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Goulette M, Schlienz NJ, Case AA, Hansen E, Rivard C, Ashare RL, Goniewicz ML, Bansal-Travers M, Hyland A, Smith DM. Self-reported knowledge of tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol concentration in cannabis products among cancer patients and survivors. Support Care Cancer 2024; 32:210. [PMID: 38443674 PMCID: PMC10915076 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-024-08374-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Cannabis use may introduce risks and/or benefits among people living with cancer, depending on product type, composition, and nature of its use. Patient knowledge of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or cannabidiol (CBD) concentration could provide information for providers about cannabis use during and after treatment that may aide in risk and benefit assessments. This study aimed to examine knowledge of THC or CBD concentration among patients living with cancer who consume cannabis, and factors associated with knowledge of cannabinoid concentrations. METHODS People living with cancer who consumed cannabis since their diagnosis (n = 343) completed an anonymous, mixed-mode survey. Questions assessed usual mode of delivery (MOD), knowledge of THC/CBD concentration, and how source of acquisition, current cannabis use, and source of instruction are associated with knowledge of THC/CBD concentration. Chi-square and separate binary logistic regression analyses were examined and weighted to reflect the Roswell Park patient population. RESULTS Less than 20% of people living with cancer had knowledge of THC and CBD concentration for the cannabis products they consumed across all MOD (smoking- combustible products, vaping- vaporized products (e-cigarettes), edibles-eating or drinking it, and oral- taking by mouth (pills)). Source of acquisition (smoking-AOR:4.6, p < 0.01, vaping-AOR:5.8, p < 0.00, edibles-AOR:2.6, p < 0.04), current cannabis use (edibles-AOR:5.4, p < 0.01, vaping-AOR: 11.2, p < 0.00, and oral-AOR:9.3, p < 0.00), and source of instruction (vaping only AOR:4.2, p < 0.05) were found to be variables associated with higher knowledge of THC concentration. CONCLUSION Self-reported knowledge of THC and CBD concentration statistically differed according to MOD, source of acquisition, source of instruction, and current cannabis use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Goulette
- Department of Health Behavior, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Elm & Carlton Streets, Buffalo, NY, 14263, USA
- State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Nicolas J Schlienz
- Department of Health Behavior, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Elm & Carlton Streets, Buffalo, NY, 14263, USA
| | - Amy A Case
- Department of Health Behavior, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Elm & Carlton Streets, Buffalo, NY, 14263, USA
| | - Eric Hansen
- Department of Health Behavior, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Elm & Carlton Streets, Buffalo, NY, 14263, USA
| | - Cheryl Rivard
- Department of Health Behavior, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Elm & Carlton Streets, Buffalo, NY, 14263, USA
| | | | - Maciej L Goniewicz
- Department of Health Behavior, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Elm & Carlton Streets, Buffalo, NY, 14263, USA
| | - Maansi Bansal-Travers
- Department of Health Behavior, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Elm & Carlton Streets, Buffalo, NY, 14263, USA
| | - Andrew Hyland
- Department of Health Behavior, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Elm & Carlton Streets, Buffalo, NY, 14263, USA
| | - Danielle M Smith
- Department of Health Behavior, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Elm & Carlton Streets, Buffalo, NY, 14263, USA.
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2
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Gette JA, Littlefield AK, Victor SE, Schmidt AT, Garos S. Evaluation of the Daily Sessions, Frequency, Age of Onset, and Quantity of Cannabis Use Questionnaire and its Relations to Cannabis-Related Problems. CANNABIS (ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.) 2023; 6:64-86. [PMID: 38035173 PMCID: PMC10683753 DOI: 10.26828/cannabis/2023/000161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
Cannabis use and the prevalence of cannabis use disorder (CUD) among emerging adults are on the rise. Several indicators of cannabis use (e.g., quantity, frequency) as they relate to negative outcomes have been posited in the extant literature. Despite research examining links between indicators and cannabis outcomes, few assessments of cannabis use indicators exist. The Daily Sessions, Frequency, Age of Onset, and Quantity of Cannabis Use Inventory (DFAQ-CU) was developed to assess cannabis use across a range of factors. However, the factor structure of the DFAQ-CU has not been replicated. Further, the DFAQ-CU was modeled using reflective strategies despite formative strategies being conceptually appropriate. The present study utilized principal components analyses (PCA) and principal axis factoring (PAF) to evaluate the structure of the DFAQ-CU. PCA yielded a four-component solution; PAF resulted in a five-factor solution. Linear regression found significant relations between PCA components and PAF factors with CUD symptoms and cannabis-related problems; however, effect sizes were larger for the PAF suggesting possible misdisattenuation. The PCA components demonstrated evidence of discriminant and convergent validity with measures of cannabis and alcohol behavior. The study informs research and clinical work through the refinement of cannabis use assessment and enhancing our understanding of the importance of model selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan A Gette
- The Center of Alcohol and Substance Use Studies, Rutgers University
| | | | - Sarah E Victor
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Texas Tech University
| | - Adam T Schmidt
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Texas Tech University
| | - Sheila Garos
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Texas Tech University
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3
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Oswald IWH, Paryani TR, Sosa ME, Ojeda MA, Altenbernd MR, Grandy JJ, Shafer NS, Ngo K, Peat JR, Melshenker BG, Skelly I, Koby KA, Page MFZ, Martin TJ. Minor, Nonterpenoid Volatile Compounds Drive the Aroma Differences of Exotic Cannabis. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:39203-39216. [PMID: 37901519 PMCID: PMC10601067 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c04496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023]
Abstract
Cannabis sativa L. produces a wide variety of volatile secondary metabolites that contribute to its unique aroma. The major volatile constituents include monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, and their oxygenated derivates. In particular, the compounds ß-myrcene, D-(+)-limonene, ß-caryophyllene, and terpinolene are often found in greatest amounts, which has led to their use in chemotaxonomic classification schemes and legal Cannabis sativa L. product labeling. While these compounds contribute to the characteristic aroma of Cannabis sativa L. and may help differentiate varieties on a broad level, their importance in producing specific aromas is not well understood. Here, we show that across Cannabis sativa L. varieties with divergent aromas, terpene expression remains remarkably similar, indicating their benign contribution to these unique, specific scents. Instead, we found that many minor, nonterpenoid compounds correlate strongly with nonprototypical sweet or savory aromas produced by Cannabis sativa L. Coupling sensory studies to our chemical analysis, we derive correlations between groups of compounds, or in some cases, individual compounds, that produce many of these diverse scents. In particular, we identified a new class of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) containing the 3-mercaptohexyl functional group responsible for the distinct citrus aromas in certain varieties and skatole (3-methylindole) as the key source of the chemical aroma in others. Our results provide not only a rich understanding of the chemistry of Cannabis sativa L. but also highlight how the importance of terpenes in the context of the aroma of Cannabis sativa L. has been overemphasized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iain W. H. Oswald
- Department
of Research and Development, Abstrax Tech, 2661 Dow Avenue, Tustin, California 92618, United States
| | - Twinkle R. Paryani
- Department
of Research and Development, Abstrax Tech, 2661 Dow Avenue, Tustin, California 92618, United States
| | - Manuel E. Sosa
- Department
of Research and Development, Abstrax Tech, 2661 Dow Avenue, Tustin, California 92618, United States
- Chemistry
and Biochemistry Department, Cal Poly Pomona, 3801 West Temple Avenue, Pomona, California 91768, United States
| | - Marcos A. Ojeda
- Department
of Research and Development, Abstrax Tech, 2661 Dow Avenue, Tustin, California 92618, United States
| | - Mark R. Altenbernd
- Department
of Research and Development, Abstrax Tech, 2661 Dow Avenue, Tustin, California 92618, United States
| | - Jonathan J. Grandy
- Sepsolve
Analytical Schauenburg Analytics, 826 King Street North Unit 15, Waterloo, Ontario N2J4G8, Canada
| | - Nathan S. Shafer
- Markes
International-Schauenburg Analytics, 2355 Gold Meadow Drive, Gold River, California 95670, United States
| | - Kim Ngo
- Department
of Research and Development, Abstrax Tech, 2661 Dow Avenue, Tustin, California 92618, United States
| | - Jack R. Peat
- Department
of Research and Development, Abstrax Tech, 2661 Dow Avenue, Tustin, California 92618, United States
| | - Bradley G. Melshenker
- 710
Labs, 8149 Santa Monica
Boulevard Suite 298, Los Angeles, California 90046, United States
| | - Ian Skelly
- 710
Labs, 8149 Santa Monica
Boulevard Suite 298, Los Angeles, California 90046, United States
| | - Kevin A. Koby
- Department
of Research and Development, Abstrax Tech, 2661 Dow Avenue, Tustin, California 92618, United States
| | - Michael F. Z. Page
- Chemistry
and Biochemistry Department, Cal Poly Pomona, 3801 West Temple Avenue, Pomona, California 91768, United States
| | - Thomas J. Martin
- Department
of Research and Development, Abstrax Tech, 2661 Dow Avenue, Tustin, California 92618, United States
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4
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Jadhav PD, Shim YY, Paek OJ, Jeon JT, Park HJ, Park I, Park ES, Kim YJ, Reaney MJT. A Metabolomics and Big Data Approach to Cannabis Authenticity (Authentomics). Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:8202. [PMID: 37175910 PMCID: PMC10179091 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24098202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
With the increasing accessibility of cannabis (Cannabis sativa L., also known as marijuana and hemp), its products are being developed as extracts for both recreational and therapeutic use. This has led to increased scrutiny by regulatory bodies, who aim to understand and regulate the complex chemistry of these products to ensure their safety and efficacy. Regulators use targeted analyses to track the concentration of key bioactive metabolites and potentially harmful contaminants, such as metals and other impurities. However, the metabolic complexity of cannabis metabolic pathways requires a more comprehensive approach. A non-targeted metabolomic analysis of cannabis products is necessary to generate data that can be used to determine their authenticity and efficacy. An authentomics approach, which involves combining the non-targeted analysis of new samples with big data comparisons to authenticated historic datasets, provides a robust method for verifying the quality of cannabis products. To meet International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards, it is necessary to implement the authentomics platform technology and build an integrated database of cannabis analytical results. This study is the first to review the topic of the authentomics of cannabis and its potential to meet ISO standards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pramodkumar D. Jadhav
- Department of Food and Bioproduct Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A8, Canada;
| | - Youn Young Shim
- Department of Food and Bioproduct Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A8, Canada;
- Prairie Tide Diversified Inc., Saskatoon, SK S7J 0R1, Canada
- Department of Food and Biotechnology, Korea University, Sejong 30019, Republic of Korea;
| | - Ock Jin Paek
- Herbal Medicines Research Division, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Cheongju 28159, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-Tae Jeon
- Yuhan Care R&D Center, Yuhan Care Co., Ltd., Yongin 17084, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun-Je Park
- Yuhan Care R&D Center, Yuhan Care Co., Ltd., Yongin 17084, Republic of Korea
- Yuhan Natural Product R&D Center, Yuhan Care Co., Ltd., Andong 36618, Republic of Korea
| | - Ilbum Park
- Yuhan Care R&D Center, Yuhan Care Co., Ltd., Yongin 17084, Republic of Korea
| | - Eui-Seong Park
- Yuhan Care R&D Center, Yuhan Care Co., Ltd., Yongin 17084, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Jun Kim
- Department of Food and Biotechnology, Korea University, Sejong 30019, Republic of Korea;
| | - Martin J. T. Reaney
- Department of Food and Bioproduct Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A8, Canada;
- Prairie Tide Diversified Inc., Saskatoon, SK S7J 0R1, Canada
- Department of Food and Biotechnology, Korea University, Sejong 30019, Republic of Korea;
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5
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Evaluation of an Oral Supplemental Cannabidiol Product for Acceptability and Performance in Mature Horses. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13020245. [PMID: 36670785 PMCID: PMC9854761 DOI: 10.3390/ani13020245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Thirty stock type geldings (15 ± 3 years; 556 ± 63 kg BW) were used in a randomized complete design over 28 days to determine the influence of cannabidiol (CBD) oil supplementation levels on body weight, body condition, and blood chemistry. Horses were randomly assigned to one of three dietary treatments (n = 10 per treatment) formulated with canola oil to provide 1.50 mg CBD/kg BW (TRTA), 0.75 mg CBD/kg BW (TRTB), or 0.00 mg CBD/kg BW (canola oil; CTRL). Treatments were top-dressed onto concentrate and individually administered twice daily. Horses were maintained in adjacent dry lots and received coastal bermudagrass hay ad libitum. Body weight and body condition scores (BCS) were obtained every 14 days. On day 0 and 28, blood was collected via jugular venipuncture and serum was harvested to perform a blood chemistry panel and drugs of abuse screening at the Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS (v9.4), and the model included treatment, time, and the treatment × time interaction, and linear and quadratic orthogonal polynomial contrasts to partition sum of squares. Analysis of composited treatment samples revealed lower CBD concentrations than indicated from initial testing by the manufacturer (0.13 mg CBD/kg in TRTA; 0.12 mg CBD/kg in TRTB). At this level of supplementation, canola-based CBD oil was well-accepted by mature horses, banned substances were not detectable in blood, and blood chemistry parameters were not adversely affected as a result of supplementation. More research is warranted to describe the discrepancy between formulated levels compared to tested levels of CBD in the canola-based supplement.
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6
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Vargas G, Shrier LA, Chadi N, Harris SK. High-Potency Cannabis Use in Adolescence. J Pediatr 2023; 252:191-197.e1. [PMID: 35977620 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2022.07.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Vargas
- Division of Adolescent/Young Adult Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
| | - Lydia A Shrier
- Division of Adolescent/Young Adult Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; Center for Adolescent Behavioral Health Research, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Nicholas Chadi
- Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada; Ste-Justine Hospital Research Center, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Sion K Harris
- Division of Adolescent/Young Adult Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; Center for Adolescent Behavioral Health Research, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA
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7
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Pruyn SA, Wang Q, Wu CG, Taylor CL. Quality Standards in State Programs Permitting Cannabis for Medical Uses. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res 2022; 7:728-735. [PMID: 35363042 PMCID: PMC11452082 DOI: 10.1089/can.2021.0164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Currently in the United States, there exists a patchwork of state-level laws and regulations surrounding cannabis use. Although cannabis (excluding hemp under the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018, Public Law 115-334) is illegal at the federal level and is not FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) approved for any indication, many states allow patients with qualifying conditions to register for their medical cannabis program (MCP). To better understand the quality of cannabis found in these programs, we collected laws, regulations, and guidance documents available on public state-run websites and compared them with current good manufacturing practices (CGMPs) applicable to finished drug products. CGMPs for human drugs contain minimum requirements for the methods, facilities, and controls used in manufacturing, processing, and packaging of a drug product to assure it is safe for use. Such a comparison will aid the development of consistent quality standards that could, in turn, improve the quality of a wide range of cannabis medical products in development that may be sold in the United States. States may likewise choose to have the cannabis and cannabis-derived products that fall within their MCP to follow quality-focused guidelines, such as those listed in CGMPs, to ensure the quality of these products and promote public health. This study further solidifies the need for standardized testing protocols and methodologies to keep consumers safe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Schuyler A. Pruyn
- Botanical Review Team, Office of New Drug Products, Office of Pharmaceutical Quality, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Qiang Wang
- Botanical Review Team, Office of New Drug Products, Office of Pharmaceutical Quality, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Charles G. Wu
- Botanical Review Team, Office of New Drug Products, Office of Pharmaceutical Quality, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Cassandra L. Taylor
- Botanical Review Team, Office of New Drug Products, Office of Pharmaceutical Quality, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
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8
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Huang W, Czuba LC, Manuzak JA, Martin JN, Hunt PW, Klatt NR, Isoherranen N. Objective Identification of Cannabis Use Levels in Clinical Populations Is Critical for Detecting Pharmacological Outcomes. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res 2022; 7:852-864. [PMID: 34793254 PMCID: PMC9784609 DOI: 10.1089/can.2021.0068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Cannabis is widely used for recreational and medical purposes, but its therapeutic efficacy remains unresolved for many applications as data from retrospective studies show dramatic discrepancy. We hypothesized that false self-reporting of cannabis use and lack of differentiation of heavy users from light or occasional users contribute to the conflicting outcomes. Objective: The goal of this study was to develop an objective biomarker of cannabis use and test how application of such biomarker impacts clinical study outcomes and dose-response measures. Methods and Analysis: Population pharmacokinetic (PK) models of (-)-trans-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and its metabolites 11-hydroxy-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (11-OH-THC) and 11-nor-9-carboxy-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (11-COOH-THC) were developed based on published studies reporting cannabinoid disposition in individual subjects following intravenous administration or smoking of cannabis. Plasma 11-COOH-THC concentration distributions in different cannabis user groups smoking cannabis were generated via Monte Carlo simulations, and plasma concentration cutoff values of 11-COOH-THC were developed to differentiate light and heavy daily cannabis users in clinical studies. The developed cutoff value was then applied to a retrospective study that assessed the impact of cannabis use on T cell activation in subjects with HIV who self-reported as either nonuser or daily user of cannabis. Results: The developed population PK models established plasma 11-COOH-THC concentration of 73.1 μg/L as a cutoff value to identify heavy daily users, with a positive predictive value of 80% in a mixed population of equal proportions of once daily and three times a day users. The stratification allowed detection of changes in T cell activation in heavy users which was not detected based on self-reporting or detectability of plasma cannabinoids. A proof-of-concept power analysis demonstrated that implementation of such cutoff value greatly increases study power and sensitivity to detect pharmacological effects of cannabis use. Conclusions: This study shows that the use of plasma 11-COOH-THC concentration cutoff value as an objective measure to classify cannabis use in target populations is critical for study sensitivity and specificity and provides much needed clarity for addressing dose-response relationships and therapeutic effects of cannabis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weize Huang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Lindsay C. Czuba
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Jennifer A. Manuzak
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Division of Immunology, Tulane National Primate Research Center, Covington, Louisiana, USA
| | - Jeffrey N. Martin
- Department of Medicine and University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Peter W. Hunt
- Department of Medicine and University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Nichole R. Klatt
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Nina Isoherranen
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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9
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review aims to summarize recent updates in the area of cannabis use for insomnia. RECENT FINDINGS Cannabis products have continued to become more potent, particularly in regard to delta-9- tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration. Additionally, the use of cannabis has continued to become more accepted with less legal restrictions. The reported use of cannabis for relief of symptoms in sleep disorders appears to be increasing, however the specific effects of cannabinoids on sleep varies with cannabinoid type and concentration. Some evidence supports claims of efficacy of cannabinoids in sleep disorders such as insomnia, while other evidence is either lacking or in some cases contradictory. Regular cannabis use has been associated with withdrawal which can profoundly alter sleep. Also, clinicians should be aware of the potential effects of cannabis on the metabolism of other medications as well as the fact that cannabis use has been reported in a significant number of women in the periods before, during, and after pregnancy. SUMMARY Cannabis use has been becoming more and more prevalent in the setting of relaxed restrictions and easier consumer level access to cannabis and cannabis products. A relative paucity of high quality evidence regarding the effects of cannabis on sleep and the treatment of insomnia symptoms remains. The optimal type, concentration, ratio, and dosage form of cannabinoids in the treatment of insomnia symptoms needs further clarification. As the trend of acceptance and use of cannabis continues, more high quality evidence to help guide clinicians in their recommendations will hopefully become available.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marco Proano
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
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10
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Schwabe AL, Naibauer SK, McGlaughlin ME, Gilbert AN. Human olfactory discrimination of genetic variation within Cannabis strains. Front Psychol 2022; 13:942694. [PMID: 36389460 PMCID: PMC9651054 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.942694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cannabis sativa L. is grown and marketed under a large number of named strains. Strains are often associated with phenotypic traits of interest to consumers, such as aroma and cannabinoid content. Yet genetic inconsistencies have been noted within named strains. We asked whether genetically inconsistent samples of a commercial strain also display inconsistent aroma profiles. We genotyped 32 samples using variable microsatellite regions to determine a consensus strain genotype and identify genetic outliers (if any) for four strains. Results were used to select 15 samples for olfactory testing. A genetic outlier sample was available for all but one strain. Aroma profiles were obtained by 55 sniff panelists using quantitative sensory evaluation of 40 odor descriptors. Within a strain, aroma descriptor frequencies for the genetic outlier were frequently at odds with those of the consensus samples. It appears that within-strain genetic differences are associated with differences in aroma profile. Because these differences were perceptible to untrained panelists, they may also be noticed by retail consumers. Our results could help the cannabis industry achieve better control of product consistency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna L. Schwabe
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO, United States
- *Correspondence: Anna L. Schwabe,
| | - Samantha K. Naibauer
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO, United States
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11
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Schenberg EE, Gerber K. Overcoming epistemic injustices in the biomedical study of ayahuasca: Towards ethical and sustainable regulation. Transcult Psychiatry 2022; 59:610-624. [PMID: 34986699 DOI: 10.1177/13634615211062962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
After decades of biomedical research on ayahuasca's molecular compounds and their physiological effects, recent clinical trials show evidence of therapeutic potential for depression. However, indigenous peoples have been using ayahuasca therapeutically for a very long time, and thus we question the epistemic authority attributed to scientific studies, proposing that epistemic injustices were committed with practical, cultural, social, and legal consequences. We question epistemic authority based on the double-blind design, the molecularization discourse, and contextual issues about safety. We propose a new approach to foster epistemically fair research, outlining how to enforce indigenous rights, considering the Brazilian, Peruvian, and Colombian cases. Indigenous peoples have the right to maintain, control, protect, and develop their biocultural heritage, traditional knowledge, and cultural expressions, including traditional medicine practices. New regulations about ayahuasca must respect the free, prior, and informed consent of indigenous peoples according to the International Labor Organization Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention no. 169. The declaration of the ayahuasca complex as a national cultural heritage may prevent patenting from third parties, fostering the development of traditional medicine. When involving isolated compounds derived from traditional knowledge, benefit-sharing agreements are mandatory according to the United Nations' Convention on Biological Diversity. Considering the extremely high demand to treat millions of depressed patients, the medicalization of ayahuasca without adequate regulation respectful of indigenous rights can be detrimental to indigenous peoples and their management of local environments, potentially harming the sustainability of the plants and of the Amazon itself, which is approaching its dieback tipping point.
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12
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Llewellyn D, Golem S, Foley E, Dinka S, Jones AMP, Zheng Y. Indoor grown cannabis yield increased proportionally with light intensity, but ultraviolet radiation did not affect yield or cannabinoid content. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:974018. [PMID: 36237501 PMCID: PMC9551646 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.974018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Cannabis (Cannabis sativa) flourishes under high light intensities (LI); making it an expensive commodity to grow in controlled environments, despite its high market value. It is commonly believed that cannabis secondary metabolite levels may be enhanced both by increasing LI and exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UV). However, the sparse scientific evidence is insufficient to guide cultivators for optimizing their lighting protocols. We explored the effects of LI and UV exposure on yield and secondary metabolite composition of a high Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) cannabis cultivar 'Meridian'. Plants were grown under short day conditions for 45 days under average canopy photosynthetic photon flux densities (PPFD, 400-700 nm) of 600, 800, and 1,000 μmol m-2 s-1, provided by light emitting diodes (LEDs). Plants exposed to UV had PPFD of 600 μmol m-2 s-1 plus either (1) UVA; 50 μmol m-2 s-1 of UVA (315-400 nm) from 385 nm peak LEDs from 06:30 to 18:30 HR for 45 days or (2) UVA + UVB; a photon flux ratio of ≈1:1 of UVA and UVB (280-315 nm) from a fluorescent source at a photon flux density of 3.0 μmol m-2 s-1, provided daily from 13:30 to 18:30 HR during the last 20 days of the trial. All aboveground biomass metrics were 1.3-1.5 times higher in the highest vs. lowest PPFD treatments, except inflorescence dry weight - the most economically relevant parameter - which was 1.6 times higher. Plants in the highest vs. lowest PPFD treatment also allocated relatively more biomass to inflorescence tissues with a 7% higher harvest index. There were no UV treatment effects on aboveground biomass metrics. There were also no intensity or UV treatment effects on inflorescence cannabinoid concentrations. Sugar leaves (i.e., small leaves associated with inflorescences) of plants in the UVA + UVB treatment had ≈30% higher THC concentrations; however, UV did not have any effect on the total THC in thesefoliar tissues. Overall, high PPFD levels can substantially increase cannabis yield, but we found no commercially relevant benefits of adding UV to indoor cannabis production.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Llewellyn
- School of Environmental Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | | | | | | | | | - Youbin Zheng
- School of Environmental Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
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13
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Trull TJ, Freeman LK, Fleming MN, Vebares TJ, Wycoff AM. Using ecological momentary assessment and a portable device to quantify standard tetrahydrocannabinol units for cannabis flower smoking. Addiction 2022; 117:2351-2358. [PMID: 35293047 DOI: 10.1111/add.15872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
AIMS To evaluate the feasibility and validity of a new method of quantifying cannabis flower use, integrating the amount of cannabis flower smoked, and the potency of the cannabis flower. DESIGN Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) for 14 days. SETTING Participants' daily lives in Columbia, Missouri, USA. PARTICIPANTS A total of 50 community participants, who were regular cannabis flower smokers (48% female). MEASUREMENTS Momentary subjective intoxication ratings following cannabis flower smoking; momentary quantity of cannabis flower smoked; potency of cannabis flower smoked in terms of percentage of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration assessed with a portable device, the Purpl Pro; and time since finished smoking. FINDINGS Participants completed our field testing of their cannabis flower (96.2%) and were compliant with our 2-week EMA protocol (73% for random prompts and 91% for morning reports). Momentary subjective intoxication ratings trended down as a function of time since smoking (r = -0.10, P = 0.004, 95% CI, [-0.17, -0.03]). Multi-level model (MLM) results indicated the momentary standard THC units (mg THC) were positively associated with momentary subjective intoxication ratings (b = 0.01, P = 0.03, 95% CI, [0.01, 0.012]). CONCLUSIONS There is evidence to support the feasibility and initial validity of a new method of quantifying cannabis flower use into standard tetrahydrocannabinol units. Researchers investigating the effects of cannabis flower use on a range of outcomes (e.g. neurobehavioral effects, emotional sequelae, and driving impairment) as well as in clinical treatment trials might adopt this method to provide estimates of cannabis flower use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy J Trull
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Lindsey K Freeman
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Megan N Fleming
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Tayler J Vebares
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Andrea M Wycoff
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
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14
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Kuhns L, Kroon E. The need to calibrate standardized cannabis measurements across cultures. Addiction 2022; 117:1518-1519. [PMID: 34850480 PMCID: PMC9299906 DOI: 10.1111/add.15744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Kuhns
- Developmental PsychologyUniversity of AmsterdamAmsterdamNoord‐HollandThe Netherlands
| | - Emese Kroon
- Developmental PsychologyUniversity of AmsterdamAmsterdamNoord‐HollandThe Netherlands
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15
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The phytochemical diversity of commercial Cannabis in the United States. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0267498. [PMID: 35588111 PMCID: PMC9119530 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0267498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The legal status of Cannabis is changing, fueling an increasing diversity of Cannabis-derived products. Because Cannabis contains dozens of chemical compounds with potential psychoactive or medicinal effects, understanding this phytochemical diversity is crucial. The legal Cannabis industry heavily markets products to consumers based on widely used labeling systems purported to predict the effects of different "strains." We analyzed the cannabinoid and terpene content of commercial Cannabis samples across six US states, finding distinct chemical phenotypes (chemotypes) which are reliably present. By comparing the observed phytochemical diversity to the commercial labels commonly attached to Cannabis-derived product samples, we show that commercial labels do not consistently align with the observed chemical diversity. However, certain labels do show a biased association with specific chemotypes. These results have implications for the classification of commercial Cannabis, design of animal and human research, and regulation of consumer marketing-areas which today are often divorced from the chemical reality of the Cannabis-derived material they wish to represent.
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16
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Deidda R, Dispas A, De Bleye C, Hubert P, Ziemons É. Critical review on recent trends in cannabinoid determination on cannabis herbal samples: From chromatographic to vibrational spectroscopic techniques. Anal Chim Acta 2022; 1209:339184. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2021.339184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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17
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Calapai F, Cardia L, Calapai G, Di Mauro D, Trimarchi F, Ammendolia I, Mannucci C. Effects of Cannabidiol on Locomotor Activity. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:life12050652. [PMID: 35629320 PMCID: PMC9144881 DOI: 10.3390/life12050652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 04/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cannabidiol (CBD) is the second cannabinoid, in order of importance after Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), from Cannabis sativa. Unlike THC, CBD does not cause psychotomimetic effects, and although these compounds have the same chemical formula, their pharmacological characteristics are not equivalent. Preclinical studies suggest that CBD has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anxiolytic, antiemetic, anticonvulsant, and antipsychotic properties and influences the sleep–wake cycle. The evaluation of effects on spontaneous motor activity is crucial in experimental pharmacology, and the careful measurement of laboratory animal movement is an established method to recognize the effects of stimulant and depressant drugs. The potential influence of CBD on locomotor activity has been investigated through numerous in vivo experiments. However, there is no clear picture of the impact of CBD on these issues, even though it is administered alone for medical uses and sold with THC as a drug for pain caused by muscle spasms in multiple sclerosis, and it was recently licensed as a drug for severe forms of infantile epilepsy. On this basis, with the aim of developing deeper knowledge of this issue, scientific data on CBD’s influence on locomotor activity are discussed here. We conducted research using PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and a search engine for literature between January 2009 and December 2021 on life sciences and biomedical topics using the keywords “motor activity”, “locomotor activity”, and “locomotion” in combination with “cannabidiol”. In this article, we discuss findings describing the effects on locomotor activity of the CBD precursor cannabidiolic acid and of CBD alone or in combination with THC, together with the effects of CBD on locomotor modifications induced by diseases and on locomotor changes induced by other substances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrizio Calapai
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy;
| | - Luigi Cardia
- Department of Human Pathology of Adult and Childhood “Gaetano Barresi”, University of Messina, Via C. Valeria, 98125 Messina, Italy;
| | - Gioacchino Calapai
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphological and Functional Imaging, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy; (D.D.M.); (F.T.); (I.A.); (C.M.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Debora Di Mauro
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphological and Functional Imaging, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy; (D.D.M.); (F.T.); (I.A.); (C.M.)
| | - Fabio Trimarchi
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphological and Functional Imaging, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy; (D.D.M.); (F.T.); (I.A.); (C.M.)
| | - Ilaria Ammendolia
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphological and Functional Imaging, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy; (D.D.M.); (F.T.); (I.A.); (C.M.)
| | - Carmen Mannucci
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphological and Functional Imaging, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy; (D.D.M.); (F.T.); (I.A.); (C.M.)
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18
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Lichenstein SD, Manco N, Cope LM, Egbo L, Garrison KA, Hardee J, Hillmer AT, Reeder K, Stern EF, Worhunsky P, Yip SW. Systematic review of structural and functional neuroimaging studies of cannabis use in adolescence and emerging adulthood: evidence from 90 studies and 9441 participants. Neuropsychopharmacology 2022; 47:1000-1028. [PMID: 34839363 PMCID: PMC8938408 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-021-01226-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Cannabis use peaks in adolescence, and adolescents may be more vulnerable to the neural effects of cannabis and cannabis-related harms due to ongoing brain development during this period. In light of ongoing cannabis policy changes, increased availability, reduced perceptions of harm, heightened interest in medicinal applications of cannabis, and drastic increases in cannabis potency, it is essential to establish an understanding of cannabis effects on the developing adolescent brain. This systematic review aims to: (1) synthesize extant literature on functional and structural neural alterations associated with cannabis use during adolescence and emerging adulthood; (2) identify gaps in the literature that critically impede our ability to accurately assess the effect of cannabis on adolescent brain function and development; and (3) provide recommendations for future research to bridge these gaps and elucidate the mechanisms underlying cannabis-related harms in adolescence and emerging adulthood, with the long-term goal of facilitating the development of improved prevention, early intervention, and treatment approaches targeting adolescent cannabis users (CU). Based on a systematic search of Medline and PsycInfo and other non-systematic sources, we identified 90 studies including 9441 adolescents and emerging adults (n = 3924 CU, n = 5517 non-CU), which provide preliminary evidence for functional and structural alterations in frontoparietal, frontolimbic, frontostriatal, and cerebellar regions among adolescent cannabis users. Larger, more rigorous studies are essential to reconcile divergent results, assess potential moderators of cannabis effects on the developing brain, disentangle risk factors for use from consequences of exposure, and elucidate the extent to which cannabis effects are reversible with abstinence. Guidelines for conducting this work are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nick Manco
- Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Lora M Cope
- Department of Psychiatry and Addiction Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Leslie Egbo
- Neuroscience and Behavior Program, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT, USA
| | | | - Jillian Hardee
- Department of Psychiatry and Addiction Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Ansel T Hillmer
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Radiology & Biomedical Imaging, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Kristen Reeder
- Department of Internal Medicine, East Carolina University/Vidant Medical Center, Greenville, NC, USA
| | - Elisa F Stern
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Patrick Worhunsky
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Sarah W Yip
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
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19
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Mostafaei Dehnavi M, Ebadi A, Peirovi A, Taylor G, Salami SA. THC and CBD Fingerprinting of an Elite Cannabis Collection from Iran: Quantifying Diversity to Underpin Future Cannabis Breeding. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 11:plants11010129. [PMID: 35009133 PMCID: PMC8747537 DOI: 10.3390/plants11010129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.) has a rich history of human use, and the therapeutic importance of compounds produced by this species is recognized by the medical community. The active constituents of cannabis, collectively called cannabinoids, encompass hundreds of distinct molecules, the most well-characterized of which are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), which have been used for centuries as recreational drugs and medicinal agents. As a first step to establish a cannabis breeding program, we initiated this study to describe the HPLC-measured quantity of THC and CBD biochemistry profiles of 161 feral pistillate cannabis plants from 20 geographical regions of Iran. Our data showed that Iran can be considered a new region of high potential for distribution of cannabis landraces with diverse THC and CBD content, predominantly falling into three groups, as Type I = THC-predominant, Type II = approximately equal proportions of THC and CBD (both CBD and THC in a ratio close to the unity), and Type III = CBD-predominant. Correlation analysis among two target cannabinoids and environmental and geographical variables indicated that both THC and CBD contents were strongly influenced by several environmental-geographical factors, such that THC and CBD contents were positively correlated with mean, min and max annual temperature and negatively correlated with latitude, elevation, and humidity. Additionally, a negative correlation was observed between THC and CBD concentrations, suggesting that further studies to unravel these genotype × environment interactions (G × E interactions) are warranted. The results of this study provide important pre-breeding information on a collection of cannabis that will underpin future breeding programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahboubeh Mostafaei Dehnavi
- Department of Horticultural Sciences, Faculty of Engineering and Agricultural Science, University of Tehran, Karaj 31587-77871, Iran; (M.M.D.); (A.E.)
| | - Ali Ebadi
- Department of Horticultural Sciences, Faculty of Engineering and Agricultural Science, University of Tehran, Karaj 31587-77871, Iran; (M.M.D.); (A.E.)
| | - Afshin Peirovi
- CIAN Diagnostics, 5330 Spectrum Drive, Suite I, Frederick, MD 21703, USA;
| | - Gail Taylor
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
- Correspondence: (G.T.); (S.A.S.); Tel.: +1-530-752-9165 (G.T.); +98-2632248721 (S.A.S.)
| | - Seyed Alireza Salami
- Department of Horticultural Sciences, Faculty of Engineering and Agricultural Science, University of Tehran, Karaj 31587-77871, Iran; (M.M.D.); (A.E.)
- Industrial and Medical Cannabis Research Institute (IMCRI), Tehran 14176-14411, Iran
- Correspondence: (G.T.); (S.A.S.); Tel.: +1-530-752-9165 (G.T.); +98-2632248721 (S.A.S.)
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20
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Lalsare S. Cannabinoids: Legal aspects, pharmacology, phytochemistry, probable targets from biological system, and therapeutic potential. ASIAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL RESEARCH AND HEALTH CARE 2022. [DOI: 10.4103/ajprhc.ajprhc_9_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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21
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Fortin D, Di Beo V, Massin S, Bisiou Y, Carrieri P, Barré T. A "Good" Smoke? The Off-Label Use of Cannabidiol to Reduce Cannabis Use. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:829944. [PMID: 35370865 PMCID: PMC8968154 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.829944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although cannabis use is common in France, it is still criminalized. Cannabidiol (CBD) products, including CBD-rich cannabis, are legally available. Although previous results suggested that CBD may have benefits for people with cannabis use disorder, there is a lack of data on cannabis users who use CBD to reduce their cannabis consumption. We aimed to identify (i) correlates of this motive, and (ii) factors associated with successful attempts to reduce cannabis use. METHODS A cross-sectional online survey among French-speaking CBD and cannabis users was conducted. Logistic regressions were performed to identify correlates of using CBD to reduce cannabis consumption and correlates of reporting a large reduction. RESULTS Eleven percent (n = 105) of our study sample reported they primarily used CBD to reduce cannabis consumption. Associated factors included smoking tobacco cigarettes (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) [95% confidence interval (CI)] 2.17 [1.3-3.62], p = 0.003) and drinking alcohol (aOR [95%CI] 1.8 [1.02-3.18], p = 0.042). Of these 105, 83% used CBD-rich cannabis to smoke, and 58.7% reported a large reduction in cannabis consumption. This large reduction was associated with non-daily cannabis use (aOR [95%CI] 7.14 [2.4-20.0], p < 0.001) and daily CBD use (aOR [95%CI] 5.87 [2.09-16.47], p = 0.001). A reduction in cannabis withdrawal symptoms thanks to CBD use was the most-cited effect at play in self-observed cannabis reduction. CONCLUSIONS Cannabis use reduction is a reported motive for CBD use-especially CBD-rich cannabis to smoke-in France. More studies are needed to explore practices associated with this motive and to accurately assess CBD effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vincent Di Beo
- Aix Marseille University, INSERM, IRD, SESSTIM, Sciences Economiques & Sociales de la Santé & Traitement de l'Information Médicale, ISSPAM, Marseille, France
| | - Sophie Massin
- Artois University, CNRS, IESEG School of Management, University of Lille, UMR 9221, Lille Economie Management, Arras, France
| | - Yann Bisiou
- University Paul Valéry Montpellier 3, CORHIS, Montpellier, France
| | - Patrizia Carrieri
- Aix Marseille University, INSERM, IRD, SESSTIM, Sciences Economiques & Sociales de la Santé & Traitement de l'Information Médicale, ISSPAM, Marseille, France
| | - Tangui Barré
- Aix Marseille University, INSERM, IRD, SESSTIM, Sciences Economiques & Sociales de la Santé & Traitement de l'Information Médicale, ISSPAM, Marseille, France
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22
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Aebischer JH, Dieckmann NF, Jones KD, St John AW. Chronic Pain Clinical and Prescriptive Practices in the Cannabis Era. Pain Manag Nurs 2021; 23:109-121. [PMID: 34973920 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmn.2021.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 11/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To explore how health care providers in the United States are adapting clinical recommendations and prescriptive practices in response to patient use of medical cannabis (MC) for chronic pain symptoms. DESIGN Literature searches queried MeSH/Subject terms "chronic pain," "clinician," "cannabis," and Boolean text words "practice" and "analgesics" in EBSCOHost, EMBASE, PubMed, and Scopus, published 2010-2021 in the United States. Twenty-one primary, peer-reviewed studies met criteria. METHODS Studies are synthesized under major headings: recommending MC for chronic pain; MC and prescription opioids; and harm reduction of MC. RESULTS MC is increasingly utilized by patients for chronic pain symptoms. Clinical recommendations for or against MC are influenced by scopes of practice, state or federal laws, institutional policies, education, potential patient harm (or indirect harm of others), and perceived confidence. Epidemiologic and cohort studies show downward trajectories of opioid prescribing and consumption in states with legal cannabis. However, clinicians' recommendations and prescription practices are nonuniform. Impacts of cannabis laws are clear between nongovernmental and governmental institutions. Strategies addressing MC and opioid use include frequent visits, and, to reduce harm, suggesting alternative therapies and treating substance use disorders. CONCLUSIONS MC use for chronic pain is increasing with cannabis legalization. Provider practices are heterogenous, demonstrating a balance of treating chronic pain using available evidence, while being aware of potential harms associated with MC and opioids.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nathan F Dieckmann
- Oregon Health & Science University, School of Nursing, Portland, OR; Oregon Health & Science University & Portland State University, School of Public Health, Core Faculty, Portland, OR; Oregon Health & Science University, School of Medicine, Division of Psychology & Psychiatry, Portland, OR
| | - Kim D Jones
- Linfield University, School of Nursing, Portland, OR
| | - Amanda W St John
- Oregon Health & Science University, School of Medicine, Division of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine, Portland, OR
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23
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Kuhathasan N, Minuzzi L, MacKillop J, Frey BN. The Use of Cannabinoids for Insomnia in Daily Life: Naturalistic Study. J Med Internet Res 2021; 23:e25730. [PMID: 34704957 PMCID: PMC8581757 DOI: 10.2196/25730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Revised: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Insomnia is a prevalent condition that presents itself at both the symptom and diagnostic levels. Although insomnia is one of the main reasons individuals seek medicinal cannabis, little is known about the profile of cannabinoid use or the perceived benefit of the use of cannabinoids in daily life. Objective We conducted a retrospective study of medicinal cannabis users to investigate the use profile and perceived efficacy of cannabinoids for the management of insomnia. Methods Data were collected using the Strainprint app, which allows medicinal cannabis users to log conditions and symptoms, track cannabis use, and monitor symptom severity pre- and postcannabis use. Our analyses examined 991 medicinal cannabis users with insomnia across 24,189 tracked cannabis use sessions. Sessions were analyzed, and both descriptive statistics and linear mixed-effects modeling were completed to examine use patterns and perceived efficacy. Results Overall, cannabinoids were perceived to be efficacious across all genders and ages, and no significant differences were found among product forms, ingestion methods, or gender groups. Although all strain categories were perceived as efficacious, predominant indica strains were found to reduce insomnia symptomology more than cannabidiol (CBD) strains (estimated mean difference 0.59, SE 0.11; 95% CI 0.36-0.81; adjusted P<.001) and predominant sativa strains (estimated mean difference 0.74, SE 0.16; 95% CI 0.43-1.06; adjusted P<.001). Indica hybrid strains also presented a greater reduction in insomnia symptomology than CBD strains (mean difference 0.52, SE 0.12; 95% CI 0.29-0.74; adjusted P<.001) and predominant sativa strains (mean difference 0.67, SE 0.16; 95% CI 0.34-1.00; adjusted P=.002). Conclusions Medicinal cannabis users perceive a significant improvement in insomnia with cannabinoid use, and this study suggests a possible advantage with the use of predominant indica strains compared with predominant sativa strains and exclusively CBD in this population. This study emphasizes the need for randomized placebo-controlled trials assessing the efficacy and safety profile of cannabinoids for the treatment of insomnia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nirushi Kuhathasan
- Mood Disorders Program and Women's Health Concerns Clinic, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, ON, Canada.,Michael G DeGroote Centre for Medicinal Cannabis Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Luciano Minuzzi
- Mood Disorders Program and Women's Health Concerns Clinic, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, ON, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - James MacKillop
- Michael G DeGroote Centre for Medicinal Cannabis Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.,Peter Boris Centre for Addictions Research, McMaster University/St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Benicio N Frey
- Mood Disorders Program and Women's Health Concerns Clinic, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, ON, Canada.,Michael G DeGroote Centre for Medicinal Cannabis Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
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24
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Schwabe AL, Hansen CJ, Hyslop RM, McGlaughlin ME. Comparative Genetic Structure of Cannabis sativa Including Federally Produced, Wild Collected, and Cultivated Samples. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:675770. [PMID: 34707624 PMCID: PMC8544287 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.675770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Currently in the United States, the sole licensed facility to cultivate Cannabis sativa L. for research purposes is the University of Mississippi, which is funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Studies researching Cannabis flower consumption rely on NIDA-supplied "research grade marijuana." Previous research found that cannabinoid levels of NIDA-supplied Cannabis do not align with commercially available Cannabis. We sought to investigate the genetic identity of Cannabis supplied by NIDA relative to common categories within the species. This is the first genetic study to include "research grade marijuana" from NIDA. Samples (49) were assigned as Wild Hemp (feral; 6) and Cultivated Hemp (3), NIDA (2), CBD drug type (3), and high THC drug type subdivided into Sativa (11), Hybrid (14), and Indica (10). Ten microsatellites targeting neutral non-coding regions were used. Clustering and genetic distance analyses support a division between hemp and drug-type Cannabis. All hemp samples clustered genetically, but no clear distinction of Sativa, Hybrid, and Indica subcategories within retail marijuana samples was found. Interestingly, the two analyzed "research grade marijuana" samples obtained from NIDA were genetically distinct from most drug-type Cannabis available from retail dispensaries. Although the sample size was small, "research grade marijuana" provided for research is genetically distinct from most retail drug-type Cannabis that patients and patrons are consuming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna L. Schwabe
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO, United States
| | - Connor J. Hansen
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO, United States
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO, United States
| | - Richard M. Hyslop
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO, United States
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Vergara D, Huscher EL, Keepers KG, Pisupati R, Schwabe AL, McGlaughlin ME, Kane NC. Genomic Evidence That Governmentally Produced Cannabis sativa Poorly Represents Genetic Variation Available in State Markets. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:668315. [PMID: 34594346 PMCID: PMC8476804 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.668315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) is the sole producer of Cannabis for research purposes in the United States, including medical investigation. Previous research established that cannabinoid profiles in the NIDA varieties lacked diversity and potency relative to the Cannabis produced commercially. Additionally, microsatellite marker analyses have established that the NIDA varieties are genetically divergent form varieties produced in the private legal market. Here, we analyzed the genomes of multiple Cannabis varieties from diverse lineages including two produced by NIDA, and we provide further support that NIDA's varieties differ from widely available medical, recreational, or industrial Cannabis. Furthermore, our results suggest that NIDA's varieties lack diversity in the single-copy portion of the genome, the maternally inherited genomes, the cannabinoid genes, and in the repetitive content of the genome. Therefore, results based on NIDA's varieties are not generalizable regarding the effects of Cannabis after consumption. For medical research to be relevant, material that is more widely used would have to be studied. Clearly, having research to date dominated by a single, non-representative source of Cannabis has hindered scientific investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Vergara
- Kane Laboratory, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, United States
| | - Ezra L. Huscher
- Kane Laboratory, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, United States
| | - Kyle G. Keepers
- Kane Laboratory, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, United States
| | - Rahul Pisupati
- Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna Biocenter, Gregor Mendel Institute, Vienna, Austria
| | - Anna L. Schwabe
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO, United States
| | | | - Nolan C. Kane
- Kane Laboratory, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, United States
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Acute effects of high-potency cannabis flower and cannabis concentrates on everyday life memory and decision making. Sci Rep 2021; 11:13784. [PMID: 34215784 PMCID: PMC8253757 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-93198-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Statewide legislation has increased public access to high-potency cannabis flower and concentrates, yet federal restrictions limit researchers’ access to relatively low-potency whole-plant cannabis. The goal of this study was to examine the acute effects of high-potency cannabis on cognition using a novel methodology. We further sought to compare cognitive effects of high-potency cannabis flower with and without cannabidiol (CBD), as well as cannabis concentrates to cannabis flower. 80 cannabis users were randomly assigned to stay sober or use their funds to purchase one of three high-potency cannabis products: (1) high-potency flower (≥ 20% THC) without CBD, (2) high-potency flower with CBD, (3) high-potency concentrates (≥ 60% THC) with CBD. Participants were observed over Zoom videoconferencing while inhaling their product or remaining sober and then were administered tests of everyday life memory (prospective, source, temporal order, and false memory) and decision making (risky choice framing, consistency in risk perception, resistance to sunk cost, and over/under confidence) over Zoom. High-potency cannabis flower with CBD impaired free recall, high-potency flower without CBD and concentrates had detrimental effects on source memory, and all three products increased susceptibility to false memories. CBD did not offset impairments and concentrates were self-titrated producing comparable intoxication and impairment as flower.
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The why behind the high: determinants of neurocognition during acute cannabis exposure. Nat Rev Neurosci 2021; 22:439-454. [PMID: 34045693 DOI: 10.1038/s41583-021-00466-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Acute cannabis intoxication may induce neurocognitive impairment and is a possible cause of human error, injury and psychological distress. One of the major concerns raised about increasing cannabis legalization and the therapeutic use of cannabis is that it will increase cannabis-related harm. However, the impairing effect of cannabis during intoxication varies among individuals and may not occur in all users. There is evidence that the neurocognitive response to acute cannabis exposure is driven by changes in the activity of the mesocorticolimbic and salience networks, can be exacerbated or mitigated by biological and pharmacological factors, varies with product formulations and frequency of use and can differ between recreational and therapeutic use. It is argued that these determinants of the cannabis-induced neurocognitive state should be taken into account when defining and evaluating levels of cannabis impairment in the legal arena, when prescribing cannabis in therapeutic settings and when informing society about the safe and responsible use of cannabis.
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Deidda R, Coppey F, Damergi D, Schelling C, Coïc L, Veuthey JL, Sacré PY, De Bleye C, Hubert P, Esseiva P, Ziemons É. New perspective for the in-field analysis of cannabis samples using handheld near-infrared spectroscopy: A case study focusing on the determination of Δ 9-tetrahydrocannabinol. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2021; 202:114150. [PMID: 34034047 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2021.114150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to explore the feasibility of applying near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy for the quantitative analysis of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in cannabis products using handheld devices. A preliminary study was conducted on different physical forms (entire, ground and sieved) of cannabis inflorescences in order to evaluate the impact of sample homogeneity on THC content predictions. Since entire cannabis inflorescences represent the most common types of samples found in both the pharmaceutical and illicit markets, they have been considered priority analytical targets. Two handheld NIR spectrophotometers (a low-cost device and a mid-cost device) were used to perform the analyses and their predictive performance was compared. Six partial least square (PLS) models based on reference data obtained by UHPLC-UV were built. The importance of the technical features of the spectrophotometer for quantitative applications was highlighted. The mid-cost system outperformed the low-cost system in terms of predictive performance, especially when analyzing entire cannabis inflorescences. In contrast, for the more homogeneous forms, the results were comparable. The mid-cost system was selected as the best-suited spectrophotometer for this application. The number of cannabis inflorescence samples was augmented with new real samples, and a chemometric model based on machine learning ensemble algorithms was developed to predict the concentration of THC in those samples. Good predictive performance was obtained with a root mean squared error of prediction of 1.75 % (w/w). The Bland-Altman method was then used to compare the NIR predictions to the quantitative results obtained by UHPLC-UV and to evaluate the degree of accordance between the two analytical techniques. Each result fell within the established limits of agreement, demonstrating the feasibility of this chemometric model for analytical purposes. Finally, resin samples were investigated by both NIR devices. Two PLS models were built by using a sample set of 45 samples. When the analytical performances were compared, the mid-cost spectrophotometer significantly outperformed the low-cost device for prediction accuracy and reproducibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Deidda
- University of Liège (ULiège), CIRM, Vibra-Santé HUB, Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Analytical Chemistry, B36 Tower 4 Avenue Hippocrate 15, 4000, Liège, Belgium.
| | - Florentin Coppey
- University of Lausanne, School of Criminal Justice, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Dhouha Damergi
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva, CMU - Rue Michel Servet 1, 1211, Geneva 4, Switzerland; Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Western Switzerland, University of Geneva, CMU - Rue Michel Servet 1, 1211, Geneva 4, Switzerland
| | - Cédric Schelling
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva, CMU - Rue Michel Servet 1, 1211, Geneva 4, Switzerland; Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Western Switzerland, University of Geneva, CMU - Rue Michel Servet 1, 1211, Geneva 4, Switzerland
| | - Laureen Coïc
- University of Liège (ULiège), CIRM, Vibra-Santé HUB, Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Analytical Chemistry, B36 Tower 4 Avenue Hippocrate 15, 4000, Liège, Belgium
| | - Jean-Luc Veuthey
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva, CMU - Rue Michel Servet 1, 1211, Geneva 4, Switzerland; Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Western Switzerland, University of Geneva, CMU - Rue Michel Servet 1, 1211, Geneva 4, Switzerland
| | - Pierre-Yves Sacré
- University of Liège (ULiège), CIRM, Vibra-Santé HUB, Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Analytical Chemistry, B36 Tower 4 Avenue Hippocrate 15, 4000, Liège, Belgium
| | - Charlotte De Bleye
- University of Liège (ULiège), CIRM, Vibra-Santé HUB, Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Analytical Chemistry, B36 Tower 4 Avenue Hippocrate 15, 4000, Liège, Belgium
| | - Philippe Hubert
- University of Liège (ULiège), CIRM, Vibra-Santé HUB, Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Analytical Chemistry, B36 Tower 4 Avenue Hippocrate 15, 4000, Liège, Belgium
| | - Pierre Esseiva
- University of Lausanne, School of Criminal Justice, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Éric Ziemons
- University of Liège (ULiège), CIRM, Vibra-Santé HUB, Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Analytical Chemistry, B36 Tower 4 Avenue Hippocrate 15, 4000, Liège, Belgium
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Hammond D. Communicating THC levels and ‘dose’ to consumers: Implications for product labelling and packaging of cannabis products in regulated markets. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2021; 91:102509. [DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2019.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2019] [Revised: 06/10/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Vergara D, Feathers C, Huscher EL, Holmes B, Haas JA, Kane NC. Widely assumed phenotypic associations in Cannabis sativa lack a shared genetic basis. PeerJ 2021; 9:e10672. [PMID: 33976953 PMCID: PMC8063869 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.10672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The flowering plant Cannabis sativa, cultivated for centuries for multiple purposes, displays extensive variation in phenotypic traits in addition to its wide array of secondary metabolite production. Notably, Cannabis produces two well-known secondary-metabolite cannabinoids: cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), which are the main products sought by consumers in the medical and recreational market. Cannabis has several suggested subspecies which have been shown to differ in chemistry, branching patterns, leaf morphology and other traits. In this study we obtained measurements related to phytochemistry, reproductive traits, growth architecture, and leaf morphology from 297 hybrid individuals from a cross between two diverse lineages. We explored correlations among these characteristics to inform our understanding of which traits may be causally associated. Many of the traits widely assumed to be strongly correlated did not show any relationship in this hybrid population. The current taxonomy and legal regulation within Cannabis is based on phenotypic and chemical characteristics. However, we find these traits are not associated when lineages are inter-crossed, which is a common breeding practice and forms the basis of most modern marijuana and hemp germplasms. Our results suggest naming conventions based on leaf morphology do not correspond to the chemical properties in plants with hybrid ancestry. Therefore, a new system for identifying variation within Cannabis is warranted that will provide reliable identifiers of the properties important for recreational and, especially, medical use.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ezra L Huscher
- Ebio, University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | | | | | - Nolan C Kane
- Ebio, University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
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Blum K, Khalsa J, Cadet JL, Baron D, Bowirrat A, Boyett B, Lott L, Brewer R, Gondré-Lewis M, Bunt G, Kazmi S, Gold MS. Cannabis-Induced Hypodopaminergic Anhedonia and Cognitive Decline in Humans: Embracing Putative Induction of Dopamine Homeostasis. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:623403. [PMID: 33868044 PMCID: PMC8044913 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.623403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Over years, the regular use of cannabis has substantially increased among young adults, as indicated by the rise in cannabis use disorder (CUD), with an estimated prevalence of 8. 3% in the United States. Research shows that exposure to cannabis is associated with hypodopaminergic anhedonia (depression), cognitive decline, poor memory, inattention, impaired learning performance, reduced dopamine brain response-associated emotionality, and increased addiction severity in young adults. The addiction medicine community is increasing concern because of the high content of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) currently found in oral and vaping cannabis products, the cognitive effects of cannabis may become more pronounced in young adults who use these cannabis products. Preliminary research suggests that it is possible to induce 'dopamine homeostasis,' that is, restore dopamine function with dopamine upregulation with the proposed compound and normalize behavior in chronic cannabis users with cannabis-induced hypodopaminergic anhedonia (depression) and cognitive decline. This psychological, neurobiological, anatomical, genetic, and epigenetic research also could provide evidence to use for the development of an appropriate policy regarding the decriminalization of cannabis for recreational use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth Blum
- Western University Health Sciences, Pomona, CA, United States
- Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
- Division of Nutrigenomics, Precision Translational Medicine, LLC., San Antonio, TX, United States
- Division of Nutrigenomics, Genomic Testing Center, Geneus Health, LLC., San Antonio, TX, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, Wright University Boonshoff School of Medicine, Dayton, OH, United States
| | - Jag Khalsa
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Tropical Medicine, George Washington University, School of Medicine, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Jean Lud Cadet
- Molecular Neuropsychiatry Research Branch, DHHS/NIH/NIDA Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - David Baron
- Western University Health Sciences, Pomona, CA, United States
| | - Abdalla Bowirrat
- Department of Neuroscience, Interdisciplinary Center (IDC), Herzliya, Israel
| | - Brent Boyett
- Bradford Health Services, Madison, AL, United States
| | - Lisa Lott
- Division of Nutrigenomics, Genomic Testing Center, Geneus Health, LLC., San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Raymond Brewer
- Division of Nutrigenomics, Precision Translational Medicine, LLC., San Antonio, TX, United States
- Division of Nutrigenomics, Genomic Testing Center, Geneus Health, LLC., San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Marjorie Gondré-Lewis
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Gregory Bunt
- Good Samaritan/Day Top Treatment Center, and NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Shan Kazmi
- College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA, United States
| | - Mark S. Gold
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, United States
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Zoorob MJ. The frequency distribution of reported THC concentrations of legal cannabis flower products increases discontinuously around the 20% THC threshold in Nevada and Washington state. J Cannabis Res 2021; 3:6. [PMID: 33715627 PMCID: PMC7958443 DOI: 10.1186/s42238-021-00064-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cannabis laboratory testing reliability is a scientific and policy challenge in US states with legal cannabis. Greater reported THC concentration yields higher prices, and media reports describe a well-known consumer and dispensary preference for flower products containing a minimum 20% THC content—an economically meaningful but biologically arbitrary threshold. This paper examines the frequency distribution of reported THC concentration in legal cannabis flower products in Nevada and Washington state for unusual shifts around the 20% threshold suggestive of potential manipulation of reported THC results. Methods THC concentration test results for 142,000 Chemotype 1 flower products from Washington state between June 2014 and May 2017 and 55,000 flower products from Nevada between December 2017 and January 2020 were analyzed for changes in the frequency distribution around the 20% threshold using the McCrary density test. Analyses were performed among all labs in each state, the highest volume lab in Washington, and two labs in Washington which had their licenses suspended for testing irregularities during the study period. Results Comparing just above the 20% THC threshold with just below it, the frequency of test results increased by about 43% in Nevada (z = 15.6, p < 0.001) and by about 17% in Washington (z = 11.0, p < 0.001). In Washington’s highest volume testing lab, frequency increased by only about 1% (z = 0.39, p = 0.70), while it increased by about 47% (z = 12.7, p < 0.001) among the two suspended labs. Subset to those growers which sent products to both sets of labs, frequency of flower products just above the 20% threshold increased by 2% in Washington’s largest lab (z = 0.50, p = 0.62) and by 52% among the two suspended labs (z = 12.8, p < 0.001). Discussion There is a statistically unusual spike in the frequency of products reporting just higher than 20% THC in both states consistent with economic incentives for products to contain at least 20% THC. This “bunching” of reported THC levels exists among some, but not all, cannabis testing labs, suggesting that laboratory differences (rather than precise manipulation by growers) drive this potential manipulation in reported THC content. These findings elaborate on prior research highlighting unexplained interlaboratory variation in cannabis testing results and highlight ongoing irregularities with legal cannabis testing. Conclusion These findings highlight the need for industry oversight and cautions researchers working with reported cannabis THC concentration data, which may be biased by economic incentives to report higher THC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Zoorob
- Department of Government, Harvard University, 1737 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To assess how the changing landscape of marijuana use affects the developing brain and mental health of college students. RECENT FINDINGS Legalization of cannabis may facilitate use in the college population, with 38% of college students, whose brains are still maturing, regularly using marijuana products. Earlier and increased use, higher potency, pre-existing issues, and genetic predispositions increase negative outcomes by precipitating or worsening mental illness and ultimately impacting academic success. In the USA, the sharpest increase in cannabis users following legalization has been in the college age population (18-25 years of age). This population is especially vulnerable to the negative impacts and risks associated with cannabis use, including risk for the onset of major psychiatric illness. College mental health practitioners should remain informed about health effects of cannabis use, assess patient use on a regular basis, provide education and be familiar with interventions to reduce harm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludmila De Faria
- Young Adult Clinic, University of Florida School of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA.
| | - Lillian Mezey
- Student Health, Counseling and Psychological Services, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Aaron Winkler
- College Mental Health Program, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
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Kayser RR, Haney M, Simpson HB. Human Laboratory Models of Cannabis Use: Applications for Clinical and Translational Psychiatry Research. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:626150. [PMID: 33716825 PMCID: PMC7947318 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.626150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cannabis is increasingly used by individuals with mental health diagnoses and often purported to treat anxiety and various other psychiatric symptoms. Yet support for using cannabis as a psychiatric treatment is currently limited by a lack of evidence from rigorous placebo-controlled studies. While regulatory hurdles and other barriers make clinical trials of cannabis challenging to conduct, addiction researchers have decades of experience studying cannabis use in human laboratory models. These include methods to control cannabis administration, to delineate clinical and mechanistic aspects of cannabis use, and to evaluate potential treatment applications for cannabis and its constituents. In this paper, we review these human laboratory procedures and describe how each can be applied to study cannabis use in patients with psychiatric disorders. Because anxiety disorders are among the most common psychiatric illnesses affecting American adults, and anxiety relief is also the most commonly-reported reason for medicinal cannabis use, we focus particularly on applying human laboratory models to study cannabis effects in individuals with anxiety and related disorders. Finally, we discuss how these methods can be integrated to study cannabis effects in other psychiatric conditions and guide future research in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reilly R. Kayser
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, United States
- Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, United States
| | - Margaret Haney
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, United States
- Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, United States
| | - Helen Blair Simpson
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, United States
- Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, United States
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Aardema ML, DeSalle R. Can public online databases serve as a source of phenotypic information for Cannabis genetic association studies? PLoS One 2021; 16:e0247607. [PMID: 33621243 PMCID: PMC7901747 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0247607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2020] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of Cannabis is gaining greater social acceptance for its beneficial medicinal and recreational uses. With this acceptance has come new opportunities for crop management, selective breeding, and the potential for targeted genetic manipulation. However, as an agricultural product Cannabis lags far behind other domesticated plants in knowledge of the genes and genetic variation that influence plant traits of interest such as growth form and chemical composition. Despite this lack of information, there are substantial publicly available resources that document phenotypic traits believed to be associated with particular Cannabis varieties. Such databases could be a valuable resource for developing a greater understanding of genes underlying phenotypic variation if combined with appropriate genetic information. To test this potential, we collated phenotypic data from information available through multiple online databases. We then produced a Cannabis SNP database from 845 strains to examine genome wide associations in conjunction with our assembled phenotypic traits. Our goal was not to locate Cannabis-specific genetic variation that correlates with phenotypic variation as such, but rather to examine the potential utility of these databases more broadly for future, explicit genome wide association studies (GWAS), either in stand-alone analyses or to complement other types of data. For this reason, we examined a very broad array of phenotypic traits. In total, we performed 201 distinct association tests using web-derived phenotype data appended to 290 uniquely named Cannabis strains. Our results indicated that chemical phenotypes, such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) content, may have sufficiently high-quality information available through web-based sources to allow for genetic association inferences. In many cases, variation in chemical traits correlated with genetic variation in or near biologically reasonable candidate genes, including several not previously implicated in Cannabis chemical variation. As with chemical phenotypes, we found that publicly available data on growth traits such as height, area of growth, and floral yield may be precise enough for use in future association studies. In contrast, phenotypic information for subjective traits such as taste, physiological affect, neurological affect, and medicinal use appeared less reliable. These results are consistent with the high degree of subjectivity for such trait data found on internet databases, and suggest that future work on these important but less easily quantifiable characteristics of Cannabis may require dedicated, controlled phenotyping.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew L. Aardema
- Department of Biology, Montclair State University, Montclair, New Jersey, United States of America
- Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics, American Museum of Natural History, New York, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Rob DeSalle
- Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics, American Museum of Natural History, New York, New York, United States of America
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Vacek J, Vostalova J, Papouskova B, Skarupova D, Kos M, Kabelac M, Storch J. Antioxidant function of phytocannabinoids: Molecular basis of their stability and cytoprotective properties under UV-irradiation. Free Radic Biol Med 2021; 164:258-270. [PMID: 33453360 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2021.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
In this contribution, a comprehensive study of the redox transformation, electronic structure, stability and photoprotective properties of phytocannabinoids is presented. The non-psychotropic cannabidiol (CBD), cannabigerol (CBG), cannabinol (CBN), cannabichromene (CBC), and psychotropic tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) isomers and iso-THC were included in the study. The results show that under aqueous ambient conditions at pH 7.4, non-psychotropic cannabinoids are slight or moderate electron-donors and they are relatively stable, in the following order: CBD > CBG ≥ CBN > CBC. In contrast, psychotropic Δ9-THC degrades approximately one order of magnitude faster than CBD. The degradation (oxidation) is associated with the transformation of OH groups and changes in the double-bond system of the investigated molecules. The satisfactory stability of cannabinoids is associated with the fact that their OH groups are fully protonated at pH 7.4 (pKa is ≥ 9). The instability of CBN and CBC was accelerated after exposure to UVA radiation, with CBD (or CBG) being stable for up to 24 h. To support their topical applications, an in vitro dermatological comparative study of cytotoxic, phototoxic and UVA or UVB photoprotective effects using normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDF) and keratinocytes (HaCaT) was done. NHDF are approx. twice as sensitive to the cannabinoids' toxicity as HaCaT. Specifically, toxicity IC50 values for CBD after 24 h of incubation are 7.1 and 12.8 μM for NHDF and HaCaT, respectively. None of the studied cannabinoids were phototoxic. Extensive testing has shown that CBD is the most effective protectant against UVA radiation of the studied cannabinoids. For UVB radiation, CBN was the most effective. The results acquired could be used for further redox biology studies on phytocannabinoids and evaluations of their mechanism of action at the molecular level. Furthermore, the UVA and UVB photoprotectivity of phytocannabinoids could also be utilized in the development of new cannabinoid-based topical preparations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Vacek
- Department of Medical Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University, Hnevotinska 3, 775 15, Olomouc, Czech Republic.
| | - Jitka Vostalova
- Department of Medical Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University, Hnevotinska 3, 775 15, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Barbora Papouskova
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Palacky University, 17. Listopadu 12, 771 46, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Denisa Skarupova
- Department of Medical Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University, Hnevotinska 3, 775 15, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Kos
- Department of Advanced Materials and Organic Synthesis, Institute of Chemical Process Fundamentals of the Czech Academy of Sciences, v. v. i., Rozvojova 135, 165 02, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Kabelac
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branisovska 31, 370 05, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Storch
- Department of Advanced Materials and Organic Synthesis, Institute of Chemical Process Fundamentals of the Czech Academy of Sciences, v. v. i., Rozvojova 135, 165 02, Prague 6, Czech Republic.
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37
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Mastinu A, Ribaudo G, Ongaro A, Bonini SA, Memo M, Gianoncelli A. Critical Review on the Chemical Aspects of Cannabidiol (CBD) and Harmonization of Computational Bioactivity Data. Curr Med Chem 2021; 28:213-237. [PMID: 32039672 DOI: 10.2174/0929867327666200210144847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2019] [Revised: 01/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychotropic phytocannabinoid which represents one of the constituents of the "phytocomplex" of Cannabis sativa. This natural compound is attracting growing interest since when CBD-based remedies and commercial products were marketed. This review aims to exhaustively address the extractive and analytical approaches that have been developed for the isolation and quantification of CBD. Recent updates on cutting-edge technologies were critically examined in terms of yield, sensitivity, flexibility and performances in general, and are reviewed alongside original representative results. As an add-on to currently available contributions in the literature, the evolution of the novel, efficient synthetic approaches for the preparation of CBD, a procedure which is appealing for the pharmaceutical industry, is also discussed. Moreover, with the increasing interest on the therapeutic potential of CBD and the limited understanding of the undergoing biochemical pathways, the reader will be updated about recent in silico studies on the molecular interactions of CBD towards several different targets attempting to fill this gap. Computational data retrieved from the literature have been integrated with novel in silico experiments, critically discussed to provide a comprehensive and updated overview on the undebatable potential of CBD and its therapeutic profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Mastinu
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Division of Pharmacology, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Giovanni Ribaudo
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Division of Pharmacology, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Alberto Ongaro
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Division of Pharmacology, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Sara Anna Bonini
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Division of Pharmacology, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Maurizio Memo
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Division of Pharmacology, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Alessandra Gianoncelli
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Division of Pharmacology, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
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38
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Oldfield K, Ryan J, Doppen M, Kung S, Braithwaite I, Newton-Howes G. A systematic review of the label accuracy of cannabinoid-based products in regulated markets: is what's on the label what's in the product? Australas Psychiatry 2021; 29:88-96. [PMID: 33174758 DOI: 10.1177/1039856220965334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To review the literature regarding label accuracy and contamination of medical cannabinoid-based products. METHODS A systematic review with meta-analysis following PRISMA guidelines. This study is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42019131565). RESULTS Five studies reported label accuracy data ranging between 17% and 86%. Four studies reported contaminants, including pesticides, solvents and AB-FUBINACA. Meta-analysis was limited to the proportion of pesticide-contaminated samples found in two studies (0.25 (95% CI [0.10, 0.40])) and displayed significant heterogeneity. CONCLUSIONS Label inaccuracies and contaminants are found across a spectrum of cannabinoid-based products. The review highlights the paucity and heterogeneity of research relating to cannabinoid-based products in light of changing global legislation. Further robust research is required to support ongoing pharmacovigilance and patient safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Oldfield
- Medical Research Institute of New Zealand, Wellington, New Zealand.,Victoria University, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - John Ryan
- Capital and Coast District Health Board (CCDHB), Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Marjan Doppen
- Medical Research Institute of New Zealand, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Stacey Kung
- Medical Research Institute of New Zealand, Wellington, New Zealand
| | | | - Giles Newton-Howes
- Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago (Wellington), New Zealand
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39
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Affiliation(s)
- Janna Cousijn
- Neuroscience of Addiction (NofA) Laboratory, Department of PsychologyUniversity of AmsterdamAmsterdamthe Netherlands
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40
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Hergert DC, Robertson-Benta C, Sicard V, Schwotzer D, Hutchison K, Covey DP, Quinn DK, Sadek JR, McDonald J, Mayer AR. Use of Medical Cannabis to Treat Traumatic Brain Injury. J Neurotrauma 2021; 38:1904-1917. [PMID: 33256496 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2020.7148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
There is not a single pharmacological agent with demonstrated therapeutic efficacy for traumatic brain injury (TBI). With recent legalization efforts and the growing popularity of medical cannabis, patients with TBI will inevitably consider medical cannabis as a treatment option. Pre-clinical TBI research suggests that cannabinoids have neuroprotective and psychotherapeutic properties. In contrast, recreational cannabis use has consistently shown to have detrimental effects. Our review identified a paucity of high-quality studies examining the beneficial and adverse effects of medical cannabis on TBI, with only a single phase III randomized control trial. However, observational studies demonstrate that TBI patients are using medical and recreational cannabis to treat their symptoms, highlighting inconsistencies between public policy, perception of potential efficacy, and the dearth of empirical evidence. We conclude that randomized controlled trials and prospective studies with appropriate control groups are necessary to fully understand the efficacy and potential adverse effects of medical cannabis for TBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle C Hergert
- The Mind Research Network/Lovelace Biomedical and Environmental Research Institute, Pete & Nancy Domenici Hall, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Cidney Robertson-Benta
- The Mind Research Network/Lovelace Biomedical and Environmental Research Institute, Pete & Nancy Domenici Hall, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Veronik Sicard
- The Mind Research Network/Lovelace Biomedical and Environmental Research Institute, Pete & Nancy Domenici Hall, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Daniela Schwotzer
- Lovelace Biomedical and Environmental Research Institute, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Kent Hutchison
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, USA
| | - Dan P Covey
- Lovelace Biomedical and Environmental Research Institute, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Davin K Quinn
- Department of Neurology, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Joseph R Sadek
- Department of Neurology, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA.,New Mexico VA Health Care System, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Jacob McDonald
- Lovelace Biomedical and Environmental Research Institute, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Andrew R Mayer
- The Mind Research Network/Lovelace Biomedical and Environmental Research Institute, Pete & Nancy Domenici Hall, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA.,Department of Neurology, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA.,Psychology Department, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
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41
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Pusiak RJ, Cox C, Harris CS. Growing pains: An overview of cannabis quality control and quality assurance in Canada. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2021; 93:103111. [PMID: 33478804 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Revised: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
In the past decade, the predominant prohibition model for cannabis use has shifted towards a regulated legal model, most widely in the context of medical purposes. In 2018, Canada became the first G7 country to legalize cannabis for adult use, implementing a two-phase roll-out of cannabis regulations. A stated goal of the new legal framework is to minimize harms by providing a safe supply of cannabis to Canadian consumers. One way that this can be achieved is through appropriate Quality Control and Quality Assurance (QC/QA) measures. Canada has implemented stringent QC/QA measures for all classes of cannabis, which include requirements such as labelling THC and CBD content per product and limiting THC doses. This paper will provide an overview of the current QC/QA measures in Canada, highlighting differences based on class of cannabis and consider the strengths and weaknesses of the current standards. QC/QA standards represent a key safety feature that can enable informed purchasing and provide consumers with necessary information about various cannabis products. As Canada continues to progress its cannabis policies, QC/QA measures provide a key consideration for ensuring Canada meets its objective of providing a safe supply of cannabis to Canadian consumers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Jp Pusiak
- Harm Reduction Hub Ottawa, University of Ottawa, 75 Laurier Avenue E, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, 30 Marie Curie Private, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Chelsea Cox
- Harm Reduction Hub Ottawa, University of Ottawa, 75 Laurier Avenue E, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Faculty of Law, University of Ottawa, 75 Laurier Avenue E, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Cory S Harris
- Harm Reduction Hub Ottawa, University of Ottawa, 75 Laurier Avenue E, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, 30 Marie Curie Private, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
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42
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Arora NB, von Salm JL. Fall 2020 Proceedings of the Cannabis Chemistry Subdivision. ACS CHEMICAL HEALTH & SAFETY 2021. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.chas.0c00119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nigam B. Arora
- Cannabis Chemistry Subdivision, Washington, D.C. 20036, United States
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Kruger DJ, Korach NJ, Kruger JS. Requirements for Cannabis Product Labeling by U.S. State. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res 2021; 7:156-160. [PMID: 33998880 PMCID: PMC9070747 DOI: 10.1089/can.2020.0079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: As more states allow for medical and nonregistered adult cannabis (i.e., marijuana) use, ensuring proper utilization should be a priority. Standardized labeling for foods and pharmaceutical drugs promotes consumer safety. This study investigated cannabis product labeling requirements in the United States. Materials and Methods: Researchers compiled the requirements for cannabis product labeling across 31 U.S. states with medical cannabis programs from state regulatory publications. Results: Information requirements ranged considerably by U.S. state. All states required delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol content and manufacturer contact information, >80% of states required the batch number, health risks, production tracking, a cannabis symbol, cannabidiol content, children disclaimer, and an impairment disclaimer. There appeared to be a random pattern in requirements for other specific items. The relationships between the extent of cannabis product labeling requirements and the number of years that a state had a medical cannabis program or whether states allowed nonregistered adult use cannabis were not significant, although there was a trend for nonregistered adult use states to require more recommended label attributes. Conclusion: A comprehensive framework for cannabis use is needed to protect the public, maximize benefits, and minimize harms and risks. Standardization of cannabis product labeling requirements would benefit consumers and promote safer and more effective usage of cannabis products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Kruger
- Population Studies Center, Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.,Department of Community Health and Health Behavior, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo, SUNY, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Natalie J Korach
- College of Literature, Science, and the Arts and Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Jessica S Kruger
- Department of Community Health and Health Behavior, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo, SUNY, Buffalo, New York, USA
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44
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Sajdeya R, Shavers A, Jean-Jacques J, Costales B, Jugl S, Crump C, Wang Y, Manfio L, Pipitone RN, Rosenthal MS, Winterstein AG, Cook RL. Practice Patterns and Training Needs Among Physicians Certifying Patients for Medical Marijuana in Florida. J Prim Care Community Health 2021; 12:21501327211042790. [PMID: 34452585 PMCID: PMC8404623 DOI: 10.1177/21501327211042790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Little is known about the clinical training or practice experiences among physicians who certify patients for medical marijuana. The objective of this study was to determine information sources, factors influencing recommendations, clinical practices in patient assessment, communications, and recommendations, and priority areas for additional training among physicians who certify patients for medical marijuana. METHODS A cross-sectional state-wide anonymous survey of registered medical marijuana physicians in Florida between June and October 2020 was administered. Numerical responses were quantified using counts and percentages. The frequencies for "often" and "always" responses were aggregated when appropriate. RESULTS Among 116 respondents, the mean (standard deviation) age was 57 (12) years old, and 70% were male. The most frequently used information sources were research articles (n = 102, 95%), followed by online sources (n = 99, 93%), and discussions with other providers and dispensary staff (n = 84, 90%). Safety concerns were most influential in patient recommendations (n = 39, 39%), followed by specific conditions (n = 30, 30%) and patient preferences (n = 26, 30%). Ninety-three physicians (92%) reported they "often" or "always" perform a patient physical exam. Eighty-four (77%) physicians provided specific administration route recommendations. Half (n = 56) "often" or "always" provided specific recommendations for Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol: cannabidiol ratios, while 69 (62%) "often" or "always" provided specific dose recommendations. Online learning/training modules were the most preferred future training mode, with 88 (84%) physicians "likely" or "very likely" to participate. The top 3 desired topics for future training were marijuana-drug interactions (n = 84, 72%), management of specific medical conditions or symptoms (n = 83, 72%), and strategies to reduce opioids or other drugs use (n = 78, 67%). CONCLUSIONS This survey of over 100 medical marijuana physicians indicates that their clinical practices rely on a blend of research and anecdotal information sources. While physicians report clinical factors as influential during patient recommendation, patient assessment practices and treatment regimen recommendations vary substantially and rely on experimental approaches. More research is needed to inform evidence-based practice and training, especially considering details on drug interactions, risk-benefit of treatment for specific clinical conditions, and strategies to reduce opioid use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruba Sajdeya
- University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Consortium for Medical Marijuana Clinical Outcomes Research, FL, USA
| | - Anna Shavers
- University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Consortium for Medical Marijuana Clinical Outcomes Research, FL, USA
| | - Jennifer Jean-Jacques
- University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Consortium for Medical Marijuana Clinical Outcomes Research, FL, USA
| | - Brianna Costales
- University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Consortium for Medical Marijuana Clinical Outcomes Research, FL, USA
| | - Sebastian Jugl
- University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Consortium for Medical Marijuana Clinical Outcomes Research, FL, USA
| | - Carly Crump
- University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Consortium for Medical Marijuana Clinical Outcomes Research, FL, USA
| | - Yan Wang
- University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Consortium for Medical Marijuana Clinical Outcomes Research, FL, USA
| | - Luran Manfio
- University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Consortium for Medical Marijuana Clinical Outcomes Research, FL, USA
| | - R. Nathan Pipitone
- Consortium for Medical Marijuana Clinical Outcomes Research, FL, USA
- Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers, FL, USA
| | - Martha S. Rosenthal
- Consortium for Medical Marijuana Clinical Outcomes Research, FL, USA
- Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers, FL, USA
| | - Almut G. Winterstein
- University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Consortium for Medical Marijuana Clinical Outcomes Research, FL, USA
| | - Robert L. Cook
- University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Consortium for Medical Marijuana Clinical Outcomes Research, FL, USA
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45
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Jin D, Henry P, Shan J, Chen J. Identification of Chemotypic Markers in Three Chemotype Categories of Cannabis Using Secondary Metabolites Profiled in Inflorescences, Leaves, Stem Bark, and Roots. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:699530. [PMID: 34276749 PMCID: PMC8283674 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.699530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Previous chemotaxonomic studies of cannabis only focused on tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) dominant strains while excluded the cannabidiol (CBD) dominant strains and intermediate strains (THC ≈ CBD). This study investigated the utility of the full spectrum of secondary metabolites in different plant parts in three cannabis chemotypes (THC dominant, intermediate, and CBD dominant) for chemotaxonomic discrimination. Hierarchical clustering, principal component analysis (PCA), and canonical correlation analysis assigned 21 cannabis varieties into three chemotypes using the content and ratio of cannabinoids, terpenoids, flavonoids, sterols, and triterpenoids across inflorescences, leaves, stem bark, and roots. The same clustering results were obtained using secondary metabolites, omitting THC and CBD. Significant chemical differences were identified in these three chemotypes. Cannabinoids, terpenoids, flavonoids had differentiation power while sterols and triterpenoids had none. CBD dominant strains had higher amounts of total CBD, cannabidivarin (CBDV), cannabichromene (CBC), α-pinene, β-myrcene, (-)-guaiol, β-eudesmol, α-eudesmol, α-bisabolol, orientin, vitexin, and isovitexin, while THC dominant strains had higher total THC, total tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), total cannabigerol (CBG), camphene, limonene, ocimene, sabinene hydrate, terpinolene, linalool, fenchol, α-terpineol, β-caryophyllene, trans-β-farnesene, α-humulene, trans-nerolidol, quercetin, and kaempferol. Compound levels in intermediate strains were generally equal to or in between those in CBD dominant and THC dominant strains. Overall, with higher amounts of β-myrcene, (-)-guaiol, β-eudesmol, α-eudesmol, and α-bisabolol, intermediate strains more resemble CBD dominant strains than THC dominant strains. The results of this study provide a comprehensive profile of bioactive compounds in three chemotypes for medical purposes. The simultaneous presence of a predominant number of identified chemotype markers (with or without THC and CBD) could be used as chemical fingerprints for quality standardization or strain identification for research, clinical studies, and cannabis product manufacturing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Jin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- PBG BioPharma Inc., Leduc, AB, Canada
| | - Philippe Henry
- Egret Bioscience Ltd., West Kelowna, BC, Canada
- Lighthouse Genomics Inc., Salt Spring Island, BC, Canada
| | | | - Jie Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- *Correspondence: Jie Chen,
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46
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Roebuck AJ, Greba Q, Onofrychuk TJ, McElroy DL, Sandini TM, Zagzoog A, Simone J, Cain SM, Snutch TP, Laprairie RB, Howland JG. Dissociable changes in spike and wave discharges following exposure to injected cannabinoids and smoked cannabis in Genetic Absence Epilepsy Rats from Strasbourg. Eur J Neurosci 2020; 55:1063-1078. [PMID: 33370468 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
There is significant interest in the use of cannabinoids for the treatment of many epilepsies including absence epilepsy (AE). Genetic Absence Epilepsy Rats from Strasbourg (GAERS) model many aspects of AE including the presence of spike-and-wave discharges (SWDs) on electroencephalogram (EEG) and behavioral comorbidities, such as elevated anxiety. However, the effects of cannabis plant-based phytocannabinoids have not been tested in GAERS. Therefore, we investigated how SWDs in GAERS are altered by the two most common phytocannabinoids, Δ9 -tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), and exposure to smoke from two different chemovars of cannabis. Animals were implanted with bipolar electrodes in the somatosensory cortex and EEGs were recorded for 2 hr. Injected THC (1-10 mg/kg, i.p.) dose-dependently increased SWDs to over 200% of baseline. In contrast, CBD (30-100 mg/kg, i.p.) produced a ~50% reduction in SWDs. Exposure to smoke from a commercially available chemovar of high-THC cannabis (Mohawk, Aphria Inc.) increased SWDs whereas a low-THC/high-CBD chemovar of cannabis (Treasure Island, Aphria Inc.) did not significantly affect SWDs in GAERS. Pre-treatment with a CB1R antagonist (SR141716A) did not prevent the high-THC cannabis smoke from increasing SWDs, suggesting that the THC-mediated increase may not be CB1R-dependent. Plasma concentrations of THC and CBD were similar to previously reported values following injection and smoke exposure. Compared to injected CBD, it appears Treasure Island did not increase plasma levels sufficiently to observe an anti-epileptic effect. Together these experiments provide initial evidence that acute phytocannabinoid administration exerts the biphasic modulation of SWDs and may differentially impact patients with AE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J Roebuck
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada.,School of Liberal Arts, Yukon University, Whitehorse, YT, Canada
| | - Quentin Greba
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Timothy J Onofrychuk
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Dan L McElroy
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Thaísa M Sandini
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Ayat Zagzoog
- College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Jonathan Simone
- Department of Biological Sciences, Centre for Neuroscience, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada
| | - Stuart M Cain
- Michael Smith Laboratories and Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Colombia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Terrance P Snutch
- Michael Smith Laboratories and Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Colombia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Robert B Laprairie
- College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada.,Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - John G Howland
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
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Berthold EC, Yang R, Sharma A, Kamble SH, Kanumuri SR, King TI, Popa R, Freeman JH, Brym ZT, Avery BA, McCurdy CR. Regulatory sampling of industrial hemp plant samples (Cannabis sativa L.) using UPLC-MS/MS method for detection and quantification of twelve cannabinoids. J Cannabis Res 2020; 2:42. [PMID: 33526142 PMCID: PMC7819288 DOI: 10.1186/s42238-020-00050-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In 2018, the Farm Bill mandated the United States Department of Agriculture to develop regulations governing the cultivation, processing, and marketing of industrial hemp. Industrial hemp is defined as Cannabis sativa L. with a total Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ-9-THC) content ≤0.3%. Therefore, for hemp to become an agricultural commodity, it is important to regulate production by developing standard methods for sampling and testing of the plant material. Methods An ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analytical method for the quantification of twelve cannabinoids was developed. The method was applied to a regulatory sampling trial of three hemp varieties cultivated for cannabidiol (CBD) production. Two samples were taken from 28 plants with one sample being flower only while the other was a composite sample that included flowers, leaves, and stems. Results The assay method was validated for specificity, range, repeatability, reproducibility, and recovery in accordance with all applicable standards for analytical methods. The results of the regulatory study indicated a significant decrease in the concentration of total Δ-9-THC and total CBD of 0.09% and 1.32%, respectively, between a flower only and a composite sample. Conclusions There are many factors that may influence reported total Δ-9-THC content in industrial hemp. A robust analytical method was developed to analyze hemp samples in a trial regulatory study. The results indicate that the way hemp is sampled and analyzed may influence the legality of a crop, which could have negative economic and legal consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin C Berthold
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Rui Yang
- North Florida Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Quincy, FL, USA
| | - Abhisheak Sharma
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.,Translational Drug Development Core, Clinical and Translational Science Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Shyam H Kamble
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.,Translational Drug Development Core, Clinical and Translational Science Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Siva R Kanumuri
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.,Translational Drug Development Core, Clinical and Translational Science Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Tamara I King
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Raluca Popa
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Joshua H Freeman
- North Florida Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Quincy, FL, USA
| | - Zachary T Brym
- Tropical Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Homestead, FL, USA
| | - Bonnie A Avery
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.,Translational Drug Development Core, Clinical and Translational Science Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Christopher R McCurdy
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA. .,Translational Drug Development Core, Clinical and Translational Science Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA. .,Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA.
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48
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Arkell TR, Vinckenbosch F, Kevin RC, Theunissen EL, McGregor IS, Ramaekers JG. Effect of Cannabidiol and Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol on Driving Performance: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA 2020; 324:2177-2186. [PMID: 33258890 PMCID: PMC7709000 DOI: 10.1001/jama.2020.21218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Cannabis use has been associated with increased crash risk, but the effect of cannabidiol (CBD) on driving is unclear. OBJECTIVE To determine the driving impairment caused by vaporized cannabis containing Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and CBD. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS A double-blind, within-participants, randomized clinical trial was conducted at the Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience at Maastricht University in the Netherlands between May 20, 2019, and March 27, 2020. Participants (N = 26) were healthy occasional users of cannabis. INTERVENTIONS Participants vaporized THC-dominant, CBD-dominant, THC/CBD-equivalent, and placebo cannabis. THC and CBD doses were 13.75 mg. Order of conditions was randomized and balanced. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary end point was standard deviation of lateral position (SDLP; a measure of lane weaving) during 100 km, on-road driving tests that commenced at 40 minutes and 240 minutes after cannabis consumption. At a calibrated blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.02%, SDLP was increased relative to placebo by 1.12 cm, and at a calibrated BAC of 0.05%, SDLP was increased relative to placebo by 2.4 cm. RESULTS Among 26 randomized participants (mean [SD] age, 23.2 [2.6] years; 16 women), 22 (85%) completed all 8 driving tests. At 40 to 100 minutes following consumption, the SDLP was 18.21 cm with CBD-dominant cannabis, 20.59 cm with THC-dominant cannabis, 21.09 cm with THC/CBD-equivalent cannabis, and 18.28 cm with placebo cannabis. SDLP was significantly increased by THC-dominant cannabis (+2.33 cm [95% CI, 0.80 to 3.86]; P < .001) and THC/CBD-equivalent cannabis (+2.83 cm [95% CI, 1.28 to 4.39]; P < .001) but not CBD-dominant cannabis (-0.05 cm [95% CI, -1.49 to 1.39]; P > .99), relative to placebo. At 240 to 300 minutes following consumption, the SDLP was 19.03 cm with CBD-dominant cannabis, 19.88 cm with THC-dominant cannabis, 20.59 cm with THC/CBD-equivalent cannabis, and 19.37 cm with placebo cannabis. The SDLP did not differ significantly in the CBD (-0.34 cm [95% CI, -1.77 to 1.10]; P > .99), THC (0.51 cm [95% CI, -1.01 to 2.02]; P > .99) or THC/CBD (1.22 cm [95% CI, -0.29 to 2.72]; P = .20) conditions, relative to placebo. Out of 188 test drives, 16 (8.5%) were terminated due to safety concerns. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In a crossover clinical trial that assessed driving performance during on-road driving tests, the SDLP following vaporized THC-dominant and THC/CBD-equivalent cannabis compared with placebo was significantly greater at 40 to 100 minutes but not 240 to 300 minutes after vaporization; there were no significant differences between CBD-dominant cannabis and placebo. However, the effect size for CBD-dominant cannabis may not have excluded clinically important impairment, and the doses tested may not represent common usage. TRIAL REGISTRATION EU Clinical Trials Register: 2018-003945-40.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas R Arkell
- Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Frederick Vinckenbosch
- Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Richard C Kevin
- Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney School of Psychology, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Eef L Theunissen
- Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Iain S McGregor
- Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney School of Psychology, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Johannes G Ramaekers
- Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
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49
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Hammond D, Goodman S. Knowledge of Tetrahydrocannabinol and Cannabidiol Levels Among Cannabis Consumers in the United States and Canada. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res 2020; 7:345-354. [PMID: 33998866 DOI: 10.1089/can.2020.0092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to examine consumer knowledge of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) levels for usual cannabis products. Methods: Data are from the International Cannabis Policy Study conducted online in August-September 2018. Respondents included 6471 past 12-month cannabis users, aged 16-65 years, recruited from the Nielsen Global Insights Consumer Panel using nonprobability methods. Respondents were recruited from Canada, which had not yet legalized nonmedical cannabis (n=2354), and US states that had (n=2160) and had not (n=1957) legalized nonmedical cannabis. Results: Participants reported descriptive THC:CBD ratios (e.g., high THC, low CBD) and numeric THC and CBD levels (mg or %) for products they usually use in each of nine product categories. Few consumers knew and were able to report the numeric THC or CBD levels of their usual cannabis products. For example, only 10% of dried herb consumers reported the THC level, approximately 30% of whom reported implausible values. A greater proportion of consumers reported a descriptive THC:CBD ratio of their usual product, ranging from 50.9% of edible users to 78.2% of orally ingested oil users. Consumers were substantially more likely to report products high in THC versus low in THC for all products except topicals and tinctures, whereas similar proportions reported using products high and low in CBD. Despite some evidence of greater knowledge in legal jurisdictions, knowledge was still low in states with legal cannabis markets. Conclusions: Consumer knowledge of THC and CBD levels was low, with only modest differences between consumers living in jurisdictions that had and had not legalized nonmedical cannabis. The findings cast doubt on the validity of self-reported cannabinoid levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Hammond
- School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada
| | - Samantha Goodman
- School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada
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50
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Araneda JF, Chu T, Leclerc MC, Riegel SD, Spingarn N. Quantitative analysis of cannabinoids using benchtop NMR instruments. ANALYTICAL METHODS : ADVANCING METHODS AND APPLICATIONS 2020; 12:4853-4857. [PMID: 33043914 DOI: 10.1039/d0ay01511c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The quantification of cannabinoids is an essential part of cannabis profiling and testing, whether for medical or recreational use. As regulatory bodies continue to increase testing requirements for these products, it is crucial that alternative and effective analytical methods be developed. Herein, we describe the use of benchtop NMR instruments for the quantification of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) in a variety of cannabis concentrates and compare the values to those obtained using HPLC, the most common approach for the quantification of cannabinoids. Based on the discrepancies observed in test values from different laboratories using only HPLC, the value of orthogonal testing methods has been identified and is increasingly desired.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan F Araneda
- Nanalysis Corp., 1-4600 5 St NE, Calgary, AB T2E 7C3, Canada.
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