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Study: Adjunctive Use of CBD Mitigates Severe Behavioral Symptoms in Children With Autism
Buenos Aires, Argentina: The adjunctive use of CBD is safe and effective in mitigating severe behavioral symptoms in pediatric patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), according to data published in the journal Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior.
Argentinian researchers assessed the efficacy of purified CBD in young patients (ages three to 17) with autism. CBD was administered as an add-on medication for six to 12 months.
Consistent with prior studies, investigators reported that CBD treatment improved the quality of life of patients and their families. In nearly half of the patients treated, the use of prescription medications decreased following the initiation of CBD therapy.
The study’s authors concluded, “Our results suggest that treatment with purified CBD is effective and safe and could benefit patients with severe ASD by improving some of the core symptoms, including repetitive behaviors and social interaction, as well as associated comorbidities.”
The findings are consistent with those of placebo-controlled trial data showing improvements in ASD-related symptoms following the use of cannabinoid products. Observational studies have also shown that the use of cannabis can provide benefits to young people and adults with autism.
Full text of the study, “Purified cannabidiol leads to improvement of severe treatment-resistant behavioral symptoms in children with autism spectrum disorder,” appears in Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior. Additional information on cannabinoids and ASD is available from NORML’s publication, Clinical Applications for Cannabis and Cannabinoids.
Clinical Trial: Concomitant Administration of THCV and CBD Promotes Weight Loss, Improves Cholesterol
St. Petersburg, FL: The daily administration of hemp-derived CBD and THCV (tetrahydrocannabivarin) is associated with clinically significant weight loss, according to placebo-controlled clinical data published in the journal Cannabis.
An investigator affiliated with the biotechnology company Nex Therapeutics assessed the metabolic effects of the concomitant use of THCV and CBD versus placebo in obese adults. Study participants consumed mucoadhesive oral strips containing either cannabinoids or placebo daily for 90 days, with no additional changes to their diet or exercise routine.
Compared to those consuming the placebo, subjects taking THCV and CBD experienced significant weight loss and other metabolic improvements. Most subjects who consumed cannabinoids reported no adverse effects.
The study’s author concluded, “90-day use of once-daily THCV and CBD-infused mucoadhesive strips was associated with clinically significant weight loss, decreases in abdominal girth, systolic blood pressure, and total and LDL cholesterol.”
A 2023 placebo-controlled study reported that diabetic patients who received a sublingual spray containing CBD and THC improved their blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Clinical trial data has also shown that the cannabinoid THCV decreases fasting glucose levels in type 2 diabetics. Full text of the study, “Weight loss and therapeutic metabolic effects of tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV)-infused mucoadhesive strips,” appears in Cannabis.
Study: Medical Cannabis Dosing Doesn’t Negatively Impact Driving Performance in Experienced Patients
Queensland, Australia: Patients who consume botanical cannabis over extended periods do not exhibit significant changes in their simulated driving performance, according to data published in the Journal of Safety Research.
Australian researchers assessed patients’ simulated driving performance at baseline and 45 minutes after they vaporized prescribed doses of cannabis flowers. (Under Australian law, physicians may authorize cannabis products to patients unresponsive to conventional prescription treatments.)
“After vaporizing one dose of their prescribed cannabis flower, participants exhibited no significant changes in performance on any of the video-based tasks (hazard perception skill, gap acceptance, following distance or speed) compared to baseline,” investigators reported.
The study’s authors concluded, “The findings … suggest that a dose of vaporized cannabis (consumed in accordance with prescription) may not affect hazard perception ability or driving-related risk-taking behavior among medicinal cannabis patients.”
The study’s findings are consistent with those of several others determining that daily cannabis consumers, and patients especially, exhibit tolerance to many of cannabis’ psychomotor-influencing effects. According to the findings of a literature review published in the journal of the German Medical Association, “Patients who take cannabinoids at a constant dosage over an extensive period of time often develop tolerance to the impairment of psychomotor performance, so that they can drive vehicles safely.”
Full text of the study, “The acute effects of vaporized cannabis on drivers’ hazard perception and risk-taking behaviors in medicinal patients: A within-subjects experiment,” appears in the Journal of Safety Research.
Idaho: Governor Signs Law Imposing Mandatory Minimum Penalties for Low-Level Marijuana Possession
Boise, ID: Republican Gov. Brad Little has signed legislation (HB 7) into law imposing new mandatory fines for people convicted of minor marijuana possession offenses.
Under the law, which takes effect on July 1, 2025, those convicted must pay a mandatory fine of at least $300. (Total fines may be as high as $1,000.) Those convicted of possessing marijuana also face up to one year in jail.
NORML issued an action alert opposing HB 7, arguing that it is overly punitive, inconsistent with voter sentiment, and improperly strips Idaho judges of their power.
NORML’s Deputy Director Paul Armentano said: “Currently, judges may use their discretion when determining whether it is appropriate to impose fines upon violators. Passage of this bill removes this discretion and mandates judges to impose a fine of not less than $300, even in instances where they believe that such a punishment is inappropriate. House Bill 7 is mean-spirited and its one-size-fits-all approach is inconsistent with our longstanding principles of justice and fairness.”
Between 2018 and 2023, state and local police made over 31,000 marijuana-related arrests. Over 94 percent of those arrests were for marijuana possession, not sales. In total, approximately half of all drug-related arrests in Idaho are marijuana-related.
Separate legislation (House Joint Resolution 3) restricting voters from weighing in on ballot measures specific to the liberalization of marijuana or other controlled substances is currently pending in the state legislature.
New Hampshire: Marijuana Bills Advanced to Senate, Where Their Future Remains Uncertain
Concord, NH: House lawmakers have approved a trio of bills significantly liberalizing the state’s marijuana laws. However, it is uncertain whether Senate lawmakers will take up any of the measures.
House Bill 75 removes criminal and civil penalties for the possession and use of marijuana by adults. (State law currently imposes civil fines for the possession of up to three-quarters of an ounce of cannabis. Possessing greater amounts is punishable by jail time.) House Bill 196 provides for the annulment of certain marijuana-related convictions. House Bill 53 provides qualified patients the option to home-cultivate medical marijuana. (The state’s medical marijuana law mandates patients purchase cannabis products from state-licensed dispensaries.)
All three measures passed the House by voice votes.
The three bills now await action from the Senate, which is more politically conservative than the House. Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte, who has historically opposed any liberalization of the state’s marijuana laws, is likely to oppose all three bills.
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