In Summary

A recent study conducted by Brown University found that adolescent female cannabis users were less likely than their peers to engage in sexual intercourse. It remains uncertain whether cannabis is reducing participants' desire to engage in sexual intercourse or if there is a second common factor that wards them away from intercourse. Within the same population, it was found that the participants who consumed alcohol were far more likely to engage in sexual intercourse that day than controls or cannabis users. This knowledge may aid in the development of prevention programs, specifically for those consuming alcohol underage and then engaging in sexual intercourse, defined as a high-risk behavior in this study. 
Adolescent cannabis use is a hot topic of conversation as state governments continue to legalize medical and recreational cannabis. At-home cultivators and those who maintain a large amount of cannabis at their homes need to ensure proper storage and restriction methods to ensure the safety of their children. Too little is known about the long-term effects of cannabis to allow adolescents to have unsupervised access to cannabis. There should also be more studies conducted addressing the effect of cannabis-based medications in adolescents so it can be deemed safe to give children for various disorders or if it affects neural development. 

In Summary

Cannabis use was found to highly correlate with inpatients diagnosed with conduct disorder amongst teenagers. Although some cannabis use was self-reported by patients dealing with other psychiatric disorders, it was seen most significantly in those with conduct disorder (CD), suggesting a higher risk of comorbidity between CD and substance use disorders. Although cannabis use was the most common substance reported by patients it was closely followed by tobacco and alcohol use. The demographics of patients using cannabis varied although those suffering from CD and substance use disorder were primarily male and black. Further research should be conducted to develop efficient prevention strategies. 
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Looking into the substance use frequency and patterns of stigmatized or marginalized groups is not often done leaving many populations without specialized treatment or prevention programs. If members of the male black population are at a higher risk of developing substance use disorders then our prevention efforts should address that population first and foremost. People begin using substances for different reasons although some motivations are common among certain populations. By examining the underlying motivation for substance use frequency members of the healthcare community may be able to develop custom prevention or treatment methods by utilizing psychology or another science to drastically decrease the frequency of substance use disorders in all populations. 

In Summary

An article was recently published discussing how cooling the temperature of the environment a plant is growing in effects the overall growth pattern. Researchers specifically found that root–shoot biomass allocation and whole-plant growth rate varied ontogenetically in contrasting species in response to cooling. These variations in growth rates were seen in various strains of grass and flowering plants. The authors conclude that the findings of this study highlight the importance of measuring temporal growth dynamics rather than “snapshot” comparison, like height. Further research should expand to other species of plants beyond grasses and generic flowering plants found in most garden stores. 

Mass-produced cannabis plants tend to be grown in hydroponic set-ups like the plants in this study and are known to be sensitive to changes in growth factors. As the cannabis industry continues to grow the number of growers needed is increasing, stimulating the job market, but the number of at-home cultivators is also growing. For growers at home, it is important to note that the cannabinoids produced in a strain can vary depending on growth factors such as temperature, the mineral content of the soil, etc. They can purchase seeds of their favored strain grown in Colorado and grow an entirely different plant at their home in California. Consumers should be sure to consume a small dose or perfectly replicate growing conditions to ensure safe and effective consumption. 

A Tale of Two Countries: Racially Targeted Arrests in the Era of Marijuana Reform​
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In Summary

Researchers have recently found that the frequency of major birth defects has increased in Colorado since the legalization of cannabis. It has been hypothesized that prenatal exposure to cannabis has caused these birth defects as the reported use of pain relievers, cocaine, alcohol, and tobacco did not increase. The specific birth defects that increased in frequency were atrial septal defect, spina bifida, microcephalus, Down’s syndrome, ventricular septal defect, and patent ductus arteriosus, but further research needs to be conducted to determine any causation.
 
The effect of prenatal exposure to cannabis on birth rates, birth outcomes, and the health of the mother is rather uncertain. Studies focussing on cannabis use during pregnancy are limited and what little has been reported is inconsistent. Currently, governing bodies of obstetricians advise that pregnant mothers cease any cannabis use. If someone who needs cannabis for a medical purpose that improves their quality of life becomes pregnant they need to seek out alternative methods of treatment, even if they are using cannabis because they are resistant to more common treatment methods. Research is needed so that pregnant women can safely continue their medication or so that alternatives can be found so that women do not need to suffer for the duration of their pregnancy and possible breastfeeding period. 

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. 
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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.

In Summary

 Earlier this July a letter was published providing evidence that adolescent cannabis use may actually decrease post-legalization of medical and recreational cannabis. An analysis of Youth Risk Behavioral Surveys from the past two decades revealed that legalizing medical cannabis had little to no effect on cannabis use among adolescents in 8th and 10th grade but that legalization of recreational cannabis actually led to an overall decrease of adolescent cannabis use across the states. The authors hypothesize that the rate of adolescent use may decrease as illegal drug dealers are replaced by legal, regulated dispensaries. This evidence may prove compelling for the possible rescheduling of cannabis under the federal Controlled Substances Act. 
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Adolescent substance use, like that of alcohol, has been found to be detrimental to brain development. There have been varying results regarding the effects of adolescent cannabis use on brain development yet some caretakers are given special permission to administer cannabis-based products to children experiencing rare forms of epilepsy or other seizure disorders. Cannabis-based medications may be a more ethical and far less dangerous substance to administer to children so that they aren’t set up for a substance use disorder at a young age.  The research focussed on adolescent cannabis use needs to be conducted for better regulations and to better advise the parents and pediatricians of adolescents who have accidentally consumed cannabis or need a cannabis-based medical intervention.  

​An inverse relationship between perceived social support and substance Use frequency in socially stigmatized populations

In Summary

Researchers have recently attempted to elucidate the relationship between perceived social support and frequency of substance use in socially stigmatized groups revealing contextual differences. The two groups utilized in this study, substance-using male prison inmates and primary-methamphetamine using men who have sex with men, showed different results in the study, leaving the researchers with more questions than answers. In the inmates’ group perceived social support was negatively correlated to life-time substance use for alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis yet the methamphetamine-users only demonstrated the same negative correlation for a 30-day period. The authors are uncertain as to the differences in results but suggest that future research delves into the psychosocial or contextual differences behind these two groups. 
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Looking into the substance use frequency and patterns of stigmatized or marginalized groups are not often done leaving many populations without specialized treatment or prevention programs. Our culture, peers, family, and environment all come together to shape who we are and mold how we think about the world and our place in it. People begin using substances for different reasons although some motivations are common among certain populations. By examining the underlying motivation for substance use frequency members of the healthcare community may be able to develop custom prevention or treatment methods by utilizing psychology or another science to drastically decrease the frequency of substance use disorders in all populations. 

View more studies like this in the CED Foundation Archive:  http://bit.ly/drcaplan 

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In Summary

Researchers have attempted to elucidate the relationship between nicotine and cannabis revealing a possible benefit for sensory and cognitive processes. A cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) agonist, nabilone, and nicotine were compared against each other and combined and compared with a placebo, resulting in the region and deviant-dependent effects. Temporal regions of the brain were not affected by coadministration of nabilone and nicotine, while frontal regions showed improved cognitive function. Future research should continue to develop therapies that combine CB1 agonists while minimizing the need for nicotine in order to develop therapies for the dysregulation of sensory and cognitive processes. 

So little is still understood about the interactions of the endocannabinoid system, nicotinic receptors, and the opioid system. If the mechanisms underlying these various systems were well understood perhaps novel therapies could be developed to aid in the treatment of substance abuse disorders. Cannabis poses much less risk for addiction than opioids or nicotine as cannabis does not enact upon the reward system. Cannabis holds promise to lessen the troubles associated with the opioid academic by treating current addicts and preventing future addiction by serving as an adjunct therapy. Further research is needed to validate these hypotheses, but the current data provides hope for more ethical treatment methods.