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The International Journal on Drug Policy Sep 2023The cannabis industry has been described using the commercial determinants of health framework because it seeks to increase sales and profits through efforts to change... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The cannabis industry has been described using the commercial determinants of health framework because it seeks to increase sales and profits through efforts to change the political environment. To increase understanding of these cannabis industry's efforts, this study describes cannabis industry campaign contributions in Colorado through an analysis of public records.
METHODS
We reviewed datasets posted online at the Colorado Secretary of State's Transparent in Contribution and Expenditure Reporting (TRACER) Campaign Finance System. We generated descriptive data on cannabis industry contributions to elections and conducted regressions to identify predictors of contributions, and associations between lagged contributions and a legislator's cannabis industry score (how closely aligned lawmaker's legislative history is with the cannabis industry from -1 to 1).
RESULTS
Between 2005-2021, 429 cannabis-affiliated contributors gave $4,658,385 (2021 inflation-adjusted) to 512 electoral committees. Contributions came primarily from non-profits (45%), businesses (27%), and individuals (25%). After recreational legalization in 2012, contributions from non-profit donors with industry ties gave way to contributions from cannabis businesses, business owners, and lobbyists. Cannabis industry contributions to local and state-wide ballot initiative campaigns historically made up the majority of the industry spending, but contributions to candidate committees more than tripled between the 2009-2010 legislative cycle and the 2019-2020 cycle. From 2017-2020, every $10,000 in lagged campaign donations from cannabis industry affiliated contributors was associated with a 0.245-point increase in a legislator's cannabis industry score (p=0.04).
CONCLUSION
Cannabis-affiliated interests made substantial campaign contributions in Colorado. Public health advocates should monitor industry connections to lawmakers and industry tactics used to mask the source of political contributions. Continued surveillance of the cannabis industry is essential to exposing conflicts of interest and preventing undue industry influence.
Topics: Humans; Cannabis; Colorado; Health Expenditures; Industry; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 37557020
DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2023.104156 -
Trends in Psychiatry and Psychotherapy 2024Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction and by restricted and repetitive patterns of... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of cannabidiol-rich cannabis extract in children with autism spectrum disorder: randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled clinical trial.
OBJECTIVE
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction and by restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior. Some studies have shown that substances derived from Cannabis sativa improve the quality of life of children with ASD without causing serious adverse effects, thus providing an alternative therapeutic option. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a cannabis extract rich in cannabidiol (CBD) in children with ASD.
METHODS
In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, 60 children, aged from 5 to 11 years, were selected and divided into two groups: the treatment group, which received the CBD-rich cannabis extract, and the control group, which received the placebo. They both used their respective products for a period of 12 weeks. Statistical analysis was done by two-factor mixed analysis of variance (two-way ANOVA).
RESULTS
Significant results were found for social interaction (F1,116 = 14.13, p = 0.0002), anxiety (F1,116 = 5.99, p = 0.016), psychomotor agitation (F1,116 = 9.22, p = 0.003), number of meals a day (F1,116 = 4.11, p = 0.04), and concentration (F1,48 = 6.75, p = 0.01), the last of which was only significant in mild ASD cases. Regarding safety, it was found that only three children in the treatment group (9.7%) had adverse effects, namely dizziness, insomnia, colic, and weight gain.
CONCLUSION
CBD-rich cannabis extract was found to improve one of the diagnostic criteria for ASD (social interaction), as well as features that often co-exist with ASD, and to have few serious adverse effects.
Topics: Child; Humans; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Cannabidiol; Cannabis; Double-Blind Method; Plant Extracts; Quality of Life; Child, Preschool
PubMed: 35617670
DOI: 10.47626/2237-6089-2021-0396 -
Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience Dec 2023The increasing prevalence and burden of suicide have led to numerous studies to identify its risk factors. Cannabis is the most common illicit substance detected in... (Review)
Review
The increasing prevalence and burden of suicide have led to numerous studies to identify its risk factors. Cannabis is the most common illicit substance detected in suicide victims' toxicology tests. This study aims to identify and appraise systematic reviews investigating suicidality after using cannabis and cannabinoids. Seven databases and two registries were searched without restrictions for systematic reviews investigating cannabis effects on suicidality. AMSTAR-2 was used for quality assessment and corrected covered area and citation matrix were used to determine overlap. Twenty-five studies were included, of which 24 were on recreational use and one was on therapeutic use. Only three of the studies on recreational use reported no effect or inconsistent results. Evidence generally showed a positive association between cannabis use and suicidal ideation and attempt among the general population, military veterans, and bipolar or major depression patients. A bidirectional causal association between cannabis and suicidal ideation was also mentioned. Moreover, a younger age of initiation, long-term use, and heavy consumption were reported to be associated with even worse suicidal outcomes. On the contrary, current evidence indicates that the therapeutic cannabis is safe. In conclusion, the literature supports the cannabis-suicidality association in recreational use but considers cannabidiol safe for treatment. Further studies with quantitative and interventional approaches are recommended.
Topics: Humans; Suicide; Cannabis; Suicide, Attempted; Cannabinoids; Systematic Reviews as Topic; Risk Factors; Depressive Disorder, Major
PubMed: 37427882
DOI: 10.1080/19585969.2023.2231466 -
Phytochemistry Aug 2023Since ancient times, Cannabis and its preparations have found various applications such as for medical, recreational and industrial purposes. Subsequently the 1930s,...
Since ancient times, Cannabis and its preparations have found various applications such as for medical, recreational and industrial purposes. Subsequently the 1930s, legislation in many countries has restricted its use due to its psychotropic properties. More recently, the discovery of endocannabinoid system, including new receptors, ligands, and mediators, its role in maintaining the homeostasis of the human body and the possible implication in various physiological and pathophysiological processes has also been understood. Based on this evidence, researchers were able to develop new therapeutic targets for the treatment of various pathological disorders. For this purpose, Cannabis and cannabinoids were subjected for the evaluation of their pharmacological activities. The renewed interest in the medical use of cannabis for its potential therapeutic application has prompted legislators to take action to regulate the safe use of cannabis and products containing cannabinoids. However, each country has an enormous heterogeneity in the regulation of laws. Here, we are pleased to show a general and prevailing overview of the findings regarding cannabinoids and the multiple research fields such as chemistry, phytochemistry, pharmacology and analytics in which they are involved.
Topics: Humans; Cannabinoids; Cannabis
PubMed: 37196772
DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2023.113718 -
Journal of the American Society For... Jul 2023Mass spectrometry has made profound contributions to the criminal justice system by providing an instrumental method of analysis that delivers exquisite analytical... (Review)
Review
Mass spectrometry has made profound contributions to the criminal justice system by providing an instrumental method of analysis that delivers exquisite analytical figures of merit for a wide variety of samples and analytes. Applications include the characterization of trace metal impurities in hair and glass to the identification of drugs, explosives, polymers, and ignitable liquids. This review describes major historical developments and, where possible, relates the developed capabilities to casework and legal precedents. This review also provides insight into how historical applications have evolved into, and out of, modern consensus standards. Unlike many pattern-based techniques and physical-matching methods, mass spectrometry has strong scientific foundations and a long history of successful applications that have made it one of the most reliable and respected sources of scientific evidence in criminal and civil cases. That said, in several appellate decisions in which mass spectrometric evidence was challenged but admitted, decisions sometimes still went against the mass spectrometric data anyway, which goes to show that mass spectrometric evidence is always just one piece of the larger legal puzzle.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Mass Spectrometry; Forensic Medicine; Cannabis; Radioisotopes
PubMed: 37276607
DOI: 10.1021/jasms.3c00124 -
Annals of Agricultural and... Sep 2023Low back pain (LBP) is a major cause of disability and the main reason why individual patients need medical attention. Pharmacological treatment options for LBP are... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE
Low back pain (LBP) is a major cause of disability and the main reason why individual patients need medical attention. Pharmacological treatment options for LBP are limited and are often associated with serious side-effects. This makes it necessary to search for new painkillers. One potential therapeutic agent is cannabidiol (CDB). Cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol are the most researched components of cannabis, the plant more commonly known as marijuana or hemp. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first narrative review of the effects of CBD alone on acute and chronic back pain.
REVIEW METHODS
Based on the guidelines provided by the Primary Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Statement (PRISMA), the PubMed/ MEDLINE database was used to identify articles for analysis from the last 30 years. Due to the limited number of studies on this topic, all types of studies that met the inclusion criteria were included. After analysis, 10 studies were included in this review.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE STATE OF KNOWLEDGE
Currently, the use of medical marijuana continues to increase and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has already approved four cannabis-based drugs. Cannabidiol (CBD) is a relatively safe substance for humans and generally well tolerated. It is a substance that is easily available and often taken by patients with LBP.
SUMMARY
Evidence for the effectiveness of CBD in the treatment of acute low back pain is lacking. There was only one clinical trial conducted in the Emergency Department that showed no superiority of CBD over placebo in acute LBP. The majority of studies concern chronic rather than acute LBP. Although most of the results suggest a beneficial effect of cannabinoids in relieving chronic LBP, hard evidence is lacking. Rigorous randomized controlled trials are needed.
Topics: Humans; Cannabidiol; Low Back Pain; Cannabinoids; Cannabis; Medical Marijuana
PubMed: 37772533
DOI: 10.26444/aaem/168674 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Mar 2024is one of the oldest plants utilized by humans for both economic and medical purposes. Although the use of cannabis started millennia ago in the Eastern hemisphere, its... (Review)
Review
is one of the oldest plants utilized by humans for both economic and medical purposes. Although the use of cannabis started millennia ago in the Eastern hemisphere, its use has moved and flourished in the Western nations in more recent centuries. is the source of psychoactive cannabinoids that are consumed as recreational drugs worldwide. The C21 aromatic hydrocarbons are restricted in their natural occurrence to cannabis (with a few exceptions). Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ-THC) is the main psychoactive component in cannabis, with many pharmacological effects and various approved medical applications. However, a wide range of side effects are associated with the use of Δ-THC, limiting its medical use. In 1966, another psychoactive cannabinoid, Delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ-THC) was isolated from marijuana grown in Maryland but in very low yield. Δ-THC is gaining increased popularity due to its better stability and easier synthetic manufacturing procedures compared to Δ-THC. The passing of the U.S. Farm Bill in 2018 led to an increase in the sale of Δ-THC in the United States. The marketed products contain Δ-THC from synthetic sources. In this review, methods of extraction, purification, and structure elucidation of Δ-THC will be presented. The issue of whether Δ-THC is a natural compound or an artifact will be discussed, and the different strategies for its chemical synthesis will be presented. Δ-THC of synthetic origin is expected to contain some impurities due to residual amounts of starting materials and reagents, as well as side products of the reactions. The various methods of analysis and detection of impurities present in the marketed products will be discussed. The pharmacological effects of Δ-THC, including its interaction with CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors in comparison with Δ-THC, will be reviewed.
Topics: Humans; Dronabinol; Cannabinoids; Cannabis; Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists; Hallucinogens
PubMed: 38542886
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29061249 -
JAMA Dec 2023Cannabis use is increasing among reproductive-age individuals and the risks associated with cannabis exposure during pregnancy remain uncertain.
IMPORTANCE
Cannabis use is increasing among reproductive-age individuals and the risks associated with cannabis exposure during pregnancy remain uncertain.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the association between maternal cannabis use and adverse pregnancy outcomes known to be related to placental function.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
Ancillary analysis of nulliparous individuals treated at 8 US medical centers with stored urine samples and abstracted pregnancy outcome data available. Participants in the Nulliparous Pregnancy Outcomes Study: Monitoring Mothers-to-Be cohort were recruited from 2010 through 2013; the drug assays and analyses for this ancillary project were completed from June 2020 through April 2023.
EXPOSURE
Cannabis exposure was ascertained by urine immunoassay for 11-nor-9-carboxy-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol using frozen stored urine samples from study visits during the pregnancy gestational age windows of 6 weeks and 0 days to 13 weeks and 6 days (visit 1); 16 weeks and 0 days to 21 weeks and 6 days (visit 2); and 22 weeks and 0 days to 29 weeks and 6 days (visit 3). Positive results were confirmed with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. The timing of cannabis exposure was defined as only during the first trimester or ongoing exposure beyond the first trimester.
MAIN OUTCOME AND MEASURE
The dichotomous primary composite outcome included small-for-gestational-age birth, medically indicated preterm birth, stillbirth, or hypertensive disorders of pregnancy ascertained by medical record abstraction by trained perinatal research staff with adjudication of outcomes by site investigators.
RESULTS
Of 10 038 participants, 9257 were eligible for this analysis. Of the 610 participants (6.6%) with cannabis use, 32.4% (n = 197) had cannabis exposure only during the first trimester and 67.6% (n = 413) had ongoing exposure beyond the first trimester. Cannabis exposure was associated with the primary composite outcome (25.9% in the cannabis exposure group vs 17.4% in the no exposure group; adjusted relative risk, 1.27 [95% CI, 1.07-1.49]) in the propensity score-weighted analyses after adjustment for sociodemographic characteristics, body mass index, medical comorbidities, and active nicotine use ascertained via urine cotinine assays. In a 3-category cannabis exposure model (no exposure, exposure only during the first trimester, or ongoing exposure), cannabis use during the first trimester only was not associated with the primary composite outcome; however, ongoing cannabis use was associated with the primary composite outcome (adjusted relative risk, 1.32 [95% CI, 1.09-1.60]).
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
In this multicenter cohort, maternal cannabis use ascertained by biological sampling was associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes related to placental dysfunction.
Topics: Female; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Pregnancy; Cannabis; Cohort Studies; Dronabinol; Hallucinogens; Marijuana Abuse; Maternal Exposure; Placenta; Placenta Diseases; Pregnancy Outcome; Premature Birth; Stillbirth; Pregnancy Complications
PubMed: 38085313
DOI: 10.1001/jama.2023.21146