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A bi-weekly newsletter about cannabis and cannabinoids as medicine

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    IACM-Bulletin of 12 March 2023

    IACM: Raphael Mechoulam has passed away at the age of 92

    On 9 March 2023, Raphael Mechoulam, professor emeritus of medicinal chemistry at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, passed away at his home in Jerusalem at the age of 92. He is often referred to as the father or grandfather of cannabinoid research because of his ground-breaking discoveries. He had first determined the exact chemical structure of the cannabis active ingredient delta-9-THC in 1964, together with Yehiel Gaoni, and his research group discovered the first endocannabinoid in 1992, which he named anandamide.

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    IACM-Bulletin of 26 February 2023

    Science/Human: Cannabis use may have a favourable effect on hospital stays of patients with inflammatory bowel disease

    Cannabis users suffering from inflammatory bowel disease are less likely to be hospitalised then non-users. Investigators at the Department of Internal Medicine of the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus, USA, compared hospitalised adult patients in Colorado and Washington before (2011) and after (2015) recreational cannabis legalization.

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    IACM-Bulletin of 12 February 2023

    🏷️ Science/Human: Treatment of childhood epilepsy with a combination of THC and CBD may be much more effective than treatment with CBD alone

    A case series of 35 children (<18 years old) with treatment resistant epilepsy from the UK Medical Cannabis Registry was analysed. Data were presented by investigators of the Department of Surgery & Cancer of Imperial College London, UK. Patients received either CBD isolate oils (n = 19), CBD broad-spectrum oils (n = 17), and CBD/THC combination therapy (n = 17).  

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    IACM-Bulletin of 29 January 2023

    🏷️ Science/Human: Cannabis may improve agitation and sleep in Alzheimer’s disease according to observational study

    A retrospective, observational trial aimed to investigate the clinical action of THC: CBD cannabis extract administration in patients with Alzheimer’s disease on severe symptoms such as agitation, weight loss, cognitive impairment, and sleep disturbance. Thirty patients (9 men and 21 women) diagnosed with mild, moderate, or severe Alzheimer’s disease, aged 65-90 years, were enrolled by the Second Opinion Medical Network in Modena, Italy. They used olive oil-diluted cannabis extract twice a day for 12 weeks.

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    IACM-Bulletin of January 15, 2023

    🏷️ Science/Human — Cannabis legalisation has no relevant effects on psychiatric disorders according to a twin study

    Using data from a longitudinal study with 4043 twins from the USA, investigators from the Universities of Minnesota and Colorado, USA, and the University of Helsinki, Finland, found that the legalisation of cannabis in the USA had no relevant effects on a wide range of adult psychiatric and psychosocial outcomes. The participants were first assessed in adolescence and now at the age of 24-49 residing in states with different cannabis policies (40% resided in a recreationally legal state).

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    IACM-Bulletin of January 1, 2023

    🏷️ Science/Human — Cannabis had no negative effect in lung cancer patients treated with immunotherapy

    According to a study with 201 lung cancer patients by the Oncology Institute of the Tel Aviv Medical Center, and the Sackler School of Medicine, Israel, the use of cannabis had no negative effects on a treatment with pembrolizumab, an immune checkpoint inhibitor, for metastatic disease. 102 (50.7%) patients received licence for cannabis within the first month of treatment. The most common indication for cannabis was pain (71%) followed by loss of appetite (34%).

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    IACM-Bulletin of December 18, 2022

    🏷️ Science/Human — Cannabis may be helpful in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder

    A case-series of patients with post-traumatic stress disorder from the UK Medical Cannabis Registry was analyzed. Investigators from Imperial College Medical Cannabis Research Group from the Department of Surgery and Cancer of Imperial College London, UK, observed an improvement of health-related quality of life, which was assessed at 1-, 3-, and 6-months using validated patient reported outcome measures.

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    IACM-Bulletin of December 4, 2022

    🏷️ Science/Human — Cannabis may be helpful in the treatment of children with autism

    A study with 14 participants conducted at Melbourne's Monash Children's Hospital, Australia, has supported the benefits of using medicinal cannabis as a treatment for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. The phase I trial, which was designed to assess product safety, discovered "significant changes" in the symptoms and behaviours of the 14 participants.

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    IACM-Bulletin of November 19, 2022

    🌐 USA — Voters in Maryland and Missouri approved the legalisation of cannabis for use by adults

    On 8 November residents of five U.S. states voted on whether to legalize cannabis for adults. A growing number of states have legalized cannabis in recent years despite the drug remaining illegal under federal law. The proposals passed in Maryland and Missouri.

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    IACM-Bulletin of November 5, 2022

    🏷️ Science/Human — Cannabis may be helpful in the treatment of emotionally unstable personality disorder according to a case series

    Six out of 7 patients diagnosed with emotionally unstable personality disorder showed symptom improvement with cannabis-based medicines. They were treated at Zerenia clinics in the United Kingdom and Colombia receiving either cannabis extracts or cannabis flowers with varying THC and CBD content. Patients had trialled at least one medication and one form of psychotherapy.

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    IACM-Bulletin of October 23, 2022

    🏷️ IACM — The IACM honoured four researchers at the Cannabinoid Conference 2022

    At the Cannabinoid Conference 2022 which took place in Basel, Switzerland, the IACM honoured four persons for special achievements regarding the re-introduction of cannabis and cannabinoids as medicine. The IACM Award 2022 for Clinical Research went to Philip McGuire, the IACM Ester Fride Award for Basic Research 2022 went to Andreas Zimmer, the IACM Award 2022 for Young Researchers went to Arnau Busquets Garcia, and the IACM Special Award 2022 went to Allyn Howlett.

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    IACM-Bulletin of October 9, 2022

    🌐 USA — President Joe Biden pardons thousands of people with federal offenses for simple cannabis possession

    President Joe Biden took steps to overhaul U.S. policy on cannabis on 6 October by pardoning thousands of people with federal offenses for simple cannabis possession and initiating a review of how the drug is classified. He said thousands of people with prior federal convictions could be denied employment, housing or educational opportunities and his executive action would relieve such "collateral" consequences.

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    IACM-Bulletin of October 6, 2022

    🏷️ IACM — Only 2 weeks until the start of the Cannabinoid Conference 2022

    On October 20-21, the leading international conference on the medical use of cannabis and cannabinoids will be held at the Congress Center Basel, Switzerland.

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    IACM-Bulletin of September 25, 2022

    🏷️ Science/Human — Cannabis may improve autism symptoms

    In a study with a cannabis extract containing a ratio of THC to CBD of 1 to 20 children with autism spectrum disorder showed significant improvement. The study was conducted by investigators of Azrieli National Centre for Autism and Neurodevelopment Research at Ben Gurion University in Beer Sheva, Israel, and other Israelian universities. “Parents were instructed to start with one drop daily (each drop contains: 0.3 mg THC and 5.7 mg CBD) and increase the dosage gradually until they perceived improvements in their child’s behavior such as decreased irritability, aggressiveness, hyperactivity, and/or sleep disturbances.” Patients received the extract for 6 months in an open study, which was completed by 82 participants.

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    IACM-Bulletin of September 11, 2022

    🏷️ IACM — Conference attendees to receive additional free IACM membership

    Attendees at the upcoming Cannabinoid Conference 2022 on Oct. 20-21 in Basel, Switzerland, will receive a free membership to the new IACM. The IACM is undergoing a restructuring. The old IACM has been dissolved, and the successor organization is nearing completion of its new formation. IACM members who have already paid their dues this year will receive a code in a few days that will give them a reduction in their normal individual rate.

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    IACM-Bulletin of August 28, 2022

    🏷️ Science/Human — Cannabis improves abdominal pain in gastroparesis

    In a study at Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, USA, with 24 patients suffering from gastroparesis both isolated THC and cannabis improved symptoms. Gastroparesis is characterised by delayed gastric emptying due to weak muscle constructions of the stomach. Six patients were prescribed pure THC, ten cannabis and eight pure oral THC followed by cannabis.

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    IACM-Bulletin of August 14, 2022

    🏷️ Science/Human — Many women use cannabis for the treatment of menopause-related symptoms

    In a study with 285 women with menopause-related symptoms many participants used cannabis. It was conducted by researchers of the Department of Psychiatry of Harvard Medical School in Boston, USA. Participants (perimenopausal, n = 131; postmenopausal, n = 127) completed assessments of menopause-related symptomatology and cannabis use

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    IACM-Bulletin of July 31, 2022

    🏷️ IACM — Cannabinoid Conference 2022 in October in Switzerland

    On 20 to 21 October the leading international conference on medical uses of cannabis and cannabinoids takes place in the Congress Centre Basel, Switzerland. Don’t miss this opportunity to meet the leading researchers in the field, learn from their experience, exchange with others and get first-hand and latest information! This year we are holding the conference in cooperation with the Swiss Society for Cannabis in Medicine. In Switzerland, the medical use of cannabis was recently legalised.

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    IACM-Bulletin of July 17, 2022

    🏷️ Science/Human — Very low doses of a THC-rich cannabis extract improved memory in a patient with Alzheimer's disease

    Investigators of the Federal University for Latin American integration in Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil, and Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, USA, presented a case report of a 75-year-old man in an early stage of Alzheimer’s disease, who profited from very low doses of THC rich cannabis. He presented with main symptoms of memory deficit, spatial and temporal disorientation, and limited daily activity. The treatment was carried out for 22 months with microdoses of a cannabis extract containing THC and CBD. The patient received it daily for 22 months with the daily dosage never exceeding 1 mg of THC per day.

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    IACM-Bulletin of July 3, 2022

    🌐 Switzerland — The medical use of cannabis will be legal from August 2022 on

    The Swiss government on 22 June decided to lift the ban on cannabis for medical use from 1 August. Patients who are medically prescribed the drug will no longer need to seek exceptional permission from the health ministry. The sale and consumption of cannabis for non-medical purposes will remain prohibited.

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    IACM-Bulletin of June 19, 2022

    🌐 Brasil — Superior Court of Justice authorised 3 patients to grow cannabis for medical treatment

    A top court in Brazil on 14 June authorized three patients to grow cannabis for medical treatment, a decision that is likely to be applied nationwide in similar cases. A five-judge panel of the country’s Superior Court of Justice unanimously agreed that the three patients can grow cannabis and extract its oil for use in pain relief. Brazilian law currently limits the medical use of cannabis derived products to imported goods.

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    IACM-Bulletin of June 5, 2022

    🏷️ Science/Human — Cannabis may be helpful in the treatment of nausea according to an app based study

    Using an app, where Herr patients can enter their symptom changes, by 886 people cannabis was helpful in the treatment of nausea. The research was conducted by investigators of the College of pharmacy at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, USA. Participants completed 2220 cannabis self-administration sessions intended to treat nausea between 2016 and 2019.

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    IACM-Bulletin of May 22, 2022

    🏷️ Science/Human — Cannabis may be helpful against cancer pain according to an open study

    In an open study with 24 cancer patients, who received capsules with traditional cannabis leaves powder, investigators observed improvements in pain and quality of life. It was conducted by the Department of Dravyaguna of GJ Patel Institute of Ayurvedic Studies and Research in New Vallabhvidyanagar of the state of Gujarat, India. Participants received the powder in a dose of 250 mg thrice daily and 50 mL of cow’s milk and 4 g of crystal sugar for 4 weeks.

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    IACM-Bulletin of May 8, 2022

    🏷️ IACM — Cannabinoid Conference 2022

    The IACM Board would like to invite you to attend the Cannabinoid Conference 2022 and present your research results. The event will take place from 20-21 October 2022 in Basel, Switzerland. The conference will be held in cooperation with the Swiss Society for Cannabis in Medicine.

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    IACM-Bulletin of April 24, 2022

    🏷️ Science/Human — Cannabis may be helpful in inflammatory bowel disease according to survey

    According to a survey with 417 patients suffering from inflammatory bowel disease cannabis may be helpful in symptom management. Mean age was 41 years and about 55% suffered from ulcerative colitis, while about 43% from Crohn’s disease. 17.5% of respondents to the survey indicated that they had used cannabis for recreational purposes in the past. 7.5% said that they were currently using cannabis products either illegal or prescribed by a doctor.

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    IACM-Bulletin of April 10, 2022

    🏷️ IACM — The Cannabinoid Conference 2022 is dedicated to Daniela Parolaro

    The upcoming Cannabinoid Conference on 20-21 October 2022 in Switzerland is dedicated Dr Daniela Parolaro, who passed away in March 2022. For many years Dr Parolaro served as a member of the IACM Board of Directors and was Chairwoman of the IACM from 2013 to 2015.

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