Browse more cannabis research, findings, methods, and limitations.
Canada is developing a standardized THC unit for cannabis product labeling and consumer education, modeled on the standard drink concept for alcohol, to improve dosing literacy.
Analysis of Canada's National Cannabis Survey found cannabis-impaired driving spiked significantly in rural areas right after legalization but returned to baseline within a year.
Choice experiment with 963 cannabis consumers found quality and accessibility drive legal purchases while price drives illegal purchases, with specific policy levers identified to shrink the illicit market.
Hemp extract reduced chemotherapy-induced nerve pain in rats through multiple pathways including inflammation, neural signaling, lipid metabolism, and gut microbiota, revealed by multi-omics analysis.
MAGL inhibitor ABX1431 reversed HIV protein-induced neuron overexcitement by boosting natural endocannabinoid 2-AG levels, showing neuroprotective potential for HIV-associated brain disease.
National survey of 46,499 workers found a clear dose-response: mild CUD increased work-skipping 1.6x, moderate 2.0x, and severe 2.9x, with 15.9% of full-time workers reporting past-month cannabis use.
Chamber study found cannabis smoke terpenes react with indoor ozone (above 10 ppb) to generate ultrafine particles, adding a previously unrecognized respiratory hazard.
Review of 14 randomized trials found CBD improved anxiety and cognition in 9 of 16 outcomes, with oral doses of 200-1,500 mg showing efficacy and a good safety profile.
Study of 300,993 pregnancies found California recreational cannabis sales implementation increased prenatal use by 10%, concentrated in jurisdictions with dispensaries (21% increase vs no change in areas banning retailers).
Prenatal cannabis use nearly doubled from 5.5% to 9.0% between 2012 and 2022, with persistent disparities showing highest rates among Black individuals and teens/young adults.
Among 299,496 pregnancies, psychiatric disorders increased prenatal cannabis use 1.6-2.8x and substance use disorders increased it 4-22x, suggesting widespread self-medication during pregnancy.
Focus groups with 53 pregnant cannabis users found most plan to use postpartum but less frequently, with many intending to abstain during breastfeeding, though some wrongly believe "pump and dump" eliminates THC exposure.
Thirty-two clinicians across four specialties reported post-legalization increases in adolescent cannabis use, high-potency products, hyperemesis syndrome, psychosis, and parental permissiveness.
Adding CBD-dominant cannabis to scheduled opioids in 66 hospice patients produced statistically significant pain reduction (p = .003) with only 4.5% experiencing minor side effects.
Review warns that the 2018 Farm Bill enabled an unregulated market for CBD-derived synthetic cannabinoids, including compounds more potent than THC and acetate esters linked to lung injuries.
Both cannabis smoke and oral THC improved working memory in aged rats without affecting young adults, suggesting cannabinoids may compensate for age-related cognitive decline.
Among 225 chronic pain patients on opioids certified for medical cannabis, 41% never used it within 3 months, with race, pain distribution, and existing substance use predicting who followed through.
First study of cannabis edibles and driving found minimal objective impairment (brief speed decrease at 2 hours) despite 7 hours of subjective intoxication and blood THC of ~2.8 ng/mL.
Among 45,151 tobacco quitline callers, 27% also used cannabis and had lower 7-month smoking quit rates (23% vs 29%), though 43% of co-users wanted to quit cannabis too.
Study of 115 young adults found no social cognition deficits in those with cannabis use disorder compared to controls, even after accounting for dosage, recency of use, and other substance use.
Young adults with cannabis use disorder showed significantly lower verbal IQ (d = 0.86) but no deficits in executive function, working memory, attention, or episodic memory.
Meta-analysis of seven studies finds cannabis use associated with 2.05x increased risk of ischemic stroke, with evidence particularly concerning for young adults.
Pilot trial of oral CBD after tooth extraction (n=8) established that the trial protocol is feasible — setting up a larger study to determine whether CBD actually works for dental pain.
Review frames medical cannabis through the Hype Cycle: past peak enthusiasm, now moving toward selective use with realistic goals, standardized products, and head-to-head comparisons.
Risk assessment of metals in Canadian legal cannabis products found low health risk even for daily heavy users, validating the Cannabis Act's quality control framework.
In post-legalization Washington State, cannabis use now peaks at ages 21-22 rather than declining from 18, with emerging signs of "maturing out" by 23-25 in recent birth cohorts.
ABCD Study neuroimaging of 1,085 children found prenatal marijuana exposure associated with reduced white matter integrity in tracts critical for motivation and goal-directed behavior at age 10.
From 2002-2019, daily cannabis use nearly doubled while CUD rates among daily users dropped almost 50%, contrasting sharply with stable AUD rates among daily drinkers.
Survey of 134 eye clinic patients found 15.7% used cannabis recently, with nearly half of glaucoma patients interested in trying it, raising concerns about IOP measurement accuracy.
Among 26,276 youth aged 12-25, the rate and severity of cannabis use disorder among users was consistent across all age groups, suggesting stable vulnerability regardless of age.
Critical review of neuroscience finds no empirical basis for the "brain matures at 25" threshold, concluding an 18-21 legal age for cannabis is scientifically supportable.
Longitudinal study of 584 Canadian emerging adults found bisexual identity strongly associated with both child maltreatment and at-risk cannabis use.
Two decades of fieldwork reveals Morocco's cannabis legalization risks accelerating environmental damage by favoring industrial cultivation over traditional methods.
Small crossover RCT found sublingual THC reduced fibromyalgia pain and selectively enhanced offset analgesia but not conditioned pain modulation.
NHANES analysis found lifetime cannabis use associated with 5.45x higher odds of coronary heart disease in adults 20-59 — a striking finding that demands cautious interpretation given the cross-sectional, self-reported design.
Interviews with 22 California cannabis experts found Prop 64 improved quality control and reduced stigma but created high costs, licensing barriers, and social inequity.
Survey of 5,178 Californians found most cannabis users believed they understood Prop 64 but lacked knowledge of specific possession, transportation, and gifting rules.
UK registry data from 124 insomnia patients showed medical cannabis improved sleep quality significantly, with benefits persisting but declining over 18 months.
Baseline data from 79 Australian youth found those with substance use disorders had worse depression, anxiety, and more frequent cannabis use than substance-using peers without a disorder.
JAMA Psychiatry neuroimaging study found cannabis use disorder linked to elevated dopamine function in the same midbrain region associated with psychosis.
Multicenter retrospective study found CBD as add-on therapy reduced median monthly seizures from 30 to 8 across multiple drug-resistant epilepsy types in children.
National ABCD Study of 2,262 adolescents found hair cannabinoid levels predicted sex-specific changes in sleep, exercise, and mental health outcomes a year later.
Clinical study identified age, sex, diabetes duration, A1C, and neuropathy as features distinguishing diabetic gastroparesis from cannabis hyperemesis in type 1 diabetes.
20-country analysis found medical cannabis legalization expanded legal markets while showing negative associations with tobacco and amphetamine use.
Analysis of 683,000 US trauma center MVC drivers found cannabis-positive results rose from 10.2% to 14.6% between 2017-2020, with the steepest increase among adolescents.
Among 1,369 African American women in Detroit, perceived neighborhood danger, disorder, and low social cohesion nearly doubled the odds of cannabis use during pregnancy.
Mixed-methods study of 46 pregnant co-users found women view tobacco and cannabis as distinct behaviors with separate cessation motivations, driven by mental health and stress.
Mouse study found cannabis terpene myrcene reduced neuropathic pain through CB1-dependent mechanism, with greater potency in females, despite not directly activating CB1 receptors.
Feasibility RCT found nabiximols oral spray was safe and well-tolerated for agitation in 29 Alzheimer's nursing home residents, with zero adverse reactions.
Survey of 260 Mumbai college students found 11.2% used cannabis, peer pressure was the top driver, and most opposed legalization while lacking knowledge of cannabis laws.