medical cannabis - unitypoint health...we have naturally occurring cannabinoids and associated...
Post on 20-Jun-2020
1 Views
Preview:
TRANSCRIPT
Medical CannabisMATT WEBSTER DO, MS
Cannabis Sativa
One of the oldest used drugs and medicinal remedies
Most commonly abused illicit drug in the US
There has been increasing access for medicinal MJ use in the US over the past 20 years
What is Marijuana?
What we typically think of as MJ is primarily the dried flowers and leaves from plants of the genus Cannabis Sativa.
The active compounds in the plant are called cannabinoids.
There are hundreds of such compounds but the most important are THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol).
Cannabinoid Receptor System
We have naturally occurring cannabinoids and associated receptors in our bodies and this system was first described in the 1990s.
There are different receptors all throughout the body including the CNS and immune system.
The two most important receptors are CB-1 and CB-2
CB-1 (THC Receptor)
This receptor binds THC
Primarily located in the central and peripheral nervous system as well as some in the gut and adipose tissue
Causes release of downstream neurotransmitters in the CNS including dopamine which cause euphoria, alter spatial perception, decrease pain perception, stimulate appetite, and may cause a psychoactive effect
Causes the typical effects of the “high” associated with MJ
CB-2 (CBD) Receptor
This receptor binds CBD
Receptors primarily located in cells of the immune system including solid organs such as the spleen and lymphatics as well as blood based immune cells
Helps to decrease inflammation and likely has an anti-cancer effect
Chemical most likely to have a positive health effect
Adverse Health Effects of MJ
Central Nervous System Memory loss, learning disability Depression, paranoia, addiction Worsening bipolar disorder Anxiety Schizophrenia or other psychoses Increased incidence of suicidal
ideation and suicide attempt Cardiovascular system
Increased blood pressure and heart rate
Increased risk for acute heart attack
Digestive system Acute hunger (“munchies”)
Constipation
Respiratory (when smoked) Bronchitis
Lung cancer?
Pregnancy Low birth weight infant
Cannabis history in medicine
In the early 20th century was commonly included with many medicinal preparations including cough syrups and lotions
1937 Marijuana Tax Stamp act made it effectively illegal to possess or sell MJ without an expensive tax stamp
Controlled Substances Act of 1970 made it a Schedule I controlled drug with no accepted medical use and high potential for abuse
Recent Regulatory Changes
1996California –Proposition 215 – The Compassionate Use Act of 1996
Approved for use by “seriously ill” individuals with MD recommendation
Mid 90s-00sUS Attorney General – relaxed federal law enforcement
Rapid rise in medical marijuana licenses
2014US Department of Justice –advised US attorneys not to pursue action against physicians
201831 states and Puerta Rico have at least limited medical cannabis access
Synthetic Medical Preparations
THC preparations: Dronabinol (Marinol, Syndros)/ Nobilone(Cesamet)
Approved for chemo associated N/V and AIDS related weight loss Schedule II
CBD: Epidiolex Approved for treatment of childhood epilepsy syndromes Schedule V
Medicinal Cannabis
Medical cannabis may be smoked as the natural dried plant or consumed in other preparations to be ingested orally (oil, edibles, capsules, etc) or topically such as lotions
CBD:THC ratio is an important concept. Looking for higher CBD than THC content ideally. This is different than recreational MJ which may be 30% THC by weight
Iowa Regulations
Iowa Medical Cannabidiol Act was signed in May 2017 allowing for CBD with no more than 3% THC for select approved medical conditions
Five dispensaries throughout Iowa will open December 1
Patients will need certification from a PCP of a qualifying condition then apply with the Iowa Department of Public Health for a card allowing purchase of CBD/THC containing products
Iowa Regulations
Qualifying conditions include chronic pain, seizures, MS with muscle spasms, Parkinson’s Disease, ALS, HIV/AIDs.
No smoked or edible CBD/THC will be available but instead preparations will include capsules, oils, and creams
Over the counter CBD oil remains illegal in Iowa though is increasingly popular with online ordering and distribution
Conditions with Strong Evidence
There is solid evidence that cannabis is effective for the treatment of cancer related pain and the nausea and vomiting associated with chemo
Likely is effective for the treatment of spasticity related to MS
Limited Evidence for Effectiveness
There is limited evidence that cannabis is effective for treatment of anxiety, insomnia, dementia, ALS, epilepsy, glaucoma
Thus, there isn’t great clinical evidence that medical cannabis is effective for some of the conditions it is approved for
Summary
There is and will be increasing access to cannabis as a medical modality
New studies are commencing looking at effectiveness for many conditions
It is available in Iowa in a somewhat limited scope
Look at the CBD:THC ratio
top related