Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Clinical Efficacy of Cannabidiol Treatment in Osteoarthritic Dogs.

Authors: Lauri-Jo Gamble1, Jordyn M. Boesch, Christopher W. Frye, Wayne S. Schwark, Sabine Mann, Lisa Wolfe, Holly Brown, Erin S. Berthelsen, Joseph J. Wakshlag
Frontiers in Veterinary Science, July 2018

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to determine basic oral pharmacokinetics, and assess safety and analgesic efficacy of a cannabidiol (CBD) based oil in dogs with osteoarthritis (OA). Methods: Single-dose pharmacokinetics was performed using two different doses of…

Cannabis and Heart Disease: Forward Into the Great Unknown?

Authors: Joshua D. Lee, Daniel Schatz, Judith Hochman
Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 5 June 2018

The paper by DeFilippis et al. (1) in this issue of the Journal is a timely reminder of how little we know about cannabis consumption, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and cannabis’ health effects in general. It is also a firm confirmation of the negative effects of any cocaine u…

Cocaine and Marijuana Use Among Young Adults With Myocardial Infarction.

Authors: Ersilia M. DeFilippis, Avinainder Singh, Sanjay Divakaran, Ankur Gupta, Bradley L. Collins, et al
Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 5 June 2018

BACKGROUND: Substance abuse is increasingly prevalent among young adults, but data on cardiovascular outcomes remain limited. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to assess the prevalence of cocaine and marijuana use in adults with their first myocardial infarction (M…

Marijuana use during and after pregnancy and association of prenatal use on birth outcomes: A population-based study.

Authors: Jean Y. Ko, Van T. Tong, Jennifer M. Bombard, Donald K. Hayes, John Davy, et al
Drug and Alcohol Dependence, June 2018

BACKGROUND: We sought to describe the correlates of marijuana use during and after pregnancy, and to examine the independent relationship between prenatal marijuana use and infant outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: We used state-specific data from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring…

Dangerous plants in dermatology: Legal and controlled.

Authors: Deeptej Singh, Juliya Fisher, Devorah Shagalov, Aakaash Varma, Daniel M. Siegel
Clinics in Dermatology, May-June 2018

The plant and mushroom kingdoms have species used for intoxication, inebriation, or recreation. Some of these species are toxic. Given that many of these plants or substances are illegal and have histories of abuse, much of the research regarding therapeutic application is bas…

Transfer of Inhaled Cannabis Into Human Breast Milk.

Authors: Teresa Baker, Palika Datta, Kathleen Rewers-Felkins, Heather Thompson, Raja Kallem, Thomas Hale
Obstetrics & Gynecology, May 2018

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the transfer of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and its metabolites into human breast milk after maternal inhalation of 0.1 g cannabis containing 23.18% delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol. METHODS:
In this pilot pharmacokinetic study, breast milk samples were col…

The influence of THC:CBD oromucosal spray on driving ability in patients with multiple sclerosis-related spasticity.

Authors: Elisabeth G. Celius, Carlos Vila
Brain and Behavior, 6 April 2018

BACKGROUND: Driving ability is a key function for the majority of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) to help maintain daily interactions. Both physical and cognitive disability, as well as treatments, may affect the ability to drive. Spasticity is a common symptom associate…

Rates and Predictors of Conversion to Schizophrenia or Bipolar Disorder Following Substance-Induced Psychosis.

Authors: Marie Stefanie Kejser Starzer, Merete Nordentoft, Carsten Hjorthøj
American Journal of Psychiatry, April 2018

OBJECTIVE: The authors investigated the rates of conversion to schizophrenia and bipolar disorder after a substance-induced psychosis, as well as risk factors for conversion. METHOD: All patient information was extracted from the Danish Civil Registration System and the Psychi…

Adolescent cannabis use, baseline prodromal symptoms and the risk of psychosis.

Authors: Antti Mustonen, Solja Niemelä, Tanja Nordström, Graham K. Murray, Pirjo Mäki, et al
The British Journal of Psychiatry, April 2018

BACKGROUND: The association between cannabis use and the risk of psychosis has been studied extensively but the temporal order still remains controversial. Aims To examine the association between cannabis use in adolescence and the risk of psychosis after adjustment for prodro…

Plasma anandamide concentrations are lower in children with autism spectrum disorder.

Authors: Debra S. Karhson, Karolina M. Krasinska, Jamie Ahloy Dallaire, et al
Molecular Autism, 12 March 2018

BACKGROUND: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by restricted, stereotyped behaviors and impairments in social communication. Although the underlying biological mechanisms of ASD remain poorly understood, recent preclinical research ha…

Efficacy of artisanal preparations of cannabidiol for the treatment of epilepsy: Practical experiences in a tertiary medical center.

Authors: Giulia S. Porcaria, Cary Fub, Emily D. Doll, Emma G. Carter, Robert P. Carson
Epilepsy & Behavior, March 2018

Medically refractory epilepsy continues to be a challenge worldwide, and despite an increasing number of medical therapies, approximately 1 in 3 patients continues to have seizures. Cannabidiol (CBD), one of many constituents of the Cannabis sativa or marijuana plant, has rece…

A National Needs Assessment of Canadian Nurse Practitioners Regarding Cannabis for Therapeutic Purposes.

Authors: Lynda G. Balneaves, Abeer Alraja, Daniel Ziemianski, Fairleth McCuaig, Mark Ware
Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, March 2018

Introduction: In Canada, the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations (ACMPR) has given nurse practitioners (NPs) the power to authorize cannabis for therapeutic purposes (CTP) to eligible patients. This expansion in NPs’ scope of practice underscores the importance…