Court challenge to Controlled Substances Act

Federal appeals court refuses to dismiss the federal cannabis lawsuit. – Mike Hiller, Esq. – May 30, 2019

I just came across this and I’m not sure if this applies to our situation with opioids, but I’m delighted to see this challenge to the misbegotten Controlled Substances Act, which was passed and signed into law in 1970, almost half a century ago.

In a groundbreaking decision, the United States Second Circuit Court of Appeals became the first Court to refuse to dismiss a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the Controlled Substances Act.

Hurray, a judge finally comes to a rational decision! 

Fatal Cases of Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome

Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome: Reports of Fatal Cases. – PubMed – NCBI – J Forensic Sci. – May 2018

Too many people insist that “no one has ever died from cannabis poisoning” but that’s not entirely true:

Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) is one of the more clinically challenging effects of cannabis consumption.

It is characterized by cyclic attacks of nausea and vomiting in chronic cannabinoid users and learned behavior of compulsive hot bathing.

It turns out that hot bathing is the only thing that seems to help people who get stuck in cycling vomiting.  

How Marijuana Affects Your Body and Mind – Links

Cannabis doesn’t give me pain relief as much as it gives me “mind relief”, but I know of some people who find it almost as effective as opioids. Below are a few articles explaining how this drug works and what side effects it may have:

• How Marijuana Affects Your Body and Mind
  (https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/marijuana-use-and-its-effects)
• Cardiovascular Effects of Cannabis
  (http://www.idmu.co.uk/canncardio.htm)
• Role of cannabis in cardiovascular disorders
  (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5542986/)
• Endocannabinoids & Mechanisms of action – NCSM
  (http://www.ncsm.nl/english/health/endocannabinoids-mechanisms-of-action)

 

Neurological benefits of phytocannabinoids

Review of the neurological benefits of phytocannabinoids – free full-text /PMC5938896/ – 2018 Apr

INTRODUCTION

Numerous physical, psychological, and emotional benefits have been attributed to marijuana since it was first reported in 2,600 BC (e.g., Chinese pharmacopoeia). The phytocannabinoids, cannabidiol (CBD), and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), the most studied extracts from the cannabis sativa subspecies, include hemp and marijuana.

Recently, it has been successfully utilized as an adjunctive treatment for  

FDA Declares CBD ‘Beneficial,’ Wants Your Input ASAP

FDA Declares CBD ‘Beneficial,’ Wants Your Input ASAP – by Bruce Barcott –  August 14, 2017

The United Nations is trying to figure out how to categorize cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive and medically beneficial cannabinoid contained in cannabis. And UN officials, through the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), are asking for your help.

The FDA declared that
‘CBD has been shown to be beneficial.’
Now the agency needs your comments to back it up.

All those who have information on, or experience with, the use of CBD as a healing substance are encouraged to comment at this federal website. 

Cannabis May Reverse Aging Process In Brain

Cannabis May Reverse Aging Process In Brain: Here Are 5 Other Health Benefits Of Marijuana : HEALTH : Tech Times  – May 2017, By Alexandra Lozovschi Tech Times

A recent study on mice revealed cannabis may improve memory later in life because of its protective effect on the brain.

The research showed that the key active ingredient found in marijuana, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), could be used to reverse the decline in cognitive function, which typically comes with old age.

This latest health benefit associated with medical marijuana adds to a long list of curative properties, which have been amply described in numerous studies.  

THC Potentiates Analgesic Effects of Opioids

Persistent Potentiation of the Analgesic Effects of Opioids by Delta-9Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in Nonhuman Primates – Apr 2017

Improving the analgesic effectiveness of opioids while also reducing the adverse effects is a major goal of pain research.

One approach to this problem has been to combine drugs such as cannabinoids with opioids to determine if this might reduce the dose of opioid required to produce analgesia.

In this experiment, male nonhuman primates (rhesus macaques) were administered a range of doses of THC in combination with cumulative doses of heroin to determine if the combinations produced greater analgesia than that observed with heroin alone.

Briefly, the animals were secured in standard primate ch  airs, tails were shaved, and dipped in a mixed order in three different water temperatures (40 °, 50 °, and 55 °C) until the animal rapidly withdrew his tail, or 20 seconds elapsed.

Low Dose Cannabis Improves Neuropathic Pain

Low Dose Vaporized Cannabis Significantly Improves Neuropathic Pain – J Pain. 2013 Feb – free full-text PMC article

Even back in 2013, research had already shown that cannabis can be effective for pain relief,.

We conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study evaluating the analgesic efficacy of vaporized cannabis in subjects, the majority of whom were experiencing neuropathic pain despite traditional treatment.

Thirty-nine patients with central and peripheral neuropathic pain underwent a standardized procedure for inhaling either medium dose (3.53%), low dose (1.29%), or placebo cannabis with the primary outcome being VAS pain intensity  

THC restores memory and learning in old mice

Low-dose cannabinoid THC restores memory and learning in old mice – Medical News Today – by Catharine Paddock PhD – May 2017

A new study found that while a low dose of the cannabinoid delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol caused young mice to perform worse in learning and memory tasks, it restored age-related learning and memory decline in old mice.

However, the researchers warn than more work must be done before it can be said that the cannabis compound might reverse cognitive decline in elderly humans

Cannabinoids such as delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are a class of more than 100 psychoactive, or mind-altering, compounds that are found in the cannabis, or marijuana, plant. They exert a powerful effect because they interact with cannabinoid receptors in the brain.  

Urine or Saliva Tests Cannot Determine Plasma THC Levels

Comparison of Cannabinoid Concentrations in Plasma, Oral Fluid and Urine in Occasional Cannabis Smokers After Smoking Cannabis Cigarette – 2016

This is the gold standard for scientific studies and it shows that THC concentrations in urine or saliva cannot determine plasma THC levels which could indicate the level of inebriation from cannabis.

Purpose. A randomized cross-over, double blind placebo controlled study of smoked cannabis was carried out on occasional cannabis smokers. 

Conclusion. Prediction of plasma THC concentration from THC oral fluid concentration or from THC-COOH urinary concentrations is not feasible due to the large variations observed.