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Meta-Analysis: Youth Cannabis Exposure Not Associated with Changes in Brain Morphology

Canberra, Australia: Cannabis exposure is not associated with significant changes in brain morphology in young adults, according to a meta-analysis of neuroimaging studies published in the journal Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research.

A team of Australian researchers reviewed sixteen studies in order to assess whether cannabis exposure is associated with changes in brain volume. The review samples included 830 participants with a mean age of 22.5 years old. Of these, 386 were marijuana users (with cannabis use onset at 15-19 years) and 444 were controls.

Researchers identified no significant differences between youth cannabis users and controls in global and regional brain volumes.

"This meta-analysis of structural MRI findings specific to youth regular cannabis users suggests no volume alterations, and no effect of age and cannabis use level on group differences in volumetry," authors concluded. "Important areas for future work include measuring and embracing the role of cannabis potency, pubertal stage, and personal (and parental) education, to identify which brain maturation stage is most vulnerable to cannabis-related brain and mental health/wellbeing. New knowledge will be necessary to provide clear recommendations for preventive interventions targeting youth at risk and update addiction theory with novel mechanistic insights into neurodevelopment."

Full text of the study, "Brain anatomical alterations in young cannabis users: A meta-analysis of structural neuroimaging studies," appears in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research.

Study: Marijuana Legalization Laws Are Not Associated with Lax Attitudes Toward Drugged Driving

Research Triangle Park, NC: Adults in states where the use of cannabis is legal are less likely than those in non-legal states to report having driven under the influence of cannabis, according to data published in the journal Preventive Medicine Reports.

Investigators affiliated with the research institute RTI International assessed drugged driving attitudes and behaviors in a nationwide cohort of 1,249 current marijuana consumers.

The study's authors reported: "Current cannabis users in recreational and medical only cannabis states were significantly less likely to report driving within three hours of getting high in the past 30 days, compared to current users living in states without legal cannabis. The one exception was frequent cannabis users who lived in medical cannabis states. Their risk of DUIC [driving under the influence of cannabis] did not differ significantly from frequent users living in states without legal cannabis."

Commenting on the study's findings, NORML's Deputy Director Paul Armentano said: "These findings ought to reassure those who feared that legalization might inadvertently be associated with relaxed attitudes toward driving under the influence. These conclusions show that this has not been the case and that, in fact, consumers residing in legal marijuana states are less likely to engage in this behavior than are those residing in states where cannabis possession remains criminalized."

Authors theorized that consumers in legal marijuana states may have greater exposure to messaging highlighting the risks and legal ramifications associated with drugged driving.

"Although all states should educate its citizens about the potential dangers of using cannabis and driving, this analysis suggests that states without legal cannabis are particularly in need of DUIC prevention efforts," they concluded. "States should consider mass media campaigns as a method of reaching all cannabis users, including more frequent users, with information about the dangers of DUIC. Medical states may consider targeting frequent users by disseminating information about DUIC through medical dispensaries. Further research is warranted, particularly given the constantly evolving nature of cannabis legalization and the noted limitations of this analysis."

The study's results are consistent with the findings of a 2021 paper which similarly determined that incidences of self-reported drugged driving behavior do not become more prevalent post-legalization. Rather, authors reported, "[M]arijuana users in states that legalized RM [recreational marijuana] self-reported driving after marijuana use less than their counterparts (who resided in states where adult-use cannabis remained illegal). They were also less likely to find such behavior [driving after ingesting cannabis] acceptable."

Numerous on-road and driving simulator studies have reported that the acute effects of THC inhalation are associated with certain changes in driving behavior, such as an increased likelihood of weaving and a decrease in a drivers' average speed. These and other changes are typically less pronounced in subjects who are more habitual cannabis consumers, but they may be exacerbated when alcohol and marijuana are ingested in combination with one another.

State-level data has failed to show any uptick in motor vehicle accidents attributable to the enactment of medical cannabis laws, while data assessing the potential impact of adult-use legalization has shown less consistent results.

Full text of the study, "Cannabis legalization and driving under the influence of cannabis in a national U.S. sample," appears in Preventive Medicine Reports.

Survey: Over Half of Canadian Patients with MS Report Consuming Cannabis

Edmonton, Canada: Most Canadians diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) report using cannabis to mitigate their symptoms, according to data published in the journal Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders.

Researchers affiliated with the University of Alberta, Department of Medicine surveyed MS patients' frequency of cannabis use and their motivations for consuming it. Canadian officials legalized the use of medical cannabis products nearly two decades ago. Adult-use sales were legalized in 2018. An oral spray containing precise ratios of plant-derived THC and CBD (Sativex) has also been available by prescription in Canada for the treatment of MS since 2005.

Authors reported that nearly two-thirds of respondents had consumed cannabis during their lifetimes and that 52 percent identified themselves as current users. Patients most frequently reported consuming cannabis to address symptoms related to sleep (84 percent), pain (80 percent), and spasticity (69 percent). Respondents said that cannabis was "moderately to highly effective" at mitigating their symptoms. The majority of patients acknowledged learning about the therapeutic use of cannabis from "someone other than [their] healthcare provider."

Human trials indicate that the use of both whole-plant cannabis and cannabis extracts can alleviate various symptoms of the disease as well as potentially modulate its progression.

Full text of the study, "Medical cannabis use in Canadians with multiple sclerosis," appears in Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders.

Ohio: Retail Cannabis Sales Would Yield $374 Million in Annual Tax Revenue

Columbus, OH: The establishment of a regulated adult-use cannabis market in Ohio could yield as much as $374 million dollars in annual tax revenue, according to a newly published economic analysis.

A pair of researchers affiliated with Ohio State University estimated the amount of new tax revenue that would be raised by the passage of proposed citizen's ballot initiative. The initiative, if enacted, would impose a ten percent tax on the retail sale of cannabis products.

Researchers projected that licensed retailers could raise between $276 million and $374 million annually by year five of operations. They described their estimates as "conservative."

According to an analysis by the Marijuana Policy Project, tax revenues derived from the licensed retail sale of state-legal, adult-use cannabis products grew by more than 30 percent between 2020 and 2021, totaling over $3.7 billion last year. Adult-use sales generated the greatest amount of revenue in California ($1.3 billion), followed by Washington ($631 million), Illinois ($424 million), and Colorado ($396 million).

In January, advocates with Ohio's Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol turned in the requisite number of signatures from registered voters to place an adult-use legalization proposal before lawmakers. The measure allows for the possession of up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana or 15 grams of marijuana extract by those age 21 or older. Adult Ohioans could purchase marijuana at retail locations or grow up to 12 plants in a private residence (where at least two adults reside).

Lawmakers thus far have refused to take any action on the measure. If they ultimately fail to do so, advocates can elect to gather additional signatures to place the measure before voters on the November ballot.

Full text of the study, "What tax revenues should Ohioans expect if Ohio legalizes adult-use cannabis," is available online.

Texas: African Americans Disproportionately Comprise Those Arrested Statewide for Marijuana Possession

Austin, TX: African Americans comprise nearly one-third of all Texans arrested for marijuana possession offenses, despite comprising only 13 percent of the state's total population, according to an analysis of state arrest data compiled by Texas NORML.

Since 2017, just over 30 percent of those arrested for possessing cannabis in Texas were Black. By comparison, Whites comprise 41 percent of the state's population, but only 30 percent of possession arrests.

Overall, Texas police made an estimated 219,000 marijuana-related arrests between 2017 and 2021. Ninety-seven percent of those arrested were charged with possession only. Fifty-six percent of those arrested were under 25 years of age.

"Minor marijuana possession offenders, many of them young people, should not be saddled with a criminal record and the lifelong penalties and stigma associated with it," said Jax James, Executive Director of Texas NORML.

A 2020 analysis of marijuana arrest data by the American Civil Liberties Union, concluded, "Black people are 3.64 times more likely than white people to be arrested for marijuana possession, notwithstanding comparable usage rates." Authors reported, "In every single state, Black people were more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession, and in some states, Black people were up to six, eight, or almost ten times more likely to be arrested. In 31 states, racial disparities were actually larger in 2018 than they were in 2010."

Since 2017, total marijuana possession arrests have decreased in Texas year over year. However, Black people now comprise a greater percentage of those arrested than in the past.