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Details: Published: 04 June 2023; Hits: 1061

Recreational cannabis legalization alters associations among cannabis use, perception of risk, and cannabis use disorder treatment for adolescents and young adults

Abstract

Objective: This research investigates whether associations among adolescent and young adult perception of risk of harm from cannabis use, prevalence of past-month cannabis use, and rate of CUD treatment admissions changed following recreational cannabis legalization in the US, 2008–2019.

Results: Following recreational legalization: 1) adolescent and young adult past-month cannabis use prevalence increased; 2) among both adolescents and young adults, the association of lower perception of risk of harm with higher cannabis use prevalence was strengthened; 3) among adolescents, the association of higher cannabis use prevalence with higher CUD treatment admissions was suppressed; and 4) among young adults, an association of higher cannabis use prevalence with lower CUD treatment admissions emerged.

Conclusions: Recreational legalization is likely to increase cannabis use among adolescents and young adults who perceive cannabis as less harmful, while at the same time reduce rates of CUD treatment utilization. These trends portend an increase in unmet need for CUD treatment for age groups particularly vulnerable to the development and negative consequences of CUD.

(Source: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0306460322003185?s=03)

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Details: Published: 04 June 2023; Hits: 896

While classical laboratory and animal data have long established cannabinoid genotoxicity, it is only recently, with the application of modern analytical techniques, that the scale of epidemiological disease that may be attributable to cannabinoid exposure has been revealed. The importance and urgency of this work is heightened by the increased cannabis use that is accompanying the relaxation of legislation around cannabis use in many places, the widespread global movement toward cannabis legalization, and the general increase in the cannabinoid potency of available strains.

Data: DNA Damage – Ageing – Congenital Anomalies

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Details: Published: 04 June 2023; Hits: 1002

A very limited study concluded that Smoking cannabis doesn't carry the same COPD risk as tobacco ??

Ah, but for starters it didn’t include vaping, the now preferred insufflation delivery method for nicotine and any other substance. And it was limited to a small cohort.

Vaping will carry an even higher risk than smoking. We don’t have the long-term continuous use of smoking that people are doing now. Many smoke cannabis like cigarettes (multiple times a day) - this will catch up.

Although the effects of cannabis were detrimental, the pattern of lung function changes was not the same. The research found that prolonged cannabis use led to over-inflated lungs and increased the resistance to airflow to a greater extent than tobacco," he says.

"It was also found that cannabis use may also impair the ability of the lungs to extract oxygen from the breath. This is a known consequence of smoking tobacco, but has not been demonstrated with cannabis until now.

Respiratory doctors recognise that some patients who smoke a lot of cannabis have a distinct form of lung damage -- a very severe form of emphysema that is sometimes called bong lung -- but little is actually known about this condition.

American Thoracic Society – Inhaled Marijuana and the Lungs

Inhaling any marijuana product can also expose the user to chemicals and pesticides contained in available products. How these substances affect the proper function of the lung is unknown. No method of inhaling marijuana, smoked or not smoked, can therefore be considered safe until further studies are done.

Smoking marijuana damages the lungs more than tobacco

In a recent Radiology journal study, researchers report chest computed tomography (CT) findings that the lungs of marijuana smokers exhibit more significant levels of airway inflammatory markers and emphysema as compared to those of tobacco-only smokers.

Vaping only ramps this up…The results seem to be that the damage will occur earlier and be more severe. Vaping can lead to E.V.A.L.I. - which causes permanent lung damage and irreparable lung damage.

It is vital we place more than one limited study before young people.

Dr Karen Randall – D.A.R.Team.

Details: Published: 04 June 2023; Hits: 1216

JAMA Psychiatry. Published online May 24, 2023.

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Question: Is cannabis use disorder associated with an increased risk of psychotic and nonpsychotic unipolar depression and bipolar disorder?

Findings: In this cohort study of 6 651 765 individuals in Demark, cannabis use disorder was associated with an increased risk of both psychotic and nonpsychotic unipolar depression and bipolar disorder.

Meaning: The findings suggest that cannabis use disorder is independently associated with bipolar disorder and unipolar depression.

Importance: Cannabis use is increasing worldwide and is suspected to be associated with increased risk of psychiatric disorders; however, the association with affective disorders has been insufficiently studied.

Results: A total of 6 651 765 individuals (50.3% female) were followed up for 119 526 786 person-years. Cannabis use disorder was associated with an increased risk of unipolar depression (HR, 1.84; 95% CI, 1.78-1.90), psychotic unipolar depression (HR, 1.97; 95% CI, 1.73-2.25), and nonpsychotic unipolar depression (HR, 1.83; 95% CI, 1.77-1.89). Cannabis use was associated with an increased risk of bipolar disorder in men (HR, 2.96; 95% CI, 2.73-3.21) and women (HR, 2.54; 95% CI, 2.31-2.80), psychotic bipolar disorder (HR, 4.05; 95% CI, 3.52-4.65), and nonpsychotic bipolar disorder in men (HR, 2.96; 95% CI, 2.73-3.21) and women (HR, 2.60; 95% CI, 2.36-2.85). Cannabis use disorder was associated with higher risk for psychotic than nonpsychotic subtypes of bipolar disorder (relative HR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.21-1.81) but not unipolar depression (relative HR, 1.08; 95% CI, 0.92-1.27).

Conclusions and Relevance: This population-based cohort study found that CUD was associated with an increased risk of psychotic and nonpsychotic bipolar disorder and unipolar depression. These findings may inform policies regarding the legal status and control of cannabis use.

(Source: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/article-abstract/2804862 )

Details: Published: 19 May 2023; Hits: 930

Objective: To examine whether timing of in utero marijuana exposure independently and negatively impacts fetal growth, and if these effects are global or specific to certain growth parameters

Conclusions: Timing of marijuana exposure appears to play a key role in specific fetal growth deficits, with exposure throughout gestation most detrimental. However even first trimester exposure may result in decreased weight.

(Source: (PDF) (researchgate.net)

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