Marijuana/Cannabis News and Research

RSS

Marijuana is a green, brown, or gray mixture of dried, shredded leaves, stems, seeds, and flowers of the hemp plant (Cannabis sativa). Cannabis is a term that refers to marijuana and other drugs made from the same plant. Other forms of cannabis include sinsemilla, hashish, and hash oil. All forms of cannabis are mind-altering (psychoactive) drugs.

Researchers have identified the mechanism by which marijuana may affect learning and memory

Marijuana use has long been known to cause problems with learning and memory. Now, researchers at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University have identified the mechanism by which marijuana may affect activity in the hippocampus

29 Sep 2004

BMA calls for total ban of smoking in enclosed public places

In his speech today, at the BMA's fringe meeting at the Labour Party Conference in Brighton, BMA Chairman, Mr James Johnson, called upon the Health Secretary, John Reid, to introduce a total ban of smoking in enclosed public places and emphasised that a ban must include pubs and restaurants.

28 Sep 2004

Marijuana use may increase the risk of ectopic (tubal) pregnancies

It is not known whether drugs that block or, in the case of marijuana, over-stimulate the CB1 receptor can cause ectopic pregnancy in humans. However, "our results raise caution for women of reproductive ages regarding the chronic use of marijuana for recreation or pain alleviation," the researchers concluded.

27 Sep 2004

THC in marijuana may block the spread of forms of cancer causing herpes viruses

The compound in marijuana that produces a high, delta-9 tetrahydrocannbinol or THC, may block the spread of several forms of cancer causing herpes viruses, University of South Florida College of Medicine scientists report.

22 Sep 2004

Researchers get a grip on marijuana

Now researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine are a step closer to understanding how the drug's active ingredients - tetrahydrocannabinol and related compounds, called cannabinoids - may exert their effects.

16 Sep 2004

Normal teenagers are not ticking time bombs

Contrary to the psychoanalytic theory that children who appear to be well adjusted as adolescents are actually "ticking time bombs," most normal teenagers adapt to and benefit from life experiences, a Northwestern University study has found.

10 Sep 2004

Teens who engage in high-risk behaviors involving sex and drugs have significantly higher odds of depression

Teens who engage in high-risk behaviors involving sex and drugs have significantly higher odds of depression, suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts than teens who say no to sex and drugs, according to a study.

10 Sep 2004

Admissions for substance abuse treatment in adolescents has risen, continuing a ten-year trend

The new data show that the number of adolescents ages 12 to 17 admitted to substance abuse treatment increased 65 percent between 1992 and 2002. In 1992, adolescents represented 6 percent of all treatment admissions.

1 Sep 2004

Students are more likely to drink, smoke cigarettes and smoke marijuana when they receive drivers’ licenses

For many high school students, obtaining a driver’s license means more fun, freedom and responsibility.

30 Aug 2004

Decreases in tobacco, drug and alcohol use by students

California's Attorney General Bill Lockyer has released the results of the 10th Biennial California Student Survey (CSS), which shows decreases in tobacco, drug and alcohol use by students in the seventh, ninth and 11th grades during 2003 and 2004.

18 Aug 2004

Medical marijuana patients are being forced to file Motions for Return of Property to reclaim their marijuana

A report on law enforcement violations of the rights of medical marijuana patients in California was released Monday, August 16. The three-month study found local and state law enforcement is routinely seizing the marijuana to which California patients are legally entitled – and not giving it back.

18 Aug 2004

Link between marijuana and mental health

An eminent University of Melbourne Psychiatry Professor will lead a conference detailing the latest research findings on the link between marijuana and mental health.

16 Aug 2004

Novel pharmacological target for cannabinoid-based therapies

Cannabinoids, the active ingredients in marijuana, restrict the sprouting of blood vessels to brain tumors by inhibiting the expression of genes needed for the production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).

15 Aug 2004

The smoking rate among Canadian teenagers has dropped below that of the general population for the first time in almost 10 years

Data show that 18% of teens aged 15 to 19 smoked daily or occasionally last year, down from 22% in 2002. Substantial changes in the smoking behaviour of Quebec and Ontario youth are behind much of the decrease, namely lower smoking rates among boys in Quebec and girls in Ontario.

9 Aug 2004

Report shows promising findings on adolescent use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs

A new report by the Indiana Prevention Resource Center at Indiana University Bloomington presents promising findings on adolescent use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.

5 Aug 2004

Cannabis extract helps reduce pain in multiple sclerosis patients

Does the cannabinoid dronabinol reduce central pain in multiple sclerosis? Randomised double blind placebo controlled crossover trial, BMJ Online First.

17 Jul 2004

From potent painkillers to humble cough syrups, the same medicines that help patients misused by teens

From potent painkillers to humble cough syrups, the same medicines that can help patients can also be misused to produce a high feeling. And they can hurt teens or hook them into addiction just as easily as other illicit drugs.

1 Jul 2004

The medical use of marijuana

The medical use of marijuana enjoys wide public support. More than 70% of respondents to recent surveys agree that marijuana should be available medically. Sources: Pew Research Center for the People & the Press conducted by Princeton Survey Research Associates. Feb. 14-19, 2001 and The Gallup Poll. March 19-21, 1999.

30 Jun 2004

U.S. Supreme Court to decide whether anti-drug laws should apply to the medicinal use of marijuana

The U.S. Supreme Court is to decide whether anti-drug laws should apply to the medicinal use of marijuana.

29 Jun 2004

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, a rapid, targeted, drug-free treatment option for depression

Initial results from a pilot study conducted by HMRI researchers based at the University of Newcastle suggest that there is an unmet treatment need for people suffering from depression and co-existing drug and alcohol problems.

21 Jun 2004