs (induction of cancer and infertility) which are related to damage of the genetic material have not been investigated. Therefore, we studied their DNA-damaging... -
Medicinal cannabis for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: prescribing with limited evidence
Wednesday, November 21, 2018 220Med J Aust || doi: 10.5694/mja17.01099 bPublished online: 12 November 2018 Although medicinal cannabis can now be prescribed for CINV, high quality clinical trial evidence is required to determine its efficacy and safety Access to medicinal cannabis in Australia is a rapidly evolving and controversial field that is relevant to clinicians across a range of medical disciplines. There is widespread community interest in allowing access to medicinal cannabis for a variety of unapproved... -
Is there a link between marijuana and COPD?
Wednesday, November 07, 2018 255What is COPD? Symptoms of COPD can include wheezing, shortness of breath, and tightness in the chest. COPD describes a group of long-term lung diseases that includes bronchitis and emphysema . These diseases cause inflammation , which impairs airflow in and out of the lungs, making breathing difficult. COPD is progressive, meaning that a person's symptoms tend to get worse over time. Cigarette smoking is the most common cause of COPD. Symptoms of COPD can vary in severity but typically... -
Medical cannabis products 'will drive patients to addiction and crime' and turn doctors into drug dealers, warn experts in scathing letter
Wednesday, October 31, 2018 206Cannabis oil will become available on the NHS next Thursday, November 1 A group of 166 pain consultants has written a letter slating the plans They say it is being done for political reasons, not based on medical advice And patients are already demanding cannabis, losing interest in other treatment For complete article -
Snake Oil Cannabis?
Monday, October 22, 2018 253The ‘claims’ on cannabis often reach legendary status, particularly as the pro-drug lobby hijack the market place communications and create ‘feeding frenzy’ headlines! We have always said that a 140 character Tweet is mightier than 10,000 hard evidence-based research journals, in our current information rich, but knowledge poor social media culture! This webpage Snake Oil Cannabis? Scientific evidence for the medical benefits Scientific evidence for the medical benefits , is at least one... -
Known Cannabis Teratogenicity Needs to be Carefully Considered
Monday, October 22, 2018 176Whilst much research has focussed on the effects of endocannabinoids in the adult brain relatively little research has looked at the impact of these same effects in the developing brain of the foetus and neonate. Whilst the brain stem is almost devoid of type 1 cannabinoid receptors (CB1Rs) they are in high concentration in many parts of the midbrain, limbic system, subcortical regions and cerebral and cerebellar cortices 3. Foetal CB1Rs have been shown to play key roles in virtually all... -
I Tried CBD to Help Manage My Anxiety, and Here's What Happened
Monday, October 22, 2018 1716Men's Health October 18, 2018 Instead of endlessly ruminating on these hypothetical scenarios, I tested whether CBD supplements could help me relax and take my stress level down a notch. CBD, or Cannabidiol, is one of roughly 100 chemical compounds called cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant — and unlike its brother THC, it doesn't get you high. Among its many purported health benefits, researchers are studying whether CBD could be a viable treatment for a variety of ailments including... -
Cannabis and cannabinoids for the treatment of people with chronic noncancer pain conditions: a systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled and observational studies
Friday, October 19, 2018 183PAIN: October 2018 - Volume 159 - Issue 10 - p 1932–1954 doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001293 This review examines evidence for the effectiveness of cannabinoids in chronic noncancer pain (CNCP) and addresses gaps in the literature by: considering differences in outcomes based on cannabinoid type and specific CNCP condition; including all study designs; and following IMMPACT guidelines. MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CENTRAL, and clinicaltrials.gov were searched in July 2017. Analyses were... -
Systematic review and meta-analysis of cannabinoids in palliative medicine.
Thursday, October 18, 2018 278Abstract We provide a systematic review and meta-analysis on the efficacy, tolerability, and safety of cannabinoids in palliative medicine. The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus, and http://clinicaltrials.gov , and a selection of cancer journals were searched up until 15th of March 2017. Of the 108 screened studies, nine studies with a total of 1561 participants were included. Overall, the nine studies were at moderate risk of bias. The... -
Psychosis: Cannabis extract normalizes brain function
Thursday, September 06, 2018 207New research, published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry, shows that a dose of the cannabis extract cannabidiol improves brain function in people living with psychosis. A cannabis extract known as cannabidiol could be the 'ideal treatment' for psychosis. The new study was conducted by scientists at King's College London (KCL) in the United Kingdom. It was spearheaded by Sagnik Bhattacharyya, Ph.D., from KCL's Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience. Cannabidiol has already been proven... -
What is the Evidence for Medical Marijuana to Treat the Addiction Epidemic?
Monday, August 20, 2018 325The Marijuana Policy Project promotes their drug as a substitute for opiate pain pills. Like the worst offenders in the opiate industry, the cannabis lobby follows an addiction-for-profit business model. Their master plan needs 80% of the demand to be met by 20% of the users. Science shows no evidence for using medical marijuana as a substitute for pain pills. Governor David Ige of Hawaii wisely refused to cave to lobbyists, and he vetoed a measure that would have allowed medical marijuana to... -
Known Cannabis Teratogenicity Needs to be Carefully Considered
Friday, August 17, 2018 194Jumping the Gun on ‘Marijuana as medicine’! At What Price? It is no accident that in almost the same week both Australia and UK have decided that cannabis is to be recommended for a host of medical disorders mostly in advance of gold standard clinical trials. This is a direct product of the organized transnational global drug liberalization movement orchestrated from New York 1. I wish to most respectfully disagree with the points made by BMJ editor Dr. God lee. Diarrhoea and colic occur in... -
Real Caution Needed: Known Cannabis Teratogenicity Needs to be Carefully Considered
Tuesday, August 07, 2018 262Medical research has confirmed that the body’s endocannabinoid system is a finely regulated and highly complex system which is involved in the detailed regulation of essentially all body systems including the brain and cardiovascular systems and stem cell niches. Studies have shown that the rate of use of cannabis by expecting mothers closely parallels that in the wider community. In fact given the long half-life of cannabis in tissues even were a maternal habitual smoker to stop when she... -
Cannabis, NOT the answer to the Opioid Crisis! Yet again!
Monday, July 30, 2018 231We wanted to make sure you had seen four key studies just into play A groundbreaking study in The Lancet found that marijuana use over four years actually made it harder for patients to cope with chronic pain, and did not reduce their use of opioids. A study in Frontiers in Psychiatry found that increasing self-exposure to non-medical marijuana was a predictor of greater odds of opioid dependencediagnosis. A study in the International Review of Psychiatry found an increased rate of serious... -
Does CBD oil work for menopause symptoms?
Friday, June 15, 2018 332Cannabidiol is a chemical that occurs in hemp plants and marijuana. It is possible that cannabidiol oil could help to treat the symptoms of menopause. Researchers have looked at other herbal and natural remedies as treatment options but have not yet proved that any of them are consistently effective…At present, there is very little reliable evidence to suggest that CBD oil can treat the symptoms of menopause. Researchers have only just started to understand how the endocannabinoid system works... -
Court rules CBD is Schedule 1 controlled substance, cannabidiol sales only where pot legal
Friday, June 08, 2018 249KRISTEN NICHOLS, Hemp Industry Daily May 4, 2018 On Thursday, Feb. 1, 2018, the Cosmic Grind Coffee Shop on Church Street in Burlington, Vermont, started offering CBD hemp oil shots in their drinks. But don't worry, CBD is a 'non-psychoactive' extract, not to be confused with THC in marijuana. RYAN MERCER/FREE PRESS DENVER (AP) — A federal appeals court sided with the Drug Enforcement Administration and upheld its decision that CBD is a Schedule 1 controlled substance — a major setback for the... -
Medical Marijuana Can Have Serious Unintended Effects
Tuesday, May 01, 2018 210A New Study on Medical Marijuana by Researchers from the University of California–Davis Reveals That Mold, Bacterial and other Toxic Contaminants Were Discovered in Samples from 20 out of 20 Licensed Dispensaries in Northern California. Researchers at the University of California, Davis have discovered that medical marijuana from 20 dispensaries contain multiple fungal and bacterial contaminants that are highly toxic and can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections among cannabis users.... -
Why marijuana fans should not see approval for epilepsy drug as a win for weed
Saturday, April 28, 2018 205April 20, 2018 A Food and Drug Administration panel recommended approval of a drug made of cannabidiol on April 19 to treat two types of epilepsy. The FDA is expected to decide in June whether to accept the panel’s 13-0 recommendation to approve Epidiolex, which would would become the first drug made of cannabidiol, a compound in the cannabis plant, to gain approval from the FDA. While the panel’s unanimous decision is not binding, the action will no doubt heighten public debate about the use... -
Medical Marijuana Users are More Likely to Use Prescription Drugs Medically and Nonmedically
Tuesday, April 24, 2018 224Objectives : Previous studies have found a negative population-level correlation between medical marijuana availability in US states, and trends in medical and nonmedical prescription drug use. These studies have been interpreted as evidence that use of medical marijuana reduces medical and nonmedical prescription drug use. This study evaluates whether medical marijuana use is a risk or protective factor for medical and nonmedical prescription drug use. Conclusions : Our findings disconfirm... -
It’s All in the Rhythm: The Role of Cannabinoids in Neural Oscillations and Psychosis
Monday, April 23, 2018 216Patrick D. Skosnik, Jose A. Cortes-Briones, and Mihály Hajós ABSTRACT Evidence has accumulated over the past several decades suggesting that both exocannabinoids and endocannabinoids play a role in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. The current article presents evidence suggesting that one of the mechanisms whereby cannabinoids induce psychosis is through the alteration in synchronized neural oscillations. Neural oscillations, particularly in the gamma (30–80 Hz) and theta (4–7 Hz) ranges,... -
Cannabis Exports Dried Cannabis Flower and Oils to Australia for Novel Nose-to-Brain Drug Delivery Research by PreveCeutical
Wednesday, March 14, 2018 272EDMONTON and VANCOUVER, March 13, 2018 Aurora Cannabis Inc. and PreveCeutical Medical Inc. today announced the grant of three permits by the Australian Government, Department of Health, for the importation of cannabis into Australia for research purposes (the "Permits"). The Permits were granted to the Pharmacy Australia Centre of Excellence ("PACE") at the University of Queensland ("UQ") and allow PACE to import shipments of cannabis plant material for research purposes. Aurora, in turn, has... -
Cannabis for paediatric epilepsy: challenges and conundrums
Friday, February 23, 2018 253Summary Research is expanding for the use of cannabidiol as an anticonvulsant drug. The mechanism of cannabidiol in paediatric epilepsy is unclear but is thought to play a role in modulation of synaptic transmission. Evidence for its efficacy in treating epilepsy is limited but growing, with a single pharmaceutical company-funded randomised double-blind controlled trial in children with Dravet syndrome. Progress towards the use of medicinal cannabinoids incorporates a complex interplay of... -
The Cannabis Paradox
Tuesday, February 20, 2018 398Roger Ladouceur – Canadian Family Physician February 2018 “The evidence indicates the most consistent effects of medical cannabinoids are adverse events. A variety of adverse events have a greater magnitude of effect than the potential benefits for the conditions targeted. 1 The conclusions drawn by this analysis are not surprising. Study after study, analysis after analysis, and review after review 2 , 3 have all reported the same findings: cannabis has little place within current therapeutic... -
Cannabis does more harm than good: Health officials warn doctors against prescribing the drug for ailments as the effects outweigh the minor benefits
Monday, February 19, 2018 200New medical guidelines have been issued in Canada, where cannabis is legal They warn the effects of the drug outweigh minor benefits for most conditions And for some, it states it most often is only marginally better than a placebo The new document will be distributed to 30,000 doctors in Canada New medical guidelines issued in Canada, where cannabis has been legal for medicinal use since 2001, warns that the effects of the drug outweigh any minor benefits for the vast majority of conditions.... -
Marijuana-based anti-seizure drug could hit U.S. market in 2018 after strong study results
Thursday, February 01, 2018 224By Ariana Eunjung Cha January 24 A new class of epilepsy medications based on an ingredient derived from marijuana could be available as soon as the second half of 2018 in the United States, pending Food and Drug Administration approval. Officials from GW Pharmaceuticals, the company that developed the drug, on Wednesday announced promising results from a study on 171 patients randomized into treatment and placebo groups. Members of the group, ages 2 to 55, have a condition called... -
Cryptococcal meningitis in a daily cannabis smoker without evidence of immunodeficiency.
Thursday, February 01, 2018 241Abstract Cryptococcal meningitis is a life-threatening condition most commonly observed in immunocompromised individuals. We describe a daily cannabis smoker without evidence of immunodeficiency presenting with confirmed Cryptococcus neoformans meningitis. An investigation of cannabis samples from the patient's preferred dispensary demonstrated contamination with several varieties of Cryptococcus, including C. neoformans, and other opportunistic fungi. These findings raise concern regarding... -
US Epidemiology of Cannabis Use and Associated Problems
Tuesday, January 09, 2018 272This review provides an overview of the changing US epidemiology of cannabis use and associated problems. Adults and adolescents increasingly view cannabis as harmless, and some can use cannabis without harm. However, potential problems include harms from prenatal exposure and unintentional childhood exposure; decline in educational or occupational functioning after early adolescent use, and in adulthood, impaired driving and vehicle crashes; cannabis use disorders (CUD), cannabis withdrawal,... -
US Adult Illicit Cannabis Use Disorder & Medical Marijuana Laws:
Tuesday, January 09, 2018 257Conclusion : Medical marijuana laws appear to have contributed to increased prevalence of illicit cannabis use and cannabis use disorders. State-specific policy changes may also have played a role. While medical marijuana may help some, cannabis-related health consequences associated with changes in state marijuana laws should receive consideration by health care professionals and the public. View PDF -
"Medicinal Cannabis (CBD) Has No Abuse Potential": World Health Organisation
Friday, December 22, 2017 256The World Health Organisation has announced its findings after a months-long study into cannabidiol, or CBD, declaring the medicinal cannabis component to be well tolerated and an effective treatment for some forms of epilepsy. The WHO also recommended CBD not be a scheduled drug. According to the report, the non-psychoactive component of cannabis does not exhibit any effects indicative of abuse or dependence. Adverse side effects were put down to drug-drug interactions between CBD and a... -
CBD products are a rip-off for medical marijuana users, study finds
Wednesday, December 20, 2017 268By Carter Sherman Nov 8, 2017 Cannabidiol, a major component of marijuana, is in high demand these days for its purported health benefits. But a study published on Tuesday discovered that people trying to treat themselves with cannabidiol products likely aren’t getting what they’re paying for. The study, led by the University of Pennsylvania, tested 84 cannabidiol products purchased online from 31 companies and found that less than a third were properly labeled. Nearly 43 percent of the... -
Cannabinoid drug found effective for treating sleep apnea
Thursday, December 07, 2017 240Published Monday 4 December 2017 By Ana Sandoiu Fact checked by Honor Whiteman Sleep apnea is estimated to affect 1 in 5 American adults, and there are currently no drugs available to treat it. But a large-scale clinical trial now offers hope, proving that a drug that uses a synthetic version of the main psychoactive substance in cannabis is effective for treating the disorder. For More -
NSW patients to get faster access to medicinal cannabis
Tuesday, November 28, 2017 28928 November, 2017 View Article -
Can cannabis help treat psoriasis?
Wednesday, November 22, 2017 42520 November 2017 The best way to use cannabis to treat psoriasis is as a tincture or oil applied to the skin. Cannabis smoke should be avoided, as it can aggravate skin conditions by releasing skin-damaging chemicals into the air. For more -
Systematic review of safeness and therapeutic efficacy of cannabis in patients with multiple sclerosis, neuropathic pain, and in oncological patients treated with chemotherapy].
Thursday, November 16, 2017 290Abstract BACKGROUND : medical cannabis refers to the use of cannabis or cannabinoids as medical therapy to treat disease or alleviate symptoms. In the United States, 23 states and Washington DC (May 2015) have introduced laws to permit the medical use of cannabis. Within the European Union, medicinal cannabis laws and praxis vary wildly between Countries. OBJECTIVES : to provide evidence for benefits and harms of cannabis (including extracts and tinctures) treatment for adults in the following... -
FDA warns companies marketing unproven products, derived from marijuana, that claim to treat or cure cancer
Thursday, November 02, 2017 275For Immediate Release November 1, 2017 As part of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s ongoing efforts to protect consumers from health fraud, the agency today issued warning letters to four companies illegally selling products online that claim to prevent, diagnose, treat, or cure cancer without evidence to support these outcomes. Selling these unapproved products with unsubstantiated therapeutic claims is not only a violation of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, but also can put... -
The bad science of medical cannabis
Tuesday, October 31, 2017 379“I am not pro-cannabis; I think 90% is placebo.” “LAST YEAR DEDI MEIRI, A CANNABIS RESEARCHER AT THE TECHNION, ISRAEL’S OLDEST UNIVERSITY, RECEIVED A “BEFORE AND AFTER” VIDEO OF AN AUTISTIC BOY. The before showed the boy helmeted, hands tied behind his back, butting his head against a wall. The after showed him calmly sitting at a table, sketching. The difference: two drops of cannabis oil administered below the tongue. The video had been sent to Meiri by Abigail Dar, an Israeli champion for... -
Medicinal cannabis not miracle epilepsy drug, says professor treating Victorian children
Monday, October 30, 2017 334Alex White, EXCLUSIVE, Herald Sun October 28, 2017 MEDICINAL cannabis is no better than conventional drugs for treating children with severe epilepsy, according to a top Victorian doctor. After months of treatment, none of the 29 Victorian children accessing $1 million worth of medicinal cannabis product, imported from Canada, has been seizure free. Paediatric neurologist Professor Ingrid Scheffer told the Sunday Herald Sunmedicinal cannabis had been effective in some of the cases by reducing... -
The cannabis [Snake] oil ‘healers’ preying on Australia’s sick and dying
Monday, October 16, 2017 516Some of the samples contained a petroleum derivative and household disinfectant. Graphic: Simon Rankin EXCLUSIVE Christiane Barro Seriously ill patients who are turning to medical cannabis for life-saving treatment are being sold fake, poisonous and intoxicating products manufactured in backyard laboratories across Australia. The unlicensed suppliers are sending cannabis oil that contains dangerous chemicals that could lead to cancer, and then charging people $6000 for up to three months’... -
Race for CBD medication breakthrough: Is pharmaceutical firm’s boon the hemp industry’s doom?
Friday, October 13, 2017 288Alicia Wallace - The Denver Post October 6, 2017 Cannabidiol is a non-psychoactive cannabis compound touted for its medicinal promise, but marijuana and hemp-derived extracts rich in CBD and low in intoxicating THC are facing a future yet to be determined. This time next year, an investigational drug hailed as a breakthrough in the science of cannabidiol could be prescribed to children suffering from treatment-resistant epilepsy. The prospect of its success, however, has caused some unease in... -
80 Percent Of Medical Marijuana Tested At Recent NorCal Conference Is Tainted With Mold, Other Toxins
Monday, October 09, 2017 348By JAY BARMANN IN NEWS 2017 Cannabis sold at Bay Area dispensaries is regularly referred to as "medicine," however a lack of regulation and testing around the product has led to significant supply of marijuana on dispensary shelves being tainted and/or toxic to the people who consume it. Following the recent HempCon at the Cow Palace in August, an array of medical marijuana products underwent testing by Hunters Point-based Anresco Laboratories. As San Francisco Magazine reports , some 80... -
Ireland: The medicinal cannabis bill passed through the Dáil last year, but now it's on the shelf
Tuesday, September 26, 2017 318The Bill and the report The Cannabis for Medicinal Use Regulation Bill 2016 passed through the Dáil on 1 December when the government chose not to oppose it. The bill would allow for the legalisation of cannabis for medicinal purposes. It proposes the establishment of a Cannabis Regulation Authority which would manage and licence the sale of cannabis for medicinal use. The bill also contains provisions for cannabis to be prescribed by general registered doctors and for cannabis to be removed... -
An entire state's doctors have shunned medical cannabis
Friday, September 22, 2017 479Rachel Worsley 30th May 2017 None of WA’s 10,679 doctors have applied to prescribe medical cannabis since it was legalized in November. According to the AMA WA, the lack of interest is because doctors do not believe there is evidence to prescribe medical cannabis for anything other than in paediatric epilepsy and MS. https://www.australiandoctor.com.au/news/latest-news/wa-doctors-shun-medical-cannabis AMA cautious about medicinal cannabis But the Australian Medical Association of WA said it... -
Speechlessness in Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome: [Existing, trialled and approved] Cannabis-Based Medicines Improve Severe Vocal Blocking Tics in Two Patients.
Thursday, September 07, 2017 264Abstract We report the cases of two young German male patients with treatment-resistant Tourette syndrome (TS), who suffer from incapacitating stuttering-like speech disfluencies caused by vocal blocking tics and palilalia. Case 1: a 19-year old patient received medical cannabis at a dose of 1 × 0.1 g cannabis daily. Case 2: a 16-year old patient initially received dronabinol at a maximum dose of 22.4-33.6 mg daily. Both treatments provided significant symptom improvement of vocal blocking... -
Concern with potential rise in super potent cannabis concentrates
Monday, September 04, 2017 26321 July 2017 University of Queensland researchers are concerned the recent legalisation of medicinal cannabis in Australia may give rise to super-potent cannabis concentrates with associated harmful effects. UQ Centre for Youth Substance Abuse Research’s Dr Gary Chan, who led the butane hash oil study, said a significant proportion of cannabis users used the concentrate. “Butane hash oil is a cannabis concentrate that is over 10 times more potent than herbal cannabis,” Dr Chan said. “Although... -
Cannabis-derived compound may help treat schizophrenia
Monday, July 03, 2017 291Uncovering the therapeutic potential of CBD New research paves the way for a new schizophrenia treatment, by testing the effect of a cannabis compound on rats. The study suggests that the cannabis-derived substance may improve schizophrenia-specific cognitive impairment, with none of the side effects that current medication has…CBD can affect learning, memory, and attention, which suggests that the compound could help manage cognitive symptoms more effectively and with fewer side effects than... -
False hope driving claims medicinal cannabis is magic pill
Thursday, May 18, 2017 38513 May 2017 ‘’False hope’’ driving claims medicinal cannabis is ‘’magic pill’’ for chronic pain relief. Prescribing medicinal cannabis for patients with chronic non-cancer pain is not going to revolutionise their treatment and should not be supported until there is substantial proof of its effectiveness, according to a leading pain specialist. Professor Milton Cohen is presenting Medicinal cannabis for chronic non-cancer pain: promise or pothole? at the Australian and New Zealand College of... -
Cannabis compound may halve seizures for patients with severe epilepsy
Thursday, May 11, 2017 308Written by Honor Whiteman Published:19 April 2017 For individuals with a severe form of epilepsy, a new study finds that the occurrence of seizures could be significantly reduced with a daily dose of cannabidiol - a chemical component of cannabis. Researchers say that cannabidiol - an active chemical in cannabis - could help to reduce seizures for patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. Researchers from the Ohio State University found that individuals with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) who took... -
Medical marijuana laws linked to greater increase in illicit use, disorders
Monday, May 08, 2017 294Written by Honor Whiteman Increased legalization of marijuana for medical purposes may be fueling illicit use of the drug, as well as increasing the number marijuana use disorders, according to the results of a new study. Researchers have identified a greater increase in illicit marijuana use and disorders in states that have legalized medical marijuana. An analysis of data from three national surveys in the United States revealed a higher increase in illicit marijuana use and marijuana use... -
US Adult Illicit Cannabis Use, Cannabis Use Disorder, and Medical Marijuana Laws1991-1992 to 2012-2013
Wednesday, April 26, 2017 291Deborah S. Hasin, PhD1,2,3 ; Aaron L. Sarvet, MPH1,2 ; Magdalena Cerdá, DrPH4 ; et al Katherine M. Keyes, PhD1,3 ; Malka Stohl, MS2 ; Sandro Galea, MD, DrPH5 ; Melanie M. Wall, PhD1,2,6 JAMA Psychiatry. Published online April 26, 2017. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2017.0724 Question Are US state medical marijuana laws one of the underlying factors for increases in risk for adult cannabis use and cannabis use disorders seen since the early 1990s? Findings In this analysis using US national survey... -
Effects of a Sativex-Like Combination of Phytocannabinoids on Disease Progression in R6/2 Mice, an Experimental Model of Huntington's Disease.
Monday, April 24, 2017 273Valdeolivas S1,2,3, Sagredo O4,5,6, Delgado M7,8, Pozo MA9,10, Fernández-Ruiz J11,12,13. Author information Abstract Several cannabinoids afforded neuroprotection in experimental models of Huntington's disease (HD). We investigated whether a 1:1 combination of botanical extracts enriched in either ∆⁸-tetrahydrocannabinol (∆⁸-THC) or cannabidiol (CBD), which are the main constituents of the cannabis-based medicine Sativex®, is beneficial in R6/2 mice (a transgenic model of HD), as it was... -
Selective post-training time window for memory consolidation interference of cannabidiol into the prefrontal cortex: Reduced dopaminergic modulation and immediate gene expression in limbic circuits.
Monday, April 24, 2017 253Rossignoli MT1, Lopes-Aguiar C2, Ruggiero RN3, Do Val da Silva RA4, Bueno-Junior LS5, Kandratavicius L6, Peixoto-Santos JE7, Crippa JA8, Cecilio Hallak JE9, Zuardi AW10, Szawka RE11, Anselmo-Franci J12, Leite JP13, Romcy-Pereira RN14. Abstract The prefrontal cortex (PFC), amygdala and hippocampus display a coordinated activity during acquisition of associative fear memories. Evidence indicates that PFC engagement in aversive memory formation does not progress linearly as previously thought.... -
Low-Dose Cannabidiol Is Safe but Not Effective in the Treatment for Crohn's Disease, a Randomized Controlled Trial.
Monday, April 24, 2017 343Naftali T1,2, Mechulam R3,4, Marii A5, Gabay G6,7, Stein A6,7, Bronshtain M6,7, Laish I6,7, Benjaminov F6,7, Konikoff FM6,7. Author information Abstract BACKGROUND: Cannabidiol (CBD) is an anti-inflammatory cannabinoid shown to be beneficial in a mouse model of IBD. Lacking any central effect, cannabidiol is an attractive option for treating inflammatory diseases. AIM: To assess the effects of cannabidiol on Crohn's disease in a randomized placebo-controlled trial. CONCLUSION: In this study of... -
Australian Psychiatrist Patrick McGorry Plans to Dope “Anxious” 12 Year Olds with “Medical” Cannabis
Wednesday, April 05, 2017 441“Citizens Commission on Human Rights International is opposing the world-first study that could lead to millions of Australian and American teens being doped with prescribed marijuana.” By CCHR International The Mental Health Industry Watchdog March 15, 2017 Australian psychiatrist Patrick McGorry, renowned for his debunked and dangerous theory that pre-drugging adolescents with antipsychotics can prevent psychosis, now plans to prescribe medical cannabis to treat “anxious” 12 year olds. His... -
A 'Catch-22' of medical marijuana and organ transplants
Tuesday, April 04, 2017 340By Jacqueline Howard, CNN Mon April 3, 2017 A rise in the use of medical marijuana has spurred a debate about organ transplantation, and it's changing some laws across the nation. Garry Godfrey found out in 2010 that he was removed from an organ transplant waiting list in Maine due to a health risk associated with his use of medical marijuana, CNN affiliate WGME reported . Now Godfrey is speaking out in support of a bill in Maine that would prohibit hospitals from determining a patient's... -
Epidiolex Trails Advancing – Good news for legitimate trailed and tested CBD Medicines.
Monday, April 03, 2017 369On September 26, 2016, GW Pharmaceuticals, a British company, announced a second positive Phase 3 pivotal trial for Epidiolex (cannabidiol) in the treatment of Lennon-Gastaut Syndrome, a rare and severe form of childhood-onset epilepsy. According to GW’s website: “In this trial, Epidiolex, when added to the patient’s current treatment, achieved the primary endpoint for both dose levels with high statistical significance. During the treatment period, patients taking Epidiolex 20mg/kg/day... -
Medical Marijuana Brief to Australian Parliamentarians
Monday, February 27, 2017 333Why the rush for unregulated cannabis oils as medicine? The current push for the NSW and Federal Governments to abandon testing strictures on the medical use of cannabis oils is likely due to recreational cannabis users seeking quicker access to medical cannabis for their recreational use. Legislators must recognise that the latest form of recreational use of cannabis is via cannabis oils and tinctures being used with e-cigarettes or vaporiser pens. This form of smoking emits an odourless... -
GW Pharmaceuticals Achieves Positive Results in Phase 2 Proof of Concept Study in Glioma
Tuesday, February 14, 2017 400GW intends to advance oncology research and development efforts LONDON , Feb. 07, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — GW Pharmaceuticals plc (Nasdaq:GWPH) (“GW,” “the Company” or “the Group”), a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing novel therapeutics from its proprietary cannabinoid product platform, today announced positive top-line results from an exploratory Phase 2 placebo-controlled clinical study of a proprietary combination of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)... -
Is your medical marijuana safe? UC Davis doctors say dangerous bacteria, fungi can lurk in pot
Tuesday, February 14, 2017 347BY CLAUDIA BUCK In uneasy news for medical marijuana users, UC Davis researchers have identified potentially lethal bacteria and mold on samples from 20 Northern California pot growers and dispensaries, leading the doctors to warn patients with weakened immune systems to avoid smoking, vaping or inhaling aerosolized cannabis. "For the vast majority of cannabis users, this is not of great concern," said Dr. George Thompson, professor in the UC Davis Department of Medical Microbiology and... -
Can Marijuana Help Treat Fibromyalgia?
Wednesday, February 01, 2017 370Written by Jayne Leonard Reviewed by Alana Biggers, MD, MPH Studies in the area of marijuana use for the treatment of fibromyalgia are lacking. The findings among the existing literature are mixed. Research into the use of marijuana for treating fibromyalgia has produced mixed findings so far. Some research indicates that the use of cannabis is associated with beneficial effects on some of the symptoms of fibromyalgia. On the other hand, a 2016 review of studies found insufficient evidence to... -
Medical marijuana user 'shocked' by recall over hydrogen cyanide risk
Wednesday, February 01, 2017 355"Putting patient safety at risk is unacceptable, and for a government department that is supposed to take care of people's safety, I think they've fallen down on the job," said Percy. He said he's written to the health minister and to members of Parliament. He believes Health Canada should test marijuana for more than 13 compounds to ensure it's safe for consumption. Percy said he and other licensed medical marijuana patients have discussed starting a class-action lawsuit. Read More -
Freedom from the ['Medicinal'] Marijuana Trap
Friday, January 20, 2017 370I had my recreational marijuana card for 10 years and was a daily smoker/dabber/edible eater/etc etc etc. I’m ashamed to admit that I was very much a part of the cannabis scene, what a complete and utter waste of time. With that said, the best decision I ever made in my life was ripping my California “medical” marijuana doctor’s recommendation to shreds and making the decision to never touch that garbage again. In my early 20s, I was really struggling with mental health issues that were... -
Does marijuana affect ADHD?
Thursday, January 19, 2017 365In a study of 268 separate online discussion threads, 25 percent of people said they believed that marijuana was useful. The researchers point out, however, that research proving a connection between marijuana and positive therapeutic outcomes is limited. Other limited studies have suggested that marijuana would improve cognitive ability and impulse control, so it may be useful for ADHD. Other research shows that marijuana use had no effect on cognitive abilities, or possibly made them worse,... -
American Epilepsy Society's Letter On Marijuana And CBD 2016
Thursday, January 19, 2017 394EXCERPT: "The families and children coming to Colorado are receiving unregulated, highly variable artisanal preparations of cannabis oil prescribed, in most cases, by physicians with no training in pediatrics, neurology or epilepsy. As a result, the epilepsy specialists in Colorado have been at the bedside of children having severe dystonic reactions and other movement disorders, developmental regression, intractable vomiting and worsening seizures that can be so severe they have to put the... -
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics : Cannabis and Cannabinoids
Thursday, January 05, 2017 411The cannabinoids dronabinol (Marinol, and generics) and nabilone (Cesamet) are effectivefor treatment of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, for which they have been approved in the US. Cannabinoid products may also be effective for second-line treatment of cancer pain and the neuropathic pain and spasticity of multiple sclerosis, but none are currently approved for these indications. Cannabidiol (CBD) alone, which is not psychoactive, may be effective for treatment of epilepsy, but more... -
Casual cannabis use: Is there a link to depression?
Thursday, December 22, 2016 353Conclusion : "Our data indicate that infrequent users have a stronger relationship with negative mood. Our data suggested that those that use cannabis casually scored higher on the CES-D scale for depression, and consequently could be at greater risk for developing pre-depression symptomology compared to both chronic users and controls." For more -
Marijuana for morning sickness can harm your unborn child
Tuesday, December 20, 2016 395By Will Boggs MD (Reuters Health) – Pregnant women who use marijuana to treat their nausea may be harming their unborn children, according to a warning from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). "Although more research is needed, there is strong reason to believe marijuana could be harmful to fetal development,” NIDA director Dr. Nora D. Volkow told Reuters Health by email. “Women who are pregnant should avoid using marijuana, even though it might seem like a 'natural' solution to their... -
Cost Recovery Implementation Statement: Regulation of Medicinal Cannabis
Tuesday, December 20, 2016 383Download Document -
Marijuana: Could it slow Parkinson’s Disease Progression?
Wednesday, December 14, 2016 420Written by Marie Ellis Published: Friday 9 December 2016 Parkinson's disease is the second most common neurological illness in the United States, causing tremors, slowness of movement, postural instability, and impaired balance and coordination. But findings from a new review suggest symptoms of the condition could be improved with marijuana. A new review suggests medical marijuana could improve symptoms of Parkinson's disease, but more research is warranted. The review was led by Prof. Zvi... -
GW Announces New Epidiolex® (CBD) Positive Phase 3 Data in Dravet Syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome
Thursday, December 08, 2016 384At the 70th annual meeting of the American Epilepsy Society in Houston this week, GW Pharmaceuticals announced results of the first ever randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies of CBD. The company’s proprietary CBD drug is called Epidiolex. In the Dravet syndrome study, 43 percent of patients taking Epidiolex had a greater than or equal to 50 percent reduction in convulsive seizures compared to 27 percent of patients taking placebo. Seven patients taking Epidiolex achieved total... -
THC Intoxication by Cannabidiol-Enriched Cannabis Extract in Two Children with Refractory Epilepsy:
Friday, October 21, 2016 433Δ9-THC Intoxication by Cannabidiol-Enriched Cannabis Extract in Two Children with Refractory Epilepsy: Full Remission after Switching to Purified Cannabidiol José A. S. Crippa 1 *, Ana C. S. Crippa 2 , Jaime E. C. Hallak 1 , Rocio Martín-Santos 1 , 3 and Antonio W. Zuardi 1 1 Department of Neuroscience and Behavior, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil 2 Department of Clinical Medicine, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil 3 Institute of Neuroscience, Hospital Clinic,... -
GW Pharmaceuticals Announces Second Positive Phase 3 Pivotal Trial for Epidiolex in the Treatment of Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome
Tuesday, October 11, 2016 409London, UK; 26 Sept 2016: GW Pharmaceuticals plc (Nasdaq: GWPH, AIM: “GWP,” “GW,” “the Company” or “the Group”), a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing novel therapeutics from its proprietary cannabinoid product platform, announces positive results of the second randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 3 clinical trial of its investigational medicine Epidiolex® (cannabidiol or CBD) for the treatment of seizures associated with... -
Why Marijuana Is Not Medicine
Wednesday, September 21, 2016 405Check out this article For full article -
The Dirty Little Secret Pot Pushers Don’t Want You to Know About
Tuesday, August 16, 2016 444States have passed so-called “medical marijuana” laws under the theory that pot has medicinal benefits that can’t be produced by other, legal means. But what if there was a Food and Drug Administration-approved drug that gave you all the benefits of the active ingredients in marijuana, such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or cannabidiol? What if that drug had been rigorously tested through clinical trials to make sure that it worked as promised, was properly dosed, and had no unanticipated side... -
Does oral cannabidiol convert to THC, a psychoactive form of cannabinoid, in the stomach?
Thursday, June 30, 2016 649A new study demonstrating the conversion of oral cannabidiol (CBD) to the psychoactive component tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in the presence of gastric fluids could explain why children given CBD to treat epilepsy had an unexpectedly high rate of adverse effects such as sleepiness and fatigue . The study, "Identification of Psychoactive Degradants of Cannabidiol in Simulated Gastric and Physiologic Fluid," is published in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, a new peer-reviewed journal from Mary... -
Australia legislates for 100% GMO Biotech Cannabis not Marijuana
Thursday, June 30, 2016 837However, what most people do not know is that the Cannabis Australia is allowing to be imported for the first time includes GMO Cannabis. GMO or Genetically Modified Organism Cannabis has been around since 2011 due to breakthroughs in research and Biotechnology by Ethan Russo and GW UK helping in the process. In 2014 even newer GMO Cannabis strains has been introduced. In early April 2016 as we speak, an Australian delegation is traveling to Asia to look at GMO Cannabis with no THC, and in... -
Poster child for medical marijuana dies
Tuesday, June 21, 2016 516Epilepsy sufferer, 13, who became poster child for medical marijuana after moving to Maine to access alternative treatment has died in her father's arms Cyndimae Meehan, 13, sparked media attention and changed policy. She moved to Maine from Connecticut as FDA drugs had failed her. Only cannabis oil effectively treated her habitual seizures, family claimed. Last year her family was driving force behind Maine bill that approved housing in schools for kids who need round-the-clock medical... -
Slow and steady on medicinal cannabis
Tuesday, June 07, 2016 512Nicole MacKee - Monday, 30 May, 2016 THE importance of building a solid evidence base for the role of medicinal cannabis products must not be lost in moves to make the drug more widely available, say researchers. In a Perspective published online by the MJA today , researchers have called for “considered management” in the wake of federal reforms to enable the cultivation of cannabis for medicinal and scientific purposes in Australia. Sussan Ley, federal Minister for Health, described the... -
Chemical in marijuana shows promise in treating schizophrenia
Friday, May 13, 2016 464Published: Thursday 5 May 2016 According to new research at Western University, marijuana is the ultimate contradiction; at least when it comes to schizophrenia . This first-of-its-kind study, published in the journal Neuroscience, demonstrates that a chemical found in marijuana called cannabidiol, or CBD, affects the brain in a way that makes it an ideal treatment option for schizophrenia. This research comes just months after the same lab found that adolescent exposure to THC, the other... -
5 reasons marijuana is not medicine
Friday, May 06, 2016 540By Bertha Madras April 29 2016 Each week, In Theory takes on a big idea in the news and explores it from a range of perspectives. This week, we’re talking about drug scheduling. Need a primer? Catch up here. Bertha Madras is a professor of psychobiology at McLean Hospital and Harvard Medical School, with a research focus on how drugs affect the brain. She is former deputy director for demand reduction in the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. Data from 2015 indicate that 30... -
OPEN LETTER TO ALL AUSTRALIAN POLITICIANS REGARDING ‘NEW’ VERSION OF MEDICINAL CANNABIS
Thursday, May 05, 2016 463For those who are still concerned about ‘evidence based science’ and ‘best medical and pharmaceutical practice’…the following ‘open letter’ with attachments was sent to all Federal Senators, NSW and Victorian Premiers last week. -
Medical Marijuana: Review of the Science and Implications for Developmental Behavioral Pediatric Practice
Tuesday, May 03, 2016 553Scott E. Hadland, MD, MPH,1,2 John R. Knight, MD,1,3 and Sion K. Harris, PhD1,2,3 Author information ► Copyright and License information ► The publisher's final edited version of this article is available at J Dev Behav Pediatr See other articles in PMC that cite the published article. Abstract Marijuana policy is rapidly evolving in the United States and elsewhere, with cannabis sales fully legalized and regulated in some jurisdictions and use of the drug for medicinal purposes permitted in... -
Marijuana use is associated with worse outcomes in symptom severity and violent behavior in patients with posttraumatic stress disorder.
Tuesday, May 03, 2016 409Wilkinson ST1, Stefanovics E, Rosenheck RA. Abstract OBJECTIVE : An increasing number of states have approved posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a qualifying condition for medical marijuana, although little evidence exists evaluating the effect of marijuana use in PTSD. We examined the association between marijuana use and PTSD symptom severity in a longitudinal, observational study. METHOD : From 1992 to 2011, veterans with DSM-III/-IV PTSD (N = 2,276) were admitted to specialized... -
Narrative review of the safety and efficacy of marijuana for the treatment of commonly state-approved medical and psychiatric disorders
Monday, May 02, 2016 557• Katherine A Belendiuk, • Lisa L Baldini and • Marcel O Bonn-MillerEmail author Addiction Science & Clinical Practice201510:10 DOI: 10.1186/s13722-015-0032-7 © Belendiuk et al.; licensee BioMed Central. 2015 Published: 21 April 2015 Abstract The present investigation aimed to provide an objective narrative review of the existing literature pertaining to the benefits and harms of marijuana use for the treatment of the most common medical and psychological conditions for which it has been...
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