Most Healthcare Professionals Are Unprepared To Counsel Patients About Cannabis

Old Westbury, NY: Most US healthcare professionals say that they are unprepared to discuss the therapeutic use of cannabis with their patients, according to a review of studies published in the journal Medical Cannabis and Cannabinoids.

Investigators with the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine reviewed 41 studies assessing medical practitioners’ attitudes toward medical cannabis.

They found that most respondents perceive themselves to be inadequately prepared to counsel their patients on the issue.

“US physicians and medical trainees perceived significant knowledge barriers to recommending MC [medical cannabis] and counseling patients on its therapeutic use,” researchers reported. “Students, residents, and fellows remain minimally prepared on this topic, both on the pharmacological principles and the ability to provide guidance to patients who have questions.”

The study’s authors concluded: “Physicians expressed the need for postgraduate education on MC in different formats, including CME (webinars and conference presentations), along with clearer state clinical practice guidelines. … Effectively training current and future healthcare professionals on MC is a necessary step toward improving patient care and reducing potential stigma associated with medical versus recreational cannabinoid use.”

Full text of the study, “Physicians’ knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions about medical cannabis in the United States: A scoping review,” appears in Medical Cannabis and Cannabinoids.

Survey: Parkinson’s Disease Patients Report Quality of Life Improvements Following Cannabis Use

Marseille, France: Most Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients who consume cannabis say that it mitigates their symptoms and improves their health-related quality of life, according to survey data published in the journal Parkinson’s Disease.

French investigators surveyed 1,136 patients with PD (median age: 68 years). Among those who acknowledged using cannabis, 60 percent said that it improves their quality of life. Most respondents said that cannabis mitigates their pain and rigidity and improves their sleep. Approximately 40 percent of consumers said that cannabis use reduces their tremor frequency. Many patients similarly reported beneficial effects from the use of CBD products.

Medical cannabis use is not permitted in France. CBD products are legally accessible.

“Both cannabis and CBD users reported high effectiveness levels for sleep disorders, pain, and rigidity/cramps, as well as high overall levels of satisfaction with the substances,” the study’s authors concluded. “An enhanced communication with healthcare providers and facilitated access to safe products are needed in France so that people with PD can maximize the benefits of cannabinoids when clinically appropriate.”

Observational studies have found cannabis inhalation to be associated with PD symptom improvements, including improvements in pain, tremor, and bradykinesia (slowness of movement).

Full text of the study, “Patterns of use and patient-reported effects of cannabinoids in people with PD: A nationwide survey,” appears in Parkinson’s Disease.

Preclinical Data Suggests CBD Mitigates Age-Related Cognitive Decline

Lethbridge, Canada: The daily administration of CBD is associated with improved memory and reduced age-related cognitive decline, according to preclinical data published in the journal Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience.

Canadian researchers assessed the effects of CBD on memory impairment and brain inflammation in older mice. Animals in the study were administered CBD daily for a period of seven months.

Researchers reported that CBD treatment reduced neuroinflammation and improved learning and memory processes.

“The findings of this study indicate that CBD reduces inflammatory response in the brain and improves cognitive decline associated with aging,” the study’s authors concluded. “Importantly, evidence was also observed suggesting that long-term CBD treatments do not have negative impacts on these same functions and brain regions, nor do they cause negative side effects in aged mice subjects. … It is possible that the effects of CBD treatment can be enhanced if an extract with THC and terpenoids is used.”

Separate data published recently in the journal Alzheimer’s Research and Therapy similarly reports that CBD treatment improves memory in preclinical models of Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

Full text of the study, “Effects of cannabidiol on age-related cognitive decline in C57 mice,” appears in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience.

Pennsylvania: City of Easton Adopts Marijuana Decriminalization Ordinance

Easton, MD: Members of the Easton (population: 30,000) city council have approved an ordinance decriminalizing low-level marijuana offenses.

The ordinance, passed by a 4-3 vote. It reduces marijuana-related violations within the city’s limits to fine-only citations. Under state law, possessing either marijuana or marijuana paraphernalia is classified as a criminal misdemeanor, punishable by jail time.

Under the new local law, which takes effect on July 11, 2025, first-time possession offenses (of 30 grams or less) are punishable by a fine of $25. Possessing cannabis-related paraphernalia is also punishable by a $25 fine. The public use of cannabis is punishable by a $150 fine. Those cited for multiple offenses will face higher fines.

The ordinance’s sponsor said that it will prevent residents from being saddled with criminal records for minor marijuana violations.

Numerous other Pennsylvania cities, including Erie, Harrisburg, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh, have enacted similar ordinances.

Since 2018, nearly 90,000 Pennsylvanians have been arrested for violating state marijuana laws. Over 85 percent of those arrests were for marijuana possession.

Survey: Endometriosis Patients Say Cannabis Is More Effective, Poses Fewer Side Effects Than Prescription Medications

Sydney, Australia: Most patients with endometriosis say that cannabis is superior to pharmaceutical medications and possesses fewer side effects, according to survey data published in the journal Reproduction & Fertility.

Australian researchers assessed responses from 889 endometriosis patients residing in 28 countries.

Consistent with prior surveys, most respondents acknowledged positive experiences with medical cannabis. Seventy-eight percent of respondents described cannabis as “more effective in managing my symptoms than my current or previous pharmaceutical medication.” An equal percentage acknowledged that cannabis posed “less severe” side effects than prescribed medications.

Sixty-nine percent of respondents said that they turned to cannabis because other medications provided inadequate pain control. Ninety percent of those surveyed said that they would recommend cannabis “to a friend or relative with the disease.”

“Cannabis was viewed as superior to pharmaceuticals both in terms of effectiveness and side effect profile,” the study’s authors concluded. “More research is urgently needed, including clinical trial and real-world data to evaluate safety, tolerability, and effectiveness of quality-assured medicinal cannabis products in the endometriosis population.”

Separate survey data published in the journal Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics reports that nearly one in five patients with endometriosis consume cannabis to manage their pain or other symptoms.

Full text of the study, “In the Weeds: Navigating the complex concerns, challenges, and choices associated with medicinal cannabis consumption for endometriosis,” appears in Reproduction & Fertility.

Feds: Smoking Still Most Popular Way to Consume Cannabis

Bethesda, MD: Smoking is the preferred method of ingestion for most cannabis consumers, according to nationally representative data published in the journal Addiction.

Federal researchers affiliated with the National Institutes of Health examined data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Among those respondents who reported consuming cannabis for non-medical purposes, 79 percent acknowledged “predominantly smoking cannabis.” Among medical consumers, 74 percent said that smoking was their primary method of ingestion.

A separate analysis of NSDUH data published in the Journal of Cannabis Research reported that 77 percent of current cannabis consumers (as defined as having used marijuana during the past month) prefer smoking the substance. Respondents were more than twice as likely to inhale cannabis than consume edibles (37 percent) or engage in vaping (35 percent).

The findings are consistent with data previously provided in March by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Full text of the study, “Prevalence of cannabis consumption methods among people with medically recommended and nonmedical cannabis use in the United States,” appears in Addiction. Full text of the study, “Disparities in use modalities among adults who currently use cannabis, 2022-2023,” appears in the Journal of Cannabis Research.

Case Series: Patients With Drug-Resistant Epilepsy Experience Seizure Freedom Following Daily Use of Cannabis Extracts

Toronto, Canada: The daily use of plant-derived cannabis extracts containing THC and CBD is associated with prolonged periods of seizure freedom in patients with refractory epilepsy, according to data published in the journal Frontiers in Neuroscience.

A team of Canadian researchers reviewed data from 19 patients with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE). Following the daily use of cannabis extracts, all patients experienced seizure freedom for periods of at least 90 days. Five patients were seizure-free for more than one year.

Prior to cannabis treatment, patients’ median seizure rate was 6.5 seizures per month.

“The results of the study support prioritizing CBPMs [cannabis-based products for medicinal use] in cases of DRE,” the study’s authors concluded. “Our cohort’s SF [seizure freedom] periods were substantial, considering the patients’ DRE statuses, and the difficulty individuals with DRE have in achieving SF. … Future double blind, placebo-controlled studies should assess whether CBPMs should be prioritized as first-line medical therapy for DRE cases that lack established, evidence-based treatment options.”

In 2018, Food and Drug Administration officials granted market approval to Epidiolex, a prescription medicine containing a standardized formulation of plant-derived cannabidiol for the explicit treatment of Dravet Syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome – two rare forms of childhood epilepsy.

Full text of the study, “19 patients report seizure freedom with medical cannabis oil treatment for drug-resistant epilepsy: A case series,” appears in Frontiers in Neuroscience.

Analysis: Most Commercially Available CBD Gummy Products Lack Accurate Labeling

Lexington, KY: Most commercially available CBD gummy products contain quantities of cannabidiol that are significantly different than what is purported on the products’ packaging, according to data published in the journal Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research.

Researchers affiliated with the University of Kentucky assessed the cannabinoid content of 56 nationally available CBD gummy products.

Consistent with prior assessments, 70 percent of the products contained CBD concentrations that differed significantly from those listed on their labels. Within-product analysis also revealed that CBD percentages were often inconsistent from one gummy to another. Thirty-nine percent of products tested positive for the presence of THC.

“Unregulated CBD product packaging is not an accurate indication of the product constituents,” the study’s authors concluded. “CBD products do not have reliable CBD concentrations, both relative to the dose listed on the label and among individual gummies within the same bottle. These products also frequently contain delta-9-THC (and occasionally delta-8-THC), often unbeknownst to the consumer. The results of this study support the growing body of literature suggesting the necessity of CBD product regulation to ensure customer health and safety.”

Provisions in the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 federally legalized the production and sale of hemp-derived cannabinoid products. Although the legislation explicitly tasked the FDA with establishing regulations to govern the hemp-derived CBD market, the agency refused to do so. In 2023, regulators countered that Congress – not the FDA – must take primary responsibility for creating a regulatory framework overseeing the commercial production and marketing of hemp-derived cannabinoid products.

NORML and other groups have urged the FDA to establish regulatory guidelines governing the production, testing, labeling, and marketing of hemp-derived cannabinoid products. Third-party analyses conducted by the FDA and others have consistently reported that commercially available CBD products and other hemp-derived cannabinoid products are of variable quality and potency, and that they may contain contaminants, adulterants, or elevated levels of heavy metals.

Full text of the study, “Cannabidiol gummy products: LC-MS/MS Assessment of Cannabinoid Concentrations,” appears in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research.

Review: Cannabis Preparations Reduce Symptoms in Patients With Anxiety-Related Disorders

Crawley, Australia: Cannabis-based treatments mitigate symptoms and promote quality-of-life improvements in patients suffering from anxiety-related disorders, according to the findings of a systematic review published in the journal Psychiatry Research.

A team of Australian researchers reviewed 57 studies assessing the use of plant-derived and synthetic cannabis formulations in patients with either generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder (SAD), or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Despite substantial heterogeneity amongst studies, most papers nonetheless reported cannabis preparations to be effective at reducing anxiety symptoms.

“Among studies with a low relative risk of bias studies included in this review, 69 percent reported improvements in anxiety symptoms and quality of life following medicinal cannabis use,” researchers reported. “Among high-quality trials that investigated GAD, there were consistent reductions in anxiety scores reported. Similarly, qualitative findings highlighted improvements in both symptom relief and sleep quality, especially for participants with PTSD.”

The study’s authors concluded: “Across a range of anxiety-related disorders, most high-quality studies found that medicinal cannabis reduced anxiety symptoms in individuals with GAD, PTSD and SAD. … Future studies should investigate how medicinal cannabis can be integrated with standard treatments, such as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), traditional anxiolytics and cognitive therapy for anxiety-related disorders.”

Survey data reports that some 70 percent of consumers who use cannabis for self-medication purposes do so to address feelings of anxiety.

Full text of the study, “Medicinal cannabis in the management of anxiety disorders: A systematic review,” appears inPsychiatry Research.

Analysis: Legal Cannabis Markets Have Generated $25 Billion in State Tax Revenue

Washington, DC: Taxes derived from the licensed sale of state-regulated adult-use cannabis products totaled more than $4.4 billion in 2024 – the highest total ever recorded in a single year, according to an analysis provided by the Marijuana Policy Project.

Cannabis sales generated the greatest amount of tax revenue in California (over $1 billion), followed by Illinois ($578 million), Michigan ($524 million), and Washington ($516 million).

Since 2014, when Colorado and Washington became the first two states to regulate the adult-use cannabis market, states have generated a combined total of more than $24.7 billion in tax revenue from the sale of marijuana products.

“States with legal, adult-use cannabis sales have allocated tax revenues to a variety of needs, including their General Funds and specific services and programs,” the report’s authors acknowledge. “Cannabis taxes have provided funding for Medicaid, education, school construction, housing, roads, early literacy, bullying prevention, behavioral health, alcohol and drug treatment, veterans’ services, conservation, job training, conviction expungement expenses, and reinvestment in communities that have been disproportionately affected by the war on cannabis, among many others.”

Twenty-four states have enacted legislation legalizing the adult use of cannabis. However, three states – Delaware, Minnesota, and Virginia – have yet to license cannabis retailers.

Separate economic data provided last month by Vangst Staffing and Whitney Economics reports that some 425,000 workers are currently employed full-time by state-licensed cannabis businesses.

Full text of the report, “Cannabis Tax Revenue in States that Regulate Cannabis for Adults,” is available from MPP.

Nevada: Governor Signs Legislation Allowing Those With Prior Marijuana Convictions To Become Foster Parents

Carson City, NV: Republican Governor Joe Lombardo has signed legislation (AB 107) into law allowing those with prior low-level marijuana convictions to be eligible to become foster parents.

In March, members of the Nevada Assembly voted 42 to zero in favor of the measure. Senate members approved the bill on May 23rd by a vote of 19 to 2.

The Governor signed the bill last Thursday. The measure took effect upon passage.

Nevada law previously disqualified anyone with a federal or state drug-related conviction from fostering children. The new law provides an exception for those with marijuana possession convictions, if the conviction did not occur within the preceding five years.

“Nevada’s longstanding foster care ban no longer aligned with public attitudes toward marijuana, nor did it align with the marijuana laws of Nevada or the surrounding states that regulate its use,” NORML’s Deputy Director Paul Armentano said. “As cannabis laws change, it is imperative that lawmakers continue to target and amend these ‘holdover’ policies so that consumers no longer face discrimination for behaviors that are state-legal.”

Nevada voters legalized adult-use marijuana possession and sales in 2016.

Alaska: District Court Judge Says State-Imposed Restrictions on Sale of Hemp-Derived Intoxicants Don’t Violate Federal Farm Act

Juneau, AK: A federal court judge has rejected arguments that state regulations restricting the sale of hemp-derived intoxicating products violate federal law.

The ruling, issued by a US District Court judge for the District of Alaska, finds that the state-imposed restrictions “are consistent with the 2018 Farm Act.” In 2023, state regulators restricted the sale of hemp-derived products solely to state-licensed cannabis dispensaries. (Alaska legalized the sale and use of marijuana for recreational purposes in 2014.)

In his ruling, the judge opined that the 2018 federal law provides states, not the federal government, with “primary regulatory authority” over matters specific to “the production and sale of industrial hemp … within their borders.” Therefore, the court determined that Alaska’s regulations “are not preempted by the 2018 Farm Act.”

Earlier this year, judges for the US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit upheld restrictions imposed upon hemp-derived products in Virginia. Judges similarly determined, “Despite the 2018 Farm Bill, the states retain a significant role in the regulation of hemp” and that the Bill “expressly permit[s] states to regulate the production of hemp more stringently than federal law.”

In recent years, unregulated manufacturers have engaged in synthesizing hemp-derived CBD into a variety of novel intoxicating products. This synthetic conversion process often involves the use of potentially dangerous household products. Lab analyses of unregulated products containing delta-8-THC and similar compounds often find them to contain lower levels of cannabinoids than what is advertised on the products’ labels. Some products also possess heavy metal contaminants and unlabeled cutting agents. Other novel compounds, like THC-O, have not been tested for safety in human trials.

The case is AK Industrial Hemp Association et al. v. Alaska Department of Natural Resources.