Journal of cannabis research最新文献

Background: When state governments impose quotas on commercial marijuana licenses, regulatory commissions use an application process to assess the feasibility of prospective businesses. Decisions on license applications are often met with formal appeals and legal challenges from rejected applicants. Although prior research has examined substate disparities in the availability of marijuana dispensaries, less attention has been given to the quality of license applications. The present study analyzed the relationship between neighborhood-level characteristics and the quality of prospective dispensary businesses.

Methods: During Missouri's first applicant pool for medical marijuana dispensaries in 2019, a total of 606 census tracts contained the location site of at least one dispensary applicant. Using data from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and the American Community Survey, fractional and binary logistic regression models were used to estimate the relationship between census-tract characteristics and application outcomes.

Results: License applications received higher evaluation scores when proposed dispensary sites were in census tracts with greater population densities and no majority in racial/ethnic composition. Census tracts with poorer socioeconomic conditions attracted a disproportionate share of low-scoring applicants from the bottom quartile of scores. These effects were stronger for certain application subsections, particularly those assessing the quality of an applicant's business plan and on-site security.

Conclusions: Some communities tend to attract prospective license holders who possess better quality resources, business practices, and industry experience. State disparities in commercial licensing requirements and application processes may lead to the inequities in legal product access found in some prior studies.

In 2019 and 2020, we investigated the individual and combined effects of two biofertilizers (manure tea and bioinoculant) and one humic acid (HA) product on cannabis biochemical and physiological parameters and soil CO₂ evolution under outdoor conditions. Our hypothesis was that HA would increase the microbial activity in the biofertilizers and synergy of both compounds would promote better plant performance and stimulate soil microbial activity. In 2020, the individual and combined application of biofertilizers and HA increased cannabis height, chlorophyll content, photosynthetic efficiency, aboveground biomass, and bucked biomass by 105, 52, 43, 122, and 117%, respectively. Impacts were greater under suboptimal growing conditions caused by planting delay experienced in 2020. In 2019, planting date occurred in-between the most favorable period and chlorophyll content and photosynthetic efficiency were the only parameters influenced by the application of biostimulants. The discrepancies between the two growing seasons reinforce the evidence of other studies that biostimulants efficacy is maximized under stress conditions. This study could not conclusively confirm that the combined use of biofertilizer + HA is a superior practice since affected plant parameters did not differ from application of the compounds singly. Similarly, only one biofertilizer + HA treatment increased soil microbial activity. More research is needed to define optimum rates and combinations of biofertilizer and stimulants for cannabis.

The underlying neurobiological mechanisms of cannabidiol's (CBD) management of alcohol use disorder (AUD) remains elusive.Aim We conducted a systematic review of neuroimaging literature investigating the effects of CBD on the brain in healthy participants. We then theorise the potential neurobiological mechanisms by which CBD may ameliorate various symptoms of AUD.Methods This review was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines. Terms relating to CBD and neuroimaging were used to search original clinical research published in peer-reviewed journals.Results Of 767 studies identified by our search strategy, 16 studies satisfied our eligibility criteria. The results suggest that CBD modulates γ-Aminobutyric acid and glutamate signaling in the basal ganglia and dorso-medial prefrontal cortex. Furthermore, CBD regulates activity in regions associated with mesocorticolimbic reward pathways; salience, limbic and fronto-striatal networks which are implicated in reward anticipation; emotion regulation; salience processing; and executive functioning.Conclusion CBD appears to modulate neurotransmitter systems and functional connections in brain regions implicated in AUD, suggesting CBD may be used to manage AUD symptomatology.

Background: The treatment of diverse diseases using plant-derived products is actively encouraged. In the past few years, cannabidiol (CBD) has emerged as a potent cannabis-derived drug capable of managing various debilitating neurological infections, diseases, and their associated complications. CBD has demonstrated anti-inflammatory and curative effects in neuropathological conditions, and it exhibits therapeutic, apoptotic, anxiolytic, and neuroprotective properties. However, more information on the reactions and ability of CBD to alleviate brain-related disorders and the neuroinflammation that accompanies them is needed.

Main body: This narrative review deliberates on the therapeutic and remedial prospects of CBD with an emphasis on neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders. An extensive literature search followed several scoping searches on available online databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus with the main keywords: CBD, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and cannabinoids. After a purposive screening of the retrieved papers, 170 (41%) of the articles (published in English) aligned with the objective of this study and retained for inclusion.

Conclusion: CBD is an antagonist against pro-inflammatory cytokines and the cytokine storm associated with neurological infections/disorders. CBD regulates adenosine/oxidative stress and aids the downregulation of TNF-α, restoration of BDNF mRNA expression, and recovery of serotonin levels. Thus, CBD is involved in immune suppression and anti-inflammation. Understanding the metabolites associated with response to CBD is imperative to understand the phenotype. We propose that metabolomics will be the next scientific frontier that will reveal novel information on CBD's therapeutic tendencies in neurological/neuropsychiatric disorders.

Background: The Veterans Health Administration tracks urine drug tests (UDTs) among patients on long-term opioid therapy (LTOT) and recommends discussing the health effects of cannabis use.

Objective: To determine the occurrence of cannabis-related discussions between providers and patients on LTOT during six months following UDT positive for cannabis, and examine factors associated with documenting cannabis use.

Design: We identified patients prescribed LTOT with a UDT positive for cannabis in 2019. We developed a text-processing tool to extract discussions around cannabis use from their charts.

Subjects: Twelve thousand seventy patients were included. Chart review was conducted on a random sample of 1,946 patients.

Main measures: The presence of a cannabis term in the chart suggesting documented cannabis use or cannabis-related discussions. Content of those discussions was extracted in a subset of patients. Logistic regression was used to examine the association between patient factors, including state of residence legal status, with documentation of cannabis use.

Key results: Among the 12,070 patients, 65.8% (N = 7,948) had a cannabis term, whereas 34.1% (N = 4,122) of patients lacked a cannabis term, suggesting that no documentation of cannabis use or discussion between provider and patient took place. Among the subset of patients who had a discussion documented, 47% related to cannabis use for medical reasons, 35% related to a discussion of VA policy or legal issues, and 17% related to a discussion specific to medical risks or harm reduction strategies. In adjusted analyses, residents of states with legalized recreational cannabis were less likely to have any cannabis-related discussion compared to patients in non-legal states [OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.64-0.82].

Conclusions: One-third of LTOT patients did not have documentation of cannabis use in the chart in the 6 months following a positive UDT for cannabis. Discussions related to the medical risks of cannabis use or harm reduction strategies were uncommon.

Background: Cannabis policies have changed drastically over the last few years with many states enacting medical cannabis laws, and some authorizing recreational use; all against federal laws. As a result, cannabis products are marketed in dispensaries in different forms, most abundantly as flowers intended for smoking and sometimes vaping. All samples used in this study were obtained directly from law enforcement. The sample collection process was facilitated and funded by the National Marijuana Initiative (NMI), part of the High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program. This initial report focuses on cannabis flowers. Similar studies with other cannabis products will be the subject of a future report.

Methods: A total of 107 Δ⁹-THC cannabis flower samples were collected by law enforcement from adult commercial use cannabis dispensaries, located in three different states (Colorado, Oregon, and California) and analyzed in this study for cannabinoid concentration. Samples were analyzed by GC-FID following our previously published procedure.

Discussion: The label claims for total Δ⁹-THC content ranged from 12.04 to 58.20% w/w, while GC-FID results showed a concentration ranging from 12.95 to 36.55% w/w. Of the evaluated 107 products, only 32 samples have Δ⁹-THC content within ± 20% of the labeled content. However, the remaining 75 samples were found to be out of the ± 20% acceptance criteria. The degree of agreement for the tested samples using ± 20% tolerance with label claims was only 30%. The results of this study indicate that there is a need for more stringent regulations to ensure that product labeling is accurate, as 70% of the evaluated products did not meet the ± 20% acceptance criteria. This highlights the importance of healthcare professionals and patients being vigilant about the Δ⁹-THC content, as inaccurate labeling of cannabis products could potentially result in adverse health effects. Furthermore, there is a pressing need for more rigorous regulation of commercial cannabis products in the United States.

Background: While the use of orally consumed Cannabis, cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) containing products, i.e. "edibles", has expanded, the health consequences are still largely unknown. This study examines the effects of oral consumption of whole Cannabis and a complex Cannabis extract on neurochemicals, endocannabinoids (eCB), and physiological parameters (body temperature, heart rate) in mice.

Methods: In this pilot study, C57BL/6 J mice were treated with one of the following every other day for 2 weeks: a complex Cannabis extract by gavage, whole Cannabis mixed with nutritional gel through free feeding, or purified THC/CBD by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection. Treatments were conducted at 4 doses ranging from 0-100 mg/kg/day of CBD with THC levels of ≤ 1.2 mg/kg/day for free feeding and gavage and 10 mg/kg/day for i.p. Body temperature and heart rate were monitored using surgically implanted telemetry devices. Levels of neurochemicals, eCB, THC, CBD, and 11-OH-THC were measured using mass spectrometry 48 h after the final treatment. Statistical comparisons were conducted using ANOVA and t-tests.

Results: Differences were found between neurochemicals in the brains and plasma of mice treated by i.p. (e.g. dopamine, p < 0.01), gavage (e.g., phenylalanine, p < 0.05) and in mice receiving whole Cannabis (e.g., 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic DOPAC p < 0.05). Tryptophan trended downward or was significantly decreased in the brain and/or plasma of all mice receiving Cannabis or purified CBD/THC, regardless of dose, compared to controls. Levels of the eCB, arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG) were decreased in mice receiving lowest doses of a complex Cannabis extract by gavage, but were higher in mice receiving highest doses compared to controls (p < 0.05). Plasma and brain levels of THC and 11-OH-THC were higher in mice receiving 1:1 THC:CBD by i.p. compared to those receiving 1:5 or 1:10 THC:CBD. Nominal changes in body temperature and heart rate following acute and repeated exposures were seen to some degree in all treatments.

Conclusions: Changes to neurochemicals and eCBs were apparent at all doses regardless of treatment type. Levels of neurochemicals seemed to vary based on the presence of a complex Cannabis extract, suggesting a non-linear response between THC and neurochemicals following repeated oral dosing.

Background: The primary components driving the current commercial fascination with cannabis products are phytocannabinoids, a diverse group of over 100 lipophilic secondary metabolites derived from the cannabis plant. Although numerous phytocannabinoids exhibit pharmacological effects, the foremost attention has been directed towards Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol, the two most abundant phytocannabinoids, for their potential human applications. Despite their structural similarity, THC and cannabidiol diverge in terms of their psychotropic effects, with THC inducing notable psychological alterations. There is a clear need for accurate and rapid THC measurement methods that offer dependable, readily accessible, and cost-effective analytical information. This review presents a comprehensive view of the present state of alternative technologies that could potentially facilitate the creation of portable devices suitable for on-site usage or as personal monitors, enabling non-intrusive THC measurements.

Method: A literature survey from 2017 to 2023 on the development of portable technologies and commercial products to detect THC in biofluids was performed using electronic databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. A systematic review of available literature was conducted using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic. Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines.

Results: Eighty-nine studies met the selection criteria. Fifty-seven peer-reviewed studies were related to the detection of THC by conventional separation techniques used in analytical laboratories that are still considered the gold standard. Studies using optical (n = 12) and electrochemical (n = 13) portable sensors and biosensors were also identified as well as commercially available devices (n = 7).

Discussion: The landscape of THC detection technology is predominantly shaped by immunoassay tests, owing to their established reliability. However, these methods have distinct drawbacks, particularly for quantitative analysis. Electrochemical sensing technology holds great potential to overcome the challenges of quantification and present a multitude of advantages, encompassing the possibility of miniaturization and diverse modifications to amplify sensitivity and selectivity. Nevertheless, these sensors have considerable limitations, including non-specific interactions and the potential interference of compounds and substances existing in biofluids.

Conclusion: The foremost challenge in THC detection involves creating electrochemical sensors that are both stable and long-lasting while exhibiting exceptional selectivity, minimal non-specific interactions, and decreased susceptibility to matrix interferences. These aspects need to be resolved before these sensors can be successfully introduced to the market.

Background: To address the research question of how simultaneous users of alcohol and cannabis differ from concurrent users in risk of cannabis use problems after the recreational marijuana legalization in Washington State.

Methods: We used generalized estimating equations with a Poisson distribution to analyze the association between simultaneous use of alcohol and marijuana (SAM) and cannabis-related problems compared to concurrent use. The data is a longitudinal sample of drinkers and cannabis users (n = 257, 47% female) aged 18 years and older from Washington State in 2014-2016. We adjusted for survey weights to account for differential probability of selection and response rates. The primary outcome is the past-six-month CUDIT problem subscale (ranging from 0 to 28), which is the total score for seven CUDIT problem items, after excluding the three items that covered marijuana use frequency. Covariates include marijuana use frequency (daily/near daily use, regular use, or infrequent use), marijuana daily quantity, alcohol daily volume, panel survey cycle, medical marijuana recommendation, driving time to nearest marijuana outlet, age of marijuana use onset, and other demographics.

Results: After adjusting for covariates, we found that compared to concurrent use, SAM was significantly positively associated with CUDIT problem subscale (IRR = 1.68, 95% CI: 1.25-2.27, p < 0.001); daily/near daily use of marijuana was strongly significantly associated with CUDIT problem subscale compared with infrequent use (IRR = 5.1, 2.71-9.57, p < 0.001) or regular use (IRR = 3.05, 1.91-4.85, p < 0.001). Secondary analyses using CUDIT total score as the outcome also showed a significant positive association with SAM compared to concurrent use (IRR = 1.17, 1.02-1.34, p < 0.05).

Conclusions: This study highlighted the importance of SAM, in addition to cannabis use frequency for predicting cannabis-related problems.