C&P#163: help for Parkinson’s & IBD + harm for hearts & kids
Colombia & Lebanon go medical!
🌟 This week 🌟
For Parkinson’s, levodopa efficacy improved by CBD
For IBD, cannabis kept people from re-entering the hospital
An infant dead from eating cannabis
Memory loss of THC protected by CBD
3 cases of sudden cardiac death linked to cannabis
Cancer Week: 8 papers
Cannabis for dogs with osteoarthritis & CBD/CBDA paste for cats with osteoarthritis
On the rise of asthma in cannabis workers
4x on antibiotic cannabinoids
Preclinical: CBD for methamphetamine use disorder
(this week’s numbers: ~8,500 words, ~22 minutes reading time, 202 papers)
Hello everyone,
Welcome to the 163rd edition of Cannabinoids & the People, Lex Pelger’s free weekly digest of all the new cannabinoid science, assorted canna-news & coverage of psychedelics, the War on Drugs & harm reduction. Support this work sharing canna-science with a paid subscription here. As always, ask me anything.
📌 Editor’s note 📌:
Sorry to miss putting out last week’s newsletter but I had a big research project to take care of. So this week & next week will be extra stuffed with canna-sci goodness.
🤝 Sponsor 🤝: The Cannabis & Health Research Initiative
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🧰 Free resources 🧰
CVResearch.info: the extensive cannabinoid science archive I maintain for CV Sciences
Canna-edu videos: on YouTube @CVScienceInc & on TikTok @pluscbd (backup account @cannabinoidsandthepeople)
My Free How-To Guides on cannabinoids for different conditions. #AMA
My glossary of cannabinoid terms (& my Neural Ocean metaphor)
And as always, at the bottom is the album of the week: the Ravens!
🐋 For more from Lex… 🐋 | my Linktree |
‘Anandamide; or, the Cannabinoid’: my cannabis graphic novel series (based on Moby Dick):
- ‘SUNset’: Queer canna-history from the AIDS crisis- ‘The CROWN’: the hunt for the chemical structure of CBN, the first fully-solved cannabinoid, as explained through elephants
First 2 seasons of my podcast ‘The Lex Files’ on cannabinoids, psychedelics & spirituality
Work with my company White Whale Creations to produce cannabis content: writing, science archives, social media, newsletters & podcasts: my portfolio
📣 A request to spread the word 📣
This newsletter only spreads by word of mouth, so please forward to friends & colleagues.
🎥 My work this week 🎤
Canna-Edu Vids for CV Sciences:
(on YT @CVSciencesInc & on TT @pluscbd)
No new videos because of a research project
My 📚 Vids:
(@LexPelgerAndHisBooks on TikTok, YouTube & Instagram)
Arouse Yourselves! (the Uṭṭhāna Sutta, from the Sutanípāta)
🍃 BEST OF CANNABINOID SCIENCE 🍃
(most of the phytocannabinoid data is here & most of the ECS data is in the ‘Canna-Science Archive’ at the bottom)
For the aroma of cannabis, a proposed sensory lexicon
Beyond potency: A proposed lexicon for sensory differentiation of Cannabis sativa L. aroma
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article
Surprisingly, the terpenes were not great predictors of the smell of cannabis.
⚕️ Clinical ⚕️
Releaf releases their 2025 cannabis patient survey:
https://releaf.co.uk/research/uk-medical-cannabis-patient-survey-2025-seven-years-since-legalisation
Key findings:
- 97 % of patients report an improved quality of life since starting treatment.
- Only 25 % feel fully confident using their medication outside the home, highlighting continued stigma and uncertainty.
- 91 % say they would recommend medical cannabis to others who may be eligible.
- 47.5 % of prescriptions are for chronic pain, followed by 31.4 % for mental health conditions.
In people with Parkinson’s disease, CBD improves the efficacy of the levodopa treatment for tremors, rigidity, slowed movements, depression, motivation & sleep
Investigating the synergistic and modulatory effects of cannabidiol with levodopa and dietary protein in Parkinson’s disease
https://openurl.ebsco.com/EPDB%3Agcd%3A4%3A13515236/detailv2/
For drug-resistant epilepsy in children older than two, CBD caused a >50% reduction in 58% of them & 15% became seizure-free
Cannabidiol as Adjunctive Treatment in Drug-Resistant Epilepsy With Epileptic Spasms Beyond Two Years of Age
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0887899425003145
In people with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, CBD was associated with an improved Caregiver Global Impression of Change score
Clinically Meaningful Reduction in Drop Seizures in Patients with Lennox–Gastaut Syndrome Treated with Cannabidiol: Post Hoc Analysis of Phase 3 Clinical Trials
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40263-025-01201-8
In people with inflammatory bowel disorder, cannabis was associated with a 30% reduction in 30-day readmission
Cannabis Use and 30-Day Readmission in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Nationwide Analysis
https://journals.lww.com/ajg/fulltext/2025/10002/s1719_cannabis_use_and_30_day_readmission_in.1720.aspx/
In a case series of Stiff Person Syndrome (a rare, progressive autoimmune neurological disorder of severe, fluctuating muscle rigidity & painful muscle spasms), cannabinoid oils were one of the helpful treatments
3700 Stiff person syndrome: a single centre’s experience
https://neurologyopen.bmj.com/content/7/Suppl_1/A75.3/
For memory, the memory loss effects of high THC cultivars were mitigated by using a 1:1 THC-CBD cultivar
A naturalistic investigation of cannabis strains varying in THC and CBD ratios and verbal recognition memory
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1685412/abstract
For sleep quality, cannabis use was associated with longer sleep duration than days of alcohol use, co-use or no use
Sleep quality and duration following the use and co-use of alcohol and cannabis in the daily life of community adults
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0376871625003990
For cannabis use & exercise, the main heart changes were increased pulse & altered cardiac function after (but not during) exercise
The Acute Cardiovascular Response to Dynamic Exercise and Recovery Following Cannabis Use
https://journals.physiology.org/doi/pdf/10.1152/ajpheart.00608.2025
In people with HIV, cannabis users had less activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome
Cannabis use is associated with alterations in NLRP3 inflammasome related gene expression in monocyte-derived macrophages from people living with HIV
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1634203/full
In brain scans, cannabis altered the dynamics of brain network organization with a reduced occurrence of hyperconnected brain states as well as decreased segregation of brain networks & impaired attentional performance, with tolerance developing in chronic users & changes to CB1 receptor levels
Cannabis perturbs dynamic brain states
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006322325015355
They frame this like a bad thing – and it is if I’m trying to process science articles – but if I’m trying to have a pleasurable night in my room with my books & collage, reduced hyperconnected brain states & decreased segregation of brain networks sounds pretty good to me.
In brain scans of cannabis & polydrug users, both had changes, but it was more widespread in the polydrug users
EEG-based network dynamics in cannabis and polydrug use: a directed transfer function approach
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00213-025-06933-5
“Individuals with cannabis-only use exhibited localized changes in neural propagation, particularly in frontal areas and within theta, beta, and gamma bands, while alpha-band activity remained relatively stable. In contrast, individuals with polydrug use showed more widespread and complex alterations in connectivity, including reduced alpha activity and increased frontal and prefrontal engagement, suggesting heightened excitation and possible compensatory mechanisms.”
In young male cannabis consumers, they had higher levels of testosterone, dihydrotestosterone & androstenedione, plus progesterones that could serve as biomarkers of use
Cannabis consumption is associated with altered steroid metabolism in young men
https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7582554/v1/35996e28-1989-41ce-98f2-42e5950983fd.pdf
“Additionally, two progesterone metabolites, 11beta-hydroxyprogesterone (11B-OHP4) and 5betadihydroprogesterone (5B-DHP4), were markedly elevated in cannabis consumers. When the cannabis user group was stratified according to the corresponding usage biomarkers, it was shown that 11BOHP4 could be a biomarker of general exposure, whereas 5B-DHP4 displayed a dose-dependent relationship.”
On savoring cannabis & its protective role for cannabis consequences
The Protective Role of Savoring on Coping Motives for Cannabis Use and Consequences
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02791072.2025.2537043
In cats with osteoarthritic pain, a CBD/CBDA paste effectively reduced pain but had a high dropout rate
Field safety and efficacy study with a cannabidiol/cannabidiol acid-rich hemp paste in cats with osteoarthritic pain
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1098612X251367629
In dogs with osteoarthritis, a cannabis extract caused a small reduction in pain & was well tolerated
Cannabis-Based Extract for Managing Pain in Dogs with Osteoarthritis: Efficacy and Safety Assessment
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1539704/abstract
🎗️ Cancer & Chemotherapy 🎗️
For the sleep of cancer patients, high CBD was associated with improvements in sleep, but with no consistent changes from THC
The effects of tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol on sleep in cancer patients
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12094-025-04069-8
For psychological symptoms in people with cancer, this review found people used cannabis for sleep disturbances & anxiety
Use of cannabis in psychological symptom management among patients with cancer: A narrative review
https://www.japha.org/article/S1544-3191(25)00633-8/abstract
For young people with cancer, a review of 15 articles on their cannabis use & motivations
Cannabis Use Among Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer: A Scoping Review
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13187-025-02693-0
For lung cancer, a review of CBD’s efficacy
The potential role of cannabidiol (CBD) in lung cancer therapy: a systematic review of preclinical and clinical evidence
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12935-025-04010-7
For cervical cancer, a review on integrating cannabinoids
Advancing cervical cancer treatment: integrating cannabinoids, combination therapies and nanotechnology
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00432-025-06323-6
In a cannabis user, he had higher levels of Carbohydrate Antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9), a blood marker of pancreatic cancer
Recurrent Carbohydrate Antigen 19-9 Elevation Associated With Marijuana Use: A Benign Mimicker of Pancreatic Malignancy
https://journals.lww.com/ajg/fulltext/2025/10002/s3526_delayed_presentation_of_primary.3524.aspx
In ovarian cancer cells, CBD & THC combined to inhibit cell growth & invasion
Selective anti-cancer effects of cannabidiol and Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol via PI3K/AKT/mTOR inhibition and PTEN restoration in ovarian cancer cells
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1693129/abstract
In tumor cells, CBDV targeted the immunosuppressive regulatory myeloid cells
Cannabidivarin directly targets the immunosuppressive activity of regulatory myeloid cells in tumors
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0753332225008911
📑 Reviews 📑
In mental health & cannabis, a holistic review of its risks & benefits
A Holistic Review of Cannabis and Its Potential Risks and Benefits in Mental Health
https://www.mdpi.com/2673-5318/6/3/92
For anxiety & sleep disturbances, a review of 29 studies found help from the cannabinoids, particularly CBD
CANNABINOIDS FOR ANXIETY AND SLEEP DISTURBANCES: A SCOPING REVIEW
https://karger.com/mca/article-pdf/doi/10.1159/000548890/4456078/000548890.pdf
For neurodegeneration & substance use disorders, a review of the endocannabinoid system’s effects on synaptic plasticity & neurotoxicity (nice charts)
From Synaptic Plasticity to Neurotoxicity: Endocannabinoid Influence on Addiction and Neurodegeneration
https://www.preprints.org/frontend/manuscript/d83cdab9a0a8d3de561ff5d9d643afd4/download_pub
For sepsis, a review of the involvement of the endocannabinoid system (nice charts)
Endocannabinoid System in Sepsis: A Scoping Review
https://www.mdpi.com/2813-5806/2/4/24
For CB1 receptors in the mitochondria (powerhouse of the cell), a review of their importance in brain health & diseases
Implications of the mitochondrial CB1 receptor in the brain: from mitochondrial dysfunction to neuroprotection
https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1515/revneuro-2025-0086/html
For malaria, a review of the preclinical evidence of cannabis-derived compounds
Cannabis‐Derived Compounds Against Plasmodium sp.: A Systematic Review of Preclinical Studies
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/tmi.70044
⚠️ Harms ⚠️
For cannabis & sudden cardiac death, an analysis of three cases & a review of the literature
Cannabis and Sudden Cardiac Death: A Case Series with Narrative Literature Review
https://www.mdpi.com/2673-6756/5/4/52
Listen, I don’t like this either. A number of men on my mom’s side of the family dropped over dead from heart attacks. And I’d like to see my kids grow up. But the data is the data.
And it’s not just case series like these. You see the same thing in public health data & as well as preclinical studies of heart harms. Cannabis is not great for the heart. A lot of other things are probably worse, but cannabis is at least a moderate risk factor for decreased heart health.
Such as…
For heart health, US public health data found cannabis use associated with increased odds of coronary heart disease, heart attack & stroke, with greater risk for middle-aged adults & females
The association between cannabis use and cardiovascular outcomes among U.S. Adults, 2020–2023
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0306460325002989
In youth mental health, a meta-analysis showed cannabis linked to depression, anxiety & suicidal tendencies
Growing Concerns: A systematic review and Meta-Analysis of cannabis use and mental health risks in youth
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306460325002977
On asthma in the cannabis industry, a review of the cases from 4 state-based surveillance systems
Work-related asthma in the cannabis industry Findings From California, Massachusetts, Michigan, and Washington
https://journals.lww.com/joem/abstract/2025/10000/work_related_asthma_in_the_cannabis_industry_.10.aspx
In people with asthma, public health data showed those with cannabis use disorder had greater odds of in-hospital mortality, severe asthma exacerbations & higher hospital costs
The Effect of Cannabis Use Disorder on Mortality and Other Outcomes in Asthma: A Nationwide Analysis (2016-2021)
https://assets.cureus.com/uploads/original_article/pdf/403917/20251020-301034-dbpxty.pdf
For people with COPD, those who smoked cannabis & tobacco had increased Forced Vital Capacity (good), residual volumes (bad) & total lung capacity (bad) compared to tobacco only smokers, as well as increased risk of bullous emphysema (large, abnormal air sacs) but not an increased risk of pneumothorax (collapsed lung)
Impact of cannabis smoking in patients with COPD: A retrospective cross-sectional study in a safety- net hospital
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0147956325002249
A book chapter on otoneurology & vestibular medicine (inner ear problems) suggested cannabis could increase symptoms of disequilibrium as well as causing or worsening tinnitus
Marijuana
https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-94841-1_164
For young children in the emergency department for accidental cannabis intoxication, a review of 46 studies on the products & symptoms involved
Presentation of pediatric cannabis ingestion in the emergency department
https://bcmj.org/articles/presentation-pediatric-cannabis-ingestion-emergency-department
A case report of an infant death from cannabis resin intoxication via severe hyperkalemia (high blood levels of potassium)
Fatal Cannabis Resin Intoxication in a 10-Month-Old Infant with Severe Hyperkalemia: A Case Report and Literature Review
https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7781700/v1/e68acf9a-f74d-4607-a4bc-e19d285502d1.pdf
For cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, a survey on the efficacy of treatments found the most effective to be cannabis reduction
Real-World Treatment Patterns and Patient-Perceived Effectiveness in Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome: A Survey of 829 Individuals
https://journals.lww.com/ajg/fulltext/2025/10002/s1191_real_world_treatment_patterns_and.1192.aspx
For treating cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, a systematic review for psychiatrists
Treatment of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome: A systematic review and treatment algorithm for consultation-liaison psychiatrists
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0163834325002038
For cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, a review on the increased prevalence
Cannabis Legalization and a Spotlight on GI Complications
https://journals.lww.com/ajg/fulltext/2025/10002/s3150_validation_of_asge_guidelines_2025_on_the.3149.aspx/
In a pregnant person with cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, a case report on the efficacy of topical capsaicin
Topical Capsaicin for Symptomatic Treatment of Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome in a Pregnant Patient: A Case Report
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41135021/
A case report of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome developing Wernicke’s encephalopathy (a neurodegenerative disorder from thiamine (vitamin B₁) deficiency leading to confusion)
Vomiting and Vitamin Deficient: A Case of Wernicke’s Encephalopathy Secondary to Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome
https://journals.lww.com/ajg/fulltext/2025/10002/s4501_vomiting_and_vitamin_deficient__a_case_of.4500.aspx
A case report of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome with pneumomediastinum (air leaking into the chest cavity)
Atypical Presentation of Spontaneous Pneumomediastinum Secondary to Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome
https://assets.cureus.com/uploads/case_report/pdf/412965/20251021-117101-xhdh51.pdf
For pediatric edible cannabinoid exposure, a comparison of hospital & poison center data found many cases were not reported to the regional poison center
Edible cannabinoid exposure in pediatric patients: comparing hospital and poison center data
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15563650.2025.2552966
In a tissue model of liver injury, the toxicity of CBD was greatly increased by valproate (a common antiepileptic medication)
Evaluating cannabidiol-induced liver injury with and without valproate using a three-dimensional human hepatocyte spheroid model
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0887233325001201
In neuronal cells, commercial CBD powders caused oxidative stress & mitochondrial dysfunction
Oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in neuronal cells induced by commercial CBD products
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0009279725004156
🐁 Preclinical 🐁
In a rat model of methamphetamine use disorder, CBD shortened extinction duration & inhibited methamphetamine reinstatement, partially through dopamine receptors in the dentate gyrus (a hippocampus brain region of memory encoding & spatial learning)
Modulatory function of cannabidiol on the extinction and reinstatement of methamphetamine-seeking behavior through the D2-like dopamine receptors in the dentate gyrus
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0166432825004693
In a mouse model of pain, CBD & the terpene beta-caryophyllene had synergistic pain-killing effects
Cannabidiol and Beta-Caryophyllene: chronic inflammatory pain.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1043661825004128
In a mouse model of inflammatory bowel disease, THC reduced colitis severity in females, CBD showed modest help for males & the terpene beta-caryophyllene showed the most robust protective effects in both genders
Medical Cannabis for IBD: Differential Responses to Cannabinoids in IL-10 Deficient Model of IBD
https://journals.lww.com/ajg/fulltext/2025/10002/s1526_medical_cannabis_for_ibd__differential.1527.aspx
In a rat model of arthritis, CBG lowered inflammation & modulated the immune system response
Regulation of inflammatory pathways by cannabigerol in the collagen induced arthritis model in rats
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1705962/full
For antioxidant, anti-inflammatory & antimicrobial effects, a comparison of cannabis extracts rich in CBD, CBG & CBC
Targeting the antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity of non-psychotropic Cannabis sativa L.: a comparison with chemotype V
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s42238-025-00336-1
🆕 Novel Studies 🆕
(my grab bag section for stuff I haven’t quite seen before)
Creation of a mouse with glow-in-the-dark CB2 receptors & conditional knockout effects
Novel floxed cannabinoid receptor 2 mouse line combines knockout capability with dual fluorescent reporters
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1682979/abstract
In rats with neuropathic pain from type 1 diabetes, photobiomodulation therapy (low-level, non-ionizing light, usually red & near-infrared) reduced hypersensitivity to pain & increased levels of the CB1 receptor in the dorsal root ganglia (pain processing in the spinal cord)
CB1 and CB2 Receptor Expression in Type 1 Diabetic Neuropathic Rats Is Enhanced by Photobiomodulation Therapy
https://www.mdpi.com/2304-6732/12/11/1060
The GLP-1 weight loss drug danuglipron also binds to the CB1 & CB2 receptor
Molecular docking of danuglipron uncovers potential crossovers between GLP-1R and the endocannabinoid system
https://micropublication.org/static/pdf/micropub-biology-001690.pdf
In a mouse model of cannabis intoxication, a Parsonsia straminea stem bark extract caused reduced anxiety & depression scores as well as improved motor coordination & cognitive performance
JRT Evaluation of the Ameliorating Potential Effect of Parsonsiastraminea (R.Br.) F.Muell. Stem Bark Extract on Some Behavioural Disorders Induced by Cannabis Sativa L. (ChanvreCultivé (Fr), Hemp (En) Extract in a Murine Model
https://ijsate.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/V2I4P27_IJSATE042518_074933A.pdf
On lyngbyapeptin A (a terpene from the marine cyanobacterium Moorena bouillonii), an analysis of its chemical cousins & their ability to activate cannabinoid, motillin, & amylin receptors
Biosynthesis, Chemical Synthesis, and Pharmacological Evaluation of Lyngbyapeptin A as a GPCR Antagonist of Motilin, Cannabinoid, and Amylin Receptors
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acs.jnatprod.5c00963
📰 US Headlines & Fav Articles 📰
As the Supreme Court takes up a case of gun rights & cannabis, gun rights groups urge the court to combine other cases because the current case of an Iranian Revolutionary Guard suspect who had many other drugs is not representative of state-legal cannabis users who own firearms
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/gun-rights-groups-urge-supreme-court-to-combine-cases-on-marijuana-consumers-second-amendment-rights-to-reach-fairer-ruling/
In New York, a giant recall because of product inversion & a ‘rent-a-license’ scandal
https://businessofcannabis.com/new-york-cannabis-retailers-push-back-on-30m-product-recall-and-rent-a-licence-scandal/
https://www.cultivated.news/p/inside-the-omnium-scandal-rocking-new-york-s-cannabis-industry
In Massachusetts, on the disinformation by canvassers on the new campaign to end adult-use cannabis
https://talkingjointsmemo.com/as-seen-on-ig-disrupting-the-campaign-to-end-recreational-cannabis/
And Maine is also facing a ballot initiative to roll back cannabis legalization
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/new-maine-ballot-initiative-would-roll-back-marijuana-legalization-law-approved-by-voters/
In Florida, the legalization campaign was blocked by the Secretary of State despite having tripled the required signature & now Smart & Safe Florida will sue
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/10/31/florida-recreational-marijuana-ballot-measure-lawsuit-desantis/b7a86f64-b67d-11f0-88c1-4e2f98984a34_story.html
In Nebraska, the AG apparently retaliated against the Omaha tribe of Native Americans for their medical cannabis program by torpedoing their agreement on a tobacco tax
https://www.wowt.com/2025/11/06/nebraska-ag-responds-accusations-retaliation-against-omaha-tribe-over-medical-marijuana/
In Minnesota, the city of Osseo approved the nation’s first government-run cannabis store
https://mjbizdaily.com/minnesota-city-signs-off-on-opening-publicly-owned-cannabis-store/
🌐 International Updates 🌐
In Colombia, cannabis flower approved for medical purposes & to be sold in pharmacies
https://www.bluradio.com/nacion/colombia-autoriza-el-uso-medico-de-la-flor-de-cannabis-rg10
In Lebanon, cannabis cultivation approved for medical & pharmaceutical purposes
https://www.turkiyetoday.com/region/lebanon-legalizes-cannabis-expects-1-billion-annual-boost-to-state-treasury-3209124
In Germany, they increased their maximum quantity of cannabis imports for medical & scientific purposes to almost 200 tons
https://krautinvest.de/bfarm-erhoeht-hoechstmenge-fuer-cannabis-importe-auf-1925-tonnen/
In South Korea, a medical cannabis regulatory sandbox has been declared in the DMZ & northern provinces
https://biz.chosun.com/en/en-science/2025/10/27/JV34YDKT3JBBVNE3UYE6F425NQ/
In Canada, a significant decrease in drug crime since legalization in 2018
https://stratcann.com/news/cannabis-legalization-drives-significant-decline-in-canadian-drug-crime/
In Colombia & Argentina, on creating their medical cannabis systems
Constructing Policy Paradigms Through Implementation: Medical Cannabis Reforms in Colombia and Argentina
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/lamp.70031
In South Africa, an analysis of what’s needed for an inclusive & thriving hemp industry
What Fundamental Structures Does South Africa Need to Put in Place to Build an Inclusive and Thriving Hemp Industry?
https://sajae.co.za/article/view/21379
⚖️ Business, Laws & Education ⚖️
At Green Thumb Industries, the Teamsters ratified a new contract after a 45-day strike, the longest work stoppage in the US cannabis industry
https://teamster.org/2025/11/teamsters-at-gti-win-longest-successful-cannabis-strike-in-u-s-history/
In British Columbia, Canada, a strike by the liquor & cannabis distributors just ended after one of the longest work stoppages in the province’s history
https://cannabislaw.report/canada-bc-liquor-cannabis-distributors-working-overtime-to-get-back-to-normal-after-strike-ends/
For the 2024 US presidential election, on how it influenced the valuations of the publicly traded cannabis companies
Impact of elections on the cannabis market: An event study for the 2024 U.S. presidential election
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1059056025008469
For PAX vaporizers, on their marketing strategies while under US federal restrictions
Corporate Strategies to Market PAX Vaporizers for Cannabis Use Under Federal Restrictions in the United States
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10826084.2025.2575919
In Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada, interviews with retailers on the challenges & opportunities of the cannabis market
Insights from the ground: A qualitative investigation of retailer perspectives of the challenges and opportunities in the legal cannabis market in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article
In California, on the violation of local cannabis delivery bans
Assessing violation of local cannabis delivery bans prior to enactment of California’s Senate Bill 1186
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0955395925003159
🚗 Driving 🚗
For driving under the influence of cannabis, the three different types of drivers doing it
Correlates of driving under the influence of cannabis: A latent class analysis
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022437525001574
In Canadian drivers, a survey found they were 2% more likely to be driving after alcohol or cannabis use since COVID
Changes in driving after use of alcohol, cannabis, or both substances during the COVID-19 pandemic: Surveying a representative sample of Canadian drivers
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1369847825003638/
In a survey of local law enforcement, they were less likely to have cannabis enforcement strategies than alcohol enforcement strategies for driving
Cannabis Enforcement Lags Behind Alcohol: A National Study of Law Enforcement Practices in Legal and Nonlegal States
https://experts.umn.edu/en/publications/cannabis-and-alcohol-enforcement-strategies-across-the-us/
For cannabis-impaired drivers, on the challenges of measurements & responses
Challenges in Responding to Cannabis-Impaired Motor Vehicle Drivers
https://academic.oup.com/clinchem/advance-article-abstract/doi/10.1093/clinchem/hvaf126/8297157
🚓 The War on Drugs 🚓
On the US strikes against suspected narco-boats, a CNN timeline of the 16 attacks
https://edition.cnn.com/2025/11/02/politics/timeline-us-strikes-caribbean-pacific-vis
With even some Republicans raising concerns about these strikes
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/24/us/politics/republicans-trump-drug-war.html
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/trumps-stupid-drug-war-killings-put-military-in-untenable-position-former-gop-attorney-general-of-idaho-says-op-ed/
And a US aircraft carrier deployed to the Caribbean
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/u-s-deploys-aircraft-carrier-to-caribbean-as-strikes-on-suspected-drug-boats-intensify
And Trump considering plans to target cocaine facilities inside Venezuela
https://edition.cnn.com/2025/10/24/politics/venezuela-cocaine-trafficking-routes-trump
In California, the Eradication & Prevention of Illicit Cannabis (EPIC) program burned ~775k plants & ~100k pounds of cannabis while arresting 282
https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-bonta-together-local-state-and-federal-law-enforcement-partners
For the Mexican fentanyl trade, the arrest of the Chinese broker Brother Yang was a harder hit than any of the kingpin arrests
https://cannabislaw.report/article-chinese-broker-brother-yang-arrest-hits-mexicos-fentanyl-trade-harder-than-kingpin-arrests/
In Baja, Mexico, 14 state officers suspended for allegedly stealing 180 kilos of cocaine
https://cannabislaw.report/14-baja-state-police-officers-suspended-for-allegedly-stealing-180-kilos-of-cocaine/
In Rio, corpses lined the streets after Brazil’s deadliest operation against drug gangs (121 dead)
https://cannabislaw.report/corpses-line-rio-street-after-brazils-deadliest-operation-against-drug-gangs/
In Saudi Arabia, a Pakistani man was beheaded for heroin smuggling
https://cannabislaw.report/saudi-beheads-pakistani-heroin-smuggler/
In Kuwait, a strict new anti-drug law includes mandatory testing for driver’s license & marriage applicants, random testing for military & civilian employees & the death penalty for traffickers
https://cannabislaw.report/kuwait-approves-harsh-new-anti-drug-law-random-testing-death-penalty-for-traffickers/
On the War on Drugs as a mechanism for policing Latin America
The War on Drugs as a Mechanism of Control, Policing and Criminalisation in Latin America
https://link.springer.com/rwe/10.1007/978-3-031-74932-2_34-1
On the effects of the Mexican drug war on US labor markets
Migration and U.S. Labor Market Effects of the Mexican Drug War
https://research.upjohn.org/cgi/viewcontent.cgi
On Telegram, an analysis of 20 Israeli cannabis trading groups
Cannabis trading on Telegram channels: implications for the normalization of use and supply
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0955395925002270
For detecting illicit cannabis & ephedra plantations, on the use of UAV cameras
UAV mounted spectrometry camera solution for detecting illicit cannabis and ephedra plantations
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s42452-025-07693-9
🛡️ Harm Reduction News 🛡️
In Canada, the Supreme Court affirmed their Good Samaritan Law, ensuring that people who call 911 during an overdose will not face arrest for drug possession
https://drugpolicy.ca/supreme-court-affirms-good-samaritan-law/
In Toronto, the last supervised consumption site outside the downtown was defunded
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/province-defunds-toronto-consumption-site-9.6955049
Dr. Keith Humphreys in support of forced treatment for substance use disorders
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/20/opinion/forced-drug-treatment.html
And disagreeing responses from a swathe of professionals (including friend of the newsletter Dr. Andrew Tatarsky)
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/20/opinion/forced-drug-treatment.html
Harm Reduction Research
For methadone treatment, policy recommendations from the Liberate Methadone Movement
Envisioning a Humane and Accessible US Methadone Treatment System: Generating Policy and Practice Recommendations From the Liberate Methadone Movement
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41139383/
Evaluating the Medicaid 1115 waivers’ effects on expanding opioid use disorder medication treatment
How Did Medicaid’s 1115 Substance Use Disorder Waivers Increase Medication Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder? Evidence From Eight Waiver States
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41144737/
Interviews on co-creating health system innovations with people who use drugs
Co-creating health system innovation with people who use drugs
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41126202/
For safer supply programs, an interview of people in Baltimore who use drugs found strong support
Perspectives on prescribed safer supply programs among people who inject drugs in Baltimore, Maryland: A mixed methods study among individuals highly affected by drug toxicity
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41151142/
In France, an overview of their excellent treatment system for substance use disorders
[Addiction care system in France]
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41128193/
I dream one day of having the time & space to do a deep journalistic dive into what France is doing right around substance use disorder & harm reduction.
At a Pittsburgh naloxone distribution program, on the trends & characteristics over 17 years
Trends and characteristics during 17 years of naloxone distribution and administration through an overdose prevention program in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41134828/
For preventing opioid overdose deaths, a review of recent innovations
Recent Innovations to Detect and Intervene to Prevent Opioid Overdose Deaths
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41134178/
On implementing harm reduction into the criminal justice system, a review of 99 papers
Implementation of harm reduction strategies in criminal-legal systems: a scoping review of the literature
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41100011/
On the importance of community pharmacies for syringe access
Access to Syringes at Pharmacies (ASAP): Preliminary impact of a pharmacy-level intervention
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41109671/
For overdoses, public health data on the use of naloxone, 911 calls & emergency room visits
Naloxone Use, 911 Calls, and Emergency Visits After Nonfatal Overdose
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41100084/
For midwifery education, on integrating substance use disorder training
Innovative Teaching Approaches to Integrating Substance Use Disorder Training into Midwifery and Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner Education Programs
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41160064/
In a Finnish paraphernalia-based drug checking service, on its benefits & shortcomings
From trash to results: shortcomings and benefits of paraphernalia-based drug checking in Finland
https://harmreductionjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12954-025-01330-9
In Uganda, interviews on barriers to medications for opioid use disorder
“Trust and suspicion” client and provider perspectives on the acceptability of medication for opioid use disorder among people who inject drugs in Kampala, Uganda
https://harmreductionjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12954-025-01324-7
🍄 Psychedelics, Plant Medicines & Other Psychoactives 🍄
On Tim Scully, one of the great LSD chemists
https://tripsitter.substack.com/p/tim-scully
On the atypical antidepressant tianeptine being sold at gas stations, a case report of severe tianeptine use disorder & a review of the literature
Gas Station Heroin: A Case Report of Tianeptine Use Disorder and a Literature Review
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41132482/
For the ayahuasca churches of the US, an analysis of their legal victories
On Rights and Risks: The Legal Victories of the União do Vegetal and Santo Daime in the United States
https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-032-04368-9_4
In psychedelic users, brain scans of their response to emotional faces
Investigating Emotional Reactivity in Experienced Users of Psychedelics: a cross-sectional fMRI study
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/396558494_Investigating_Emotional_Reactivity_in_Experienced_Users_of_Psychedelics_a_cross-sectional_fMRI_study
For ayahuasca, a review of the clinical pharmacology
Clinical pharmacology of ayahuasca: potential applications and future considerations
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41123976/
For substance use disorders, a review of using psychedelics
The Role of Psychedelics in the Treatment of Substance Use Disorders: An Overview of Systematic Reviews
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41154151/
For kratom, a review on how the different product types altered use patterns & dependence risk
The Impact of Diverse Kratom Products on Use Patterns, Dependence, and Toxicity
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11920-025-01631-7
On opium in Iran over the last century
Flower of Endurance: An Ethnography of Opium’s Untold Role in Iran’s Capitalist Margins
https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/8D186C6F23A44F4B1206AFDAAB12D689/S0021086225101035a.pdf/flower_of_endurance_an_ethnography_of_opiums_untold_role_in_irans_capitalist_margins.pdf
🍃 The Plant & its Products 🍃
🌱 Growing & Extracting 🌱
For the stages of processing cannabis, a review & comparison of techniques for obtaining high-quality extracts
Comprehensive review of cannabis processing stages: A comparison of techniques for obtaining high-quality extracts
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2214786125000580
For hemp seed germination, it was delayed or inhibited by increased salinity
Geographical variation in seed germination of Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) ecotypes under salinity conditions
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2214786125000300
When masculinizing feminized plant seeds, on the effects on pollen viability & phytotoxicity
Chemical Masculinization of Female Cannabis sativa L.: Impacts on Pollen Viability and Feminized Seed Production
https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/11/11/1286/
For adventitious roots, the age of the mother plant & intensity of the light only minimally altered their formation
Mother Plant Age and Light Intensity Minimally Alter Adventitious Root Formation in Medicinal Cannabis
https://journals.ashs.org/view/journals/hortsci/60/11/article-p2034.xml
For two common cannabis pests (the beet leafhopper & the two-spotted spider mite), on the effects of 4 biopesticides
Effects of Selected Biopesticides on Two Arthropod Pests of Cannabis sativa L. in Northeastern Oregon
https://www.mdpi.com/2813-3145/4/4/19
On improving the drying process with instant controlled pressure drop pretreatment
Enhancing the valorization of Hemp Inflorescences using Instant Controlled Pressure Drop (D.I.C) Pretreatment
https://hal.science/hal-05308547/
For medical cannabis, a Thai analysis of quality control parameters
Comprehensive Pharmacognostic Analysis and Quality Control Parameters of Cannabis sativa L. subsp. sativa: Evaluating Leaves and Flowers for Medicinal Applications
https://ph02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/tsujournal/article/view/259515
On using remote UAV imaging to estimate plant height, nitrogen uptake & biomass
Estimating plant height, nitrogen uptake and above-ground biomass using UAV multispectral imaging coupled with machine learning in industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0926669025016760
On classifying medical cannabis cultivars using multi-spectral reflectance datasets
Multispectral reflectance dataset of medicinal Cannabis sativa cultivars for varietal classification
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352340925008972
In Northern Thailand, an analysis of hemp germplasm genetic diversity
Genetic Diversity of Hemp Germplasm in Northern Thailand
https://ph02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/ijast/article/view/261977
In Florida, on the effects of soil quality on hemp cultivation
Evaluating the effects of industrial hemp cultivation on soil quality in Florida
https://acsess.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/agg2.70231
In New Mexico, on the effects of photoperiod on the yield of hemp
Field observations: Photoperiod response and yield of hemp at various latitudes throughout New Mexico
https://acsess.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdfdirect/10.1002/agg2.70225
In Illinois, interviews on how to legitimize a formerly illicit crop
CBD Hemp Pharming in Illinois: Working to Legitimize an Enduringly Illicit Crop
https://anthrosource.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/cuag.70008
A metabolic analysis of two cannabis cultivars
Targeted Metabolomics Reveals Metabolic Flux and Regulatory Mechanisms Underlying Cannabinoid and Terpene Biosynthesis in Cannabis Accessions
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0981942825012070
For the production of tocopherol (Vitamin E), on the pathways used by cannabis
Regulation of the Tocopherol Biosynthetic Pathway by AREB5 in Cannabis sativa
https://www.biotechrep.ir/article_232251_79b8f2db4e72c5113768f46ecacd1c31.pdf
Profile of a Nigerian cannabis cultivar
Toxicological evaluation and preliminary phytochemical characterisation of a Nigerian Cannabis sativa chemovar
https://ijbms.mums.ac.ir/article_26926.html
⚙️ Analyzing & Formulating ⚙️
For CBD bioavailability, a bioavailability-enhanced capsule & a bioavailability-enhanced liquid (CBDNEXT) had better absorption than a CBD isolate capsule
Randomized single-dose crossover comparative bioavailability study of two novel oral cannabidiol (CBD) formulations in healthy volunteers under fed conditions, compared to a standard CBD isolate capsule
https://jcannabisresearch.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s42238-025-00312-9
On a novel self-microemulsifying CBD for better intestinal bioavailability
Development, characterization and in vitro assessment of a novel self-microemulsifying drug delivery system to increase cannabidiol intestinal bioaccessibility
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378517325011214
On encapsulating CBD from hemp leaves extracted by supercritical CO2
Microencapsulation and Characterization of Hemp Leaves Cannabidiol Extracted Using Supercritical CO2
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666154325008403/
🍞 Food, Nutrition & Hemp Seeds 🍞
In cattle feed, on the effects of cannabis variety & plant parts on nutrient absorption
Effects of variety and botanical part on rates and amounts of ruminal nutrient disappearance from Cannabis sativa
https://academic.oup.com/jas/advance-article-abstract/doi/10.1093/jas/skaf365/8297105
For cannabinoids in steer tissue, a thesis project on levels & anti-inflammatory effects
Residue profiles and therapeutic applications of unapproved anti-inflammatory drugs in cattle
https://krex.k-state.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/ddca3aab-2b57-42b9-95a2-cc83a84e5ebe/content
🏗️ Industrial Uses & Fiber 🏗️
For cleaning heavy metals from soils, on using cannabis & kenaf biochar for increased absorption
Kenaf biochar enhances heavy metal phytostabilization and growth of industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) using multi-metal contaminated mining site soils
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S098194282500840X
For hemp biodiesel, on the best synthetic & natural antioxidants
Oxidative stability and emission profiles of biodiesel from hemp, karanja, castor, and amla oils: impact of natural antioxidants
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41122394/
On turning hemp hurd biowaste into cellulose aerogels for oil adsorption & filtration
Recycling hemp hurd biowaste into a high-performance cellulose aerogel for oil adsorption and water-in-oil emulsion filtration
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0926669025016115/
On removing Methylene Blue dye from water using cannabis waste
Adsorption of Methylene Blue onto Waste Fractions of Cannabis sativa from CBD and Hemp Seed Oil Production
https://sciforum.net/paper/view/24294
For removing cationic dyes from wastewater, on using cannabis leaves to make nanoparticles
Green synthesis of Cu-doped TiO2 nanoparticles via Cannabis Sativa Leaves for efficient adsorption of cationic dyes from wastewater
https://arww.razi.ac.ir/article_4012_f8fd6544c4df1ea795d152ed1273d784.pdf/
On turning cannabis stalks into cellulose nanocrystals
Valorization of cannabis stalks into cellulose nanocrystals: A sustainable solution for cannabis waste management
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0926669025016991
On fermenting hemp biomass to produce polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB)
Production of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) from batch fermentation of hemp biomass via co-fermentation of Cupriavidus necator with Paraburkholderia Sacchari
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s43393-025-00386-9
On extracting polyphenols from hemp stems with a propylene glycol-based extraction
Propylene glycol-based green extraction of polyphenols from industrial hemp stems: process optimization and bioactivity assessment
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40538-025-00870-3
For automotive parts, on reinforcing polylactic acid with hemp composite
Thermal and mechanical properties of polylactic acid reinforced with surface-treated hemp composites for automotive applications
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/00368504251352072
On producing bioplastic from hemp cellulose
Industrial Cannabis sativa (hemp or fibre): Hemp Cellulose Based Bioplastic Production
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/396658670_Industrial_Cannabis_sativa_hemp_or_fibre_Hemp_Cellulose_Based_Bioplastic_Production
Analysis of the adhesion between hemp fiber & thermoplastic polymers
INVESTIGATION OF PHYSICAL ADHESION IN HEMP FIBRE REINFORCED COMPOSITES USING CONTACT ANGLE MEASUREMENTS AND INVERSE GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY
https://research.tudelft.nl/en/publications/investigation-of-physical-adhesion-in-hemp-fibre-reinforced-compo/
For hemp-based biocomposites, mechanical tests on how shive properties influence compressive strength
The effects of shive properties on the compressive strength of the hemp-based biocomposites
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0950061825042928
For hemp in textiles, a review of its mechanical & comfort properties
Mechanical and Comfort Properties of Hemp and Hemp Blend Fabrics: A Comprehensive Review
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/390153244_Mechanical_and_Comfort_Properties_of_Hemp_and_Hemp_Blend_Fabrics_A_Comprehensive_Review
On optimizing the mechanical properties of jute & hemp fiber composites
Hybrid Taguchi-TOPSIS optimization to determine optimal mechanical properties of jute/hemp fiber reinforced composite
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10570-025-06825-z
Evaluating 3D printable hemp concrete
3D printable hemp concrete: Rheological, mechanical, and microstructural properties
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352710225027044
For heritage masonry, on retrofitting with lime hemp interior insulation
Hygrothermal performance of heritage masonry retrofitted with lime hemp interior insulation: a monitoring campaign
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/396707117_Hygrothermal_performance_of_heritage_masonry_retrofitted_with_lime_hemp_interior_insulation_a_monitoring_campaign
On hemp brick as a sustainable construction material
Ecological Brick: A Sustainable Alternative as a Construction Material
https://econpapers.repec.org/bookchap/itopchaps/330990.htm
On improving hemp concrete with hemp shiv surface treatments
Impact of hemp shiv surface treatments on the mechanical and hygrothermal behavior of hemp concrete
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0950061825042114
Modeling the effects of acid pretreatment on the structural properties of hemp hurds
Experimental Design Approach for Modeling Acid-Catalyzed IVDV Pretreatment of Hemp Hurds (Cannabis sativa L.): Structural Modification Assessments
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12155-025-10893-1
🌿 THE CANNA-SCIENCE ARCHIVE 🌿
🏥 Public Health, Legalization Effects & Bioassays 🏥
For medical cannabis patients traveling abroad, interviews on their legal and health risks
Addressing the legal and health challenges of licensed medical cannabis users who want to travel abroad
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13584-025-00723-2
For unapproved CBD use in children, a review of current usage patterns & clinical implications
The Current State of Unapproved Cannabidiol Product Use in Children
https://jppt.kglmeridian.com/view/journals/jppt/30/5/article-p564.xml
In German cannabis users, a survey of their consumption motivations & situations
Profiling cannabis consumption motivation and situations as casual leisure: evidence from German consumers
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/16078055.2025.2540336
In Australian medical cannabis patients, a survey on the difference between accessing care between cannabis clinics & regular clinics
Consumer perspectives of accessing medicinal cannabis treatment from cannabis clinics versus generalist health settings in Australia
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s42238-025-00338-z
In the Swiss regulatory trial in pharmacies, on designing ways to gather user input
Consulting people who use cannabis to plan a regulatory trial on non-medical cannabis sales in pharmacies
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40900-025-00791-3
In Oregon, a survey found that those with cannabis retail access had a greater likelihood of cannabis use & a lower likelihood of alcohol use
Oregon Adults’ Cannabis and Alcohol Use Associations with Local Cannabis Retail Access, 2014-2022
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0749379725006324
In California ethnic groups, an analysis of their alcohol & cannabis co-use
Alcohol and Cannabis Use and Co-Use among Ethnic Groups in California
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10903-025-01743-5
For marriage in Black women without a college education, an estimate that legalized cannabis increased their odds of marriage
Recreational Cannabis Legalization and Black Women’s Marriage
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/00346446251385487
In the Caribbean, a chapter on cannabis & public health
Cannabis and Public Health: Navigating Risks and Benefits
https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-93095-9_12/
An analysis of cannabis discussions on Twitter
Content Analysis of Cannabis Discourses on Twitter/X in the U.S.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2773065425000963
I’m not sure there’s anything I care about less.
🧒 Adolescents & Young Adults 🧒
In youth receiving mood disorder treatment & their parents, surveys about cannabis & CBD use
Differences in Cannabis and Cannabidiol Attitudes, Perceptions, and Behaviors Between US Adolescents Receiving Mood Disorder Treatment and Their Parents Across Legal Contexts
https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/22/10/1576
In adolescents, higher cognitive ability was linked to a higher likelihood of cannabis initiation while better visuospatial function was tied to a lower likelihood
Youth cannabis and alcohol use expectancies mediate associations between pre-adolescent cognitive function and subsequent use initiation
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0306460325003028
For those in college sports, on how this lowered their mental health risks from cannabis use
Moderating effect of participation in organized college sports on mental health and frequency of cannabis use in a national cohort
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0749379725006166
In French unemployed youth, they had a greater risk of cannabis & tobacco use disorders
Tobacco and Cannabis Use Among Not in Employment, Education or Training Youth: Systematic Review
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/396947459_Tobacco_and_Cannabis_Use_Among_Not_in_Employment_Education_or_Training_Youth_Systematic_Review
For sexually diverse youth, on the links between depression & problematic cannabis use
Sexual diversity, adolescent mental health, and adult cannabis use: Longitudinal associations through cannabis use motives
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306460325002990/
In college students, on the different cannabis products used & the relationship to cannabis harm & simultaneous alcohol use
Measuring cannabis use and cannabis-related consequences among college students who engage in simultaneous alcohol and cannabis use: Associations by type of cannabis product and mode of use on weekend days with cannabis
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S030646032500303X
In adolescents, measuring the associations between their alcohol, cannabis & depressive symptoms
Measuring the Longitudinal and Reciprocal Associations of Adolescent Alcohol, Cannabis Use, and Depressive Symptoms Across Four Time Points
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11469-025-01562-7
In US college students, excessive social media use was linked to higher cannabis use
Exploration of Cannabis Use with Excessive Social Media Use Among U.S. College Students
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/15/11/1455/
In adolescents, social media time was linked to greater cannabis experimentation
Cannabis expectancies mediate the association between social media use and cannabis experimentation in early adolescents: A prospective cohort study
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0376871625004004
In US young adults, on how ad exposures altered their use & consequences of cannabis
A longitudinal mediated examination of legal, commercial, and individual determinants of cannabis and derived cannabis use behaviors and consequences among US young adults
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0306460325002953
In Massachusetts parents & high school teens, interviews on their patterns & barriers to communication about cannabis use
Perspectives of Parents and High School Teens in Massachusetts on Communicating about Cannabis
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10826-025-03158-0
On the gateway effects between early tobacco, alcohol & cannabis use
The gateway effect of cigarette, e-cigarette, cigar, and alcohol use vs. Cannabis use
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0306460325002126
🧠 The Brain & Neurological Disorders 🧠
In Moroccan neurologists, on their use of cannabis for multiple sclerosis
Therapeutic cannabis: Knowledge, uses, and expectations of Moroccan neurologists in their professional practice for the management of multiple sclerosis
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1624568725001325
A case report with cannabis inducing a transient blood-brain barrier disruption is… hidden behind a paywall
Cannabis-induced transient meningeal enhancement: A novel radiological finding
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13760-025-02926-5
In the mouse striatum (brain region that integrates motor, cognitive & reward information), CBD vaping enhanced ion transport & inhibitory signaling, suppressed excitatory & dopaminergic pathways & greatly altered genetic transcription
Acute exposure to vaporized cannabidiol remodels coding and noncoding transcriptomes in the mouse striatum
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0304394025003179
In a rat model of status epilepticus (prolonged seizures), the anti-seizure drug mirtazapine worked via the CB1 & CB2 receptors
Antiseizure Effects of Mirtazapine in a Rat Model of Status Epilepticus Via Cannabinoid Receptor Modulation
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11064-025-04584-8
💭 Mental Health, Addiction & Cannabis Use Disorder 💭
For paranoia, on the relationship between childhood trauma & cannabis use
The impact of childhood trauma and cannabis use on paranoia: a structural equation model approach
https://iris.unil.ch/entities/publication/340f818e-4cb9-41ca-8344-05abfac49ae4
In men with opioid use disorder, they had lower brain levels of CB1 receptor availability
A Preliminary Investigation of Brain Cannabinoid Receptor Type 1 (CB1R) Availability in Men with Opioid Use Disorder
https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-7715611/v1
In people with PTSD, elevated post-traumatic cognitions were associated with increased cravings to use cannabis to cope with negative emotions
Associations between posttraumatic cognitions and cannabis cravings among trauma‐exposed individuals using cannabis
https://bpspsychub.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdfdirect/10.1111/bjc.70016
In Colorado cannabis users, an analysis found higher frequency of use linked to higher levels of anxiety
Frequency of cannabis use and symptoms of anxiety and depression: a cross-sectional analysis of the Colorado cannabis users health cohort
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s42238-025-00327-2
For cannabis use disorder, a book chapter on medications & the models
Pharmacotherapy for Cannabis Use Disorder: Preclinical and Clinical Models
https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/7854_2025_598
In cannabis use disorder, brain scans of their reactions to cannabis cues
The neurocircuitry of cannabis cue-reactivity in Cannabis Use Disorder: A functional neuroimaging study
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667174325001922
For alcohol & cannabis use disorder diagnoses, the trends in their treatment from 2013 to 2022
Alcohol and Cannabis Use Disorder Diagnoses in Mental Health Treatment 2013 to 2022: A Descriptive Epidemiological Study
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/29768357251384499
For co-users of cannabis & nicotine, they had lower levels of positive affect, an earlier age of onset, a higher daily intake & more severe dependence on cannabis, but lower levels of cortisol than the nicotine-only users
Impact of nicotine, cannabis, co-use and non-use on single day morning and evening cortisol and subjective state: During ambulatory assessment
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0306453025002902
For people using cannabis & cigarettes, cannabis use was associated with less switching from cigarettes to vapes
Cannabis use among adults who smoke tobacco: Relations with switching from combusted cigarettes to e-cigarettes or very low nicotine cigarettes
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0376871625002741
In people with alcohol-associated liver disease, public health data found that those with cannabis use or cannabis use disorder had the greatest risk reduction
The Cannabinoid System as a Potential Novel Target for Alcohol-Associated Liver Disease: A Propensity-Matched Cohort Study
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41117396/
For mental health & heavy drinking during COVID in Canadian adults, a survey linked cannabis co-use with alcohol to an increased likelihood of heavy drinking
Co-Use of Alcohol and Cannabis During COVID-19: Associations Between Sociodemographic Factors and Self-Reported Mental Health Symptoms and Heavy Episodic Drinking in Canadian Adults
https://www.mdpi.com/2813-1851/4/3/27
In a mouse model of alcohol use disorder, a new inhibitor of the MAGL enzyme (which breaks down 2-AG) reduced ethanol intake, preference & motivation, with gendered differences
MCH11, a new monoacylglycerol lipase inhibitor, reduces ethanol consumption and motivation to drink in mice, with sex-dependent differences
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S075333222500856X
In a mouse model of fear memory generalization, the endocannabinoids modulated the balance between fear memory discrimination & generalization via GABA (the brain’s primary inhibitory neurotransmitter) in the hippocampus (memory center of the brain)
Endocannabinoids inhibit contextual fear memory generalization via hippocampal GABAergic synaptic transmission
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40763027/
In a rat model of PTSD, inhibiting the breakdown of anandamide helped with fear extinction via D-serine (an amino acid neuromodulator)
Endocannabinoid system and D-serine interaction in the modulation of fear memory dynamics under stress
https://iris.uniroma1.it/handle/11573/1752289/
For khat in mice, they had improved spatial learning & memory when combined with the CB1 inverse agonist/antagonist AM-251
Interaction of Catha edulis (Vahl) Forssk. ex Endl. (Khat) and the Endocannabinoid System on Spatial Learning and Memory in Mice
https://www.ajol.info/index.php/epj/article/view/301182
🧬 Reproduction & Hormones 🧬
In pregnant women, cannabis use was associated with the suppression of both maternal pro- & anti-inflammatory cytokines
Cannabis Use During Pregnancy Is Associated with the Suppression of Circulating Maternal Cytokines
https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/25785125251388764
For pregnant women, a survey of their tobacco, vape & cannabinoid use
Tobacco, electronic nicotine delivery system, nicotine replacement therapy, and cannabinoid use during pregnancy: A descriptive cross-sectional survey
https://iris.unil.ch/entities/publication/b64675a9-220c-427b-ae35-bbb5c8f7504f
🦴 Pain, Musculoskeletal, Inflammation & Surgeries 🦴
In Louisiana medical cannabis users, a survey found they tended to use cannabis as a substitute for prescription painkillers
Medical Marijuana and Opioid Usage: An Analysis of Patient Perceptions in Louisiana
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10826084.2025.2575429
In people with cancer-related pain, an analysis of opioid prescriptions & the availability of cannabis dispensaries found cannabis may be a substitute for opioids
Cannabis Laws and Opioid Use Among Commercially Insured Patients With Cancer Diagnoses
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41105418/
For people with chronic musculoskeletal pain, the patients who decided to discontinue medical cannabis use were older
Discontinuation rates and predictors of Medical Cannabis cessation for chronic musculoskeletal pain
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article
In an outpatient hand surgery clinic, a survey found CBD use was uncommon, but those users tended to report higher pain & worse function
Prevalence of Cannabidiol (CBD) Use in an Outpatient Hand Surgery Clinic
https://journals.healio.com/doi/abs/10.3928/01477447-20250904-01
In people using opioids long-term for chronic pain, cannabis use was associated with impaired emotional regulation
Cannabis use frequency is associated with emotion dysregulation among persons receiving long-term opioid therapy for chronic pain: A psychophysiological study
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0376871625002650
In Pennsylvania, on the regional differences of who was using cannabis for severe chronic & intractable pain
Cannabis Certifications for Severe Chronic and Intractable Pain: Geographic Patterns Across Pennsylvania, USA
https://karger.com/mca/article-pdf/doi/10.1159/000549048/4454248/000549048.pdf
For reducing the racialized pain care disparity, a commentary on using cannabis
Toward Reducing Racialized Pain Care Disparities: Approaching Cannabis Research and Access Through the Lens of Equity and Inclusion
https://jdc.jefferson.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi
In a rat model of sleep deprivation, activating the CB1 receptor in their rostral ventromedial medulla (a brainstem region that modulate descending pain pathways) lessened their sensitivity to pain
Activation of CB1R within the rostral ventromedial medulla alleviates central sensitization induced by paradoxical sleep deprivation in a plantar incision rat model
https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7596835/v1/d03b6660-0c8a-4dbe-b43f-2cbf42fd8dd9.pdf
In rat models of neuropathic pain & inflammation, on anandamide as a therapeutic target
Anandamide as a Therapeutic Target for Alleviating Neuropathic Pain and Inflammation in Rat Models
https://www.benthamdirect.com/content/journals/cnr/10.2174/0115672026391315250822063941
In a rat model of migraine, dysregulation of their gut microbiome was linked to altered metabolism of 2-AG
Alterations in gut microbiota and the endocannabinoid system in an animal model of chronic migraine
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/396668170_PO-85_Alterations_in_gut_microbiota_and_the_endocannabinoid_system_in_an_animal_model_of_chronic_migraine_Sara_Facchetti12_Chiara_Demartini1_Miriam_Francavilla12_Rosaria_Greco1_Cristina_Tassorelli12_1
In a tissue model of trigeminal neuralgia (a neuropathic pain disorder), on the relationship with diacylglycerol (precursor of the endocannabinoid 2-AG)
Exploring mediating effects of B cell and monocyte in the causal relationship between diacylglycerol and trigeminal neuralgia
https://journals.lww.com/md-journal/fulltext/2025/10240/exploring_mediating_effects_of_b_cell_and_monocyte.8.aspx
🍽️ The Guts, Metabolism & the Microbiome 🍽️
In people with anorexia from systemic sclerosis (an autoimmune connective tissue disorder), cannabis oil improved appetite, satisfaction with eating, the ability to eat more, body weight, daily calorie intake & inflammatory markers (though none of these were statistically significant)
Efficacy of cannabis oil on appetite and quality of life in systemic sclerosis patients: a randomized placebo-controlled trial
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s42238-025-00342-3
In a rat model of binge eating, different combinations of activating the CB1 receptors, TRPV1 vanilloid receptors & PPAR nuclear receptors (regulators of genetic transcription) reduced aberrant palatable food consumption via changes in the hypothalamus (body control center)
Targeting the endocannabinoid/paracannabinoid systems in binge eating behavior: Efficacy of dual ligands in a preclinical model
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S104366182500430X
In a mouse model of a high-fat diet, inhibition of the enzymes that synthesize anandamide & 2-AG lowered the levels of endocannabinoids & caused a transient reduction in food intake & body weight as well as alterations in glucose homeostasis
Inhibition of endocannabinoid synthesis enzymes DAGL and NAPE-PLD transiently lowers body weight and alters glucose homeostasis during a high-fat diet challenge in mice
https://academic.oup.com/ejendo/article/193/5/618/8287133
🦠 The Immune System & Microbial 🦠
For the Helicobacter pylori bacteria that causes stomach cancer, on the inhibitory effects of cannabis extracts
Bioactivity of Cannabis sativa extract on Helicobacter pylori isolates from Colombia
http://www.scielo.org.co/scielo.php?pid=S0121-08072025000100012&script=sci_abstract&tlng=en
For strains of staph & strep bacteria, on the antimicrobial effects of CBD
ANTIMICROBIAL EFFECT OF CANNABIS ON STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS ATCC25923, STREPTOCOCCUS MUTANS UA159, STREPTOCOCCUS PYOGENES CLINICAL STAIN
https://so09.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/PMR/article/view/7639
On the antibiotic effects of cannabis extracts against Staphylococcus aureus & E. coli
ASSESSMENT OF THE THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL APPLICATION OF THE EXTRACTS FROM DIOECIOUS HEMP (Cannabis sativa L.)
https://agronomyjournal.usamv.ro/pdf/2025/issue_1/Art67.pdf
For MRSA (treatment-resistant bacteria prominent in hospitals), a solution of CBD & betel nut caused significant antibacterial activity
In vitro antibacterial activity of Piper betel extract nanoemulsion and cannabidiol formulations against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus isolates from canine pyoderma
https://www.veterinaryworld.org/Vol.18/October-2025/8.pdf
🖐️ The Skin & Topicals 🖐️
In people hospitalized for small burns, cannabis users had higher pain scores & a higher need for opioid painkillers during dressing changes
Cannabis-intoxicated patients with small burns require more opioid analgesics in the acute hospitalization period
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0305417925003870
On topical beta-caryophyllene, a review of its evidence for dermatological disorders
Topical β-Caryophyllene for Dermatologic Disorders: Mechanisms, Human Evidence, and Clinical Translation
https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/18/11/1605
💊 Synthetic Cannabinoids & Hemp-Derived Cannabinoids 💊
In people using synthetic cannabinoid papers, they had lower levels of the neural growth factor BDNF & higher levels of oxidative stress markers
Serum zonulin, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and oxidative stress levels in individuals using paper (A4) impregnated with synthetic cannabinoids
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1693270/full
A case study of using wastewater analysis to monitor the synthetic cannabinoids AKB-48F (4F-ABINACA or 4F-ABUTINACA)
Drug target residue selection for synthetic cannabinoids monitoring by wastewater-based epidemiology: case study of the AKB-48F (4F-ABINACA or 4F-ABUTINACA)
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11356-025-37084-x
On detecting synthetic cannabinoids in wastewater with an ultra-sensitive MSPE UPLC MS method
Ultra-high sensitive MSPE-UPLC-MS/MS method based on magnetic nanoparticles for the detection of synthetic cannabinoids in wastewater
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00604-025-07578-z
On rapid blood screening for semi-synthetic cannabinoids using an LC-QTOF-MS method
Rapid LC-QTOF-MS screening method for semi-synthetic cannabinoids in whole blood
https://academic.oup.com/jat/advance-article/doi/10.1093/jat/bkaf095/8294146
In rats, the synthetic cannabinoid CUMYL-4CN-BINACA caused liver injury via oxidative stress, activation of the NF kB pathway, suppression of the Nrf2 pathway & stress in the endoplasmic reticulum (protein folding center of the cell)
The synthetic cannabinoid CUMYL-4CN-BINACA induces hepatic injury in rats via oxidative stress, NF-κB activation, Nrf2 suppression, EDEM-1, ER stress-mediated apoptotic pathways
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0278691525005770
Thanks.
- lex
PS: For the greats of early R&B, here’s the Ravens & their album ‘Old Man River’. One of the most influential R&B groups after World War II, these 4 singers started practicing their harmony together in Harlem & scored their first hit with ‘Old Man River’ in 1947. With their growing influence, their choice of the name “The Ravens” led to a trend of Black vocal groups naming themselves after birds (including the Orioles, the Crows, the Swallows, the Swans, the Wrens, the Larks, the Robins & the Penguins). But they created music unlike any of the other male vocal groups of the time, combining the bass voice of Jimmy Ricks with their varied influences of pop, jazz & gospel styles. With 8 more Top Ten R&B songs over the next decade, they toured widely & the voice of Jimmy Ricks became the bass that all others were measured against. Their influence started to wane with the rise of rock & roll but some version of their lineup kept recording through the ‘60s.
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