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Drug Testing and Analysis Feb 2024Since the early 2000s, there has been a turmoil on the global illicit cannabinoid market. Parallel to legislative changes in some jurisdictions regarding herbal... (Review)
Review
Since the early 2000s, there has been a turmoil on the global illicit cannabinoid market. Parallel to legislative changes in some jurisdictions regarding herbal cannabis, unregulated and cheap synthetic cannabinoids with astonishing structural diversity have emerged. Recently, semi-synthetic cannabinoids manufactured from hemp extracts by simple chemical transformations have also appeared as recreational drugs. The burst of these semi-synthetic cannabinoids into the market was sparked by legislative changes in the United States, where cultivation of industrial hemp restarted. By now, hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD), initially a blockbuster product on its own, became a "precursor" to semi-synthetic cannabinoids such as hexahydrocannabinol (HHC), which appeared on the drug market in 2021. The synthesis and cannabimimetic activity of HHC were first reported eight decades ago in quest for the psychoactive principles of marijuana and hashish. Current large-scale manufacture of HHC is based on hemp-derived CBD extract, which is converted first by cyclization into a Δ /Δ -THC mixture, followed by catalytic hydrogenation to afford a mixture of (9R)-HHC and (9S)-HHC epimers. Preclinical studies indicate that (9R)-HHC has THC-like pharmacological properties. The animal metabolism of HHC is partially clarified. The human pharmacology including metabolism of HHC is yet to be investigated, and (immuno)analytical methods for the rapid detection of HHC or its metabolites in urine are lacking. Herein, the legal background for the revitalization of hemp cultivation, and available information on the chemistry, analysis, and pharmacology of HHC and related analogs, including HHC acetate (HHC-O) is reviewed.
Topics: Animals; Humans; United States; Cannabinoids; Cannabis; Cannabidiol; Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists; Illicit Drugs; Hallucinogens; Dronabinol
PubMed: 37269160
DOI: 10.1002/dta.3519 -
MMW Fortschritte Der Medizin Oct 2022
Topics: Analgesics; Cannabis; Humans; Medical Marijuana
PubMed: 36195784
DOI: 10.1007/s15006-022-1863-2 -
Pediatrics Aug 2020Cannabinoids, the psychoactive compounds in marijuana, are one of the most commonly used substances in the United States. In this review, we summarize the impact of... (Review)
Review
Cannabinoids, the psychoactive compounds in marijuana, are one of the most commonly used substances in the United States. In this review, we summarize the impact of marijuana on child and adolescent health and discuss the implications of marijuana use for pediatric practice. We review the changing epidemiology of cannabis use and provide an update on medical use, routes of administration, synthetic marijuana and other novel products, the effect of cannabis on the developing brain, other health and social consequences of use, and issues related to marijuana legalization.
Topics: Adolescent; Adolescent Behavior; Animals; Brain; Cannabidiol; Cannabinoids; Cannabis; Child; Child Behavior; Drug Interactions; Endocannabinoids; Female; Fetus; Humans; Illicit Drugs; Male; Marijuana Abuse; Marijuana Use; Mass Media; Medical Marijuana; Milk, Human; Neurocognitive Disorders; Pregnancy; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; Receptors, Cannabinoid; Tobacco Use
PubMed: 32661188
DOI: 10.1542/peds.2019-2629 -
PloS One 2021There is a pressing need for development of novel pharmacology for the treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Given increasing use of medical cannabis among... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
IMPORTANCE
There is a pressing need for development of novel pharmacology for the treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Given increasing use of medical cannabis among US military veterans to self-treat PTSD, there is strong public interest in whether cannabis may be a safe and effective treatment for PTSD.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study was to collect preliminary data on the safety and potential efficacy of three active concentrations of smoked cannabis (i.e., High THC = approximately 12% THC and < 0.05% CBD; High CBD = 11% CBD and 0.50% THC; THC+CBD = approximately 7.9% THC and 8.1% CBD, and placebo = < 0.03% THC and < 0.01% CBD) compared to placebo in the treatment of PTSD among military veterans.
METHODS
The study used a double-blind, cross-over design, where participants were randomly assigned to receive three weeks of either active treatment or placebo in Stage 1 (N = 80), and then were re-randomized after a 2-week washout period to receive one of the other three active treatments in Stage 2 (N = 74). The primary outcome measure was change in PTSD symptom severity from baseline to end of treatment in Stage 1.
RESULTS
The study did not find a significant difference in change in PTSD symptom severity between the active cannabis concentrations and placebo by the end of Stage 1. All three active concentrations of smoked cannabis were generally well tolerated.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
The present study is the first randomized placebo-controlled trial of smoked cannabis for PTSD. All treatment groups, including placebo, showed good tolerability and significant improvements in PTSD symptoms during three weeks of treatment, but no active treatment statistically outperformed placebo in this brief, preliminary trial. Additional well-controlled and adequately powered studies with cannabis suitable for FDA drug development are needed to determine whether smoked cannabis improves symptoms of PTSD.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
Identifier: NCT02759185; ClinicalTrials.gov.
Topics: Adult; Cannabis; Cross-Over Studies; Drug Compounding; Humans; Male; Marijuana Smoking; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
PubMed: 33730032
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0246990 -
The Medical Clinics of North America Nov 2022Human beings have used marijuana products for centuries. Relatively recent data showing extensive cannabinoid receptors, particularly in the brain, help to explain the... (Review)
Review
Human beings have used marijuana products for centuries. Relatively recent data showing extensive cannabinoid receptors, particularly in the brain, help to explain the impacts of cannabinoids on symptoms/diseases, such as pain and seizures, with major nervous system components. Marijuana can cause bronchitis, but a moderate body of literature suggests that distal airway/parenchymal lung disease does not occur; marijuana does not cause chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and probably does not cause lung cancer, distinctly different from tobacco. Potentials for cognitive impairment and for damage to the developing brain are contextually important as its beneficial uses are explored.
Topics: Humans; Cannabis; Lung; Cannabinoids; Receptors, Cannabinoid; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Analgesics
PubMed: 36280335
DOI: 10.1016/j.mcna.2022.07.010 -
Science (New York, N.Y.) Sep 2023As states relax their laws on cannabis, neuroscientist Yasmin Hurd is warning about the drug's dangers for the developing brain.
As states relax their laws on cannabis, neuroscientist Yasmin Hurd is warning about the drug's dangers for the developing brain.
Topics: Child; Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Brain; Cannabis; Child Development; Dronabinol; Psychotropic Drugs; Pregnant Women; Marijuana Smoking
PubMed: 37651516
DOI: 10.1126/science.adk5505 -
MMW Fortschritte Der Medizin Apr 2022
Topics: Cannabis; Humans; Medical Marijuana; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 35359296
DOI: 10.1007/s15006-022-1014-9 -
MMW Fortschritte Der Medizin Oct 2022
Review
Topics: Cannabis; Germany; Humans; Medical Marijuana
PubMed: 36195791
DOI: 10.1007/s15006-022-1860-5 -
Zeitschrift Fur Kinder- Und... Sep 2023
Topics: Humans; Cannabis; Marijuana Use
PubMed: 37681652
DOI: 10.1024/1422-4917/a000945 -
MMW Fortschritte Der Medizin Mar 2023
Topics: Humans; Cannabis; Medical Marijuana
PubMed: 36961701
DOI: 10.1007/s15006-023-2307-3