In Summary

As the medical cannabis industry grows and local governments continue to legalize medical cannabis use state programs are forced to set standards without the aid of the federal government. State governments are now facing the challenge of attempting to regulate medical cannabis while maintaining the safety of patients and the general public. States now have to regulate labeling with universal warning symbols, child-resistant packaging, advertising restrictions, and pesticide use while also addressing members of the public's concern about the safety of medical cannabis. If cannabis is ever rescheduled in the future so that the federal government can standardize the regulation of cannabis practices across the nation it will be interesting to see how local practices change in accordance. 
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Despite multiple petitions and new research, the federal government has refused to reschedule cannabis. Cannabis used to be an accepted medication before a few politicians, namely Harry Anslinger began a propaganda campaign, highlighted by the film Reefer Madness (1936), turning the public opinion away from medical cannabis. This was largely thought to be a move to further ostracize minorities, further segregating races as Anslinger connected marijuana to violence to immigrants from Mexico. Cannabis never became medically dangerous in the early 1900s, merely a tool used by politicians to induce public fear and reinforce racist tendencies. In the featured article it was stated that 9 out of 10 Americans support the use of medical marijuana yet cannabis still has yet to be rescheduled and the reasons behind it are unclear but may lead back to the original push to have cannabis outlawed in the first place.

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. 

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.  

In Summary

Researchers have recently analyzed popular vaping behavior and revealed the advantages of vaporizing medical cannabis. The general advantages of vaporizing medical cannabis include portability, concealability, and efficiency, while the medical advantages like promoting tobacco cessation and it’s quick-acting effects. There are also limitations to vaporization, like technology-use barriers for those who find technology difficult to work with and the cost of such devices. Vaporizing may also prove to be advantageous or disadvantageous for patients depending on their medical condition, meaning that all patients should discuss consumption mechanisms with their physician. 
As the cannabis industry continues to grow various consumption methods become readily available for consumers, each presenting its own benefits and limitations. Patients should thoroughly research the different consumption methods and discuss which method would work best for them. Vaporizers in the featured article were mainly portable but desktop vaporizers are also available and often more efficient. The world of edibles continues to grow and it better for those looking for longer-lasting, stronger, and delayed effects. Tinctures are easy to prepare at home or buy online and are ideal for incorporating into patients' favorite meals, smoothies, or can be taken sublingually for fast-acting effects and raw cannabinoids. Experimentation is encouraged, just be sure to start at a slow dose and slowly feel out the effects.