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Cannabis products at unlicensed shops lack safety labels, use kid-friendly packaging

A study by Columbia University researchers found that unlicensed cannabis products often lack required health warnings and safety features, while also using appealing packaging to attract minors. The study highlights a need for coordinated regulation to ensure product safety and prevent misleading marketing.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateAug 5, 2025

New study shows young adults who use high strength cannabis do not ‘titrate’ to less risky levels of use

A new study found that young adults using high-strength cannabis in California tend to consume more and experience greater symptoms of cannabis use disorder. The study, which surveyed over 400 participants, showed a significant association between THC potency and cannabis consumption frequency and quantity.

SourceSociety for the Study of Addiction·JournalAddiction·TypeSurvey·DateJul 31, 2025

Research alert: Cannabis use disorder triples risk of oral cancer

A recent study by researchers at University of California San Diego School found that individuals with cannabis use disorder are more than three times more likely to develop oral cancer within five years. The study highlights the potential long-term health risks associated with problematic cannabis use and emphasizes the need for furth...

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalPreventive Medicine Reports·DateJul 29, 2025

US adolescents with cannabis use disorder failing to complete rehabilitation

A recent study by Florida Atlantic University found that US adolescents with cannabis use disorder have low treatment completion rates, ranging from 34.2% to 33.8%. The most common reasons for not completing treatment were dropping out, transferring facilities, and being terminated. Adolescents who began using cannabis at a younger age...

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalPediatric Reports·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 22, 2025

Cannabis use and benign salivary gland neoplasms

A recent study published in JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery found an association between cannabis use disorder and benign salivary gland tumors. The researchers call for further prospective research to confirm this association and understand the relationship between cannabis use and these tumors.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery·DateJul 17, 2025

Cannabidiol and liver enzyme level elevations in healthy adults

A randomized clinical trial found that cannabidiol (CBD) administration led to liver enzyme level elevations in 5.6% of participants and potential drug-induced liver injury in 4.9%. Hepatic enzymes returned to normal within weeks after discontinuation. Further research is needed on CBD's long-term effects and safety.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateJul 7, 2025

Tests to detect marijuana-impaired driving based on ‘pseudoscience’

Law enforcement use subjective tactics to detect marijuana impairment, but these methods have limited scientific basis. Scientists must get involved to develop reliable tools, and funding from legal marijuana sales could support research. A new perspective calls for a more evidence-based approach to road safety.

SourceJournal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs·JournalJournal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJun 30, 2025

Research alert: CBD might help children with autism, but more research needed

A controlled clinical trial found that two-thirds of participants showed behavioral improvements with CBD treatment, highlighting its potential benefits. However, the study also revealed a significant placebo effect, emphasizing the need for further research to fully understand CBD's therapeutic potential.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalJournal of Autism and Developmental Disorders·DateJun 23, 2025

Study shows higher concentration of cannabis retailers in low-income neighborhoods with more Black and Hispanic residents

A recent study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine reveals a significant correlation between socioeconomically disadvantaged areas and increased cannabis retailer presence. Neighborhoods with higher concentrations of low-income Black residents had 2.53 times more cannabis retailers than high-income predominantly Wh...

SourceElsevier·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 2, 2025

Cannabis use disorder is increasing rapidly, especially among older adults and people living with HIV

A new study finds that cannabis use disorder diagnoses rose substantially across all age groups, race/ethnicity, and comorbidity subgroups nationwide from 2000 to 2022. People living with HIV experienced the greatest relative increase in CUD diagnoses, particularly among older adults.

SourceBoston University School of Public Health·JournalJournal of Addiction Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateMay 21, 2025

Cannabis use among older adults

A cross-sectional study found that more than one-third of veterans aged 65-84 who used cannabis in the past 30 days had a cannabis use disorder. Routine health screening for cannabis use is necessary to identify older adults with cannabis use. Frequent and inhaled cannabis use was associated with higher odds of any cannabis use disorder.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateMay 14, 2025

Cannabis-related hospital visits rising, often tied to mental health conditions: Study

A new study found that cannabis-related hospital visits increased by 20% in Arizona between 2016 and 2021, with nearly eight times more patients having a primary diagnosis of a mental health disorder. The study suggests easier access to cannabis may be partly responsible for the trend.

SourceJournal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs·JournalJournal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 7, 2025

Prenatal cannabis use and neonatal outcomes

A recent study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that prenatal cannabis use is associated with an increased risk of preterm birth and low birth weight. The research also suggests a potential link between cannabis use during pregnancy and smaller-than-average newborns.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateMay 5, 2025

What links cannabis use and psychosis? Researchers point to the brain’s dopamine system

Researchers have found that people with cannabis use disorder have elevated dopamine levels in a brain region associated with psychosis. This could explain why frequent cannabis use increases the risk of hallucinations and delusions. The study's findings may help doctors educate patients about the potential risks of frequent cannabis u...

SourceMcGill University·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·TypeObservational study·DateApr 9, 2025

Positron emission tomography in psychiatry: Dr. Romina Mizrahi maps the molecular future

Dr. Romina Mizrahi's PET-based neuroimaging sheds light on brain workings, integrating genetics, environment and imaging to understand psychiatric illness as a complex biological puzzle. She advocates for precision psychiatry paradigm with customized treatments based on molecular profiles, and calls for diversity in academic leadership.

SourceGenomic Press·JournalBrain Medicine·TypeNews article·DateApr 8, 2025

Cannabis use disorder among insured pregnant women in the US between 2015-2020

Between 2015-2020, 893,430 pregnant women were identified with a cannabis use disorder diagnosis, resulting in 1,058,448 total pregnancies. The cumulative prevalence of CUD diagnosis was 0.26%. Clinicians are well-positioned to intervene but may lack structural support due to fear of legal repercussions and underestimated diagnoses.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateMar 31, 2025

New study reveals high levels of fusarium mycotoxins in seized cannabis from Arizona and California

A recent study by Arizona State University researchers found high levels of Fusarium mycotoxins in illicit cannabis samples seized in Arizona and California, posing potential health risks to consumers. The study highlights the unregulated nature of black-market cannabis and the need for further research into its health impacts.

SourceArizona State University·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 19, 2025

New cannabis formula will help epilepsy, multiple sclerosis sufferers

Scientists at the University of South Australia have developed a phospholipid complex to improve cannabidiol's effectiveness in treating epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and other neurodegenerative diseases. The new formula increases cannabidiol's solubility by up to six times and improves its absorption in the gastrointestinal tract.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 19, 2025

Cannabis terpenes offer potential new way to treat fibromyalgia pain

Research at the University of Arizona Health Sciences found that certain terpenes in Cannabis sativa are effective at relieving post-surgical and fibromyalgia pain in preclinical models. Terpenes have been shown to provide significant pain relief in mouse models, with geraniol providing the most significant level of pain relief.

SourceUniversity of Arizona Health Sciences·JournalPharmacological Reports·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 12, 2025

Maternal cannabis use triples risk of disruptive behaviour in children

A recent study published in Psychiatry Research found that children exposed to their mother's cannabis use during pregnancy and after birth are three times more likely to develop behavioural problems. The research analysed data from over 222,600 Australian mothers and children, revealing a significant increase in the risk of childhood ...

SourceCurtin University·JournalPsychiatry Research·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 5, 2025

Unlicensed retailers provide youths with easy access to cannabis in New York City

A study by Columbia University found that unlicensed dispensaries in New York City often lack effective age verification processes, allowing youth access to high-potency cannabis. Licensed retailers, on the other hand, were more likely to follow state regulations and post certificates of analysis for their products.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalPEDIATRICS·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 24, 2025

Warning signs may not be effective to deter cannabis use in pregnancy: Study

A new study published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs suggests that mandatory warning signs at cannabis dispensaries may not be effective in deterring pregnant users. In fact, many participants reported distrust towards the content of the warnings, viewing them as stigmatizing or negative. The researchers interviewed 34 ...

SourceJournal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs·JournalJournal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs·TypeSurvey·DateFeb 6, 2025

Contribution of cannabis use disorder to new cases of schizophrenia has almost tripled over the past 17 years

A new study found that cannabis use disorder is increasingly associated with new schizophrenia cases in Ontario, with the proportion rising from 4% to 10%. The trend has tripled over the past 17 years, with heavy cannabis use linked to worsening symptoms and increased risk of psychosis.

SourceInstitute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 4, 2025