The Impact of Cannabis Use on Cognition in People with HIV: Evidence of Function-Dependent Effects and Mechanisms from Clinical and Preclinical Studies.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Cannabis may have beneficial anti-inflammatory effects in people with HIV (PWH); however, given this population's high burden of persisting neurocognitive impairment (NCI), clinicians are concerned they may be particularly vulnerable to the deleterious effects of cannabis on cognition. Here, we present a systematic scoping review of clinical and preclinical studies evaluating the effects of cannabinoid exposure on cognition in HIV. RECENT FINDINGS: Results revealed little evidence to support a harmful impact of cannabis use on cognition in HIV, with few eligible preclinical data existing. Furthermore, the beneficial/harmful effects of cannabis use observed on cognition were function-dependent and confounded by several factors (e.g., age, frequency of use). Results are discussed alongside potential mechanisms of cannabis effects on cognition in HIV (e.g., anti-inflammatory), and considerations are outlined for screening PWH that may benefit from cannabis interventions. We further highlight the value of accelerating research discoveries in this area by utilizing translatable cross-species tasks to facilitate comparisons across human and animal work.

Understanding cannabis use and mental health difficulties in context with women's experiences of stressful events and social health issues in pregnancy: The Aboriginal Families Study.

BACKGROUND: Few population-based data sources fully recognise the intersections between stressful events, social health issues, and cannabis use in pregnancy, and little is known about sequelae for women's mental health. METHODS: We draw on two waves of population-based data for 344 families participating in the Aboriginal Families Study longitudinal cohort. We examine women's mental health in the first year postpartum and when children were aged 5-9 years in context with life experiences and use of cannabis in pregnancy. OUTCOMES: One in five women (19·5%) used cannabis during pregnancy (with or without co-use of tobacco). Within this group of women, 88·3% experienced 3 or more (3+) stressful events or social health issues. Psychological distress (Kessler-5 scale, K-5) in the year postpartum was substantially higher amongst women who had used cannabis or experienced 3+ stressful events or social health issues. High proportions of women met criteria for support and referral for depression and/or anxiety (52·5% of women who had used cannabis compared to 20·9% amongst women who had neither used cannabis nor tobacco; 43·2% of women who had experienced 3+ stressful events or social health issues compared to 15·6% amongst women who had not indicated these experiences). Similar patterns of psychological distress, depressive (9-item adapted Personal Health Questionnaire, aPHQ-9) and anxiety symptoms (7-item Generalised Anxiety Disorder score, GAD-7) were evident when the study children were aged 5-9 years. INTERPRETATION: Amongst women who had used cannabis in pregnancy, a high burden of psychological distress, depression, and anxiety is evident in the postpartum period and as their children turn 5-9 years. The overlay of stressful events and social health issues and the high proportion of women meeting criteria for referral for mental health assessment and support indicate an urgent need to offer women opportunities for safe disclosure of cannabis use and opportunities to access sustained holistic services. Reducing the harms of cannabis use on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families must be coupled with culturally safe ways of addressing the social, historical, and structural determinants of mental health distress and harmful use of substances.

The Puzzle of Marijuana Use and Forced Vital Capacity.

In study after study, marijuana use has been found to be associated with increased forced vital capacity (FVC). This is puzzling, because marijuana is commonly consumed by inhalation of its smoke, and smoke exposure of any kind is not generally considered a cause of increased FVC. Although this observation was first made decades ago, a satisfactory explanation remains elusive. In this review we survey the evidence supporting the relationship between marijuana use and increased FVC, discuss potential threats to validity when inferring causation, and, presupposing a possible causal relationship, pose two key questions. First, what are possible physiologic or pathophysiologic mechanisms by which marijuana use might increase FVC? Second, why might this effect be consistently observed with marijuana use but not with tobacco use? Explanations for the first question include lung and chest growth and remodeling from strenuous marijuana smoke inhalation and reductions in lung elastic recoil from marijuana smoke exposure. Explanations for the second include differences between marijuana and tobacco in smoke composition and patterns of consumption, such as smoking topography. Finally, the possibility that smoke, whether from marijuana or tobacco, might have nonmonotonic effects on FVC depending on the degree of exposure is explored. In synthesizing a curated breadth of epidemiologic and physiologic science, we leverage a perplexing observation to generate potential insights and avenues for further research into the biological effects of smoke, from marijuana or otherwise, on the respiratory system.

Association Between Marijuana Use and Clinical Outcomes After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.

INTRODUCTION: Though marijuana use has been linked to an increase in heart failure admissions, no prior study has explored the association between its use and outcomes after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). This study examines the relationship between marijuana use and postoperative outcomes in CABG patients. METHODS: We utilized data from the National Inpatient Sample database from 2008 to 2018 for CABG patients ≥18 y old. Patients were divided into two groups based on marijuana use (abuse/dependency versus nonuse). Primary outcomes include in-hospital mortality, favorable discharge, and length of stay (LOS). Secondary outcomes include acute kidney injury (AKI), acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and transient ischemic attack (TIA)/stroke. A multivariable model, adjusted for confounding variables, was utilized for each outcome. RESULTS: A total of 343,796 patients met inclusion criteria for the study, 590 of which were marijuana users. In both marijuana user and nonuser groups, most patients were male and White with an average age of 56.0 and 66.3 y, respectively. There was a nonsignificant decreased odds of in-hospital mortality among marijuana users (odds ratio [OR] = 0.41, [0.141-1.124]). Marijuana users exhibited significantly decreased odds of home discharge (OR = 1.50, [1.24-1.81]), and increased odds of longer LOS (mean 10.4 d versus 9.8 d; OR = 1.14, [1.09-1.20]), AKI (OR = 1.40, [1.11-1.78]), AMI (OR = 1.56, [1.32-1.84]), and TIA/stroke (OR = 1.64, [1.21-2.22]). CONCLUSIONS: Marijuana use and dependency are associated with increased nonhome discharge, AKI, AMI, TIA/stroke, and longer LOS. Further studies are needed to delineate the pathophysiologic derangements that contribute to these unfavorable post-CABG outcomes.

Change in marijuana use from adolescence to young adulthood and its relation to gestational alcohol and marijuana exposure.

INTRODUCTION: Many studies have examined changes in marijuana use across adolescence, but few have examined factors associated with transitions from adolescence to young adulthood. We examined prenatal exposures to alcohol and marijuana and adolescent risk and protective factors that best distinguished among abstinence, continuity, or cessation of marijuana use from 16 to 22 years. METHOD: Data were from the Maternal Health Practices and Child Development Project at the prenatal and 16- and 22-year follow-up phases. The offspring were of lower socioeconomic status with an average of 12.8 years of education at 22 years. Participants' frequency and quantity of marijuana use over the past year were used to determine change in use. A discriminant analysis was applied to distinguish among the identified groups. The risk factors considered included prenatal substance exposures and age 16 demographics, behavior, and home environment. RESULT: Four categories of transitions were defined based on marijuana use from 16 to 22 years: non-users (n = 193), stop/decrease (n = 81), continue at same level/increase (n = 125), and initiation after the 16-year phase (n = 122). The factors that best distinguished among these groups were peers' marijuana use, delinquency, caregivers' financial strain, prenatal exposure to alcohol and marijuana, and race. CONCLUSION: Prenatal alcohol and marijuana exposure were significantly related to transitions of marijuana use from adolescence to young adulthood, controlling for peers' use, behavior problems, and home environment. While gestational marijuana exposure was associated with early initiation/increasing use, alcohol exposure was related to later initiation. The findings emphasize the long-term effects of prenatal exposure to alcohol and marijuana.

Effects of cannabis legalization on the use of cannabis and other substances.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: As more jurisdictions legalize cannabis for non-medical use, the evidence on how legalization policies affect cannabis use and the use of other substances remains inconclusive and contradictory. This review aims to summarize recent research findings on the impact of recreational cannabis legalization (RCL) on cannabis and other substance use among different population groups, such as youth and adults. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent literature reports mixed findings regarding changes in the prevalence of cannabis use after the adoption of RCL. Most studies found no significant association between RCL and changes in cannabis use among youth in European countries, Uruguay, the US, and Canada. However, some studies have reported increases in cannabis use among youth and adults in the US and Canada, although these increases seem to predate RCL. Additionally, there has been a marked increase in unintentional pediatric ingestion of cannabis edibles postlegalization, and an association between RCL and increased alcohol, vaping, and e-cigarette use among adolescents and young adults. SUMMARY: Overall, the effects of cannabis legalization on cannabis use appear to be mixed. Further monitoring and evaluation research is needed to provide longer-term evidence and a more comprehensive understanding of the effects of RCL.

Utilização da cannabis sativa para tratamento de dor crônica em cães / Use of cannabis sativa for the treatment of chronic pain in dogs / Uso de cannabis sativa para el tratamiento del dolor crónico en perros

A Cannabis sativa é uma planta que apresenta vários benefícios terapêuticos para animais, como tratamento da dor neuropática, inflamatória e osteoartrose. A dor é bastante recorrente na rotina clínica, sendo importante seu manejo para que seja ofertada uma melhor qualidade e conforto de vida para o paciente. O estudo objetivou identificar, a partir de evidências científicas, as características da utilização medicinal do uso de Cannabis Sativa no tratamento da dor crônica no cão, utilizando um dos seus princípios ativos, canabidiol (CBD). Foi feito uma revisão bibliográfica onde foi realizada a busca de estudos experimentais e relatos de caso em bases de dados eletrônicos, sendo incluídas fontes contendo a utilização do CBD em animais, que abordaram controle da dor, assim como escore avaliativo da dor antes, durante e após o tratamento proposto. Após eleger e analisar 54 estudos percebe-se que na medicina veterinária o uso do canabidio é insuficiente, uma vez que o foco da maior parte dos estudos clínicos é voltado para medicina humana. Ainda assim, a utilização de CBD mostrou-se eficaz, confirmando uma nova alternativa para o controle da dor em animais.(AU)

Cannabis sativa is a plant that has several therapeutic benefits for animals, such as the treatment of neuropathic and inflammatory pain and osteoarthritis. Pain is quite recurrent in the clinical routine, and its management is important to offer a better quality and comfort of life for the patient. The study aimed to identify, based on scientific evidence, the characteristics of the medicinal use of Cannabis Sativa in the treatment of chronic pain in dogs, using one of its active principles, cannabidiol (CBD). A bibliographical review was carried out in which experimental studies and case reports were searched in electronic databases, including sources containing the use of CBD in animals, which addressed pain control, as well as pain assessment score before, during and after the proposed treatment. After choosing and analyzing 54 studies, it is clear that in veterinary medicine the use of CBD is few, and the focus of clinical studies is on human medicine. The use of CBD proved to be effective, thus confirming a new alternative for pain control in animals.(AU)

El cannabis sativa es una planta que tiene varios beneficios terapéuticos para los animales, como el tratamiento del dolor neuropático e inflamatorio y la osteoartritis. El dolor es bastante recurrente en la rutina clínica, y su manejo es importante para ofrecer una mejor calidad y comodidad de vida al paciente. El estudio tuvo como objetivo identificar, con base en la evidencia científica, las características del uso medicinal de Cannabis Sativa en el tratamiento del dolor crónico en perros, utilizando uno de sus principios activos, el cannabidiol (CBD). Se realizó una revisión bibliográfica en la que se buscaron estudios experimentales y reportes de casos en bases de datos electrónicas, incluyendo fuentes que contengan el uso de CBD en animales, que abordaran el control del dolor, así como la puntuación de evaluación del dolor antes, durante y después del tratamiento propuesto. Después de elegir y analizar 54 estudios, queda claro que en medicina veterinaria el uso de cannabidio es insuficiente, ya que el foco de la mayoría de los estudios clínicos está en la medicina humana. Aun así, el uso de CBD demostró ser efectivo, confirmando una nueva alternativa para el control del dolor en animales.(AU)

Intoxicación accidental por marihuana en pediatría. Serie de 3 casos / Accidental poisoning by marijuana in pediatrics. Series of 3 cases

Resumen La marihuana o cannabis es la sustancia psicoactiva ilícita de mayor consumo. Una consecuencia no deseada de la regulación de su cultivo y la difusión popular de su uso medicinal y recreativo, es su asociación con el aumento de la disponibilidad de cultivos en la población general y de productos, como alimentos y fármacos elaborados con infusiones de esta planta, con concentraciones desconocidas de delta-9-tetrahidrocannabinol (A9THC), su principal componente psicoactivo. Se presenta una serie de 3 pacientes expuestos a esta sustancia de forma no intencional, por vía digestiva, asistidos de forma presencial por los servicios de Toxicología y Emergencias del Hospital Interzonal de Agudos Especializado en Pediatría "Sor María Ludovica" de La Plata. A diferencia de la absorción por vía inhalatoria, por vía digestiva se producen concentraciones mucho más variables y ciclos temporales mayores de A9THC y sus metabolitos, que ejercen sus efectos sobre los receptores CB1, dispuestos en el sistema nervioso central, incluido tronco encefálico, región con mayor presencia de éstos en niños, lo que justifica las manifestaciones neurológicas frecuentes y de mayor gravedad en este grupo etario, en relación a los adultos. La sospecha clínica, la anamnesis y la detección temprana de cannabinoides en orina son los pilares fundamentales para establecer el diagnóstico temprano. El tratamiento consiste en medidas de sostén y sintomáticas, que se implementan según la gravedad del cuadro. Debe considerarse la posibilidad de exposición a esta sustancia frente a cuadros de letargo o somnolencia de aparición brusca, con ataxia, modificaciones del humor, alteraciones sensoperceptivas, convulsiones o coma, con o sin insuficiencia respiratoria, con taquicardia o bradicardia. Es de fundamental importancia la educación y concientización de los adultos a cargo de niños sobre estos riesgos.

Abstract Marijuana or cannabis is the illicit psychoactive substance most widely used. An unwanted consequence of the regula-tion of its cultivation and the popular diffusion of its medicinal and recreational use, is the association with an increase in the avail-ability of crops in the general population, products, foods and medicines made with cannabis infusions, with unknown concentra-tions of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (A9THC), the most important psychoactive component. We present a series with 3 patients with unintentional exposure to this substance through the digestive tract, assisted by the Toxicology and Emergency services of the Interzonal Hospital for Acute Specialized in Pediatrics "Sor María Ludovica". Unlike absorption through the inhalation route, more variable concentrations and greater temporal cycles of A9THC and its metabolites are produced through the digestive route, which exert their effects on CB1 receptors, arranged in the central nervous system, including brainstem, the region with greatest presence of this receptors in children, that justifies the frequent and more serious neurological manifestations in children, compared to adults. Clinical suspicion, anamnesis and early detection of cannabinoids in urine are the fundamental pillars to establish an early diagnosis. Treatment consists in supportive and symptomatic measures, that are implemented according to the severity of the condition. The possibility of exposure to this substance must be estimated in the face of sudden onset of lethargy or drowsi-ness, with ataxia, mood modifications, sensory-perceptual disturbances, seizures or coma, with or without respiratory failure, with tachycardia or bradycardia. The education and awareness of caretakers adults, about these risks is of fundamental importance.

Implementing SBIRT to Address Maternal Marijuana Use.

A quality improvement project conducted at 3 Texas hospitals to implement a new systematic process to address maternal marijuana use among breastfeeding mothers. The new process was created using the evidence-based Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) model to address maternal marijuana use. Nurses screened all postpartum mothers for marijuana use at each of the 3 hospitals. Mothers who reported ever using marijuana were advised to abstain while breastfeeding and given educational materials and a treatment referral card. Among all 3 hospitals, the mean nurses' adherence to the SBIRT process was 69 percent, exceeding the project aim of 50 percent adherence. SBIRT, which has been used extensively with other populations and settings, was easily translated into practice for use with postpartum mothers who reported using marijuana. A systematic process using SBIRT may help mitigate the risk of harm for infants of mothers who use marijuana.

Marijuana use does not affect weight loss or complication rate after bariatric surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Marijuana use has been legalized in several states. It is unclear if marijuana use affects weight loss outcomes or complication rates following bariatric surgery. The purpose of this study was to determine if patients who use marijuana had higher complication rates or lower weight loss compared with non-users. METHODS: All patients at a single institution who underwent primary bariatric surgery between July 2015 and July 2020 at a single institution after the legalization of marijuana within the jurisdiction were included. Data regarding marijuana use, weight and complications were abstracted retrospectively. Differences between groups were evaluated with Wilcoxon Rank-Sum tests and Fisher Freeman Halton test. Trends for marijuana use over time was evaluated with simple linear regression on summary data. RESULTS: 1107 patients met inclusion criteria. 798 (73.3%) were never users, 225 (19.4%) were previous users, and 84 (7.2%) were active users. The proportion of active users and previous users increased over time, with significantly more prior marijuana use reported in more recent years (p = 0.014). Active users had significantly higher pre-procedural BMIs than never users: 48.7 vs. 46.3 (p = 0.03). Any marijuana use (active and previous users) was associated with higher preoperative weight compared to never: 136.4 kg vs. 130.6 kg (p = 0.001). Overall complication rate was low in all groups, and there was no difference in the rates of any complications. Active and previous users tended to lose less weight than never users, but this was not statistically significant (p = 0.17). CONCLUSIONS: Active and prior marijuana users tend to have higher BMIs on presentation, but use was not associated with complications or percent weight loss. The incidence of patient reported marijuana use is increasing in the study population. More studies on the effects of marijuana use in this patient population are warranted.

Marijuana use, fetal growth, and uterine artery Dopplers.

OBJECTIVE: Marijuana (MJ) use is associated with adverse effects on fetal growth. We aimed to investigate the timing of suboptimal fetal growth onset in MJ-exposed pregnancies. In addition, we aimed to explore the relationship between MJ-exposure and both abnormal uterine artery (UtA) Doppler parameters and small for gestational age (SGA). STUDY DESIGN: This was a secondary analysis of a prospective multicenter cohort that enrolled nulliparous individuals delivering non-anomalous fetuses beyond 20 weeks' gestation. Marijuana exposure was ascertained by self-report or clinical urine toxicology testing. Ultrasound estimated fetal weights (EFWs) were assessed in participants at both 16w0d-21w6d and 22w0d-29w6d. EFWs and birth weight (BW) were converted to weight percentiles (wPCT). EFW and BW wPCTs were calculated using population-based standards. Additionally, a customized standard designed to be applicable to both EFWs and BWs within the same model was also used to allow for EFW to BW percentile trajectories. The primary outcome, longitudinal wPCT, was compared between individuals with and without MJ use in a linear mixed-effects regression model adjusting for tobacco. For modeling, wPCT was smoothed across gestational age; MJ was estimated as an intercept and linear difference in the slope of gestational age. UtA Doppler notching, resistance index (RI), and pulsatility index (PI) at 16w0d-21w6d were compared using t-test and χ2. SGA at delivery was also compared. RESULTS: Nine thousand one hundred and sixty-three individuals met inclusion criteria; 136 (1.5%) used MJ during pregnancy. Individuals who used MJ were more likely to be younger, identify as non-Hispanic Black, and have had less education. Fetuses exposed to MJ had lower wPCT beginning at 28 weeks using population-based and customized standards, when compared to those without exposure. UtA notching, PI, and RI were similar between groups. SGA was more frequent in neonates exposed to MJ using both population-based (22 vs. 9%, p<.001) and customized (25 vs. 14%, p<.001) curves. CONCLUSIONS: MJ-exposed fetuses were estimated to be smaller than unexposed fetuses starting at 28 weeks' gestation across both growth standards without a difference in UtA Doppler parameters.

Attitudes about marijuana use, potential risks, and legalization: a single-center survey of pregnant women.

OBJECTIVE: There is an association between recreational marijuana use in pregnancy and legalization. As more states legalize marijuana, its use in pregnancy may increase. The objective of this study was to evaluate pregnant women's knowledge and opinions about marijuana use, potential risks, and legalization. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of pregnant women at a regional perinatal center in New Jersey was performed from January-December 2019. Pregnant subjects were invited to complete a voluntary, anonymous 23-question survey about marijuana use in pregnancy, potential risks, and legalization. Subjects were excluded if they could not read in English or Spanish. Survey questions were based on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = strongly agree, 2 = agree, 3 = neutral, 4 = disagree, and 5 = strongly disagree). Likelihood of agreeing or disagreeing with potential risks, with neutral responses as the reference, were estimated based on the relative risk (RR) (95% confidence interval [CI]). Associations were examined with prior tobacco/marijuana use and education level. RESULTS: During the study period, approximately 1133 consecutive patients were approached and 843 completed the study (74.4% response rate). The majority of participants were English-speaking, college educated, and employed. 204 (25.2%) reported prior marijuana use and 36 (4.5%) reported marijuana use during pregnancy. Overall, pregnant women had poor knowledge about potential risks of marijuana use in pregnancy. Although 234 (29.0%) patients were opposed to legalization, more than 90% of pregnant subjects indicated that they would be more likely to use marijuana in pregnancy if it were legalized. Associations of marijuana risks by prior tobacco use showed that nonsmokers had more awareness about risks. Nonsmokers had higher likelihood of agreeing that marijuana use may be harmful to a pregnancy (RR 1.41, 95% CI 1.12-1.76), may hurt the growth of a baby (RR 1.36, 95% CI 1.07-1.74), may cause preterm birth (RR 1.18, 95% CI 1.00-1.40), and may hurt a child's ability to learn (RR 1.20, 95% CI 0.95-1.51). Similar trends were observed for subjects who reported no prior marijuana use and for subjects with more than high school education. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of surveyed pregnant women demonstrated poor knowledge about the possible risks of marijuana in pregnancy and indicated that they would be more likely to use marijuana in pregnancy if it were legalized. As the use of marijuana increases, providers should focus on educating their patients about potential risks associated with marijuana use in pregnancy while additional research is needed to clarify associated risks.

Pancreatic Disorders in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can involve multiple organ systems, and pancreatic manifestations of IBD are not uncommon. The incidence of several pancreatic diseases is more frequent in patients with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis than in the general population. Pancreatic manifestations in IBD include a heterogeneous group of disorders and abnormalities ranging from mild, self-limited disorders to severe diseases. Asymptomatic elevation of amylase and/or lipase is common. The risk of acute pancreatitis in patients with IBD is increased due to the higher incidence of cholelithiasis and drug-induced pancreatitis in this population. Patients with IBD commonly have altered pancreatic histology and chronic pancreatic exocrine dysfunction. Diagnosing acute pancreatitis in patients with IBD is challenging. In this review, we discuss the manifestations and possible causes of pancreatic abnormalities in patients with IBD.

Perioperative and anaesthetic considerations of marijuana use.

The psychoactive substance cannabis is the most-commonly used drug around the world, and its use is becoming more prevalent globally. Additionally, it is becoming available in an increasing variety of forms. As such, it is imperative that perioperative practitioners have an understanding of the drug, its effects, and its implications in perioperative care. There is currently a lack of a standardised approach to a patient who uses cannabis, and prospective studies prove difficult given the current legal status of cannabis. This literature review seeks to provide information regarding cannabis and its use. Specifically, we explore the systemic effects of marijuana as well as perioperative and anaesthetic implications so that safer, more effective care may be administered.