Cardiovascular and Respiratory Effects of Cannabis Use by Route of Administration: A Systematic Review.

Aim: Knowledge of the cardiovascular and respiratory effects of cannabis use by route of administration is unclear. This evidence is necessary to increase clinical and public health awareness given the recent trend in cannabis legalization, normalization, and surge in the availability and usage of various forms of cannabis products. Methods: Search was conducted in Web of Science, ProQuest, Psych INFO, Scopus, Embase, and Medline databases, and subsequently in the references of retrieved articles. Peer-reviewed articles published between 2009 and 2023, that reported on cardiovascular and respiratory effects of cannabis use by route of administration were included. Studies with no report of the route of administration and combined use of other illicit substances were excluded. The review was guided by Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Results: Of the 1873 articles retrieved, 42 met inclusion criteria encompassing six case reports, 21 reviews, and 15 empirical studies. Four administration routes were identified: smoking, vaping, oral ingestion, and dabbing. Smoking was the most common route of administration and was associated with both respiratory effects, such as bronchitis, dyspnea, and chronic obstructive lung disease, and cardiovascular effects including tachycardia, ventricular arrhythmias, and myocardial infarction. Cannabis edibles were associated with minimal respiratory effects. Tachycardia was the most common cardiovascular effect and was associated with all routes of administration. Conclusion: Cannabis use does cause cardiovascular and respiratory effects, but the conclusion remains tentative of the cardiovascular and respiratory effects by route of administration due to methodological limitations of the studies.

State of the Science: Health Care Provider Communication of Cannabis Use Among Adults Living with Cancer.

Despite medicinal cannabis gaining popularity for managing symptoms in cancer patients, a knowledge gap exists in patient-provider communication crucial for monitoring outcomes, optimizing dosing, and educating healthcare providers to integrate cannabis into treatment plans. Our goal is to understand communication dynamics, identify gaps, and pave the way for effective cannabis communication for individuals living with cancer (PLWC). We searched PubMed, CINAHL, and EBSCO for articles published between 2013 and July 2023, capturing the key concepts of cannabis use in cancer patients and their communication with healthcare providers in oncology settings. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement guided the review. Studies were appraised by applying the Johns Hopkins Evidence-Based Practice Model for Nursing and Healthcare Professionals. Of the 2384 articles reviewed, 14 met the inclusion criteria. Three were qualitative studies, and 11 were cross-sectional surveys. All studies were level III evidence. Studies captured patients' and providers' perspectives; five were conducted among cancer patients, and nine were among healthcare providers in oncology settings. Findings revealed variations in healthcare provider recommendations, patient-initiated discussions, and barriers to discussing medical cannabis (MC). The synthesis of this evidence highlights the complexities surrounding MC in oncology settings, including knowledge gaps among healthcare providers, patient-initiated discussions, and challenges in accessing and prescribing medicinal cannabis. This review contributes valuable insights into the current landscape of MC use in cancer care, emphasizing the need for improved communication, education, and support for both patients and healthcare providers.

Adverse childhood experiences as precursors to cannabis use in adulthood: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Individuals with a history of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are at risk of subsequent cannabis use. However, at present no existing systematic review explores ACEs as they relate to cannabis use. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this systematic review paper is to examine how adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) impact rates, patterns, and the nature of cannabis use in adulthood. METHODS: Guided by the PRISMA statement, this systematic review focuses on longitudinal studies that report cannabis use in adulthood. Databases searched include PubMed and Embase. RESULTS: Ultimately, 28 manuscripts were selected for inclusion, ranging in scope from smaller community-focused studies to nationally representative longitudinal surveys; 22 of 28 studies occurred in the United States, with sample size ranging from 303 to 15,960 participants. Instruments used to assess ACEs and cannabis use varied considerably across studies, leading to loss of consistency. Nevertheless, presence of ACEs-childhood sexual abuse in particular-was consistently associated with cannabis use later in life. Frequency and severity of ACEs was found to exert an additive cumulative effect on severity of cannabis use. CONCLUSIONS: This systematic review lays the foundation of the current state of the science regarding ACEs and cannabis use, which can provide further insight into a better understanding of this relationship and provide potential intervention opportunities.

Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome Among Emerging Adult Cannabis Users by Race/Ethnicity: Analysis of the 2009-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys.

Background: Association between cannabis use and metabolic syndrome (MetS) has been documented; yet variation by race/ethnicity is understudied. We examined cannabis use and MetS by race/ethnicity among emerging adults (18-25 years old), the age group with the highest prevalence of cannabis use. Methods: Data from 18- to 25-year-olds who completed the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2009-2018) were analyzed. Current cannabis use was defined as ≥1 day of use in the last 30 days. MetS was defined using standardized guidelines as ≥3 of the following: elevated fasting glucose, triglycerides, systolic (SBP) and/or diastolic blood pressure (DPB), waist circumference, and/or low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Logistic regression was used to examine the association between current cannabis use (CCU) and MetS, adjusting for covariates. Results: Of 3974 respondents, 48.8% were female, mean age 21.1 years (SD = 2.4), 56.7% non-Hispanic white, 20.4% Hispanic, and 14.0% non-Hispanic black (NHB). Hispanics had the highest MetS prevalence (7.9%) and lowest CCU prevalence (23.5%). NHB had highest CCU prevalence (33.4%, P < .0001) and lowest MetS prevalence (4.8%, P = .2543). CCUs had a higher mean SBP (P = .020) and Hispanics (P = .002) than never users. Conversely, NHB CCUs exhibited lower mean SBP than NHB never users (P = .008). CCUs had 42% reduced odds of MetS than never users (AOR: 0.58, 95% CI: 0.35-0.95). Among NHB, CCUs had 78% lower likelihood of having MetS than never users (AOR: 0.22, 95% CI: 0.06-0.81). Conclusions: Cannabis use impacts MetS and blood pressure differently by race/ethnicity. Current cannabis use was associated with lower odds of MetS overall and among NHB. Further research is warranted to investigate how administration routes, dosages, and usage duration affect MetS.

Ethnic differences in the patterns, sources, and reasons for cannabis use among cancer patients at an NCI-Designated Cancer Center.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to describe patterns, sources, and reasons for cannabis use among cancer patients by ethnic group. METHODS: Data are from a cross-sectional study of 416 surveys collected via RedCap anonymously from adult cancer patients seen at a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center within the last 5 years. A harmonized survey was created with 11 other National Cancer Institute centers to assess cannabis use patterns, sources, and reasons for use. Sociodemographics and cancer details were also collected via self-report. Descriptive statistics by ethnic group were compared using χ2 and Fisher exact tests. RESULTS: Among the sample (age mean = 50.4 [15.7] years; 53% male; 8.3% lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer; 46.7% Hispanic and Latinx individuals), 69.6% reported lifetime use of cannabis, 33.7% began cannabis use after cancer diagnosis, 48.1% of those consuming cannabis did not have a prescription for cannabis, and 29.4% of cannabis users consumed daily. The frequency of cannabis use (P = .04) and reasons for cannabis use (P = .02) varied by ethnic group. Sleep and pain were the most prevalent reasons for use among the Hispanics and Latinx populations; pain, mental health management, and neuropathy were the most prevalent reasons for cannabis use among non-Hispanic White individuals. CONCLUSIONS: Patterns and reasons for cannabis use differed among cancer patients by ethnic group in this exploratory cross-sectional study aimed to provide data for more rigorous study. Understanding these distinctions are pivotal in conducting more rigorous studies that address the unique needs of diverse populations utilizing cannabis for managing cancer-related symptoms.

Perceptions, Attitudes, and Knowledge of Cannabis and its Use: A Qualitative Study among Herbal Heart Study Young Adult Cannabis Consumers in South Florida.

Growing cannabis use among young adults in the United States surpasses research and public understanding, raising health concerns despite potential benefits. Limited research focuses on their knowledge, attitudes, risks, and motivations, especially in states with limited legalization. This study explores cannabis knowledge and attitudes among healthy young adult cannabis consumers to understand their risk and benefit perceptions. Data include a subsample of participants in the Herbal Heart Study, a cohort to examine subclinical cardiovascular risk among healthy young adult (18-35 years old) cannabis consumers and non-consumers. A qualitative thematic analysis of the interviews was performed using a deductive approach driven by the theory of the Health Belief Model to generate categories and codes. Dedoose was used to organize transcripts and coding. A total of 22 young adult cannabis consumers (M age = 25.3, SD = 4.4) were interviewed between May 5, 2021- September 23, 2022. Participants were predominantly female (n = 13) and Hispanic (n = 9) or non-Hispanic Black (n = 7). Five themes were identified: perceived health benefits and risks associated with cannabis use, motivation for cannabis use, knowledge of cannabis, and perceived barriers to cannabis use. Participants discussed knowledge, positive/negative attitudes toward cannabis, and perceived risks/benefits based on personal experience and gathered information. Some showed knowledge deficits, and most wanted more health-related cannabis research. Given the current climate of rising cannabis legalization, availability of novel cannabis products, and societal acceptance, further research and evidence-based cannabis literacy for young adults are essential to keep pace with liberalization trends.

Perceptions, prevalence, and patterns of cannabis use among cancer patients treated at 12 NCI-Designated Cancer Centers.

BACKGROUND: The legal climate for cannabis use has dramatically changed with an increasing number of states passing legislation legalizing access for medical and recreational use. Among cancer patients, cannabis is often used to ameliorate adverse effects of cancer treatment. Data are limited on the extent and type of use among cancer patients during treatment and the perceived benefits and harms. This multicenter survey was conducted to assess the use of cannabis among cancer patients residing in states with varied legal access to cannabis. METHODS: A total of 12 NCI-Designated Cancer Centers, across states with varied cannabis-access legal status, conducted surveys with a core questionnaire to assess cannabis use among recently diagnosed cancer patients. Data were collected between September 2021 and August 2023 and pooled across 12 cancer centers. Frequencies and 95% confidence intervals for core survey measures were calculated, and weighted estimates are presented for the 10 sites that drew probability samples. RESULTS: Overall reported cannabis use since cancer diagnosis among survey respondents was 32.9% (weighted), which varied slightly by state legalization status. The most common perceived benefits of use were for pain, sleep, stress and anxiety, and treatment side effects. Reported perceived risks were less common and included inability to drive, difficulty concentrating, lung damage, addiction, and impact on employment. A majority reported feeling comfortable speaking to health-care providers though, overall, only 21.5% reported having done so. Among those who used cannabis since diagnosis, the most common modes were eating in food, smoking, and pills or tinctures, and the most common reasons were for sleep disturbance, followed by pain and stress and anxiety with 60%-68% reporting improved symptoms with use. CONCLUSION: This geographically diverse survey demonstrates that patients use cannabis regardless of its legal status. Addressing knowledge gaps concerning benefits and harms of cannabis use during cancer treatment is critical to enhance patient-provider communication.