Tag: Weed Connection

Clinical Trial: Cannabis Extract Provides Sustained Relief for Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain

Hannover, Germany: Plant-derived cannabis extracts provide sustained improvements in patients with chronic lower back pain, according to randomized placebo-controlled data published in the journal Nature Medicine.

German investigators evaluated the efficacy of a proprietary cannabis extract containing 2.5 mg of THC and standardized percentages of CBD and CBG (cannabigerol) in a cohort of 820 patients. Study participants consumed either the extract or a placebo for 12 weeks, with a portion of subjects continuing enrollment in the trial for several additional months.

Compared to those receiving the placebo, patients receiving cannabis extracts demonstrated significant improvements in pain intensity, sleep quality, physical function, and overall quality of life. Participants who suffered from neuropathy and who consumed cannabis extracts for extended lengths of time experienced the greatest improvement. Adverse events associated with cannabis therapy were categorized as “mild to moderate.”

Researchers reported: “The results of the [clinical] trial demonstrate that VER-01 [plant-derived cannabis extracts] provides meaningful pain reduction compared to the placebo, accompanied by distinct improvements in physical function and sleep quality. … Importantly, prolonged treatment with VER-01 was associated with further reductions in pain intensity, as well as continued improvements in physical function, sleep quality and health-related quality of life. Notably, the treatment effect was even more pronounced in participants with a neuropathic pain component and those with severe pain at baseline.”

The study’s authors concluded: “This phase 3 study provides robust evidence supporting the efficacy and safety of VER-01 in the treatment of CLBP [chronic lower back pain]. These findings highlight the importance of further research with VER-01 in other chronic pain conditions and suggest that VER-01 could play an important role in modern pain management.”

Studies have previously shown that patients with lower back pain reduce their use of opioids following the initiation of medical cannabis therapy.

Full text of the study, “Full-spectrum extract from cannabis sativa. DKJ127 for chronic low back pain: A Phase 3 randomized placebo-controlled trial,” appears in Nature Medicine.

Survey: Older Adults Say That Cannabis Is “Helpful” for Treating Anxiety, Insomnia, and Depression

Vancouver, Canada: More than two-thirds of older adults who consume cannabis for mental health conditions say that it helps manage their symptoms, according to survey data published in the journal Aging.

Canadian investigators reviewed anonymous survey responses from 1,615 older (age 50+) adults, 20 percent of whom acknowledged using cannabis to treat mental health symptoms. (Cannabis has been legally available in Canada for those 18 and older since 2018.)

Respondents were most likely to report consuming cannabis products to mitigate symptoms of anxiety, insomnia, and depression.

Most respondents (71 percent) said that cannabis was “somewhat or extremely helpful” for treating their symptoms and over half (57 percent) perceived cannabis to be “more or somewhat more effective” than traditional pharmaceuticals.

“Approximately one in five older Canadians reported using cannabis, at least in part, to manage mental health symptoms, the majority of whom have a positive view of its effectiveness and safety profile,” the study’s authors concluded. “Additional research in older populations is required to determine the effectiveness of cannabis for mental health conditions and cannabis safety in the aging body and with concomitant medications commonly used by this population. As there is a growing number of older adults using cannabis, healthcare providers must inquire about cannabis use, particularly for those with mental health conditions or experiencing symptoms that may be attributable to or impacted by cannabis, such as impaired cognition or balance.”

Prior surveys conducted in the United States and Canada indicate that an increasing percentage of adults are consuming cannabis products, with most saying that it improves their overall quality of life.

Full text of the study, “Characterization of the use and perceptions of cannabis for mental health in older Canadians: A cross-sectional analysis,” appears in Aging.

Analysis: Pupil Size Not Predictive of Acute Cannabis Exposure

Aurora, CO: Pupil size is not predictive of acute cannabis exposure and should not be relied upon as a determinant of marijuana-induced impairment, according to data published in the journal Clinical Toxicology.

Investigators affiliated with the University of Colorado performed pupillometer assessments on 126 participants. Ninety-five participants were assessed at baseline and then again following ad libitum cannabis inhalation. Thirty-five subjects completed the same assessments but did not use cannabis.

Following cannabis inhalation, subjects “did not exhibit a substantial and consistent difference in static pupil diameter relative to controls,” researchers reported.

As a result, the study’s authors cautioned against relying on ocular measures as evidence of cannabis-induced impairment, stating that the tests lacked the accuracy and specificity necessary to be a valid evidentiary tool.

Drug Recognition Evaluators typically perform a variety of ocular measurements, including assessments of pupil size, on drivers they suspect to be under the influence of cannabis.

Full text of the study, “Pupillary dynamics as a marker of acute. Cannabis inhalation,” appears in Clinical Toxicology.

Review: Cannabinoids Support “Healthy Aging” and “Enhanced Quality of Life” in Older Populations

Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cannabinoids hold promise for improving health and promoting longevity of older populations, according to the findings of a systematic review published in the Journal of Cannabis Research.

British researchers reviewed findings from 11 preclinical studies and seven human trials assessing the impact of cannabinoids, particularly CBD and THC, on older populations.

“THC enhances memory, reduces inflammation, and offers neuroprotection, while CBD extends lifespan, improves motility, and promotes autophagy in preclinical models,” investigators reported. “Both cannabinoids highlight potential for longevity and cognitive resilience, though careful dosing is crucial to minimize risks. Additionally, their combined antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties might offer synergistic benefits for healthy aging. … Clinical studies also suggest potential therapeutic applications for cannabinoids in aging populations, although further research is needed to understand their mechanisms of action and long-term effects fully.”

The study’s authors concluded: “Cannabinoids hold promise for supporting healthy aging and enhancing the quality of life in older populations. While preliminary research suggests intriguing possibilities, more studies are needed to solidify the link between cannabis use, the ECS [endocannabinoid system], and healthy aging in humans.”

Survey data indicates that as many as one in five older adults consume cannabis products, with most saying that it improves their overall quality of life.

Full text of the study, “The impact of cannabis use on aging and longevity: A systematic review of research insights,” appears in the Journal of Cannabis Research.

Survey: Epidermolysis Bullosa Patients Frequently Use Cannabis for Symptom Management Among EB patients who consume cannabis, 28 percent report that cannabinoids provide greater pain relief than traditional medications.

Study: Cannabis Use Not Independently Associated With Increased Risk of Head and Neck Cancers

Gainesville, FL: Marijuana use is not independently associated with an elevated risk of head and neck cancers, according to data published in the Journal of Oral Pathology & Medicine.

Researchers affiliated with the University of Florida at Gainesville assessed the risk of head and neck cancers in a cohort of patients with a history of cannabis use. Investigators found no association once they adjusted for participants’ use of alcohol and tobacco. By contrast, subjects’ use of alcohol and cigarettes was associated with an elevated risk of cancer even after researchers adjusted for covariates.

They reported: “The odds ratio for oral cancer among cannabis users … became insignificant after adjustment for alcohol and cigarette smoking (OR=0.7 | OR=0.62). … Furthermore, after adjusting for cannabis use, the OR [odds ratios] for OPC [oropharyngeal cancer] in the alcohol users was 7.95 and 7.39 for smokers. The OR for OC [oral cancer] after adjusting for cannabis in the alcohol users was 9.67 and 7.52 in the cigarette smokers.”

The study’s authors concluded: “Alcohol and cigarette smoking rather than the use of cannabis may play a major role in establishing an association between cannabis use and both types of head and neck cancers. … Further large-scale studies are required to elucidate the risk of head and neck cancer in cannabis users.”

A 2020 review of 34 studies concluded that cannabis use is not associated with an increased risk of cancer, including those typically associated with tobacco. A 2025 study reported that cannabis use is associated with a decreased risk of pancreatic cancer.

Full text of the study, “Use of cannabis and odds ratio for oropharyngeal and oral cancer: A cohort study,” appears in the Journal of Oral Pathology & Medicine.

Feds: Few Banks Provide Services To State-Licensed Cannabis Businesses

Washington, DC: Just over 800 financial institutions have filed paperwork with the federal government to provide services to state-licensed cannabis businesses, according to the latest quarterly data available from the US Department of the Treasury.

This total remains nearly unchanged since the fourth quarter of 2019, when 789 banks and credit unions filed paperwork with the agency.

In total, fewer than ten percent of all financial institutions nationwide provide services to state-licensed cannabis businesses.

Federal law discourages banks and other financial institutions from facilitating relationships with cannabis-related businesses because marijuana remains classified as a Schedule I controlled substance. On seven occasions, members of the US House of Representatives have passed legislation (aka SAFE Banking) to explicitly permit banks and other institutions to engage in relationships with marijuana businesses. However, Senate leadership has never advanced this language to the floor for consideration.

Last fall, President Donald Trump indicated in a Truth Social post that, if elected, he would work with Congress to enact reforms at the federal level, including the passage of SAFE Banking. Federal lawmakers have yet to reintroduce the legislation this session.

According to survey data compiled by Whitney Economics, over 70 percent of participating cannabis businesses say that the “lack of access to banking or investment capital” is their top challenge.

NORML has repeatedly called upon Congress to amend federal banking legislation, opining: “No industry can operate safely, transparently or effectively without access to banks or other financial institutions, and it is self-evident that the players in this industry (smaller and minority-owned businesses in particular), and those consumers that are served by it, will remain severely hampered without better access to credit and financing.”

Additional information is available from the Department of the Treasury, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network.

Study: Use of State-Regulated Cannabis Products Associated With Decreased Stress

Boulder, CO: The use of state-regulated cannabis products, particularly those dominant in CBD, is associated with reduced stress and improved mood, according to observational data published in the journal Human Psychopharmacology: Human & Experimental.

Researchers affiliated with the University of Colorado at Boulder assessed the ad libitum use of cannabis products in subjects with elevated levels of anxiety. Participants were assigned to consume state-regulated cannabis products dominant in either THC or CBD for the duration of the trial. Patients’ symptoms (feelings of depression, stress, and anxiety) were assessed at baseline, at two weeks, and at four weeks.

Investigators acknowledged “significant changes” in participants’ DASS Scale (Depression Anxiety Stress) scores over the length of the trial. Participants who consumed CBD-dominant products experienced the greatest decrease in symptoms. Contrary to researchers’ expectations, participants did not decrease their alcohol intake during the study.

The study’s authors concluded: “Among a sample of individuals underrepresented in research, both CBD and THC were significantly related to improvement in mood but not to alcohol use, with participants using CBD demonstrating more improvement over the course of the entire study period. … These results suggest that CBD may be helpful in reducing negative mood in the short term without increasing risk for disordered alcohol use.”

Patients authorized to use medical cannabis products most frequently report doing so to mitigate symptoms of pain, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, sleep disturbances, and depression.

Full text of the study, “Effects of cannabinoid on emotional states and alcohol use among underrepresented groups: Moderation by perceived discrimination,” appears in Human Psychopharmacology: Human & Experimental.

Survey: Epidermolysis Bullosa Patients Frequently Use Cannabis for Symptom Management

Chicago, IL: Patients with epidermolysis bullosa (EB), a rare blistering skin condition, often report using cannabis to mitigate pain, itching, and other symptoms, according to survey data published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Investigators affiliated with Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago surveyed 244 EB patients.

Forty-four percent acknowledged having used either cannabis or CBD to treat their condition. Among cannabis consumers, 28 percent reported that cannabinoids provide greater pain relief than traditional medications.

“Cannabinoids are used by nearly half of all EB patients with notable improvements in pain, itch, and overall wellbeing, suggesting that cannabinoids could be a promising new therapy for EB symptom management,” the study’s authors concluded.

Case reports have previously documented that the topical use of CBD by patients with EB is associated with a “reduction in pain and blistering,” “rapid wound healing,” and “the objective need for less analgesic [medicines].” The oral consumption of cannabis extracts has also been associated with pain mitigation in EB patients.

Full text of the study, “Cannabinoids for epidermolysis bullosa symptom management: A survey,” appears in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Analysis: No Uptick in Suicidal Ideation Post-Legalization

Halifax, Canada: Rates of suicide in Canada remained stable following the adoption of adult-use cannabis legalization, according to data published in the journal BJPsych Open.

Canadian investigators assessed the number of hospitalizations related to suicide during the six months immediately following legalization and again two years later. Suicide rates remained stable during the study period. Researchers also acknowledged, “Individuals present to the emergency department with cannabis use less frequently than alcohol.”

The study’s authors concluded: “Post-cannabis legalization, there is not an ongoing increase in emergency department presentations for suicidal ideation and attempts. This is in line with other work in Canadian jurisdictions showing no increases in cannabis-related emergency department presentations overall post-legalization.”

Data from the United States previously reported a correlation between the enactment of state-specific medical cannabis access laws and declining suicide rates. A more recent study determined that suicide rates rose in some states following the adoption of adult-use legalization, but fell in other legal jurisdictions.

Full text of the study, “Understanding the role of cannabis in patients with suicidal ideation presenting to the emergency department: Systematic chart review,” appears in BJPsych Open.

Case Series: Patients With Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Report Improvements Following Cannabis Use

London, United Kingdom: Patients with complex regional pain syndrome (chronic neuropathic pain) report improvements in their health-related quality of life following their use of medical cannabis products, according to data published in the journal Brain and Behavior.

British researchers assessed the use of cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs) in 64 pain patients enrolled in the UK Medical Cannabis Registry. (British health care providers may prescribe cannabis-based medicinal products to patients who are unresponsive to conventional medications.) Patients’ outcomes were assessed at baseline and six months later. Study participants consumed either herbal cannabis or oil extracts containing both THC and CBD.

Investigators reported “clinically important” improvements in patients’ pain severity, anxiety, sleep quality, and overall quality of life following cannabis treatment. Participants with prior experience using cannabis “were more likely to experience clinically significant improvements” in their pain scores than were cannabis-naïve subjects.

The study’s authors concluded: “These findings are consistent with existing literature which similarly demonstrates an association between CBMP treatment and consistent improvements in pain severity in chronic or neuropathic pain conditions. … Importantly, the observed changes in pain-specific PROMs in this study may confer opioid-sparing effects in complex regional pain syndrome patients. … This supports further research through high-quality randomized controlled trials to ascertain the efficacy of cannabis-based medicinal products in improving complex regional pain syndrome 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, “UK Medical Cannabis Registry: A clinical outcomes analysis for insomnia,” appears in PLOS Mental Health.

Study: Cannabis Use Promotes Improvements in Patients With Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy

Tel Aviv, Israel: Patients experience reductions in chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain (CIPN) following the sustained daily use of medical cannabis products, according to data published in the journal Biomedicines.

Israeli investigators assessed outcomes in 751 patients with CIPN. Study participants consumed prescribed medical cannabis products (either herbal cannabis or oral extracts), dominant in either THC or CBD. (Approximately 150,000 Israeli patients receive prescription cannabis from the Ministry of Health.) Patients consumed cannabis daily for six months.

Researchers reported that patients in both cannabis treatment groups experienced significant symptomatic improvements, with those consuming higher doses of THC-dominant products reporting the greatest degree of improvement.

“The significant improvement in CIPN symptoms, ADL (activities in daily living), and QOL (quality of life), particularly in the THC-high cluster, supports the clinical use of medical cannabis as a complementary therapeutic option for patients with chemotherapy-induced neuropathy who experience limited relief from standard therapies,” the study’s authors concluded. “Moreover, the observed improvement in functionality (ADL) underscores the potential of cannabis to improve daily living and overall patient well-being, aspects often overlooked in traditional CIPN management.”

Numerous other studies have similarly reported that cannabis use provides sustained improvements in patients suffering from neuropathy.

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 that many of them substitute it in place of opioids.

Full text of the study, “Comparative effects of THC and CBD on chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: Insights from a large real-world self-reported dataset,” appears in Biomedicines.

Maryland: Appellate Court Upholds Ban on Sale of Hemp-Derived Intoxicants

Annapolis, MD: Judges for the Maryland Appellate Court have ruled in favor of a state-imposed prohibition on the retail sale of hemp-derived intoxicants containing delta-8-THC, delta-10-THC, and other synthetically produced cannabinoids.

The decision reverses a lower court’s preliminary injunction halting state officials from taking legal actions against intoxicating hemp providers.

The Court determined that no “common right” exists for retailers to sell hemp-derived psychoactive products because they “are now and have always been illegal in Maryland.” The Court added, “That their prohibition has been the subject of lax enforcement does not make [them] legal.”

Judges further opined that the hemp sales ban is reasonable because it “protect[s] public health and [serves] the public interest.”

Courts have recently upheld similar state-imposed bans in Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, and Virginia.

Consumers’ use of hemp-derived products containing delta-8-THC and other synthetically produced cannabinoids has increased in recent years, particularly in jurisdictions where cannabis remains illegal. The synthetic conversion process typically involves the use of potentially dangerous household products. Third-party laboratory testing of these unregulated products often finds that they contain percentages of cannabinoids that differ from 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.

Nearly half of all US states impose restrictions on the retail sale of delta-8-THC and similar products, according to reporting provided by Courthouse News Service.

The case is Moore v. Maryland Hemp Coalition.