Puerto Madryn, Argentina: Chronic pain patients experience sustained symptomatic improvements following the use of low-dose, plant-derived cannabis extracts, according to data published in the Journal of Pain & Palliative Care Pharmacotherapy.
Argentinian investigators assessed the adjunctive use of cannabis extracts in a cohort of 88 patients diagnosed with either musculoskeletal, neuropathic, or oncological pain. Extracts contained no more than 5 ng/ml THC and 2 ng/ml CBD. Study participants consumed extracts sublingually for six months.
Sixty-five percent of patients experienced pain reductions of greater than 50 percent following cannabis treatment. Additionally, most participants reported improved sleep and a decrease in anxiety. Twenty-six percent of patients reduced their use of traditional analgesic medications – a finding consistent with other studies.
Most patients reported either mild or no adverse side effects. None of the study’s participants experienced psychoactive effects following cannabis dosing.
“We observed an important decrease in pain between the first and last consultation, at relatively low doses (~ 4 mg/day for THC and ~ 2 mg/day CBD),” researchers reported. “Similar trends were found for all life quality-associated parameters studied, except appetite, and side effects were mild, implying that significant pain reduction can be effectively and consistently obtained from herbal full-spectrum preparations.”
The study’s authors concluded: “No participants increased or added analgesic or anti-inflammatory drugs during the study. … Cannabis herbal preparations for the treatment of chronic pain may not only benefit patients from a safe and effective therapeutic option, but health care systems could increase sustainability and reduce hospitalization due to adverse effects.”
Full text of the study, “Effectiveness of full spectrum cannabis extracts in the treatment of chronic pain: An open label study,” appears in the Journal of Pain & Palliative Care Pharmacotherapy.
Analysis: Botanical Cannabis Products Often Possess Less THC Than Advertised
Boulder, CO: Botanical cannabis products sold in Colorado frequently contain lesser amounts of THC than what is advertised on the products’ labels, according to data published in the journal Nature: Scientific Reports.
Investigators affiliated with the University of Colorado at Boulder purchased 281 cannabis products, including loose flower, pre-rolls, and concentrates, from state-licensed dispensaries. All products were independently lab-tested for THC and CBD potency.
Consistent with prior studies, THC potency was over-labeled in a significant percentage of the herbal cannabis products. By contrast, most (96 percent) concentrates were accurately labeled.
The study’s authors concluded: “This study found THC potency labeling to be accurate within ± 15 percent for almost all tested cannabis concentrate products, whereas flower products more frequently did not meet this accuracy threshold. Both product types reported higher THC potency values on the label than what was observed. Continued investigation into labeling inaccuracies and more consistent, rigorous testing moving forward is indicated, particularly for flower products, across various legal cannabis markets.”
Full text of the study, “Accuracy of labelled THC potency across flower and concentrate cannabis products,” appears in Nature: Scientific Reports.
Study: Low-THC Cannabis Extracts Improve Symptoms in Children with Rett Syndrome
Melbourne, Australia: Pediatric patients diagnosed with Rett syndrome (RTT) show improvements in alertness, communication skills, anxiety, and other symptoms following the daily use of specially formulated plant-derived cannabis extracts, according to open-label clinical trial data published in the Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health.
Australian investigators assessed the twice-daily use of cannabis extracts containing CBD and THC in a cohort of 11 girls with RTT. Subjects were assessed at baseline and 12 weeks. Rett Syndrome is a rare genetic disorder associated with developmental delays, seizures, loss of speech and motor coordination, and involuntary/repetitive movements, among other symptoms.
“Oral administration of [cannabis extracts] for 12 weeks was associated with significant improvements in core RTT symptoms, including mental alertness, communication skills, socialization/eye contact, attentiveness, and anxiety,” researchers reported. “[Cannabis] administration also demonstrated improvements in key secondary outcomes, such as overall clinical severity, quality of life, and a reduction in caregiver burden.”
Investigators also reported improvements in patients’ breathing, mood, and teeth grinding.
The study’s authors concluded: “RTT is associated with a range of complex clinical manifestations. … This Phase I/II study of [plant-derived cannabis extracts] in RTT provides an encouraging foundation for further studies in this population. The improvements observed in clinical outcomes and caregiver burden justify ongoing research and confirm [that cannabis extracts are] a potential adjunct therapy for RTT.”
Full text of the study, “Full-spectrum medicinal cannabis plant extract 0.08% THC improves symptoms of Rett syndrome: An open-label study,” appears in theJournal of Pediatrics and Child Health.
Hawaii: Governor Signs Medical Cannabis Expansion Bill Despite Privacy Concerns
Honolulu, HI: Democratic Gov. Josh Green has signed legislation (HB 302) into law expanding the pool of patients eligible for medical cannabis. Governor Green’s signature came weeks after he signaled his intention to veto the bill due to concerns that separate provisions might put patients’ privacy at risk.
The new law, which took immediate effect, permits medical providers to issue cannabis authorizations to any patient for whom they believe “the benefit of the medical use of cannabis would likely outweigh the health risks.” It also allows patients to receive authorizations via telehealth appointments.
Separate provisions in the law provide the Health Department with the authority to inspect a qualifying patient’s medical records without a warrant. Health providers who refuse to turn over their records when ordered to do so could have their ability to issue medical cannabis authorizations suspended. Governor Green had previously cautioned that the new inspection provisions “may deter patients from participating in the medical cannabis program.”
Hawaii legalized medical cannabis access in 2000, becoming the first state to do so legislatively. About 30,000 patients currently participate in the access program.
#cReatoR @RussellRope
Subscribe To WC Channel