Posts

Medical cannabis laws and opioid analgesic overdose mortality in the United States, 1999-2010.

Authors: Marcus A. Bachhuber, Brendan Saloner, Chinazo O. Cunningham, et al
JAMA Internal Medicine, October 2014

IMPORTANCE: Opioid analgesic overdose mortality continues to rise in the United States, driven by increases in prescribing for chronic pain. Because chronic pain is a major indication for medical cannabis, laws that establish access to medical cannabis may change overdose mort…

Intermittent marijuana use is associated with improved retention in naltrexone treatment for opiate-dependence.

Authors: Wilfrid Noel Raby, Kenneth M. Carpenter, Jami Rothenberg, Adam C. Brooks, Huiping Jiang, et al
American Journal on Addictions, July/August 2009

Naltrexone is a theoretically promising alternative to agonist substitution treatment for opioid dependence, but its effectiveness has been severely limited by poor adherence. This study examined, in an independent sample, a previously observed association between moderate can…

Medical Marijuana Laws, Traffic Fatalities, and Alcohol Consumption

Authors: D. Mark Anderson, Benjamin Hansen, Daniel I. Rees
The Journal of Law and Economics, May 2013

To date, 19 states have passed medical marijuana laws, yet very little is known about their effects. The current study examines the relationship between the legalization of medical marijuana and traffic fatalities, the leading cause of death among Americans ages 5–34. The firs…

Does using marijuana increase the risk for developing schizophrenia?

Authors: A. Eden Evins, Alan I. Green, John M. Kane, Sir Robin M. Murray
The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, April 2013

As more US states and other countries consider legalizing marijuana, clinicians need to know the possible effects of this drug. Research has shown a connection between marijuana use and an increased risk for schizophrenia in young people who are vulnerable to developing psycho…

Prenatal substance abuse: short- and long-term effects on the exposed fetus.

Authors: Marylou Behnke, Vincent C. Smith, COMMITTEE ON SUBSTANCE ABUSE, COMMITTEE ON FETUS AND NEWBORN
Pediatrics, March 2013

Prenatal substance abuse continues to be a significant problem in this country and poses important health risks for the developing fetus. The primary care pediatrician’s role in addressing prenatal substance exposure includes prevention, identification of exposure, recognition…

Prescribing cannabis for harm reduction.

Authors: Mark Collen
Harm Reduction Journal, 1 January 2012

Neuropathic pain affects between 5% and 10% of the US population and can be refractory to treatment. Opioids may be recommended as a second-line pharmacotherapy but have risks including overdose and death. Cannabis has been shown to be effective for treating nerve pain without…

Potential protective effects of cannabidiol on neuroanatomical alterations in cannabis users and psychosis: a critical review.

Authors: Derik Hermann , Miriam Schneider
Current Pharmaceutical Design, 2012

Cannabis use and the development of schizophrenic psychoses share a variety of similarities. Both start during late adolescence; go along with neuropsychological deficits, reduced activity, motivation deficits, and hallucinations suggesting impairment of similar brain structur…

If cannabis caused schizophrenia–how many cannabis users may need to be prevented in order to prevent one case of schizophrenia? England and Wales calculations.

Authors: Matt Hickman, Peter Vickerman, John Macleod, Glyn Lewis, Stan Zammit, et al
Addiction, November 2009

BACKGROUND: We consider how many cannabis users may need to be prevented in order to prevent one case of schizophrenia or psychosis [defined as number needed to prevent (NNP)]. METHOD: Calculation for England and Wales using best available estimates of: incidence of schizophre…

Marijuana dependence and its treatment.

Authors: Alan J. Budney, Roger Roffman, Robert S. Stephens, Denise Walker
Addiction Science & Clinical Practice, December 2007

The prevalence of marijuana abuse and dependence disorders has been increasing among adults and adolescents in the United States. This paper reviews the problems associated with marijuana use, including unique characteristics of marijuana dependence, and the results of laborat…

Cannabinoids reduce symptoms of Tourette’s syndrome.

Authors: Kirsten R Müller-Vahl
Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy, October 2003

Currently, the treatment of Tourette’s syndrome (TS) is unsatisfactory. Therefore, there is expanding interest in new therapeutical strategies. Anecdotal reports suggested that the use of cannabis might improve not only tics, but also behavioural problems in patients with TS…