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Molecular Psychiatry Oct 2023A major public health concern of cannabis legalization is that it may result in an increase in psychotic disorders. We examined changes in emergency department (ED)...
A major public health concern of cannabis legalization is that it may result in an increase in psychotic disorders. We examined changes in emergency department (ED) visits for cannabis-induced psychosis following the legalization and subsequent commercialization (removal of restrictions on retail stores and product types) of non-medical cannabis in Ontario, Canada (population of 14.3 million). We used health administrative data containing the cause of all ED visits to examine changes over three periods; 1) pre-legalization (January 2014-September 2018); 2) legalization with restrictions (October 2018 - February 2020); and 3) commercialization (March 2020 - September 2021). We considered subgroups stratified by age and sex and examined cocaine- and methamphetamine-induced psychosis ED visits as controls. During our study, there were 6300 ED visits for cannabis-induced psychosis. The restricted legalization period was not associated with changes in rates of ED visits for cannabis-induced psychosis relative to pre-legalization. The commercialization period was associated with an immediate increase in rates of ED visits for cannabis-induced psychosis (IRR 1.30, 95% CI 1.02-1.66) and no gradual monthly change; immediate increases were seen only for youth above (IRR 1.63, 1.27-2.08, ages 19-24) but not below (IRR 0.73 95%CI 0.42-1.28 ages, 15-18) the legal age of purchase, and similar for men and women. Commercialization was not associated with changes in rates of ED visits for cocaine- or methamphetamine-induced psychosis. This suggests that legalization with store and product restrictions does not increase ED visits for cannabis-induced psychosis. In contrast, cannabis commercialization may increase cannabis-induced psychosis presentations highlighting the importance of preventive measures in regions considering legalization.
Topics: Male; Adolescent; Humans; Female; Cannabis; Emergency Room Visits; Marijuana Abuse; Psychotic Disorders; Emergency Service, Hospital; Methamphetamine; Cocaine
PubMed: 37500826
DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02185-x -
The Journal of Adolescent Health :... Apr 2024Prior literature suggests marijuana and e-cigarette initiation among adolescents is surpassing combustible cigarette uptake. Marijuana and nicotine co-use is also a...
PURPOSE
Prior literature suggests marijuana and e-cigarette initiation among adolescents is surpassing combustible cigarette uptake. Marijuana and nicotine co-use is also a concern as these products grow in popularity. Initiation trajectories for marijuana and e-cigarette products are not well understood, let alone how the use of one product may impact initiation susceptibility for the other.
METHODS
We used national longitudinal data from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health study from 2013 to 2018. Eighth graders in Wave 1 made up the analytic sample (N = 2,270). We employed discrete time survival analyses to determine the likelihood of initiating marijuana and e-cigarettes between Waves 2 and 5. We used survival analyses to estimate the relationships between prior cigarette and marijuana use and subsequent e-cigarette initiation, as well as prior cigarette and e-cigarette use and subsequent marijuana initiation.
RESULTS
Previous marijuana initiation was associated with later e-cigarette initiation (odds ratio = 6.88, 95% confidence interval [4.89, 9.67]). Previous e-cigarette initiation was associated with later marijuana initiation (odds ratio = 9.28, 95% confidence interval [6.86, 12.56]). By wave 5, adolescents were more than 42% likely to initiate marijuana and e-cigarettes.
DISCUSSION
Susceptibility to marijuana and e-cigarette products starts as early as eighth grade and increases over time. The use of one product is significantly related to later initiation for the other. Rather than addressing marijuana and nicotine as separate concerns, interventions may benefit by recognizing the closely related nature of these products.
Topics: Humans; Adolescent; Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems; Cannabis; Nicotine; Tobacco Products; Cognition
PubMed: 38085208
DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2023.11.009 -
Pediatrics Jan 2024Marijuana use has increased nationally and is the most common federally illicit substance used during pregnancy. This study aimed to describe hospital practices and...
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Marijuana use has increased nationally and is the most common federally illicit substance used during pregnancy. This study aimed to describe hospital practices and nursery director knowledge and attitudes regarding marijuana use and breastfeeding and assess the association between breastfeeding restrictions and provider knowledge, geographic region, and state marijuana legalization status. We hypothesized that there would be associations between geography and/or state legalization and hospital practices regarding breastfeeding with perinatal marijuana use.
METHODS
A cross-sectional, 31-question survey was sent electronically to the 110 US hospital members of the Academic Pediatric Association's Better Outcomes through Research for Newborns (BORN) network. Survey responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics to report frequencies. For comparisons, χ2 and Fisher exact tests were used to determine statistical significance.
RESULTS
Sixty-nine (63%) BORN nursery directors across 38 states completed the survey. For mothers with a positive cannabinoid screen at delivery, 16% of hospitals universally or selectively restrict breastfeeding. Most (96%) nursery directors reported that marijuana use while breastfeeding is "somewhat" (70%) or "very harmful" (26%). The majority was aware of the potential negative impact of prenatal marijuana use on learning and behavior. There were no consistent statistical associations between breastfeeding restrictions and provider marijuana knowledge, geographic region, or state marijuana legalization status.
CONCLUSIONS
BORN newborn clinicians report highly variable and unpredictable breastfeeding support practices for mothers with perinatal marijuana use. Further studies are needed to establish evidence-based practices and to promote consistent, equitable care of newborns with perinatal marijuana exposure.
Topics: Infant; Female; Pregnancy; Infant, Newborn; Humans; Child; Breast Feeding; Marijuana Use; Cross-Sectional Studies; Nurseries, Infant; Substance-Related Disorders; Cannabis
PubMed: 38247374
DOI: 10.1542/peds.2023-063682 -
Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research Feb 2024Since the legalization of recreational cannabis in Canada in 2018, the number of licenses for this crop has increased significantly, resulting in an increase in waste... (Review)
Review
Since the legalization of recreational cannabis in Canada in 2018, the number of licenses for this crop has increased significantly, resulting in an increase in waste generated. Nevertheless, cannabis roots were once used for their therapeutic properties, indicating that they could be valued today rather than dismissed. This review will focus on both traditional therapeutic aspects and potential use of roots in modern medicine while detailing the main studies on active phytomolecules found in cannabis roots. The environmental impact of cannabis cultivation and current knowledge of the root-associated microbiome are also presented as well as their potential applications in biotechnology and phytoremediation. Thus, several high added-value applications of cannabis roots resulting from scientific advances in recent years can be considered to remove them from discarded residues.
Topics: Cannabis; Biotechnology; Canada; Biodegradation, Environmental
PubMed: 38252502
DOI: 10.1089/can.2023.0168 -
The American Journal of Cardiology Oct 2023Mechanistic research suggests using Cannabis sativa L. (cannabis or marijuana) may increase the risk of cardiometabolic disease, but observational studies investigating...
Mechanistic research suggests using Cannabis sativa L. (cannabis or marijuana) may increase the risk of cardiometabolic disease, but observational studies investigating associations between cannabis use and myocardial infarction (MI) have reported inconsistent results. Cross-sectional National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data from five 2-year cycles between 2009 and 2018 and representing 9,769 middle-aged adults (35 to 59 years old) were analyzed. Multivariable logistic regression models accounting for sampling weights and adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors were used to assess associations between a history of monthly cannabis use before MI and a subsequent MI. A quarter of respondents (n = 2,220) reported a history of monthly use >1 year before an MI. A history of MI was reported by 2.1% of all respondents and 3.2.% of those who reported a history of monthly use. In fully adjusted multivariable models, and compared with never use, a history of monthly cannabis use preceding an MI was not associated with an MI (odds ratio [OR] 0.78, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.35 to 1.71). However, when stratified by recent use, the odds of MI were threefold greater (OR 2.98, 95% CI 1.08 to 8.60) when no use was reported within the past month than when use was reported within the past month. Duration of monthly use was also not significantly associated with MI, including monthly use >10 years (OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.30 to 2.01). In conclusion, in a representative sample of middle-aged US adults, a history of monthly cannabis use >1 year before an MI was not associated with a subsequent physician-diagnosed MI, except for threefold greater odds when cannabis was not used within the past month.
Topics: Middle Aged; Adult; Humans; Cannabis; Nutrition Surveys; Cross-Sectional Studies; Myocardial Infarction; Logistic Models
PubMed: 37556891
DOI: 10.1016/j.amjcard.2023.07.065 -
New Solutions : a Journal of... Feb 2024
Recognize Aerosol Transmissible Disease and Require Appropriate Protections; Promote Worker Driven Biomonitoring and Worker Driven Remedy; Restrict Antibiotics in Animal Agriculture; Legalize Marijuana Federally and Require Pot Purveyors to Sign Neutrality Agreements with Labor Unions.
Topics: Animals; Cannabis; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Biological Monitoring; Labor Unions; Aerosols
PubMed: 38195407
DOI: 10.1177/10482911231219103 -
Journal of Pharmacy Practice Oct 2023The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and awareness of pharmacy students toward marijuana use. Pharmacy students were asked to complete a...
The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and awareness of pharmacy students toward marijuana use. Pharmacy students were asked to complete a survey that assess students' knowledge, attitudes, and awareness toward marijuana use. This study also compared students' awareness about the harmful effects of marijuana in comparing with alcohol and smoking tobacco. Participants were asked about the possibilities of marijuana-induced cancer and addiction. Twenty-three percent of pharmacy students reported having used marijuana at some point in their lives. In comparison with tobacco and alcohol, most of the students agreed that tobacco (49%) and alcohol (42%) are more harmful than marijuana ( < .0001). More than sixty percent of students considered marijuana as an addictive substance ( < .02). A 45% of students opposed the possibility of marijuana-induced cancer. Thirty-six percent of the students agreed that marijuana should be legalized for both medical and recreational use with a similar percentage of the students (30 - 32%) believed that marijuana should be legalized for medical use only. With the prevalence of marijuana use and discrepancy among pharmacy students' responses regarding knowledge, attitudes, and awareness pharmacy schools need to adopt educational activities about the benefits and risks of marijuana.
Topics: Humans; Marijuana Use; Students, Pharmacy; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Substance-Related Disorders; Surveys and Questionnaires; Cannabis
PubMed: 35475401
DOI: 10.1177/08971900221096969 -
Neurotoxicology and Teratology 2023Many studies have examined changes in marijuana use across adolescence, but few have examined factors associated with transitions from adolescence to young adulthood. We...
INTRODUCTION
Many studies have examined changes in marijuana use across adolescence, but few have examined factors associated with transitions from adolescence to young adulthood. We examined prenatal exposures to alcohol and marijuana and adolescent risk and protective factors that best distinguished among abstinence, continuity, or cessation of marijuana use from 16 to 22 years.
METHOD
Data were from the Maternal Health Practices and Child Development Project at the prenatal and 16- and 22-year follow-up phases. The offspring were of lower socioeconomic status with an average of 12.8 years of education at 22 years. Participants' frequency and quantity of marijuana use over the past year were used to determine change in use. A discriminant analysis was applied to distinguish among the identified groups. The risk factors considered included prenatal substance exposures and age 16 demographics, behavior, and home environment.
RESULT
Four categories of transitions were defined based on marijuana use from 16 to 22 years: non-users (n = 193), stop/decrease (n = 81), continue at same level/increase (n = 125), and initiation after the 16-year phase (n = 122). The factors that best distinguished among these groups were peers' marijuana use, delinquency, caregivers' financial strain, prenatal exposure to alcohol and marijuana, and race.
CONCLUSION
Prenatal alcohol and marijuana exposure were significantly related to transitions of marijuana use from adolescence to young adulthood, controlling for peers' use, behavior problems, and home environment. While gestational marijuana exposure was associated with early initiation/increasing use, alcohol exposure was related to later initiation. The findings emphasize the long-term effects of prenatal exposure to alcohol and marijuana.
Topics: Adolescent; Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Young Adult; Cannabis; Ethanol; Longitudinal Studies; Marijuana Smoking; Marijuana Use; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; Substance-Related Disorders
PubMed: 37437668
DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2023.107287 -
The Journal of Organic Chemistry Aug 2023With increasing marijuana legalization, there is a growing need for technology that can determine if an individual is impaired due to recent marijuana usage. The...
With increasing marijuana legalization, there is a growing need for technology that can determine if an individual is impaired due to recent marijuana usage. The electrochemical oxidation of Δ-THC to form its corresponding quinones can be used as a framework to develop an electrochemical sensor for Δ-THC. This study describes an electrochemical oxidation of Δ-THC that uses a copper anode, a platinum cathode, and an atmosphere of oxygen. The oxidation is feasible at nanomolar concentrations, which approaches the reactivity that is necessary for developing a real-world marijuana breathalyzer. Moreover, we show that vaporized Δ-THC can be captured directly in an electrolyte medium and subjected to electrochemical oxidation, thus paving the way for use in future technology development.
Topics: Dronabinol; Cannabis; Oxidation-Reduction
PubMed: 37467382
DOI: 10.1021/acs.joc.3c01101 -
The New Zealand Medical Journal Oct 2023This literature review aims to identify and review through a Kaupapa Māori lens the current knowledge base related to cannabis and methamphetamine, and Māori. (Review)
Review
AIM
This literature review aims to identify and review through a Kaupapa Māori lens the current knowledge base related to cannabis and methamphetamine, and Māori.
METHODS
A Kaupapa Māori research approach was utilised to identify, review and critique literature about cannabis and methamphetamine in New Zealand. Literature contents were categorised via publication type, population focus, substance focus, research approach, methods used and whether lived experience voices were centralised. Substance engagement was categorised within prevention, use or treatment contexts.
RESULTS
Thirty literature sources were included in this review. The majority were journal articles, utilised quantitative survey data collection methods, focussed on large population groups and investigated individual characteristics of users of cannabis and/or methamphetamine. Most articles took a general population approach, briefly mentioning Māori, or measured differences in drug use between Māori and others. More recent research led by Māori, or with a critical lens, highlighted the value of focussing on drug use, rather than drug users.
CONCLUSIONS
Understandings of cannabis and methamphetamine use in New Zealand are reliant on research insights and academic literature. Literature focussed mainly on individuals fuels negative stereotypes of Māori and lacks critical Kaupapa Māori insights. To address cannabis and methamphetamine harms experienced by Māori, future research should make an explicit commitment to be of benefit to Māori and implement Kaupapa Māori-consistent research approaches.
Topics: Humans; Cannabis; Maori People; Methamphetamine; New Zealand; Substance-Related Disorders
PubMed: 37856756
DOI: No ID Found