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Source: @norml @WeedConnection
Posted By: norml@weedconnection.com
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- Tue, 19 Jan 2021 04:20:21 PST

Study: Marijuana Use Not Associated with Increased Risk of Cardiovascular Disease

Miami, FL: A history of marijuana use is not associated with an elevated risk of suffering from cardiovascular disease, according to data published in the journal Cureus.

A team of investigators affiliated with Florida International University’s Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine assessed the relationship between marijuana use and the diagnosis of cardiovascular disease in a nationally representative cohort of nearly 57,000 adults. Authors identified no independent relationship between marijuana exposure and the prevalence of cardiovascular disease after adjusting for potential confounders, such as body mass index, tobacco smoking, and alcohol use.

Researchers determined: "After controlling for several confounding variables, we found that there was a decrease in the prevalence of cardiovascular events with marijuana use (Odds Ratio: 0.74)."

They concluded: "Our study found that there is no link to marijuana use and an increase in cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, there may be a link between marijuana use and lowered risk of cardiovascular disease, but the data was not statistically significant when adjusting for confounding variables. This study does, however, implicate the need for future studies with other methods and/or larger sample sizes to provide more insight into this potential association."

The findings are consistent with several other studies -- such as those here, here, and here -- concluding that cannabis use is not independently associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disorders. Separate data published last month in the same journal similarly reported that subjects with a history of marijuana use possess no greater elevated risk of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). The results of a systematic literature review of 67 studies published in November in The American Journal of Medicine concluded, "[M]arijuana itself does not appear to be independently associated with excessive cardiovascular risk factors," although authors did caution that "it can be associated with other unhealthy behaviors such as alcohol use and tobacco smoking that can be detrimental" to cardiovascular health.

Clinical data has previously established that THC administration can influence heart rate and blood pressure, particularly in more naïve subjects. However, subjects typically develop a rapid tolerance to these effects. NORML has previously cautioned that those persons either predisposed to or at high risk of cardiovascular issues, such as heart attack or stroke, may be at elevated risks from cannabis inhalation.

Full text of the study, "Association between marijuana use and cardiovascular disease in US adults," appears in Cureus.


California: No Uptick in Frequency of Marijuana Use by Young Adults Following Adult-Use Legalization

San Diego, CA: The enactment of adult-use marijuana legalization in California is not associated with any increase in the frequency of marijuana use by young adults, according to data published in the journal Addictive Behaviors.

Researchers affiliated with the University of California at San Diego examined marijuana use patterns among a cohort of 563 young adults (ages 18 to 24) in California in the years immediately prior to and immediately following the enactment of adults-use legalization. Authors reported, "Contrary to our expectations, frequency of marijuana use did not change significantly after legalization and was stable throughout three years of observation."

They concluded, "In examining marijuana use before and after legalization of recreational sales in California, we found that frequency of use did not change significantly overall, including following legalization."

Full text of the study, "Post legalization changes in marijuana use in a sample of young California adults," appears in Addictive Behaviors. Additional information is available in the NORML fact sheet, "Marijuana Regulation and Teen Use Rates."


South Dakota: Republican Governor Officially Backing Litigation to Reject Voter-Approved Marijuana Legalization Initiative

Pierre, South Dakota: Republican Gov. Kristi Noem is using the power of her office to facilitate litigation that seeks to set aside voters’ approval of Constitutional Amendment A, which legalizes the adult-use marijuana market in South Dakota. Fifty-four percent of voters decided in favor of the ballot measure on Election Day.

This past Friday, the Governor issued an executive order stating that the petitioners challenging the election outcome, a pair of police officers, are doing so "upon my prior instruction." Later in the order, the Governor reiterates, "I directed [petitioners] to commence the Amendment A litigation on my behalf."

Prior to the election, Gov. Noem had publicly opposed both Amendment A as well as Measure 26 -- a separate voter-initiated measure legalizing the production, use, and dispensing of cannabis to qualified patients. Seventy percent of voters passed that measure, which lawmakers have not elected to challenge.

In Mississippi, elected officials are also seeking to have the passage of a medical marijuana legalization ballot initiative, Measure 65, thrown out by the courts. In Montana, campaign opponents of Initiative 190 -- which legalizes the adult use marijuana market and was approved by 57 percent of voters -- are similarly seeking to have the courts strike down the election result. Both of those lawsuits remain ongoing.

Commenting on the litigation, NORML State Policies Coordinator Carly Wolf said: "These are cynical attempts to undermine the democratic process. Legalization opponents have shown time and time again that they cannot succeed in either the court of public opinion or at the ballot box. Thus, they are now asking judges to set aside the votes of over a million Americans in a desperate effort to override undisputed election outcomes. Whether or not one supports marijuana legalization, Americans should be outraged at these overtly undemocratic tactics."


Study: Marijuana Use Has No Adverse Effects on Liver Transplantation Outcomes

Los Angeles, CA: Cannabis use is not associated with adverse outcomes following liver transplantation, according to data published in the journal Clinical Transplantation.

Researchers from the Dumont-UCLA Transplant and Liver Cancer Center at the David Geffen School of Medicine assessed the impact of pre and post-transplant marijuana use on liver transplant outcomes in a cohort of 900 patients.

Investigators reported, "[T]here were no statistical differences in post-operative outcomes, including patient/graft survival and post-LT [liver transplant] complications in pre- or post-LT users."

They concluded, "These findings may help guide future policies regarding marijuana use in LT candidates, although confirmation utilizing larger cohorts is warranted."

The findings are consistent with those of prior studies -- such as those here, here, and here -- reporting that marijuana use is not contraindicated in patients receiving organ transplants. Nonetheless, in several states -- including some states that permit medical cannabis access -- those with a history of marijuana use are ineligible to receive organ transplants.

Full text of the study, "The impact of marijuana use on liver transplant recipients: A 900 patient single center experience," appears in Clinical Transplantation.


Survey: Use of CBD Prevalent Among Fibromyalgia Patients

Ann Arbor, MI: An estimated one-third of patients with fibromyalgia (FM) report using cannabidiol for symptom management, according to survey data published in The Journal of Pain.

Investigators with the University of Michigan Medical School surveyed over 2,700 patients with FM regarding their use of CBD. Survey participants were primarily from the United States.

Thirty-two percent of respondents acknowledged being current consumers of CBD. Consumers generally reported turning to CBD because they experienced inadequate symptom relief from conventional medications. Respondents were most likely to report using CBD for mitigating feelings of pain and anxiety, and also for improving sleep. The majority of consumers reported some degree of efficacy associated with CBD, with nearly half reporting "much or very much relief across symptom domains."

Authors concluded: "This article indicates that CBD use is common among people with fibromyalgia, and the results suggest that many derive benefit from using CBD across multiple symptoms domains. Clinicians should discuss CBD use with fibromyalgia patients, and future studies are needed to rigorously assess CBD’s therapeutic value for fibromyalgia symptoms."

According to the findings of a systematic review of the literature published last month in The Journal of Alternative and Complimentary Medicine, the use of either plant-derived cannabis or synthetic cannabinoids is typically safe and effective in patients with fibromyalgia.

Full text of the study, "Cannabidiol use for fibromyalgia: Prevalence of use and perceptions of effectiveness in a large online survey," appears in The Journal of Pain.


Study: Herbal Cannabis Most Popular Method of Ingestion Across All Age Groups

Albany, NY: Herbal cannabis remains the most popular formulation of marijuana among consumers and among older consumers in particular, according to data published in the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs.

Investigators affiliated with the State University of New York (SUNY) at Albany surveyed over 1,400 self-identified cannabis consumers residing in six adult-use states. Respondents ranged from the ages of 21 to 65 and over.

All age groups reported herbal cannabis as "their most commonly used product" -- a finding that is consistent with prior studies. Over 55 percent of respondents also reported having consumed edible cannabis products. Younger age groups were far more likely than older respondents to report consuming cannabis concentrates and ingesting cannabis products via a vaporizer (both dry vaporizers and vape pens). The use of tinctures and topicals varied little by age, though they were among the least popular products ranked by respondents. Those ages 65 or older were more likely to consume cannabis flower than any other form of the substance.

Full text of the study, "Age-related differences in cannabis product use," appears in the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs.


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