Tag: Media

Study: Cannabis Treatment Provides Sustained Relief for Patients With Fibromyalgia

London, United Kingdom: Patients with fibromyalgia (FM) report sustained improvements in their health-related quality of life following the use of medical cannabis preparations, according to observational data published in the journal Clinical Rheumatology.

British investigators assessed the adjunctive use of cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs) in a cohort of 497 FM patients enrolled in the UK Medical Cannabis Registry. (British health care providers may prescribe cannabis-based medicinal products to patients unresponsive to conventional medications.) Patients’ outcomes were assessed at baseline and at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 18 months. Study participants consumed either herbal cannabis or oil extracts containing standardized concentrations of THC and CBD.

Consistent with previous studies, patients reported long-term improvements in their pain, anxiety, sleep, and overall quality of life following cannabis treatment. Participants who consumed formulations containing greater concentrations of CBD were most likely to report symptom relief.

“CBMPs were associated with improvements in all PROMs [patient-reported outcome measures], fibromyalgia-specific and general-health related, from baseline to all follow-up measures at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 18 months,” the study’s authors concluded. “More randomized controlled trials are warranted, but this large analysis provides real-world data to inform their conduct.”

Other observational studies assessing the use of cannabis products among patients enrolled in the UK Medical Cannabis Registry have reported them to be beneficial for those diagnosed with treatment-resistant epilepsy, cancer-related pain, anxiety, endometriosis, inflammatory bowel disease, hypermobility disorders, depression, migraine, multiple sclerosis, osteoarthritis, substance use disorders, insomnia, and inflammatory arthritis, among other conditions.

Full text of the study, “UK Medicinal Cannabis Registry: A case series analyzing clinical outcomes of medicinal cannabis therapy for fibromyalgia,” appears in Clinical Rheumatology.

Analysis: Cannabis Use Not Linked to Suicide in High-Risk Individuals

Boulder, CO: Cannabis use is not associated with an increased risk of later life suicidality in high-risk young adults, according to longitudinal data published in the journal Addictive Behaviors Reports.

Investigators affiliated with the University of Colorado at Boulder assessed the relationship between substance use and suicidality in a cohort of high-risk adolescent siblings. Study participants were assessed at age 17 and again at ages 24 and 30.

“There was little evidence of an association between suicidality and any substance use examined in the present study, with the possible exception of tobacco use,” the study’s authors concluded. “Cannabis use did not show a consistent association with cross-sectional or later life suicidality in this high-risk sample.”

Separate data published earlier this year reported no increase in “emergency department presentations for suicidal ideation and attempts” in Canada following adult-use cannabis legalization.

Research published by the National Bureau of Economic Research finds that “suicide rates among older age groups declined [in the United States] following the opening of recreational marijuana dispensaries.”

Full text of the study, “Associations between cannabis use frequency and suicidal thoughts and behaviors: A clinical longitudinal sibling study,” appears in Addictive Behavior Reports.

SCOTUS: Justices Refuse To Hear Case Challenging Federal Cannabis Prohibition

Washington, DC: Judges on the US Supreme Court have declined to take up a lower court case challenging the constitutionality of federal marijuana prohibition.

Petitioners argued that Congress’ reliance on the Commerce Clause of the Fifth Amendment to prohibit the trafficking of state-legal cannabis products exceeds its constitutional authority. Lower courts had rejected petitioners’ arguments and justices on the Supreme Court refused to grant certiorari.

The Supreme Court previously upheld the constitutionality of federal cannabis prohibition in 2005 in the case Gonzalez v. Raich. However, in 2021, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas opined that the Court ought to revisit that decision because federal policies [since then] have greatly undermined [the Court’s] reasoning.”

NORML had previously raised similar arguments in the federal case US v. Schweder et al. However, the judge in that case ultimately determined that Congress’ decision to criminalize marijuana was not without a “rational basis.”

“At some point in time, a court may decide this status to be unconstitutional,” the judge ruled. “But this is not the court and not the time.”

The case is Canna Provisions et al. v Bondi.

Federal: Lawmakers Reintroduce Legislation Safeguarding Federally-Assisted Housing Access for Cannabis Consumers

Washington, DC: Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) and Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) have reintroduced legislation, the Marijuana in Federally Assisted Housing Parity Act, permitting residents in federally assisted housing to consume cannabis products in compliance with their state’s marijuana laws.

Federal law currently allows the US Department of Housing and Urban Development to remove residents from public housing and Section 8 housing if a tenant has engaged in the use of a controlled substance while on the premises, “including [the use of] state legalized medical marijuana.”

Speaking in support of the legislation, Congresswoman Holmes Norton said: “Individuals living in federally funded housing should not fear eviction simply for treating their medical conditions or for seeking a substance legal in their state. Increasingly, Americans are changing their views on marijuana, and it is time that Congress caught up with its own constituents. With so many states improving their laws, this issue should have broad bipartisan appeal because it protects states’ rights.”

NORML’s Political Director Morgan Fox, who is working with lawmakers to promote the bill, added, “At a time when affording a home or rent is becoming significantly more difficult and states are increasingly criminalizing being unhoused, it is outrageous to deny people access to public housing for responsibly using a substance that is legal in some form in most of the country. This outdated federal policy is particularly cruel when applied to medical cannabis patients, who are often forced to choose between their health and basic shelter. NORML is proud to endorse this legislation to stop housing discrimination against vulnerable Americans who consume cannabis in compliance with state laws.”

Longitudinal Study: Endometriosis Patients Experience Improvements Following Medical Cannabis Therapy

London, United Kingdom: Endometriosis patients report health-related quality of life improvements following the use of medical cannabis preparations, according to observational data published in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology.

British investigators assessed the use of cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs) in a cohort of 63 endometriosis patients enrolled in the UK Medical Cannabis Registry. (British health care providers may prescribe cannabis-based medicinal products to patients unresponsive to conventional medications.) Patients’ outcomes were assessed at baseline and at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 18 months. Study participants consumed either herbal cannabis or oil extracts containing a nearly equal ratio of THC and CBD.

Patients acknowledged improvements in their chronic pain and other health-related quality of life measures following cannabis therapy.

“These results provide a signal towards improvement in short-term pain severity and interference for endometriosis patients after the initiation of CMBP treatment,” the study’s authors concluded. “This study provides valuable real-world data and complements the development of RCTs [randomized clinical trials] to further examine the efficacy and safety of CBMPs for endometriosis-associated chronic pain.”

Survey data reports that nearly one in five endometriosis patients consume cannabis to manage their symptoms.

Other observational studies assessing the use of cannabis products among those enrolled in the UK Medical Cannabis Registry have reported them to be beneficial for patients diagnosed with treatment-resistant epilepsy, cancer-related pain, anxiety, fibromyalgia, inflammatory bowel disease, hypermobility disorders, depression, migraine, multiple sclerosis, osteoarthritis, substance use disorders, insomnia, and inflammatory arthritis, among other conditions.

Full text of the study, “A longitudinal assessment of endometriosis patients prescribed cannabis-based medicinal products: A case series from the UK Medical Cannabis Registry,” appears in Obstetrics & Gynecology.

Case Reports: Cannabis Oil Associated With Tumor Regression in Patients With Advanced Liver Cancer

Groningen, Netherlands: A pair of patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) experienced spontaneous tumor regression following the daily use of cannabis extracts, according to data published in the Journal of Cannabis Research.

Dutch investigators documented “complete” tumor regression in a pair of patients with advanced HCC. Both patients consumed THC-dominant cannabis oils daily. Neither patient engaged in any significant lifestyle, dietary, or other supportive interventions aside from the use of cannabis extracts.

Spontaneous regression of HCC typically occurs in fewer than one-half of one percent of all cases.

The study’s authors concluded: “In this report, we present two patients (ages 82 and 77) with advanced HCC with a high tumor burden who demonstrated durable and complete regression after use of cannabis oil. … The observations in this report build on previous (pre)clinical research highlighting the potential anti-tumor qualities of cannabinoids and stress the need for clinical trials investigating the anti-tumor effects of cannabinoids in cancer patients.”

Cannabinoids have demonstrated well-established anti-cancer activities in preclinical models, but their efficacy as an anti-cancer agent has rarely been assessed in clinical trials.

Full text of the study, “Durable complete response of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma using cannabis oil: A report of two cases,” appears in the Journal of Cannabis Research.

Study: Cannabis Use History Not Linked To Elevated Risk of Prostate Cancer

Miami, FL: Men over 50 with a history of cannabis use are no more likely to experience prostate cancer than are non-users, according to data published in the journal Nature: Scientific Reports.

Investigators affiliated with the University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine assessed the relationship between the lifetime use of cannabis and psychedelic drugs with prostate cancer diagnoses among a representative sample of older adults.

Researchers identified a slight correlation between psychedelic drug use and prostate cancer, but they reported no similar elevated risk among those who consumed cannabis. “No significant associations were found for cannabis-only use versus non-use,” they acknowledged.

“With the growing acceptance and accessibility of cannabis and psychedelics for both medical and recreational purposes, understanding their potential long-term health implications is essential, particularly for older adults who are at higher risk of prostate cancer diagnosis,” the study’s authors concluded. “[O]ur cross-sectional findings … may inform clinicians to consider discussing substance use histories, including cannabis and psychedelic use, during routine health assessments and cancer risk evaluations in aging male patients.”

Full text of the study, “Association between lifetime co-use of classic psychedelics and cannabis and prostate cancer diagnosis among US adults 50 years and older,” appears in Nature: Scientific Reports.

Analysis: Cannabis Use Not Associated With Heart Abnormalities in HIV Patients

Miami, FL: HIV patients with a history of cannabis use are not at an increased risk for myocardial infarction or other adverse cardiovascular events, according to ECG (electrocardiogram) findings published in the Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.

Investigators affiliated with the University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine and the University of California at San Francisco assessed ECG results in 3,610 HIV patients with and without a history of cannabis use.

Researchers reported that cannabis use was not independently associated with ECG abnormalities, including evidence of myocardial infarction (heart attack). They concluded, “We sought to evaluate the association of cannabis use and ECG abnormalities. … Evidence of ECG abnormalities did not vary significantly by cannabis use status alone in the overall cohort, nor by sex, when controlling for covariates.”

Although individual studies assessing cannabis use and cardiovascular health have yielded inconsistent results, a literature review of 67 papers published in The American Journal of Medicine concluded, “[M]arijuana itself does not appear to be independently associated with excessive cardiovascular risk factors.” More recently, an analysis of over 720,000 adults published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine (AJPM) Focus concluded that current cannabis consumers do not possess a greater risk of heart attack as compared to non-users.

Full text of the study, “The association between cannabis use and electrocardiographic abnormalities in people living with HIV,” appears in the Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.

Study: Cannabis Inhalation Associated With Symptomatic Improvements in Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Pullman, WA: Adults with ASD (autism spectrum disorder) report significant improvements in their symptoms following cannabis inhalation, according to data published in the journal Nature: Scientific Reports.

Researchers affiliated with Washington State University and the University of New Orleans reviewed data from 111 self-identified ASD patients (ages 19 to 70). Study participants self-medicated with cannabis and reported their results in real-time on the mobile technology platform Strainprint. Investigators assessed nearly 6,000 separate Strainprint entries compiled over 74 months.

They reported: “Using a large dataset from self-identified autistic adults self-medicating with cannabis, we found that ratings of the severity of Negative Affect (anxiety and irritability) were reduced by 75.78 percent, ratings of the severity of Repetitive Behaviors (compulsive behaviors) were reduced by 70.41 percent, ratings of the severity of problems with Mental Control (difficulty concentrating) were reduced by 68.59 percent, and ratings of Sensitivity (skin and sound sensitivity, sensory overload) severity were reduced by 68.09 percent, from immediately before to shortly after inhaling cannabis. Moreover, these symptoms were reduced (rather than exacerbated or unchanged) in 98.33 percent of the cannabis use sessions. These findings are among the first to indicate that cannabis is perceived to improve highly prevalent symptoms associated with ASD in adults using cannabis for symptom management.”

Study participants acknowledged experiencing symptomatic improvements from cannabis regardless of its potency or its cannabinoid ratios.

“These findings indicate that well-powered placebo-controlled trials are warranted to examine the acute effects of various cannabinoids and manipulations of the endocannabinoid system on ASD symptoms,” the study’s authors concluded.

The findings are consistent with observational studies involving patients enrolled in the United Kingdom’s Medical Cannabis Registry, which similarly report that adults with ASD experience improved symptoms and reduce their use of prescription medications following their use of medical cannabis products.

Full text of the study, “Acute effects on cannabis on core and co-occurring features associated with autism spectrum disorder in adults,” appears in Nature: Scientific Reports.

Analysis: Cannabis Use Associated With Lower Rates of Obesity, Metabolic Syndrome

Adelaide, Australia: Adults with a history of recent cannabis use are less likely to suffer from metabolic syndrome (aka MetS, a cluster of biochemical and physiological markers associated with the development of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes) as compared to similarly matched controls, according to data published in the journal Schizophrenia Research.

Australian researchers assessed MetS prevalence in a cohort of schizophrenic patients with and without a history of cannabis consumption.

They reported that THC-positive subjects “exhibited a significantly lower prevalence of MetS (adjusted OR = 0.61),” even after researchers adjusted for potential confounders. Cannabis use was also associated with lower weight, BMI, and cholesterol levels – findings that are consistent with prior studies.

“Our findings demonstrate a significant association between cannabis use and a lower prevalence of metabolic syndrome in individuals with schizophrenia,” the study’s authors concluded. However, they cautioned: “Given the well-established adverse psychosis-related outcomes of cannabis use in this population, our findings underscore the need for cautious interpretation. The relationship between cannabis use and cardiometabolic health in schizophrenia is likely multifactorial, influenced by biological, pharmacological and behavioral traits that remain poorly understood. … Future research should investigate the long-term cardiometabolic effects of both cannabis use and cessation and assess the potential for targeted metabolic interventions during this critical period.”

Full text of the study, “Cannabis use and cardiometabolic risk in schizophrenia,” appears in Schizophrenia Research.

Clinical Trial: CBD Dosing Reduces Dementia Symptoms in Older Adults

São Paulo, Brazil: The daily use of CBD reduces dementia symptoms, according to placebo-controlled clinical trial data published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology.

Brazilian researchers assessed the efficacy of CBD versus a placebo in 30 older patients with vascular dementia (VaD). Study participants consumed either 300mg doses of CBD or the placebo for four weeks.

CBD administration significantly reduced patients’ behavioral and psychiatric symptoms compared to placebo. CBD dosing did not adversely impact patients’ cognitive functioning, nor was it associated with any other significant side effects.

“CBD was well tolerated and effectively reduced BPSD [behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia] in VaD without cognitive or functional impairment,” the study’s authors concluded. “These findings warrant further trials with larger samples, extended durations, and dose-optimization strategies to confirm its therapeutic potential.”

According to the conclusions of a review paper published previously this year in the same journal, “Cannabinoids show promising potential in managing symptoms such as agitation and aggression in people with dementia, with an overall favorable safety and tolerability profile.”

Full text of the study, “Effects of cannabidiol on behavioral and psychological symptoms of vascular dementia: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial,” appears in the Journal of Psychopharmacology.

California: No Significant Uptick in Marijuana Use by Adults Following Legalization

Berkeley, CA: The percentage of adults in California reporting current cannabis use has remained stable following legalization, according to findings published in the journal Substance Use & Misuse.

Researchers affiliated with the Prevention Research Center in Berkeley assessed trends in past 30-day cannabis use from 2018 to 2023 using data compiled by the California Health Interview Survey – a representative sample of tens of thousands of Californians.

Contrary to investigators’ expectations, they identified no significant overall increase in self-reported cannabis use by adults.

“In summary, the overall trend for cannabis use in the past 30-day in California remained unchanged from 2018 to 2023, eight years after legalization and six years after cannabis retail became available,” the study’s authors concluded. “Future research should focus on identifying trends among gender, age, and ethnic groups.”

The findings are consistent with national trends reporting no significant uptick in marijuana use by adolescents post-legalization, but they are inconsistent with several surveys finding increased cannabis use among young adults and seniors.

Full text of the study, “Trends in pot-legalization cannabis use among ethnic groups in California: 2018-2023,” appears in Substance Use & Misuse.

Meta-Analysis: Cannabis Use Not Linked To Elevated Risk of Oral Cancer

Zarqa, Jordan: Cannabis use is associated with a reduced risk of oral cancer, according to the results of a systematic review and meta-analysis published in the Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse.

An international team of investigators from Jordan, Iraq, and Uzbekistan reviewed data from six case-control studies involving over 15,000 subjects.

Researchers identified no dose-response relationship between cannabis use and a heightened risk of oral cancers, regardless of subjects’ duration of use. Instead, investigators suggested that cannabis may provide “significant protective effects” against cancer. They caution, however, that their findings may be influenced by confounders, particularly researchers’ failure to identify subjects’ HPV (human papillomavirus) status. (HPV infection is linked to elevated cancer risk.)

“The pooled odds ratio demonstrated a statistically significant inverse association between marijuana use and oral cancer risk (OR = 0.66),” the study’s authors concluded. “However, given methodological limitations, heterogeneity in exposure assessment, and conflicting recent evidence, these findings require cautious interpretation. Future large-scale prospective cohort studies with standardized exposure measurements are essential for definitive conclusions.”

While cannabinoids have demonstrated well-established anti-cancer activities in preclinical models, their efficacy as an anti-cancer agent has rarely been assessed in clinical trials.

Full text of the study, “The association between marijuana use and oral cancer risk: A systematic review and meta-analysis of case-control studies,” appears in the Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse.

Study: Low Levels of THC in Blood Not Associated With Significant Changes in Simulated Driving Performance

San Diego, CA: Subjects who have not recently consumed cannabis but still have residual levels of THC in their blood perform no differently on a driving simulator than do those who are THC-negative, according to data published in the journal Clinical Chemistry.

Researchers affiliated with the University of California at San Diego assessed THC blood levels and simulated driving performance in a cohort of 190 regular cannabis consumers. Study subjects were required to have abstained from cannabis for 48 hours prior to participating in the study.

Post-abstinence, nearly half of the study participants had detectable levels of THC (above 0.5ng/ml) at baseline, with one-quarter of participants testing positive for more than 2ng/ml of THC in blood. However, those testing positive for THC showed no significant differences in their baseline driving scores as compared to those with no quantifiable THC concentrations.

“Our data argue that the concentrations we measured at baseline likely reflect steady state THC concentrations in this population, several days after last use,” the study’s authors concluded. “We also show, using quantitative data from the driving simulator, that participants who exceeded the zero-tolerance and per se cutpoints (2 and 5 ng/mL) performed in a similar manner as those below these arbitrary values. These results add to a growing body of evidence that per se THC blood statutes lack scientific credibility as prima facie evidence of impairment.”

The findings are consistent with those of other studies reporting no correlation between the detection of either THC or its metabolites in blood, urine, saliva, and breath and impaired driving performance. Nevertheless, several states have enacted laws criminalizing drivers who operate a motor vehicle with trace levels of THC or THC metabolites, regardless of whether the driver is impaired.

In an accompanying editorial, authors said that the study’s conclusions “raise serious doubts about the scientific validity of using measures of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol in blood to identify cannabis-impaired drivers.”

NORML has consistently argued that law enforcement should not presume that the detection of either THC or its metabolites in bodily fluids is evidence of impairment because their presence is not predictive of diminished performance. Alternatively, NORML has called for the expanded use of performance-based tests, like DRUID or Predictive Safety’s AlertMeter, which compare subjects’ cognitive skills to either their own prior performance or an aggregate baseline.

Full text of the study, “Per se driving under the influence of cannabis statutes and blood delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol concentrations following short-term cannabis abstinence,” appears in Clinical Chemistry. Additional information on cannabis and driving is available from the NORML Fact Sheet, ‘Marijuana and Psychomotor Performance.’

Analysis: Cannabis Terpenes Act as Agonists on Endogenous Cannabinoid Receptors

Ra’anana, Israel: Terpenes in the cannabis plant activate endogenous cannabinoid receptors in a dose-dependent manner, according to the preclinical data published in the journal Biochemical Pharmacology.

Israeli researchers assessed the modulatory ability of sixteen cannabis terpenes: α-pinene, β-pinene, limonene, myrcene, ocimene, sabinene, terpinolene, borneol, eucalyptol, geraniol, linalool, terpineol, β-caryophyllene, humulene, bisabolol, and nerolidol. Researchers reported “significant dose-dependent responses at both CB1 and CB2 receptors, … reaching a maximal response of about 10-60 percent the activation elicited by THC.” The study is among the first to characterize terpene interactions with CB2 receptors.

Activating the CB2 receptors is believed to provide cardioprotective, neuroprotective, and anti-inflammatory effects, but it does not elicit mood-altering effects.

“This study provides evidence suggesting that multiple cannabis-derived terpenes, when tested in the absence of cannabinoids, act as partial agonists at CB1R and CB2R, with significant variability in apparent potency, efficacy, and receptor selectivity,” the study’s authors concluded. “Collectively, these findings suggest a pharmacological basis for incorporating specific terpenes into ECS-focused product design and warrant further research into their tissue-specific activity, and synergistic potential when used in combination with cannabinoids or other therapeutic agents. The broad availability and favorable safety profiles of many terpenes further support their potential as accessible, scalable, and customizable tools in the modulation of endocannabinoid signaling.”

Prior studies have established that low doses of cannabis terpenes can amplify THC’s activity upon CB1 receptors. A 2023 research paper published in the Journal of Cannabis Research reported that cannabis flower with elevated levels of the terpenes myrcene and terpinolene is associated with greater perceived symptom relief among patients.

Full text of the study, “Selective activation of cannabinoid receptors by cannabis terpenes,” appears in Biochemical Pharmacology.

Ohio: Legislative Conference Committee Advances Bill Repealing Key Provisions of Voter-Approved Marijuana Law

Columbus, OH: Members of a legislative conference committee approved and advanced a negotiated version of Senate Bill 56, which makes numerous changes to the state’s voter-approved adult-use marijuana legalization law.

The Republican-spearheaded bill amends existing law in several ways. It stipulates that consumers cannot legally possess cannabis products sourced from out of state, including products legally purchased at licensed dispensaries in neighboring jurisdictions. No other legalization state imposes such restrictions.

It also repeals provisions that currently protect adult-use consumers from facing either workplace or professional disciplinary action, as well as other forms of discrimination based solely upon their private marijuana use. It imposes new arbitrary limits on the percentages of THC permitted in adult-use and medical cannabis concentrates and it caps the total number of retail licenses permitted statewide.

Other provisions in the legislation create a pathway for those seeking to expunge past marijuana-related convictions, limit the sale of certain hemp-derived products solely to state-licensed dispensaries, clarify that adults can legally consume cannabis on their private property (rather than solely inside their own private residence), and redirect a portion of tax revenues from marijuana sales to individual municipalities that license cannabis retailers.

NORML has vociferously lobbied against many of the proposed changes to Ohio’s adult-use marijuana law, which was approved in 2023 by 57 percent of voters. NORML’s action alert opposing SB 56 has been shared with lawmakers over 22,000 times. It states: “This bill is a slap in the face to the millions of Ohioans who voted in favor of Issue 2. Once again, politicians are arrogantly trying to claim that the public didn’t know what they were voting for.”

Members of the House approved the revised bill late Wednesday, with all Democrats voting against it. The legislation now awaits a final vote by members of the Senate, who are expected to reconvene in December. Once approved by the Senate, it will head to the desk of Republican Gov. Mike DeWine, who is expected to sign the bill into law.

Meta-Analysis: Cannabis Use Not Linked To Elevated Risk of Oral Cancer

Zarqa, Jordan: Cannabis use is associated with a reduced risk of oral cancer, according to the results of a systematic review and meta-analysis published in the Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse.

An international team of investigators from Jordan, Iraq, and Uzbekistan reviewed data from six case-control studies involving over 15,000 subjects.

Researchers identified no dose-response relationship between cannabis use and a heightened risk of oral cancers, regardless of subjects’ duration of use. Instead, investigators suggested that cannabis may provide “significant protective effects” against cancer. They caution, however, that their findings may be influenced by confounders, particularly researchers’ failure to identify subjects’ HPV (human papillomavirus) status. (HPV infection is linked to elevated cancer risk.)

“The pooled odds ratio demonstrated a statistically significant inverse association between marijuana use and oral cancer risk (OR = 0.66),” the study’s authors concluded. “However, given methodological limitations, heterogeneity in exposure assessment, and conflicting recent evidence, these findings require cautious interpretation. Future large-scale prospective cohort studies with standardized exposure measurements are essential for definitive conclusions.”

While cannabinoids have demonstrated well-established anti-cancer activities in preclinical models, their efficacy as an anti-cancer agent has rarely been assessed in clinical trials.

Full text of the study, “The association between marijuana use and oral cancer risk: A systematic review and meta-analysis of case-control studies,” appears in the Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse.

Study: Low Levels of THC in Blood Not Associated With Significant Changes in Simulated Driving Performance

San Diego, CA: Subjects who have not recently consumed cannabis but still have residual levels of THC in their blood perform no differently on a driving simulator than do those who are THC-negative, according to data published in the journal Clinical Chemistry.

Researchers affiliated with the University of California at San Diego assessed THC blood levels and simulated driving performance in a cohort of 190 regular cannabis consumers. Study subjects were required to have abstained from cannabis for 48 hours prior to participating in the study.

Post-abstinence, nearly half of the study participants had detectable levels of THC (above 0.5ng/ml) at baseline, with one-quarter of participants testing positive for more than 2ng/ml of THC in blood. However, those testing positive for THC showed no significant differences in their baseline driving scores as compared to those with no quantifiable THC concentrations.

“Our data argue that the concentrations we measured at baseline likely reflect steady state THC concentrations in this population, several days after last use,” the study’s authors concluded. “We also show, using quantitative data from the driving simulator, that participants who exceeded the zero-tolerance and per se cutpoints (2 and 5 ng/mL) performed in a similar manner as those below these arbitrary values. These results add to a growing body of evidence that per se THC blood statutes lack scientific credibility as prima facie evidence of impairment.”

The findings are consistent with those of other studies reporting no correlation between the detection of either THC or its metabolites in blood, urine, saliva, and breath and impaired driving performance. Nevertheless, several states have enacted laws criminalizing drivers who operate a motor vehicle with trace levels of THC or THC metabolites, regardless of whether the driver is impaired.

In an accompanying editorial, authors said that the study’s conclusions “raise serious doubts about the scientific validity of using measures of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol in blood to identify cannabis-impaired drivers.”

NORML has consistently argued that law enforcement should not presume that the detection of either THC or its metabolites in bodily fluids is evidence of impairment because their presence is not predictive of diminished performance. Alternatively, NORML has called for the expanded use of performance-based tests, like DRUID or Predictive Safety’s AlertMeter, which compare subjects’ cognitive skills to either their own prior performance or an aggregate baseline.

Full text of the study, “Per se driving under the influence of cannabis statutes and blood delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol concentrations following short-term cannabis abstinence,” appears in Clinical Chemistry.

Analysis: Cannabis Terpenes Act as Agonists on Endogenous Cannabinoid Receptors

Ra’anana, Israel: Terpenes in the cannabis plant activate endogenous cannabinoid receptors in a dose-dependent manner, according to the preclinical data published in the journal Biochemical Pharmacology.

Israeli researchers assessed the modulatory ability of sixteen cannabis terpenes: α-pinene, β-pinene, limonene, myrcene, ocimene, sabinene, terpinolene, borneol, eucalyptol, geraniol, linalool, terpineol, β-caryophyllene, humulene, bisabolol, and nerolidol. Researchers reported “significant dose-dependent responses at both CB1 and CB2 receptors, … reaching a maximal response of about 10-60 percent the activation elicited by THC.” The study is among the first to characterize terpene interactions with CB2 receptors.

Activating the CB2 receptors is believed to provide cardioprotective, neuroprotective, and anti-inflammatory effects, but it does not elicit mood-altering effects.

“This study provides evidence suggesting that multiple cannabis-derived terpenes, when tested in the absence of cannabinoids, act as partial agonists at CB1R and CB2R, with significant variability in apparent potency, efficacy, and receptor selectivity,” the study’s authors concluded. “Collectively, these findings suggest a pharmacological basis for incorporating specific terpenes into ECS-focused product design and warrant further research into their tissue-specific activity, and synergistic potential when used in combination with cannabinoids or other therapeutic agents. The broad availability and favorable safety profiles of many terpenes further support their potential as accessible, scalable, and customizable tools in the modulation of endocannabinoid signaling.”

Prior studies have established that low doses of cannabis terpenes can amplify THC’s activity upon CB1 receptors. A 2023 research paper published in the Journal of Cannabis Research reported that cannabis flower with elevated levels of the terpenes myrcene and terpinolene is associated with greater perceived symptom relief among patients.

Full text of the study, “Selective activation of cannabinoid receptors by cannabis terpenes,” appears in Biochemical Pharmacology.

Ohio: Legislative Conference Committee Advances Bill Repealing Key Provisions of Voter-Approved Marijuana Law

Columbus, OH: Members of a legislative conference committee approved and advanced a negotiated version of Senate Bill 56, which makes numerous changes to the state’s voter-approved adult-use marijuana legalization law.

The Republican-spearheaded bill amends existing law in several ways. It stipulates that consumers cannot legally possess cannabis products sourced from out of state, including products legally purchased at licensed dispensaries in neighboring jurisdictions. No other legalization state imposes such restrictions.

It also repeals provisions that currently protect adult-use consumers from facing either workplace or professional disciplinary action, as well as other forms of discrimination based solely upon their private marijuana use. It imposes new arbitrary limits on the percentages of THC permitted in adult-use and medical cannabis concentrates and it caps the total number of retail licenses permitted statewide.

Other provisions in the legislation create a pathway for those seeking to expunge past marijuana-related convictions, limit the sale of certain hemp-derived products solely to state-licensed dispensaries, clarify that adults can legally consume cannabis on their private property (rather than solely inside their own private residence), and redirect a portion of tax revenues from marijuana sales to individual municipalities that license cannabis retailers.

NORML has vociferously lobbied against many of the proposed changes to Ohio’s adult-use marijuana law, which was approved in 2023 by 57 percent of voters. NORML’s action alert opposing SB 56 has been shared with lawmakers over 22,000 times. It states: “This bill is a slap in the face to the millions of Ohioans who voted in favor of Issue 2. Once again, politicians are arrogantly trying to claim that the public didn’t know what they were voting for.”

Members of the House approved the revised bill late Wednesday, with all Democrats voting against it. The legislation now awaits a final vote by members of the Senate, who are expected to reconvene in December. Once approved by the Senate, it will head to the desk of Republican Gov. Mike DeWine, who is expected to sign the bill into law.