Opioid Prescribing in Canada Following the Legalization of Cannabis

For anyone out there who still needs to be convinced that cannabis can reduce opioid prescribing AND reduce public and private healthcare costs, here’s a brand new Canadian study (linked here) that I was fortunate to be a part of.

Our findings support the hypothesis that easier access to cannabis for pain may reduce opioid use for both public and private drug plans.

Overall the findings are very encouraging, although I do worry that patients are increasingly turning to the non-medical cannabis system for access. While cannabis has a superior safety profile compared to most other medications, there are contraindications & drug interactions that patients need to be aware of. Working with a licensed healthcare professional is crucial to ensuring patient safety--particularly when you’re talking about weaning things like opioids, benzodiazepines, etc.

This is yet another reason why we need to #CoverCannabis in Canada for patients who could benefit. Please help us continue to spread the word by sharing your own #CoverCannabis stories on social or sharing this post. Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Landmark Study Proves CBD Has No Impact on Driving

A landmark study published in the latest issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association has shown that CBD does not impair driving, while moderate amounts of THC (the main intoxicating component) produce mild driving impairment lasting up to four hours. 

This is the first study to illustrate the lack of CBD effects on driving and to also provide a clear indication of the duration of THC impairment.

Why this is so important:  “With cannabis laws changing globally, jurisdictions are grappling with the issue of cannabis-impaired driving. These results provide much needed insights into the magnitude and duration of impairment caused by different types of cannabis and can help to guide road-safety policy not just in Australia but around the world. These results should allow for evidence-based laws and regulation for people receiving medical cannabis,” said Dr. Thomas Arkell, lead author on the study.

The study was led by the Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics at the University of Sydney (Australia). Summary is available here and the full study is available in the current issue of JAMA here.

Opioids and Cancer - Friend or Foe?

The effect of opioids on cancer progression, metastases, and recurrence is increasingly being questioned by researchers and clinicians, and serves as an important reminder of the urgent need for more research into safe and effective non-opioid alternatives.

In a review published in the journal, Current Opinion in Supportive and Palliative Care, investigators examined the evidence for the action of opioids on the processes involved in cancer progression. In other words - they’re trying to figure out if taking opioids to treat cancer pain could actually cause the disease to progress faster. 

The analysis showed there is sufficient in vitro and animal model work to make a plausible case for a detrimental effect of opioids on cancer progression and advised: “In the light of the uncertainty of opioid effect on cancer, any decision making should be tempered by knowing that stress and pain undoubtedly contribute to cancer progression.”

Given the high rates of pain prevalence amongst cancer patients, the importance of identifying non-opioid alternatives cannot be overstated. While more research is undoubtedly needed, the role of cannabinoids in treating cancer-related pain is promising and urgently warrants further investigation. 

Cannabinoids are already a well-known and evidence-based treatment option for chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting. While treating this symptom, I’ve seen several patients also experience reductions in their cancer-related pain and anxiety, which has allowed us to reduce their opioid and anti-anxiety medications in some cases. In many cases, cannabinoid therapy has also helped reduce or eliminate other intolerable side-effects caused by these powerful medications, including constipation, insomnia and lack of appetite.

Full article available here.

#CannabisISMedicine #MedicalCannabis #CancerTreatment #AlternativeMedicine #MindfulMedicating #CBD #CannabinoidMedicine #BreastCancerTreatment #Chemotherapy

Recent Trends in Cannabis Use in Elderly Americans

I wanted to share a quick update with you on some research I’m doing, investigating medical cannabis use & effectiveness in older adults. 

Its excellent safety profile and multimodality (ability to treat multiple symptoms at once) make medical cannabis particularly appropriate and beneficial in the senior population -- especially as polypharmacy (taking multiple medications) is the number one cause of hospitalizations due to adverse drug reactions amongst this group.

Have a watch of this short video for more info.

Full article available here.