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London, United Kingdom: Older patients report experiencing better health and well-being following their use of medical cannabis preparations, according to data published in the journal Drugs & Aging.

British researchers assessed the use of cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs) consisting of either flower or oil extracts in a cohort of patients ages 65 and older. (British specialists are permitted to prescribe cannabis products to patients unresponsive to conventional medications.) Study participants primarily suffered from chronic pain. Patients consumed cannabis products for three months.

Consistent with the findings of other observational studies, older patients reported “significant improvements” following cannabis use, including “substantial reductions” in pain severity.

The study’s authors concluded: “There were consistent improvements across measures of general health and well-being after three months of treatment. … These findings accord with a growing body of observational and real-world evidence from jurisdictions that have legalized medicinal cannabis that cannabis is effective for improving sleep, mood and quality of health across multiple primary conditions.”

Israeli data published in 2022 similarly reported quality-of-life improvements in medical cannabis patients. Among patients with post-traumatic stress, 91 percent reported that cannabis treatment was a success, as did 84 percent of patients with inflammatory bowel disease, and 78 percent of patients with chronic pain.

According to statistics published in The Journals of Gerontology, more than one-third of those age 65 or older take five or more pharmaceuticals daily.

Full text of the study, “Prescribed medical cannabis use among older individuals: Patient characteristics and improvements in well-being: Findings from T21,” appears in Drugs & Aging.

Analysis: Proximity to Cannabis Retailers Associated With Rising Home Values

Seattle, WA: Homes located near cannabis retailers are more likely than others to appreciate in value, according to an analysis provided by Tomo Real Estate.

Analysts assessed the relationship between cannabis retailers and home prices in three states: Colorado, Michigan, and Oregon. Researchers examined annual increases or decreases in median home prices in zip codes with a dispensary compared to median home price changes in the surrounding zip codes.

Researchers concluded that homes located in towns with dispensaries experienced, on average, an annual increase in home values of $4,400.

The findings are consistent with those of several others which have reported increased home values for properties located close to licensed cannabis establishments, as well as in states that have enacted legalization.

Full text of the findings is available from Tomo.

Clinical Trial: Oral CBD Safe and Effective at Treating Anxiety

Telangana, India: The administration of oral CBD is safe and effective for patients suffering from mild to moderate anxiety disorders, according to clinical trial data published in the Asian Journal of Psychiatry.

An international team of investigators assessed the efficacy of 150mg/mL of CBD versus a placebo in a cohort of 178 subjects with anxiety. Patients consumed either CBD or a placebo for 15 weeks.

Researchers reported, “The … CBD oral solution showed therapeutic efficacy, excellent safety, and tolerability in treating not only mild to moderate anxiety disorders, but also associated depression and disturbances in sleep quality with no incidences of withdrawal anxiety upon dose tapering and at the end of the treatment.”

They concluded: “In this Phase III study, … CBD oral solution exhibited superior efficacy in achieving the primary and secondary objectives when compared to the placebo group. … These results pave way for probable prospective use of … CBD … for various psychiatry disorders alone or in conjunction with other drugs.”

The findings are consistent with those of other clinical trials finding that CBD reduces levels of emotional exhaustion, social anxiety disorder, and treatment-resistant anxiety disorders.

Full text of the study, “Evaluation of the efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics of nanodispersible cannabidiol oral solution (150 mg/mL) versus placebo in mild to moderate anxiety subjects: A double blind multicenter randomized clinical trial,” appears in the Asian Journal of Psychiatry.

Cannabis Terpenes Exhibit Anti-Cancer Effects in Preclinical Trial

Shanghai, China: Hemp oil extracts containing the terpenes β-caryophyllene and α-humulene possess potent analgesic and anti-cancer properties, according to preclinical data published in Fitoterapia: The Journal for the Study of Medicinal Plants.

Chinese scientists assessed the pain-relieving and anti-tumor activities of hemp oil in mice. They reported that the administration of cannabis extracts reduced neuropathic pain and “significantly inhibited” tumor growth.

The study’s authors concluded, “These results reveal that HEO [hemp essential oil] plays a role not only in tumor chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy treatment, but also in anti-tumor treatment which offers key information for new strategies in cancer treatment and provides reference for the medicinal development of hemp.”

Prior studies have similarly determined that cannabis terpenes, including β-caryophyllene and α-humulene, can produce potent analgesic effects in animal models. Cannabinoids possess well-established anti-cancer activities in preclinical models, but their efficacy has rarely been assessed in clinical trials.

Full text of the study, “Chemical compounds, anti-tumor and anti-neuropathic pain effect of hemp essential oil,” appears in Fitoterapia.