Skip to main content
hemp cannabis leaf leaves plant

University Of Göttingen: Hemp Offers Sustainable Prospects For Agriculture

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Science.

Farmers have cultivated hemp and used the agricultural crop for many centuries. A study from 2023 found that “ancestral archaeological relics date the use of this plant fiber as a fabric to approximately 8000 years before the common era (BCE) as a material in ancient Mesopotamia (present-day Iran and Iraq), and to 4000 years BCE and 3000 years BCE as a material for ropes in China and Kazakhstan, respectively.”

A team of researchers affiliated with the University of Göttingen recently examined industrial hemp from the perspective of its prospects as a sustainable crop for modern agriculture in Germany. Findings from the examination were published by Bauernblatt.

The University of Göttingen team conducted a series of in-depth interviews with 14 farmers based in Northern Germany, discussing and examining ‘their experiences, the economic, ecological, and social dimensions of hemp cultivation.’

“From the farmers’ perspective, hemp cultivation offers significant potential savings in production costs compared to cash crop cultivation due to the elimination of pesticides. The dual use of fiber and seeds opens up additional sources of income, but also presents challenges for harvesting technology and timing.” reported Bauernblatt (translated from German to English).

“Furthermore, some respondents point out that a certain amount of cultivated land is advantageous, for example, to more efficiently utilize harvesting and processing equipment. This can be a hurdle for smaller farms, so cooperation with neighboring farms or contractual agreements with processors can improve profitability.” the outlet also reported.

The farmers who were interviewed touted the benefits of hemp as a winter crop. Whereas many other crops cannot be cultivated during Germany’s winter months, hemp grows well enough during Germany’s winter to make it a viable option, which enables a more efficient use of available land that would otherwise be dormant during the season.

Hemp’s ‘rapid crop development allows for the complete elimination of herbicides in practice,’ according to the farmers who were interviewed, and hemp uses less water to grow compared to other crops, making the farmers’ fields more climate-resilient. The farmers also emphasized that hemp is a great ‘preceding crop’ and ‘has a positive impact on the yields of subsequent crops.’

Other sustainable benefits of cultivating hemp are the crop’s ability to capture CO2 and serve as a component in soil bioremediation strategies. The researchers reported that some of the farmers indicated their intent to explore the possibility of generating revenue through climate protection programs.

“Industrial hemp offers promising prospects for agriculture. Its ecological advantages, such as improved soil structure and CO2 sequestration, as well as the economic potential offered by dual-use land and low or no need for pesticides, make it a sustainable addition to crop rotation.” the researchers concluded. “With the right strategy, industrial hemp can make a valuable contribution to sustainable agriculture, especially when economies of scale, stable sales contracts, and effective integration into crop rotation systems are considered.”

The University of Göttingen’s findings build on other recent hemp-focused sustainability research, including a study led by researchers affiliated with the University of Banja Luka, the University of Belgrade, and the University of Niš, which found that raw hemp can be used as an effective and eco-friendly alternative for removing toxic dye chemicals from wastewater.

During a recent presentation at the International Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin, leading international cannabis industry economist Beau Whitney, founder of Whitney Economics, provided data demonstrating that the value of the global industrial hemp industry could be as much as $456.2 billion.

hemp plant field

European Study Explores Hemp Blocks And Compaction Direction

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Science.

Does the direction that hemp hurd is compacted into blocks make a difference in how well the blocks insulate and hold up under stress? That was the focus of a recent study conducted by a team of European researchers affiliated with Riga Technical University in Latvia and Lublin University of Technology in Poland. The study’s findings were published in the Journal of Natural Fibers.

“The study aims to assess the impact of variable binder content and the direction of compaction on the properties of the hemp-magnesium composites.” the researchers stated about the goal of their study. “These two factors may influence the scope of application of the developed composites (e.g. as a lightweight insulating filling of a frame wall, or a heavier material for load-bearing applications or in prefabrication).”

“Capillary rise, thermal conductivity, compressive and flexural strength in two directions, as well as the absorbability were tested. An analysis of the environmental impact of the composites was also prepared.” the team stated about their methodology.

“When a magnesium binder is used, it is possible to produce lightweight composites with low thermal conductivity (0.07 W/(m∙K)), but also heavier ones with high compressive (1.73 MPa) and flexural (0.98 MPa) strength. It is possible to improve selected parameters after changing the direction of compaction. The thermal conductivity of composites compacted in a direction parallel to the heat flow was lower by 17–25% compared to a perpendicular direction.” the researchers stated.

“The positive effects of changing the direction of compaction can be used in prefabrication by adjusting the compaction process. The impact on climate change varies significantly due to the proportion of these materials from 55.07 kg CO2 eq. to 358.64 kg CO2 eq.” the team concluded.

The study’s findings build on other recent research conducted by the Cologne University of Applied Sciences, which reportedly developed new hemp-lime building blocks potentially capable of being used as a material for load-bearing structures.

“These zones, like conventional hemp limestone blocks, are to be composed exclusively of biomass and mineral binders. According to the project participants, the aim is to create a climate-positive alternative to aerated concrete blocks or lightweight vertically perforated bricks, enabling single-shell masonry construction from rapidly renewable raw materials.” reported Allgemeine Bauzeitung in its local coverage (translated from German to English).

The Institute for Construction and Agricultural Machinery Technology at the Cologne University of Applied Sciences is developing a device that will be designed to produce compacted bricks made of hemp on a large scale. The resulting bricks will undergo testing to further explore their efficiency and application feasibility.

“In the second half of our project, we will devote ourselves to practical tests with our masonry blocks. We will erect several wall modules and examine their structural properties. In addition to properties such as load-bearing capacity, thermal insulation, and moisture behavior, we want to determine which materials, such as plaster and mortar, are compatible with the blocks and demonstrate that the blocks can be easily processed using conventional tools,” said project leader Prof. Dr. Arne Künstler from the Faculty of Architecture at the Cologne University of Applied Sciences according to Allgemeine Bauzeitung.

During a recent presentation at the International Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin, leading international cannabis industry economist, Beau Whitney, founder of Whitney Economics, provided data demonstrating that the value of the global industrial hemp industry could be $456.2 billion. Hemp being increasingly used for construction would further bolster the international hemp market’s potential.

south korea flag

Researchers In South Korea Isolate A New Cannabinoid

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Science.

The cannabis plant contains dozens of cannabinoids, each possessing its own characteristics. Scientists have spent decades isolating cannabinoids and trying to better understand their properties. The first cannabinoid to be isolated, tetrahydrocannabinol, was isolated in the mid-1960s by famed cannabis researcher Dr. Raphael Mechoulam.

A team of health and academic investigators based in the Republic of Korea recently conducted a study involving “a chemical investigation of the flowers of C. sativa.” The team’s findings were published in the academic journal Pharmaceuticals.

“In this study, a chemical investigation of the flowers of C. sativa isolated by using a variety of chromatographic techniques led to the isolation of eleven compounds.” the researchers stated about their methodology. “The compounds were isolated by using chromatographic techniques. Their structures were identified by the examination of spectroscopic methods, including 1D (1H, 13C, and DEPT) and 2D (COSY, HSQC, HMBC, and NOESY) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra and mass spectrum, together with the comparison to those reported previously in the literature.”

“Eleven compounds were isolated from the flowers of C. sativa, including two new compounds, namely cannabielsoxa (1), 132-hydroxypheophorbide c ethyl ester (2), and six known cannabinoids (6–11), together with the first isolation of chlorin-type compounds: pyropheophorbide A (3), 132-hydroxypheophorbide b ethyl ester (4), and ligulariaphytin A (5) from this plant.” the researchers stated.

The isolation and identification of the two new compounds are particularly exciting and provide researchers with new elements of the cannabis plant to focus on in future investigations. It will likely be a while before more is known about the new compounds and how their properties may be harnessed to benefit humans.

“The evaluation of the biological activities of compounds showed that compounds 4–10 could be considered as the potential compounds for antitumor effects against neuroblastomas. This is also highlighted by using docking analysis. Additionally, the results of this study also suggest that these compounds have the potential to be developed into antineuroblastoma products.” the researchers concluded.

dyed fabric

Study Finds Hemp Is An Eco-Friendly Alternative For Dye Removal

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Science.

The textile industry often uses toxic chemicals to prepare fabric, especially in fabric dyeing and finishing processes. Industrial dyes, which can create environmental issues, are commonly used because of their intense coloration properties and durability.

A team of researchers affiliated with the University of Banja Luka, the University of Belgrade, and the University of Niš recently collaborated on a study examining if hemp could be used as an effective, eco-friendly alternative for dye removal as a biosorbent for removing Congo Red (CR) and Remazol Brilliant Blue R (RBBR) from wastewater. The study’s findings were published in the academic journal Coatings.

“Due to their toxicity and resistance to degradation, synthetic dyes pose significant environmental challenges, impairing the esthetic quality of aquatic ecosystems, reducing light penetration, inhibiting photosynthesis in algae and plants, and entering the food chain, potentially causing toxicity, mutagenicity, and carcinogenicity.” the researchers pointed out.

“Batch tests were performed in aqueous solutions of CR and RBBR (50–750 mg/L) at an unadjusted pH of 5 under static conditions with magnetic stirring (300 rpm). All experiments were conducted in triplicate, and the results were statistically processed, with the standard error of the mean (SEM) calculated using Microsoft Excel.” the researchers stated about their methodology.

“Unmodified industrial hemp demonstrates moderate but practically relevant adsorption capacities for Congo Red (Qmax = 4.47 mg/g) and Remazol Brilliant Blue R (Qmax = 2.44 mg/g). While these values are lower than specialized adsorbents, hemp offers compelling sustainable advantages as a renewable agricultural byproduct. Compared to other farm residues, raw hemp offers superior structural integrity and stability in aqueous systems, along with native -OH/-COOH functional groups enabling chemical-free dye binding. Versus processed adsorbents, it provides significant cost and energy savings and lower CO2 emissions due to eliminated activation requirements.” the study’s authors wrote.

“This molecular-level understanding highlights the critical roles of cellulose’s hydroxyl groups and lignin’s aromatic domains in enabling distinct binding modes. Such insights pave the way for the targeted optimization of biosorbents for specific pollutant classes, advancing the development of cost-effective and sustainable water treatment solutions.” the researchers concluded.

During a recent presentation at the International Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin by leading international cannabis industry economist, Beau Whitney, founder of Whitney Economics, provided data demonstrating that the value of the global industrial hemp industry could be $456.2 billion.

Hemp being increasingly used for bioremediation and other sustainability practices would further bolster the international hemp market’s potential, including the use of hemp as a biosorbent for removing toxic dye chemicals from wastewater.

running jogging fitness exercise cardio

Belgian Researchers: Cannabis Not Associated With Sedentary Lifestyle

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Science.

Historically, one of the most common stereotypes perpetuated by cannabis opponents, mainstream media, and films is that cannabis consumers are lazy and unmotivated. However, the results of a recent study conducted in Belgium directly contradict that portrayal.

Researchers affiliated with various health and academic institutions based in Belgium conducted a study examining cannabis use and levels of physical activity. The study’s findings were published in the academic publication Journal of Cannabis Research.

“Several studies have suggested a positive effect of occasional cannabis consumption on the frequency of leisure-time physical activity, possibly due to more motivation before, more enjoyment during, and better recovery after engaging in leisure-time physical exercise. While such an effect would contradict the stereotypical image of lower physical activity levels in cannabis users as compared to non-users, evidence has been mixed at best. The current study investigated this proposed association in a representative sample of the Belgian population.” the researchers stated about the focus of their investigation.

“Data from four waves of the Belgian Health Interview Survey (HIS; repeated cross-sectional survey; 2001 – 2018) were used in a regression and propensity matching analysis to examine the association between past-month cannabis use and physical activity levels, while controlling for potentially confounding variables.” the researchers stated about their study’s methodology. “A total of n = 19,936 individuals (48.9% female) aged 15-64 years were included in the analysis. We modelled physical activity in function of past-month cannabis use while adjusting for potential confounders.”

In my discussions with skeptics and cannabis opponents over the years, I often point out that a long list of successful professional athletes have admitted to cannabis use. I previously partnered with 18-year NBA veteran and All-Star Clifford ‘Uncle Cliffy’ Robinson and appeared alongside him in the Netflix film Grass is Greener prior to his tragic passing in 2020. He is a glowing example of someone who consumed cannabis throughout his life and was also very physically active.

One thing that Clifford always said was, “cannabis can absolutely be a part of an active lifestyle,” as evidenced by his lived experience. This recent study in Belgium goes to the heart of Clifford’s claim.

“Both the regression analysis and the propensity-matching analysis revealed no evidence in favor of a positive effect of past-month cannabis use on physical activity level (estimated OR = 0.97, 95% CI = [0.74, 1.28] and estimated RR = 0.90, 95% CI = [0.70; 1.16] respectively). Descriptive analyses of baseline characteristics suggested some clear differences between users and non-users that were in line with previous studies.” the researchers stated about their study’s findings.

“There was no evidence suggesting that past-month cannabis users have better or worse physical activity levels compared to non-users in the Belgian population aged 15-64 years.” the researchers concluded.

Whether someone is physically active or not is dependent on several factors. However, just because someone consumes cannabis does not automatically equate to them being lazy or physically unmotivated.

The results of this Belgian study build on numerous other peer-reviewed studies that have arrived at the same conclusion, in addition to a laundry list of real-world examples of athletes in elite physical shape who have also consumed cannabis during their successful careers.

cars driving public roadways

Cannabis DUI Laws Must Be Based On Science, Not Political Fearmongering

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Policy, Science.

If there is one area of public policy that cannabis opponents and responsible cannabis advocates can agree on, at least at a macro level, it is that people should not operate a motor vehicle on a public roadway when impaired by cannabis use. Public roadways should remain safe at all times, and that extends to all forms of substance impairment, not just cannabis.

Unfortunately, cannabis opponents and advocates diverge when it comes to the details of what driving under the influence (DUI) of cannabis enforcement should entail. Cannabis opponents typically fall into one of two cannabis DUI enforcement camps.

The first is a zero-tolerance approach in which any amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in a person’s system results in a penalty, including THC that entered the person’s system weeks or months ago and has long since metabolized.

A second approach that is called for, both by opponents and policymakers who do not have a solid understanding of cannabis, is to have a per se limit. Per se limits involve a set threshold similar to what is in place for alcohol. Using the United States as an example, the per se threshold for alcohol is a .08 blood alcohol level. If someone is found to be above that threshold, they are automatically charged with a DUI.

Both of the previously mentioned approaches to cannabis DUI enforcement are flawed for multiple reasons due to what cannabis impairment involves and how human biology works as it pertains to cannabis consumption. Implementing either model is bad for consumers, taxpayers, and ultimately bad for governments, including members of law enforcement and courts who have to oversee the flawed approaches to cannabis DUI enforcement.

The obvious goal when it comes to effective cannabis DUI enforcement is to deter impaired drivers from operating a motor vehicle on public roadways and to penalize truly impaired people. Lawmakers must recognize that there is no one-size-fits-all answer to ‘how long is someone impaired after using cannabis’ and implement laws and rules that calculate for that fact.

In 2021, a team of researchers affiliated with the Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics at the University of Sydney (among others) conducted a comprehensive analysis involving 80 scientific studies to identify the ‘window of impairment’ for cannabis. The researchers’ findings were published in the academic journal Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews.

“The increasing legal availability of cannabis has important implications for road safety. This systematic review characterised the acute effects of Δ9-THC on driving performance and driving-related cognitive skills, with a particular focus on the duration of Δ9-THC-induced impairment. Eighty publications and 1534 outcomes were reviewed.” the investigators stated about their research.

“Several measures of driving performance and driving-related cognitive skills (e.g. lateral control, tracking, divided attention) demonstrated impairment in meta-analyses of “peak” Δ9-THC effects (p’s<0.05). Multiple meta-regression analyses further found that regular cannabis users experianced less impairment than ‘other’ (mostly occasional) cannabis users (p = 0.003) and that the magnitude of oral (n = 243 effect estimates [EE]) and inhaled (n = 481 EEs) Δ9-THC-induced impairment depended on various factors (dose, post-treatment time interval, the performance domain (skill) assessed) in other cannabis users (p’s<0.05).” the researchers also stated.

“The latter model predicted that most driving-related cognitive skills would ‘recover’ (Hedges’ g=–0.25) within ∼5-hs (and almost all within ∼7-hs) of inhaling 20 mg of Δ9-THC; oral Δ9-THC-induced impairment may take longer to subside. These results suggest individuals should wait at least 5 -hs following inhaled cannabis use before performing safety-sensitive tasks.” the researchers concluded.

The study’s results demonstrate that just because someone has THC in their system, it doesn’t automatically equate to the person being impaired at the time of the testing. It is individual and situation-specific and depends on many factors.

Furthermore, the study also demonstrates that more frequent cannabis consumers are less impaired than infrequent consumers when the same amount of cannabis is consumed due to varying tolerance levels.

That latter part is particularly problematic for per se DUI laws because per se laws disproportionately penalize frequent consumers who are less likely to be actually impaired, yet almost always test above the per se THC threshold. Meanwhile, infrequent cannabis users who are more easily impaired and may pose a true danger to public roadways often test below the per se limit because they do not have the built-up metabolized THC in their systems compared to frequent users.

In laypeople’s terms, per se limits often penalize people who are not impaired, while simultaneously often failing to catch the people who are actually impaired. In addition to that being illogical and dangerous, per se laws can have negative impacts on a nation’s criminal justice system by wasting the time of law enforcement and courts with challenged cases often being disaffirmed once they are adjudicated. Those cases are a waste of law enforcement’s time, the courts’ time, and a waste to taxpayers.

A per se limit makes sense for alcohol because of how the body metabolizes alcohol. Whereas consumed alcohol is typically detected in a person’s bodily fluids for 1-3 days, cannabis can stay in a person’s system for as long as 100 days, long after impairment has worn off. Per the previously cited study from the University of Sydney, cannabis impairment lasts for 3-10 hours, depending on the consumer.

Should people who consume alcohol on the first day of the year be charged with a DUI several weeks or even months later? Of course not. Assuming that they refrained from consuming alcohol again after that first day of the year, the impairment had long since subsided. However, that is basically what is happening when the same principle is applied to cannabis due to how the human body metabolizes THC and how long THC stays in a person’s system.

Per se THC limit policies and zero-tolerance THC limit policies are not based on sound science. Policymakers who push for them are either basing their opinions on political fearmongering or a lack of knowledge about how cannabis consumption and human biology actually work (or both).

The rise of the consumption of cannabidiol (CBD) products has created another problem for policymakers, law enforcement, courts, and taxpayers. CBD use is not associated with impairment for the purpose of DUI enforcement. However, quality cannabidiol products typically contain trace amounts of THC, and if someone consumes enough CBD products containing those trace amounts of THC, the THC can build up in a person’s system over time.

If tested, the person in that situation will violate a zero-tolerance DUI law, and possibly a per se DUI law depending on the THC threshold involved, even though the person was presumably never impaired at any time. DUI public policy and enforcement are far more nuanced than many people may think, and that is why it needs to be based on science, and not based on political fearmongering and/or ignorance.

The best approach to cannabis DUI enforcement is a comprehensive approach involving field sobriety tests and situation-specific circumstances. Law enforcement should be allowed the flexibility to consider all of the factors, including whether the driver truly appears to be intoxicated or not, there is the presence of obvious recent cannabis use, etc.

Conversely, the accused must always have the right to proper due process and be able to appeal their charge(s) if they feel that they are being falsely accused. The facts and science should lead the way, ensuring that the right determination is made regarding whether the driver was truly impaired at the time of the incident.

Just because someone has metabolized THC in their system does not automatically mean that they were impaired at the time of testing, just as someone testing below an arbitrary THC per se threshold does not automatically mean that they were not impaired at the time.

Those approaches should be coupled with robust government and industry-led awareness campaigns that educate patients and consumers about the facts of driving under the influence of cannabis. Part of those education efforts should harness advanced technology to help patients and consumers determine ahead of time if they are impaired, such as the development of apps that incorporate questionnaires about the type and amount of use involved, individual criteria, such as how often the person consumes cannabis, and various activities to help the app gauge the person’s reaction time and other useful information.

As with most things cannabis-related, we are all in this together. Responsible cannabis advocates should want to keep themselves and others safe, governments should want to make efficient use of limited public resources, and members of the industry should want patients and consumers to consume cannabis responsibly.

driving-driver-car-dui-road-duii-intoxicated

Canada: Alcohol A “Greater Threat To Road Safety” Than Cannabis

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Science.

When it comes to cannabis policy modernization efforts, two of the most popular talking points within the cannabis opponent community are that ‘cannabis reform will harm children’ and that ‘cannabis reform will result in less safe public roadways.’

Historically, in every jurisdiction where cannabis policy reform is being proposed, those two talking points are almost always offered up by cannabis opponents. What cannabis opponents fail to recognize is that responsible cannabis advocates also want to ensure that children and public roadways are safe, which is why we advocate for sensible regulation over prohibition.

Alcohol is an intoxicating substance that is popular all over the world, and just as alcohol can be permitted and regulated, the same should also be true for cannabis. A recent analysis in Canada found that alcohol poses a greater threat to road safety. Below is more information about the analysis via a news release from NORML:

Vancouver, Canada: Alcohol is among the most frequently detected controlled substances identified in drivers following a motor vehicle accident and it “remains the greatest threat to road safety,” according to data published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Network Open.

Canadian researchers reviewed bloodwork data for over 8,300 drivers involved in a motor vehicle accident. Over half of the study’s participants tested positive for the presence of a controlled substance. Drivers were most likely to test positive for either depressants, cannabis, or alcohol – with cannabis being more common among younger drivers (ages 19 to 24).

However, most drivers who tested positive for the presence of THC in blood did so at nominal levels – indicating that their exposure may have been several hours or even days beforehand. (THC may remain present in the blood of more habitual consumers for several days following past exposure.) Only about three percent of participants tested positive for THC at elevated levels (THC ≥ 5 ng/mL).

“These statistics suggest that although more drivers test positive for THC, alcohol remains the greater threat to road safety,” the study’s authors concluded.

A prior Canadian study reported that drivers treated for traffic-related injuries are over three times as likely to test positive for elevated levels of alcohol (BAC ≥ 0.08 percent) than elevated levels of THC (THC ≥ 5 ng/mL).

Driving simulator studies report that cannabis administration is typically associated with compensatory driving behavior, such as decreased mean speed and increased mean following distance, whereas alcohol administration is associated with more aggressive driving behavior. Nevertheless, cannabis exposure can influence certain psychomotor skills necessary for safe driving, such as reaction time and drivers’ ability to maintain lane positioning.

A study conducted by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that drivers who test positive for any amount of THC possess, on average, a far lower risk of being involved in a traffic collision than do drivers who test positive for alcohol at or near legal limits.

By contrast, drivers who test positive for the presence of both THC and alcohol in their system tend to possess significantly higher odds of being involved in a motor vehicle accident than do those who test positive for either substance alone.

Full text of the study, “Prevalence of impairing substance use in injured drivers,” appears in JAMA Network Open. Additional information on cannabis, psychomotor performance, and accident risk is available from the NORML Fact Sheet, ‘Marijuana and Psychomotor Performance.‘

cannabidiol cbd oil

UK Epilepsy Patients Improve Following Medical Cannabis Therapy

Written by Hazel Norman on . Posted in Science.

A growing list of peer-reviewed studies and personal medical cannabis patient testimonials demonstrates that cannabis is medicine, and it can be effectively used to treat a wide range of health conditions.

Suffering patients of one serious health condition in particular, epilepsy, seem to greatly benefit from the incorporation of medical cannabis therapies in treatment regimens. Epilepsy patients from around the globe have reportedly experienced dramatic improvements following medical cannabis use.

A team of researchers in the United Kingdom recently conducted a study involving patients with treatment-resistant epilepsy and medical cannabis, and the results of their research found that the patients experienced significant improvements. Below is more information about the study via a news release from NORML:

London, United Kingdom: Patients with refractory epilepsy report sustained improvements in their symptoms following the use of medical cannabis preparations, according to observational data published in the journal Brain and Behavior.

British investigators assessed the use of cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs) in a cohort of 134 patients with treatment-resistant epilepsy. (British health care providers may prescribe cannabis-based medicinal products to patients unresponsive to conventional medications.) Patients’ outcomes were assessed at one, three, and six months.

Medical cannabis treatment was associated with improvements in patient‐reported epilepsy‐specific outcomes, alongside improvements in anxiety, sleep quality, and health-related quality of life. Over 96 percent of study subjects reported no adverse events from cannabis treatment.

“Treatment with CBMPs was associated with an improvement in both epilepsy‐specific and general HRQoL [health-related quality of life] outcomes at one, three, and six months,” the study’s authors concluded. “This study shows the promising potential of CBMPs as an adjunctive treatment option in the management of TRE [treatment-resistant epilepsy.]”

In 2018, regulators at the US Food and Drug Administration granted market approval to Epidiolex, a prescription medicine containing a standardized formulation of plant-derived cannabidiol (CBD) for the treatment of two rare forms of epilepsy: Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome.

Other observational studies assessing the use of cannabis products among those enrolled in the UK Medical Cannabis Registry have reported them to be effective for patients diagnosed with cancer-related pain, anxiety, fibromyalgia, inflammatory bowel disease, hypermobility disorders, depression, migraine, multiple sclerosis, osteoarthritis, and inflammatory arthritis, among other conditions.

Full text of the study, “UK Medical Cannabis Registry: A clinical outcomes analysis for epilepsy,” appears in Brain and Behavior. Additional information on cannabis and epilepsy is available from NORML’s publication, Clinical Applications for Cannabis & Cannabinoids.

sleep rest insomnia sleeping

Australian Study Finds Medical Cannabis Use Improves Sleep

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Science.

To some people, insomnia may not seem like a serious health condition, however, anyone who suffers from major insomnia will be the first to point out that it can have a negative and significant impact on a person’s life and their overall well-being.

The Mayo Clinic defines insomnia as “a common sleep disorder that can make it hard to fall asleep, hard to stay asleep, or cause you to wake up too early and not be able to get back to sleep.” Chronic insomnia occurs when the sleep condition lasts longer than a month.

In addition to making a person feel tired and drained throughout the day, insomnia can also be an indicator of a person experiencing one or more other potentially serious health conditions. A team of researchers affiliated with the University of Sydney recently conducted a study that found that after one year of medical cannabis use, subjects experienced improved sleep.

The results of the study were published in the academic database PLOS One earlier this month.

“We aimed to assess overall health-related quality of life (HRQL), pain, fatigue, sleep, anxiety, depression, and motor function in a large real-world sample of patients prescribed medicinal cannabis. We previously found all patient-reported outcomes improved in the first 3-months and hypothesised that improvements would be maintained to 12-months.” the researchers stated.

“The QUEST Initiative, a multicentre prospective study, recruited adult patients with any chronic health condition newly prescribed medicinal cannabis oil between November 2020 and December 2021. Participants identified by 114 clinicians across Australia completed validated questionnaires at baseline, then 2-weeks titration, and 1-,2-,3-,5-,7-,9- and 12-months follow-up.” the researchers stated about their study’s methodology.

“Statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements in overall health-related quality of life, fatigue, and sleep disturbance were maintained over 12-months in patients prescribed medical cannabis for chronic health conditions. Anxiety, depression, insomnia, and pain also improved over time for those with corresponding health conditions.” the researchers concluded.