Plasma anandamide concentrations are lower in children with autism spectrum disorder.

Authors: Debra S. Karhson, Karolina M. Krasinska, Jamie Ahloy Dallaire, et al
Molecular Autism, 12 March 2018

BACKGROUND: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by restricted, stereotyped behaviors and impairments in social communication. Although the underlying biological mechanisms of ASD remain poorly understood, recent preclinical research ha…

Efficacy of artisanal preparations of cannabidiol for the treatment of epilepsy: Practical experiences in a tertiary medical center.

Authors: Giulia S. Porcaria, Cary Fub, Emily D. Doll, Emma G. Carter, Robert P. Carson
Epilepsy & Behavior, March 2018

Medically refractory epilepsy continues to be a challenge worldwide, and despite an increasing number of medical therapies, approximately 1 in 3 patients continues to have seizures. Cannabidiol (CBD), one of many constituents of the Cannabis sativa or marijuana plant, has rece…

A National Needs Assessment of Canadian Nurse Practitioners Regarding Cannabis for Therapeutic Purposes.

Authors: Lynda G. Balneaves, Abeer Alraja, Daniel Ziemianski, Fairleth McCuaig, Mark Ware
Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, March 2018

Introduction: In Canada, the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations (ACMPR) has given nurse practitioners (NPs) the power to authorize cannabis for therapeutic purposes (CTP) to eligible patients. This expansion in NPs’ scope of practice underscores the importance…

Innovative Therapeutic Potential of Cannabinoid Receptors as Targets in Alzheimer’s Disease and Less Well-Known Diseases

Authors: Juan A. Paez, Nuria E. Campillo
Current Medicinal Chemistry, 25 February 2018

The discovery of cannabinoid receptors at the beginning of the 1990s, CB1 being cloned in 1990 and CB2 cloned in 1993, and the availability of selective and potent cannabimimetics could only be justified by the existence of endogenous ligands that are capable of binding to the…

Associations Between Marijuana Use and Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Outcomes: A Systematic Review.

Authors: Divya Ravi, Mehrnaz Ghasemiesfe, Deborah Korenstein, Thomas Cascino, Salomeh Keyhani
Annals of Internal Medicine, 6 February 2018

BACKGROUND: Marijuana use is increasing in the United States, and its effect on cardiovascular health is unknown. PURPOSE: To review harms and benefits of marijuana use in relation to cardiovascular risk factors and clinical outcomes. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Psy…

Cannabis in Parkinson’s Disease: Hype or help?

Authors: Tina Mainka, Jan Stork, Ute Hidding, Carsten Buhmann
Fortschritte der Neurologie · Psychiatrie, February 2018

Cannabis buds and extracts as well as synthetic cannabinoids have been available on prescription to patients with severe diseases since March 2017, with the costs covered by health insurance companies.The prescription of medical marihuana is not restricted to specific symptoms…

Cannabis use during pregnancy: Pharmacokinetics and effects on child development.

Authors: Kimberly S.Grant, Rebekah Petroff, Nina Isoherranen, Nephi Stella, Thomas M. Burbacher
Pharmacology & Therapeutics, February 2018

The broad-based legalization of cannabis use has created a strong need to understand its impact on human health and behavior. The risks that may be associated with cannabis use, particularly for sensitive subgroups such as pregnant women, are difficult to define because of a p…

Marijuana Use Associations with Pulmonary Symptoms and Function in Tobacco Smokers Enrolled in the Subpopulations and Intermediate Outcome Measures in COPD Study (SPIROMICS).

Authors: Madeline A. Morris, Sean R. Jacobson, Gregory L. Kinney, Donald P. Tashkin, et al
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases: Journal of the COPD Foundation, 24 January 2018

Background: Marijuana is often smoked via a filterless cigarette and contains similar chemical makeup as smoked tobacco. There are few publications describing usage patterns and respiratory risks in older adults or in those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Me…

The Potential of Cannabidiol Treatment for Cannabis Users With Recent-Onset Psychosis.

Authors: Britta Hahn
Schizophrenia Bulletin, 13 January 2018

A major factor associated with poor prognostic outcome after a first psychotic break is cannabis misuse, which is prevalent in schizophrenia and particularly common in individuals with recent-onset psychosis. Behavioral interventions aimed at reducing cannabis use have been un…

Our Letter to the Editor of JAMA

SCC Board Members oppose several key provisions JAMA wants the state medical boards to adopt.

A Systematic Review of the Effectiveness of Medical Cannabis for Psychiatric, Movement and Neurodegenerative Disorders.

Authors: Keane Lim, Yuen Mei See, and Jimmy Lee
Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience, 30 November 2017

The discovery of endocannabinoid’s role within the central nervous system and its potential therapeutic benefits have brought forth rising interest in the use of cannabis for medical purposes. The present review aimed to synthesize and evaluate the available evidences on the e…

Medical Cannabis in Parkinson Disease: Real-Life Patients’ Experience.

Authors: Yacov Balash, Lihi Bar-Lev Schleider, Amos Korczyn, Herzel Shabtai, Judith Knaani, et al
Clinical Neuropharmacology, November/December 2017

BACKGROUND: The use of medical cannabis (MC) is controversial. Support for its benefits is based on small clinical series. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to report the results of a standardized interview study that retrospectively assessed the effects of MC on symptoms o…