Tag: Weed Connection

Analysis: Medical Cannabis Associated With Reduced Healthcare Utilization in Chronic Pain Patients

Miami, FL: The sustained use of state-authorized medical cannabis products is associated with improved quality of life and reduced healthcare utilization among chronic pain patients, according to data published in the journal Pharmacy.

A team of researchers affiliated with the medical cannabis telehealth company Leafwell and George Mason University in Virginia assessed healthcare utilization trends in chronic pain patients with and without prior medical cannabis experience. An estimated one in three pain patients residing in medical cannabis access states report using marijuana as an analgesic agent.

Investigators determined that patients who had used medical cannabis products during the prior year reported fewer urgent care visits, fewer emergency department visits, and fewer “unhealthy days per month” than did those with no prior cannabis use history.

“The findings of this study suggest … that medical cannabis is likely an effective treatment option for patients with chronic pain,” the study’s authors concluded. “Moreover, we found that, in addition to an increase in QoL [patients’ quality of life], medical cannabis exposure is associated with lower risk of urgent care and ED visits, when comparing patients who used medical cannabis for at least one year to cannabis-naïve patients. This underscores the potential for not only QoL gains associated with medical cannabis use, but also positive downstream effects on the healthcare system resulting from treatment.”

A prior analysis by Leafwell researchers concluded that state-level access to medical cannabis is associated with significant reductions in healthcare premiums.

Full text of the study, “Medical cannabis use and healthcare utilization among patients with chronic pain: A causal inference analysis using TMLE,” appears in Pharmacy.

Study: Cannabis Consumption Not Associated With Elevated Risk of Adverse Cardiovascular Events in Older Adults

San Francisco, CA: Older adults who consume cannabis are no more likely to suffer from adverse cardiovascular events, such as heart attack and stroke, as compared to non-users, according to longitudinal data published in the journal Circulation.

Researchers affiliated with the University of California, San Francisco assessed cannabis use and cardiovascular health in a cohort of 4,285 older veterans (mean age: 67.5) with a history of coronary artery disease. Approximately 25 percent of study participants (1,015 veterans) reported current cannabis use, while the remaining 3,122 participants did not. Subjects were followed for an average of 3.3 years.

Contrary to investigators’ expectations, current cannabis use was not independently associated with elevated rates of heart attack, stroke, cardiovascular death, or all-cause mortality once researchers adjusted for covariates.

“To our knowledge, the current study is the only study to examine the association of cannabis use with longitudinal cardiovascular disease outcomes among persons with established CAD [coronary artery disease],” the study’s authors concluded. “In this older cohort of veterans with CAD, smoking cannabis was not associated with the composite outcome of AMI [acute myocardial infarction], stroke, and cardiovascular death, a finding that was consistent across multiple measures of cannabis exposure.”

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.” Most 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, “Association of smoking cannabis with cardiovascular events among veterans with coronary artery disease,” appears in Circulation.

Pilot Study: Cannabis Extracts Show Promise in Adolescents With Tourette Syndrome

Sydney, Australia: The administration of plant-derived cannabis extracts containing standardized percentages of THC and CBD is associated with symptomatic improvements in adolescent patients with Tourette syndrome (TS), according to data published in the journal BJPsych Open.

Australian investigators assessed the efficacy of standardized cannabis extracts in ten teenagers (mean age: 14) with refractory TS. Study participants consumed cannabis oil once daily in the evening.

“There was positive signal of efficacy with a statistically significant improvement in parent and self-reported tics and quality of life, as well as behavioral/emotional issues,” researchers reported. “Commonly reported adverse events were tiredness and drowsiness, followed by dry mouth.”

The study’s authors concluded: “Although there is emerging evidence supporting the use of cannabis-based interventions in the management of Tourette syndrome in adults, this study uniquely contributes to the evidence on the benefits and safety of medicinal cannabis in adolescents with Tourette syndrome. … A larger scale, randomized controlled trial is needed to validate these findings.”

Separate data involving adults with TS reports that the sustained use of cannabis reduces tic frequency by as much as 75 percent, while also improving patients’ mood, anxiety, and sleep.

Full text of the study, “Medicinal cannabis for tics in adolescents with Tourette syndrome,” appears in BJPsych Open.

Study: Cannabis Extracts Relieve GI Symptoms in Fibromyalgia Patients

Baronissi, Italy: Fibromyalgia (FM) patients with gastrointestinal (GI) disorders experience symptomatic improvements following the sustained use of plant-derived cannabis extracts, according to data published in the journal Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology.

Italian researchers assessed GI symptoms in 46 FM patients prior to and following their use of cannabis extracts containing 19 percent THC and 1 percent CBD. Patients were evaluated at enrollment, at three months, and six months.

Researchers reported that cannabis dosing was associated with significant reductions in patients’ epigastric and abdominal pain. Cannabis treatment was also associated with less intense and frequent symptoms of gastric burning and bloating. A minority of patients (eight percent) experienced complete remission from their symptoms during the study.

“This study supports … medical cannabis as an alternative treatment for FM with a potential effect on FD [functional dyspepsia] and IBS [irritable bowel syndrome] patients,” the study’s authors concluded.

Survey data shows that FM patients frequently consume cannabis to mitigate disease symptoms and to reduce their reliance on prescription medications.

Full text of the study, “The effect of medical cannabis on gastrointestinal symptoms in fibromyalgia and disorders of gut-brain interaction: A patient-centered real-world observational study,” appears in Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology.

Analysis: Hair Follicle Testing Detects Passive Exposure to Cannabis Smoke

Bologna, Italy: Subjects exposed to second-hand cannabis smoke, even for brief periods, can test positive for THC on a hair follicle test, according to data published in the journal Forensic Science International.

A team of Italian investigators assessed the ability of hair tests to detect THC in subjects exposed to side-stream cannabis smoke. Study participants were exposed to second-hand smoke from a single marijuana cigarette for 15 minutes in a non-ventilated environment.

Subjects’ hair samples tested positive for THC following passive exposure, with male subjects possessing higher THC values than women. All subjects tested negative for THC metabolites in their urine.

“Our study showed that hair contamination could arise in vivo even after short single exposures to cannabis, … underlining the need for a careful interpretation of results of hair analysis in forensic toxicology,” the study’s authors concluded.

NORML has consistently criticized the use of drug detection tests, such as blood testing, oral fluid tests, urinalysis, and hair testing, in the workplace and elsewhere because they cannot accurately determine behavioral impairment or recent drug ingestion.

Full text of the study, “Analysis of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol on hair after single and repeated short in vivo passive exposures to low- and high-delta-9-THC cannabis,” appears in Forensic Science International.

Study: Marijuana Extracts Mitigate Chronic Pain in Cannabis-Naïve Subjects

Cologne, Germany: The sustained use of plant-derived cannabis extracts significantly reduces pain and improves mental health in patients with or without a history of marijuana use, according to observational data published in the journal Advances in Therapy.

German investigators assessed the safety and efficacy of cannabis extracts containing equal percentages of THC and CBD in a cohort of 64 patients with inadequately treated chronic pain. The cohort included 35 cannabis-naïve patients. Study participants were observed for six months.

Researchers “observed a substantial reduction in patient-reported pain intensity over time in both groups,” with pain scores falling most significantly (by 60 percent) in the cannabis-naïve subgroup. No serious adverse events were reported.

“Our findings indicate that treatment with medicinal cannabis improves both physical and mental health in patients with chronic pain,” the study’s authors concluded. “The results suggest that medicinal cannabis might be a safe alternative for patients who are inadequately treated with conventional therapies.”

Separate data published in the Journal of the American Medical Association reports that nearly one in three patients with chronic pain use cannabis as an analgesic agent and many of those who do substitute it in place of opioids.

Full text of the study, “An observational study on improving pain and quality of life with the Cannamedical hybrid cannabis extract,” appears in Advances in Therapy.

Survey: Many Consumers Substitute Cannabis for Prescription Medications

Los Angeles, CA: Most consumers acknowledge using cannabis in place of pharmaceutical medications, according to survey data compiled by the telehealth platform NuggMD.

Of the 485 subjects surveyed, more than 79 percent said that they consumed cannabis, at least in part, as an alternative to prescription medications. Notably, most respondents did not participate in state-sanctioned medical marijuana access programs. The findings, which are consistent with numerous other surveys, indicate that many consumers use cannabis for therapeutic purposes, even if they do not self-identify as patients.

Many longitudinal studies report a decline in patients’ use of conventional medicines, specifically opioids, anti-anxiety drugs, and sleep aids, following their use of cannabis. Consumers also frequently report substituting cannabis for alcohol, tobacco, and other controlled substances.

Study: Low-Dose Cannabis Extracts Reduce Chronic Pain, Patients’ Reliance on Analgesic Medications

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.