More than one-fifth of people who use cannabis struggle with dependency or problematic use, according to a study published on Tuesday in The Journal of the American Medical Association Network Open. The research found that 21 percent of people in the study had some...
read more
Medical Cannabis Did Not Reduce Pain Prescriptions, Procedures
State medical cannabis laws seem not to have contributed to population-level shifts in pain treatment for chronic noncancer pain in the US, researchers concluded in a new study published in Annals of Internal Medicine.
Frequent cannabis use linked to more severe insomnia in veterans: new study
New research suggests that while some military veterans may turn to cannabis to relieve stress, frequent cannabis use may actually lead to more severe insomnia in the long run. The findings have been published in the Journal of Sleep Research. Read the article here.
Measuring the diversity gap of cannabis clinical trial participants compared to people who report using cannabis
The extent to which demographics of participants enrolled in cannabis clinical trials are representative of those who use cannabis is unknown. A new study published in Nature: Scientific Reports compared 2002 to 2021 data from the National Survey on Drug Use and...
NFL, NFLPA Commit over $500K to Fund Pain-Management Solution Studies, Includes CBD
The NFL and NFL Players Association are helping to fund a study on innovative pain management solutions. The league and union have jointly awarded two research funding grants totaling $526,525 to independent medical researchers at the American Society of Pain and...
Access to Medical Marijuana Won’t Lower Use of Opioid Painkillers: Study
Medical marijuana is touted as a pain reliever, but in U.S. states where it's legal, prescriptions for opioid or non-opioid painkillers haven't decreased, a new study finds. The study, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, looked at the use of medical...
Overuse of marijuana linked to surgery complications and death, study says
Clinical overuse of marijuana is linked to a variety of complications after major elective surgery, including blood clots, stroke, breathing difficulties, kidney issues and even death, a new study found. The study, published in the journal JAMA Surgery, analyzed data...
$11.6M Grant Will Enable Researchers to Study Cannabis Use Among Those Living with HIV
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), which is part of the National Institutes of Health, has awarded Weill Cornell Medicine a five-year, $11.6 million grant for research on a link between cannabis and the brains of those living with HIV. The project is the...
Heavy Cannabis Use Linked to Schizophrenia, Especially among Young Men
A study published in the journal Psychological Medicine provides new evidence that problematic cannabis use may lead to schizophrenia, particularly for young men who are heavy users. The research, likely the largest epidemiological investigation conducted to date that...
Study: Access to cannabis for cancer patients is not equitable
The same factors driving many health care disparities in the U.S. are also affecting who has access to cannabis for managing symptoms related to cancer treatment, according to a new study led by a University at Buffalo researcher. The findings published in the journal...
Marijuana use may increase risk of leg artery disease
Smoking cigarettes has long been linked to peripheral artery disease (PAD), a condition where the buildup of plaque narrows arteries and limits blood flow to the legs or arms. Now, a new study suggests that marijuana may have a similar impact, after finding that users...
California department of cannabis control awards $20M toward marijuana research grants
The California Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) awarded $20 million in research grants to 16 academic institutions. The funds will support scientific research on the impact of cannabis on the mental health of young people, novel cannabinoids like Delta-8 and...
All patients should be screened for cannabis use before surgery, first U.S.guidelines recommend
All patients undergoing procedures requiring anesthesia should be asked about cannabis use, according to guidelines released by the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA Pain Medicine). The first U.S. guidelines on cannabis use in relation to...
Raphael Mechoulam, ‘Father of Cannabis Research,’ Dies at 92
Raphael Mechoulam, a pioneering Israeli chemist who is credited with opening the field of cannabis science after identifying the structure and function of the key compounds of cannabis, died on March 9 at his home in Jerusalem. In his research at the Hebrew...
AJPH Call for Abstracts: Emerging Issues In Cannabis Surveillance And Applied Research
The American Journal of Public Health (AJPH), in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), intends to publish a supplemental issue on emerging issues in cannabis surveillance and applied research. Research Articles and Brief Research...
Oxford study to trial cannabis-based medicine as treatment for psychosis
Oxford scientists are to launch a major global trial to investigate whether cannabidiol (CBD) can treat people with psychosis or psychotic symptoms. The international study will involve 35 centres, mainly in Europe and North America. It will be coordinated by the...
Daily use of marijuana raises risk of heart disease, study finds
Using marijuana every day can raise a person’s risk of coronary artery disease, or CAD, by a third compared with those who never partake, a new study found. Study results suggest that daily cannabis users were 34% more likely to be diagnosed with coronary artery...
Cannabis-related emergency room visits on the rise among older adults in California: study
"The number of seniors visiting emergency rooms in California for cannabis-related issues is growing, according to new research. From 2005 to 2019, the state’s emergency departments saw a 1,804 percent relative increase in the rate of cannabis-related trips among...
THC-O acetate may trigger new EVALI outbreak, study warns
"THC-O acetate products have recently become popular due to claims that they produce stronger psychoactive effects than traditional marijuana and uncertainty about their legal status in the United States. However, a new study published in the Journal of Medical...
New Cannabis Research Institute will study the effects of marijuana and how best to manage it
A new cannabis research center in Chicago will explore the effects of the plant and how best to manage the industry, officials announced Thursday. The Cannabis Research Institute is expected to do work on crop production, health benefits and risks, worker training...
Study: 1 in 4 adults with chronic pain turning to cannabis
More than a quarter of U.S. adults suffering from chronic pain have turned to using cannabis to manage their discomfort, according to a new study published in JAMA Open Network. Researchers at Michigan Medicine surveyed 1,661 adults last spring with chronic pain who...
Research at new center to focus on health impact of cannabis use
The UC Riverside Center for Cannabinoid Rsearch (UCRCCR) is UCR's newest research center and will focus on collaborative studies aimed at improving our understanding of roles for the endocannabinoid system in health and disease, and the impact that cannabis use has on...
Medical Cannabis Could Replace Addictive Opioids For Pain Relief, Study Suggests
Medical cannabis could be a viable substitute for effective, but highly-addictive, opioids often used for pain relief, a new survey suggests, as researchers continue to explore the potential health benefits of cannabis amid a growing national opioid crisis. Of the...
The state of Michigan supplied $40M for marijuana research in veterans. Here’s what it’s funding.
Two Michigan universities and a California-based marijuana research group (MAPS: Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies) are using about $40 million in Michigan marijuana tax revenue to research the therapeutic effects of cannabis on veterans suffering...
High-quality human clinical trials needed to determine the benefits of CBD for heart disease patients
As cannabidiol (CBD) use rises, high-quality randomized clinical trials are needed to determine if anti-inflammatory benefits of CBD for heart disease seen in preclinical data will work in a real-world setting, according to research presented at ACC Latin America...
Cannabis use during pregnancy may cause mental health problems in children
Children whose mothers used cannabis after the fifth or sixth week of pregnancy may be more likely to develop mental health problems in early adolescence, a new study suggests. An analysis of data from more than 10,000 children aged 11 and 12 revealed that exposure...
Medical Cannabis Tied to Higher Risk for New Heart Rhythm Disorders
People with chronic pain who use medical cannabis have a higher risk for heart rhythm disorders versus nonusers, according to a study presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2022. The analysis included a cohort of patients with chronic pain who were...
NIH to investigate minor cannabinoids and terpenes for potential pain-relieving properties
Despite a lack of robust evidence, cannabinoids — such as CBD — are often assumed to be safe and effective in managing pain and used for such purposes in real-world settings. Now, nine new research awards totaling approximately $3 million will investigate the...
A First: National Institutes of Health Issues RFI on Cannabis Research Barriers
Federal support for cannabis research continues to rise. A first-of-its-kind “request for information” issued by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is the latest example. It aims “to solicit information from the scientific research community about its interest in...
Legalizing recreational cannabis increases its use, research shows
People in US states that legalized recreational cannabis use it 20% more frequently than those in states that didn't legalize it, a study published Thursday in the journal Addiction has suggested. The participants were surveyed pre- and post-2014 on how many days they...
Marijuana use is outpacing cigarette use for the first time on record
More people in the U.S. are now smoking marijuana than cigarettes, according to a Gallup poll. Cigarette use has been trending downward during the past decades, with only 11% of Americans saying they smoke them whereas 16% of Americans say they smoke marijuana. Read...
CBD Curbed Symptoms of Chronic Anxiety in Young People in Study
Taking cannabidiol - the non-intoxicating component of cannabis better known as CBD - may curb the severity of chronic anxiety symptoms in young people, a new study found. Teens and young adults with treatment-resistant anxiety who were given a single daily CBD pill...
Lots of ‘THC-free’ CBD products contain THC: study
About 60% of CBD products tested in the lab also contain THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the chemical in pot that causes intoxication, researchers report in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence. Most products contained just trace amounts of THC, but those are enough...
Cannabis for chronic pain: New research questions its effectiveness
A recent systematic review published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that some cannabis products might help treat chronic pain in the short term. However, medical professionals need to weigh this against the potential drawbacks of increased dizziness and...
More young people begin recreational cannabis use illegally in states that legalize it
Once a state legalizes recreational cannabis, residents are more likely to start using it, including those too young to do so legally, report researchers at University of California San Diego. The findings, published online in the May 26, 2022 issue of Addiction,...
Frequent marijuana smoking linked to higher risk of heart attack, study suggests
Smoking marijuana at least once a month is linked to an elevated risk of heart attack, according to a new study conducted among nearly 160,000 people in the U.K. The research, published Friday in the journal Cell, looked at more than 11,000 people between ages 40 and...
CBD tablet seems to relieve pain after shoulder surgery, study finds
A tablet formulated with cannabidiol, or CBD, reduces pain after shoulder surgery, with no safety concerns, a study presented Friday during the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons meeting found. The tablet, called Oravexx, developed by New Jersey-based life...
Secondhand bong smoke worse than that from tobacco, study finds
A new study has found that secondhand cannabis smoke from bongs can be even more harmful than tobacco due to an increased concentration of fine particulate matter. Researchers from the University of California, Berkeley, who published their report on the Jama Open...
JAMA study on youth cannabis use is retracted, replaced
In September, a widely-covered study published in JAMA Network Open found that youth use declined after the passage of medical and adult use cannabis laws. But methodological concerns raised by researchers regarding the use of pooled and unweighted data from a...
Medical marijuana may trigger substance abuse, study finds
Obtaining a medical marijuana card may pose a risk for those who use cannabis products to treat pain, anxiety, or depression, according to a Massachusetts General Hospital study. In a significant minority of individuals, researchers found those at greatest risk of developing the addictive symptoms of cannabis use
Majority of young adults and adolescents in the United States are using cannabis instead of nicotine, study shows
Nicotine, generally found in tobacco cigarettes, is often the assumed substance of vaping. A recent study by Ruoyan Sun, assistant professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s School of Public Health, shows that 35 percent of 12- to 14-year-olds, 51.3...
Brain stimulation shows promise as treatment for cannabis use disorder in people with schizophrenia
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) was associated with a reduction in self-reported cannabis use by up to 60 per cent among people with schizophrenia who have cannabis use disorder (CUD), according to a CAMH-led study just published in the journal NPJ Schizophrenia.
NFL gives UC San Diego $500K to study whether cannabis helps athletes manage pain
The National Football League is giving UC San Diego $500,000 to study whether cannabis can be effectively used to help athletes manage pain from injuries and to recover more quickly. The research will be done on professional rugby players and will involve...
Chronic marijuana use linked to recurrent stroke
Young adults hospitalized for a stroke are much more likely to be admitted for a recurrent stroke if they have cannabis use disorder (CUD), new observational research suggests. "Our analysis shows young marijuana users with a history of stroke or transient ischemic...
How does cannabis use affect brain health? Caution advised, more research needed: American Heart Association Scientific Statement
Despite the perception that marijuana is harmless, there is some scientific evidence challenging that belief, and there are many unanswered questions about its impact on brain health, according to a new American Heart Association scientific statement published today...
Rutgers University releases study on marijuana usage to help guide state policy
The New Jersey State Policy Lab at Rutgers University has released a first-of-its-kind report examining health, education, and law enforcement factors related to marijuana usage. It’s intended to be used as a baseline to measure the impact of legalization and identify...
Stoned drivers are ‘significantly’ impaired for up to 4 hours after marijuana use
Cannabis use can “significantly” impair drivers for up to four hours after use, a new study revealed, stressing the urgency for a better understanding of the effects its use increases around the country. The randomized clinical trial of 191 regular cannabis users in...
Driving both high and drunk more dangerous than either alone
The hazards of drunken driving are well known, and a new research review shows that adding pot to the mix only makes matters worse. The analysis of 57 past studies found that the combination of alcohol and marijuana compromised people's driving skills to a greater...
Researchers eye cannabis for gynecologic pain
Patients with chronic pelvic pain, vulvodynia, endometriosis, or gynecologic malignancy may use THC, CBD, or a combination of both in an effort to treat their pain, research shows. A recent review in this area identified 16 studies published since 1990 that examined...
Another study finds cannabis compound CBD might prevent, fight COVID-19 infection
If taken in the right way and at the right amount, certain cannabis compounds might prevent or lessen the severity of COVID-19 infection, a pair of recently released studies suggests.
Cannabis compounds prevented COVID infection in laboratory study
A recent Bloomberg article noted that "Cannabis compounds prevented the virus that causes Covid-19 from penetrating healthy human cells, according to a laboratory study published in the Journal of Nature Products."
STEM in the news: New website aims to help doctors talk with patients about cannabis
On January 19, 2021, our lead PI, Dr. Devan Kansagara, joined OPB’s Think Out Loud to discuss the STEM project. You can listen to the session or read the related article on the OPB website.
UM opens new center for medical cannabis research
The University of Mississippi announced Thursday, Jan. 20, the approval of a new center for medical cannabis research. The National Center for Cannabis Research and Education (NCCRE) will foster and conduct scientific research, data analysis, education and training on...
Many marijuana vendors aim advertising at kids: Study
Some recreational pot shops are using tricks from the old playbooks of alcohol and tobacco companies to target underage users on social media, a new study reports. For the study, the researchers evaluated one year of publicly displayed posts on Facebook and Instagram...
Whole-plant Cannabis Linked to Large Reduction in Seizures
Whole-plant cannabis is linked to a significant reduction in seizures in children with severe treatment-resistant epilepsy, early research suggests.
Cannabis Decriminalization Reduces The Racial Disparity, A New Study Suggests
The findings of a new study suggest that cannabis decriminalization policy reduces the racial disparity in arrests for possession. The study, published in
Cannabis Use in Pregnancy May Lead to a More Anxious, Aggressive Child
Children of women who use marijuana during or soon after pregnancy are twice as likely as other kids to become anxious, aggressive or hyperactive, according to a new study.
Cannabis use disorder may be linked to growing number of heart attacks in younger adults
At a time of increasing legalization of marijuana, a growing number of people under 50 diagnosed with cannabis use disorder were later hospitalized for a heart attack, new research has found.
New take on runner’s high: Study explores how marijuana affects workouts
Researchers at Colorado University will begin a first-of-its-kind study on how cannabis products affect exercise performance.
Marijuana vaping among teens has more than doubled since 2013
Teen vaping of marijuana doubled between 2013 and 2020, indicating that young people may be swapping out joints, pipes or bongs for vape pens, according to a new study.
Cannabis Use Common for MS-Related Spasticity
Use of cannabis is common in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), especially for the treatment of MS-related spasticity, new research suggests.
Self-reported practices of frontline cannabis dispensary workers and the implications for clinicians
Forty-seven percent of US adults who use cannabis report medical reasons for use, and many obtain their information about medical cannabis from dispensaries. Merlin et al. report results of a study that surveyed 434 frontline cannabis dispensary workers...
WSU establishes new center for cannabis research
The Washington State University board of regents has voted to approve the establishment of an official research center on cannabis. The newly named Center for Cannabis Policy, Research and Outreach will involve nearly 100 scientists and faculty working on a range of...
First clinical trial for migraine treatment with cannabis announced
Researchers at the University of California San Diego have initiated the first placebo-controlled randomized trial investigating the efficacy of cannabis products for the treatment of acute migraine. Trial participants will be randomized into 4 study groups (placebo,...
Click here to learn how STEM selects new articles.