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IACM-Bulletin of 29 May 2016

IACM: Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research is now publishing in collaboration with the IACM

Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, the peer-reviewed open access journal from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers, announces a new collaborative partnership with the International Association for Cannabinoid Medicines. This new collaboration promotes the missions of the Journal and Association to further the science of cannabis, cannabinoids, and the endocannabinoid system, for potential therapeutic and medical application. “The IACM welcomes this collaboration with Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research,” says Dr Mark Ware, Chairman of IACM. "We are particularly excited about increasing the amount of published clinical research that will become available for healthcare professionals and decision makers.”

Led by Editor-in-Chief Dr Daniele Piomelli, Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research provides an important open access venue for publishing the scientific, medical, and psychosocial exploration of cannabis, cannabinoids, and the endocannabinoid system. “We are happy to have the International Association for Cannabinoid Medicines as a partner. They have a strong commitment to furthering the knowledge of cannabis and cannabinoid medicines”, says Jordan Schilling, Director of Open Access Publishing at Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers. “The partnership will be an excellent fit for both the IACM and Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research.”

Press release by Mary Ann Liebert of 23 May 2016

Alphagalileo of 23 May 2016

USA: Louisiana becomes the 25th state to legalize the medical use of cannabis

On 19 May Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards signed Senate Bill 271, a bill that makes Louisiana the first state in the south to create a comprehensive medical cannabis program. The new law replaces language in the current law that said physicians had to “prescribe” medical cannabis to patients, something that is impossible under federal law. According the new law physicians will be able to “recommend” cannabis to their patients. Approved conditions now include cancer, positive status for HIV, AIDS, cachexia or wasting syndrome, seizure disorders, epilepsy, spasticity, Crohn's disease, muscular dystrophy, or multiple sclerosis.

The bill does not amend language in the state's Therapeutic Research Act limiting the preparation of medicinal cannabis products to non-herbal formulations, nor does it address provisions limiting state-licensed cannabis cultivation to a single provider, or the dispensing of cannabis products to no more than ten licensed pharmacies. Those restrictions were put in place by legislation signed into law last year.

Southern Cannabis of 19 May 2016

NORML of 19 May 2016

Macedonia: The government legalizes the medical use of cannabis

Macedonian Health Minister Nikola Todorov said on 14 May that medicinal cannabis will be available in pharmacies across the country from the end of May this year. Todorov told reporters that amendments to the Law on Control of Drugs and Psychotropic Substances have made the use of cannabis products for medicinal purposes possible for "people suffering from serious illnesses, such as malignant diseases, multiple sclerosis, HIV and childhood epilepsy."

The Macedonian Health Ministry and the Agency for Medicinal Products and Medical Devices will invite foreign experts to train domestic medical specialists and pharmacists on the safe and effective use of cannabis products, Todorov said.

New China of 15 May 2016

News in brief

Science/USA: As more states legalize cannabis for medical use, adolescents' problems with the drug decline
A survey of more than 216,000 adolescents from all 50 states of the USA indicates the number of adolescents with cannabis-related problems is declining. Similarly, the rates of cannabis use by young people are falling despite the fact more U.S. states are legalizing cannabis for medical use and the number of adults using the drug has increased. Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis examined data on drug use collected from young people, ages 12 to 17, over a 12-year span.
Science Daily of 24 May 2016

USA: Ohio may become the next state to legalise the medical use of cannabis
Ohio will become the next state to legalize medical cannabis, if Governor John Kasich signs it into law. After more than a day of uncertainty about whether the bill had enough support in the Senate, the chamber voted 18-15 on 25 May. The House also passed the bill by 67-28.
The Columbus Dispatch of 26 May 2016

USA: The House of Representatives votes to allow Veteran Affairs doctors to be able to discuss using cannabis with their patients
The U.S. House on 19 May voted to allow doctors, who treat war veterans, to be able to discuss using medical cannabis with their patients. Although the allowance will only occur in states where medical cannabis is already legal, it is the strongest indication yet that congress' view of the medical use of cannabis is changing. The 233-189 vote was the first victory for the proposal, which was lost in the previous years.
UPI of 20 May 2016

USA: Study on cannabis in post traumatic stress disorder approved by drug control agency
On 19 April the drug control agency (Drug Enforcement Administration, DEA) gave its final approval for a trial of smoked cannabis for PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) in 76 U.S. veterans. This is the first time that a clinical trial intended to develop the cannabis plant in smoked form into an FDA-approved prescription medicine has received full regulatory approval.
Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies, May 2016

Science/Animal: Posttraumatic stress disorder is associated with a reduced concentration of CB1 receptors in a certain brain region
In a mouse model of PTSD (posttraumatic stress disorder) and in mice, which were treated with alcohol, the number of CB1 receptors was descreased in a certain brain region (striatum), which may explain the therapeutic effects of cannabis in PTSD and alcoholism.
VA Medical Center, Detroit, USA.
Matchynski-Franks JJ, et al. PLoS One 2016;11(5):e0155759.

Science/Human: Cannabis use had no effect on the volum of grey matter of the brain
In a study with 20 heavy cannabis users and 22 non-users, who were followed for three years, cannabis use had no effect on grey matter volume. However, there was a correlation between cannabis related problems and grey matter volume in certain brain regions (left hippocampus, amygdala and superior temporal gyrus).
Department of Psychiatry, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Koenders L, et al. PLoS One. 2016 May 25;11(5):e0152482.

Science/Animal: CB1 receptor agonists prevented hyperactivity in the airways
A synthetic cannabinoid (ACEA), which activates the CB1 receptor, prevented hyperreactivity in the airways to a chemical in mice.
Faculty of Pharmacy, Hacettepe University, Sihhiye, Ankara, Turkey.
Bozkurt TE, et al. Respir Physiol Neurobiol. 2016 May 20. [in press]

Science/Cells: CBD and moringin, a compound of the drumstick tree, act synergistically against inflammation
In experiments with certain white blood cells (macrophages) the combination of CBD (cannabidiol) and moringin, a compound obtained from Moringa oleifera (drumstick tree), showed anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects.
IRCCS Centro Neurolesi "Bonino-Pulejo", Messina, Italy.
Rajan TS, et al. Fitoterapia. 2016 May 20.
[in press]

Science/Animal: Both THC and CBD reduce neuropathic pain caused by cisplatin
A study with mice showed that both THC and CBD reduced the intensity of neuropahtic pain caused by the chemotherapeutic agent cisplatin. None of the cannabinoids prevented the development of neuropathic pain from cisplatin treatment.
Department of Psychology, University of Mississippi, USA.
Harris HM, et al. Planta Med. 2016 May 23. [in press]

Science: Gamma-irradiation had no relevant effect on cannabis
To avoid contamination by microbes cannabis may undergo gamma irradiation. In a study the effect of gamma-irradiation was limited to a reduction of some terpenes present in cannabis.
Bedrocan International, Veendam, Netherlands.
Hazekamp A. Front Pharmacol 2016;7:108.

Science/Animal: Activation of the CB1 receptor increased the development of cancer of the liver, while CB2 receptore activation reduced this development
Similar to their role in the development of liver fibrosis, CB1 and CB2 receptors exert opposite effects on liver cancer development. Activation of the CB1 receptor increased cancer development, while CB2 receptor activation decreased cancer development in mice.
Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, USA.
Suk KT, et al. Gut. 2016 May 11. [in press]

Science: Compounds of several plants influence the endocannabinoid system
There are several plants, whose components influence the endocannabinoid system, including common foodstuffs, herbs and spices.
PHYTECS, Vashon, USA.
Russo EB. Trends Pharmacol Sci. 2016 May 11.[in press]

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