Canada

Cannabis Legalization in Canada will Minimally Impact Emergency Departments

May 8, 2020 Addiction, Canada, Cannabis, Mental Health

Planning capacity for mental health and addiction services in the emergency department- a discrete-event simulation approach

In summary

A study published in June of 2019 has revealed the forecast for emergency department visits based on the current opioid crisis in Canada and the legalization of cannabis. Researchers observed an increase in the number of emergency department visits at hospitals in Canada, specifically for mental health addiction complaints. It was determined that the opioid crisis will continue to cause issues for emergency departments but that the legalization of cannabis will cause a minimal amount of issues due to the low-risk of addiction. While forecasting the effects of addiction-related emergencies researchers determined that there would be increased waiting times and the length of stay will deteriorate. It is recommended that Psychiatric Emergency Service Units increase their number of beds and that programs aimed at preventing alcohol and opioid addiction will be especially helpful for managing the future influx of patients.

The opioid crisis is ravaging more than just the emergency rooms in Canada, extending all over North America. Opioids are incredibly dangerous considering their high risk of addiction, often leading to people illegally obtaining opioids or other illicit drugs like heroin. Opioids most commonly act on µ-opioid receptors which affect the reward pathway in the central nervous system, preventing pain and convincing the body that opioids are a great substance. Some doctors are all too willing to overprescribe opioids for chronic pain or during recovery periods leading many to begin their lifelong addiction. Considering the economic cost of dealing with addicts, the emotional cost to families and caretakers, and the promise of cannabis as an anti-nociceptive, the federal government should seriously consider rescheduling cannabis so that it can be more seriously considered as an adjunct or replacement therapy for pain.

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Planning-Capacity-for-Mental-Health-and-Addiction-Services-in-the-Emergency-Department-A-Discrete-Event-Simulation-Approach-1 Download

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The Canadian Association of Gastroenterology Requires Guidance when Recommending Medical Cannabis

April 24, 2020 Canada, Cannabis, Gastrointestinal Effects, Medical Cannabis

Canadian Association of Gastroenterology position statement- use of cannabis in gastroenterological and hepatic disorders

In summary

The Canadian Association of Gastroenterology has stated that guidance is required on the issues of relevance for gastroenterologists who discuss cannabis benefits and harms with patients. In their statement, they reviewed the current evidence for cannabis use among common gastroenterological and hepatic disorders providing a brief statement and commentary. Inflammatory bowel disease is not thought to benefit from cannabis use. Alcohol liver disease, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and GI symptom control are thought to benefit from cannabis due to the anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive effects. Further evidence is needed before the association can fully sign off on the medical use of cannabis for their patients but they acknowledge the potential of cannabis-based medications.

Despite the fact that cannabis is now legal for medical and recreational use cannabis is not an approved therapeutic substance by Canada’s governing medical body. The legalization for recreational use across the country was recent (2018) and it should be interesting as a country where legalization is varied to watch the research and other policies that come out in the near future. Perhaps the findings of the Canadian government will provide American politicians the evidence they need to support or reject the medical benefits of cannabis.

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New Opportunities Arise as Cannabis is Legalized in Canada

March 28, 2020 Business of Cannabis, Canada, Cannabis

“Tea” Time? Cannabis Legalization in Canada

In Summary

Last summer an op-ed came out in response to cannabis legalization in Canada discussing the risks and benefits of the legalization. The author acknowledges the myriad of health benefits that cannabis has been shown to treat but also brings forth the gaps in our knowledge that still remain. The piece urges physicians to fully discuss the most current information with their patients when recommending cannabis and for at-home cultivators to carefully manage their plants to prevent underage consumption. The author ends the piece on a hopeful note, mentioning that the only certainty of legalization cannabis is that much more robust research will be able to be conducted and provide more information for the public.

The author emphasizes the research opportunities that have now opened up in Canada due to the legalization of cannabis, highlighting the limitations of cannabis research in the United States. As cannabis is currently ruled a schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act the federal government sees no medical benefit in medical cannabis, despite an abundance of research. Researchers around the world have found evidence that cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids can provide novel therapies for various disorders yet research in the US is still extremely limited by the lack of federal funding. Canada’s decision to legalize cannabis opens the door for so many cannabis-based therapies to be developed, and for economic and healthcare reasons, other countries should follow along.

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Student-Athletes are at an Increased Risk for Binge Drinking and Substance Use

July 17, 2019 Abuse, Adolescents, Adverse Effects, Anti-inflammatory properties, Anxiety, Arthritis, Athletics, Behavior change, Canada, Cannabinoids, Cannabis Education, Cannabis Science, Case Study, Dosing, Heavy Use, Illicit Drug Use, Impairment, Mental Health, Muscle Pain, Neuropathy, Pain, Products, Science, Testing, THC

Title: Psychological correlates and binge drinking behaviours among Canadian youth- a cross-sectional analysis of the mental health pilot data from the COMPASS study

A recent study has examined data from the COMPASS program and found that student-athletes in Canada were more likely to engage in binge-drinking and illicit substance use. Researchers focussed on the measure of flourishing, defined as an overall healthy mental state and emotional connectedness, and how flourishing related to concerning drinking and substance use behavior. Student-athletes were found to be the most at risk for binge-drinking, defined as consuming 5 or more drinks in a single session, and those more likely to binge-drink were also more likely to co-use illicit substances. This research provides evidence for the formation of targeted prevention programs.

Cannabis use is banned among athletes by most sports organizations. Cannabis appeals to athletes considering the many different consumption methods, allowing discreet consumption and personalization with variable potential opportunities for relief. Cannabinoids are generally naturally occurring substances unless clearly manufactured, and have been shown to be beneficial for post-workout recovery, muscle soreness, anxiety, sleep, and relaxation. All of those symptoms, including the emotionally driven ones, are common among student-athletes who often feel an immense amount of pressure to perform in competition. As in most other areas of modern culture, Cannabidiol (CBD) finds itself in a grey area for most sports organizations’ substance regulations given that it is not intoxicating and readily available with a notable safety profile. Even if cannabis is not federally legal, CBD is so widely available that many athletes are embracing it, in lieu of more dangerous, or potentially addictive, medications.

Tweet: A recent study has examined data from the #COMPASS program and found that #studentathletes in Canada were more likely to engage in #binge-drinking and illicit substance use. Read this and other linked studies:

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Psychological correlates and binge drinking behaviours among Canadian youth- a cross-sectional analysis of the mental health pilot data from the COMPASS studyDownload

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Video: Medical Cannabis Around the Globe & Across Centuries

July 12, 2019 Archeology, Asia, Brazil, California, Canada, Cannabinoids, Cannabis, Cannabis News, CBD, CED Clinic, Columbia, Dr Caplan, Future Medicine, History, Illinois, India, Iowa, Israel, Los Angeles, Massachusetts, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, News, Oregon, Politics, Social Consumption / Cafés, Social Equity, Social Justice, Stigma, Tennessee, THC, UK, Utah, Veterans, Video, Washington DC, Women in Cannabis

Throughout the ages, from health & wellness, religious rituals, and textile applications to the entertainment and social elements, cannabis has been a vital part of multiple sectors of human culture.

For millions, the modern cannabis revival is a welcome return home to a core element that has been missing for years.

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Cannabis use as a risk factor for causing motor vehicle crashes: a prospective study

June 28, 2019 Adverse Effects, Canada, Cannabis Education, Cannabis Science, Driving, Future Medicine, History, Legislation, Reaction Time, Regulation, Social Justice, Stigma

Title of study: Cannabis use as a risk factor for causing motor vehicle crashes: a prospective study

After legalization in 2018, many Canadian provinces implemented “zero tolerance” policies for drivers who have THC in their systems. But a new study from the University of British Columbia suggests that Canada’s drug-impaired driving laws may be unnecessarily strict. According to researchers, there is no link between THC levels below 5ng/mL and increased risk of car accidents.

Note: Considering the potentially grave risk to life and health for modern culture to make the wrong interpretation of the potential dangers of the effects of cannabis consumption on driving, it is critical for the industry to approach the circumstances with delicacy and diligence. Ideally, everyone involved will be motivated to learn as much as possible about the impact of cannabis on the risks of operating machinery and all will follow a cautious approach which will minimize the risk to all. To that end, it is important to consider and reconcile evidence from multiple perspectives.

The article:

“New study suggests low levels of THC in blood do not increase risk of car crash” https://www.straight.com/cannabis/1256476/new-study-suggests-low-levels-thc-blood-do-not-increase-risk-car-crash#

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Characteristics of Canadians likely to try or increase cannabis use following legalization for non-medical purposes

June 25, 2019 Business of Cannabis, Canada, Cannabis, Cannabis News, Citizen Science, Future Medicine, History, Law, Legislation, Regulation

In October 2018, recreational cannabis became legal in Canada. And in 2019, researchers asked nearly 20 thousand Canadians over the age of 15 about their cannabis habits. The survey found that 1 in 5 Canadians plan on trying or increasing cannabis use following legalization for non-medical purposes, particularly those who are younger, who have used cannabis in the past 3 months, and who have a higher income. To ensure responsible cannabis use and informed decision-making, clinicians and policy-makers should pay close attention to these higher risk populations.

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Characteristics of Canadians likely to try or increase cannabis use following legalization for nonmedical purposes- a cross-sectional study Download

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Guidelines for Canada’s cannabis edibles tight, but also vague

June 21, 2019 Canada, Cannabis News, Edibles, Future Medicine, Law, Legislation, News, Regulation, Social Equity, THC

https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/guidelines-for-canadas-cannabis-edibles-tight-but-also-vague

Months after the decision to legalize cannabis, Canadian lawmakers work to regulate the packaging and advertising of cannabis products. The new guidelines forbid the mixing of alcohol and THC and also ensure that products are not “appealing to a young person.”