Pot-based products have been used to treat multiple diseases, but will a cannabis-based mouth spray effectively treat brain tumors? It is yet unclear how and to what extent a mouth spray made by using constituents of the plant marijuana can help in treating neurological tumors. 

Medical cannabis has reduced symptoms of diseases or limit their progression. In some pathological and neurological conditions, medical cannabis products effectively cure patients. However, pot is a controlled substance under federal law of the United States. Thus, its use is limited, and medical pot dosage frequency is kept low. 

Researchers desire to investigate pot plants and their products to know their therapeutic value, efficacy, and safety profile. A major UK trial will analyze the effectiveness of an oral pot-based mouth spray in curing the most aggressive form of brain tumors.

Brain Tumors And Medical Pot Products

The Brain Tumor Charity organization funds many research projects. There are various types of brain tumors; some are malignant, and others are benign. Neurological conditions are difficult to treat; some are treatable, and others have no cure. Researchers are trying to find the role of different substances such as pot in treating neurological conditions, including cancers. 

Glioblastoma is a type of the most aggressive form of brain tumor. The symptoms of this disease include headaches, loss of appetite, balancing issues, problems while speaking, mood swings, and memory problems. Patients with glioblastoma may also experience trouble walking, nausea, vomiting, behavioral alterations, personality changes, sensation changes, difficulty concentrating, vision changes, and weakness.

The UK trial aims to find the effectiveness of an oral spray Sativex in curing the glioblastoma of patients of different ages. Inpatients are diagnosed with the most aggressive type of brain tumor after laboratory testing through CT-SCAN and MRI results. 

Patients also undergo magnetic resonance spectroscopy, needle biopsy, blood, or other tests, to confirm tumor size and progression. Glioblastoma is a cancer of astrocytes cells that carry nutrients to nerve cells. It is the most common type of tumor in adults and develops quickly. It also spreads at an exponential speed and is almost never cured. 

The UK phase I trial has shown that a pot-based oral spray, when given with chemotherapy, can treat the most aggressive forms of brain tumors. Tumors in patients with glioblastoma have rating on a scale of 1 to 4, depending upon their progression or growth rate. From grade 1 to 4, the growth rate of cancer increases. Grade 1 has the lowest growth rate, and grade 4 has the most aggressive progression speed. 

The UK trial phase I study involving 27 patients with different graded glioblastoma show promising results. 

Survival Impact Of Cannabis-based oral Spray

In the UK trial phase, I show that patients with brain tumors who receive Sativex survive more than a year than those who get a placebo. Currently, Setivax is applicable in the treatment of multiple sclerosis. The drug has been part of various types of research. Earlier this year, the pot-based spray use occur in combination with chemotherapy in the UK phase I trial. The drug has the potential to increase the survival rate. However, there is not enough evidence indicating its survival impact.

A three-year trial called ARISTOCRAT will likely confirm Sativex’s survival impact. It will begin in early 2022. Also, two hundred and thirty patients across the UK will recruit, and Professor Susan Short from the University of Leads will lead the trial.  

The Brain Tumor Charity organization is funding the trial to determine the survival impact of pot-based mouth spray on brain tumors. The Cancer Research UK Clinical Trials Unit at the University of Birmingham will also co-ordinate the study. 

After gathering sufficient data from various investigations, the role and impact of pot-based mouth spray on brain tumors will become clear. 

Originally covered on: healtheuropa

Pot legalization and decriminalization are the new trends, but people have concerns about cannabis’s effects on children. Moreover, studies are indicating that cannabis use in adolescence can cause brain development abnormalities. 

There has been a significant increase in children’s marijuana poisoning cases unintentionally. The acceleration in pot poisoning cases in Canada became evident after the pot legalization. 

Research On Cannabis Poisoning In Kids

Research was conducted in the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Toronto. Dr. Yaron Finkelstein is the Staff Physician, Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Clinical Pharmacology, and Toxicology at SickKids. Finkelstein led the research. 

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According to the research, unintentional pot poisoning in children under 12 years old has increased four times. Moreover, in the first two years after legalization number of patients admitted into the intensive care unit due to severe marijuana poisoning increased three times. 

The research also indicates that the overall number of patients admitted due to cannabis intoxication in the SickKids Emergency Department (ED) remained in the same pre- and post-legalization periods. The results of the research findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal Clinical Toxicology. 

The researchers noted cannabis association for Emergency Department visits, intensive care unit admissions, and hospitalization at the Hospital for Sick Children. A comparison of these factors before the time of marijuana legalization and after the passing of the bill occurred as part of the study. Doing so helps in analyzing the impact of pot legalization. 

According to Dr. Yaron Finkelstein, cannabis intoxication is uncommon in adults. However, in kids marijuana intoxication can have lethal effects, including seizures, behavioral changes, and respiratory depression, and can even lead to coma. It can cause coordination issues and problems with balancing. 

More About Child Poisoning After Cannabis Legalization

According to researchers, the elevation in cannabis intoxication cases occurs due to increased exposure to marijuana products. After legalization accessing pot, products have become easy for almost every individual. Children also feel attracted to marijuana products, and these items are popular in kids. 

Usually, children consume pot in the form of edible products that cause poisoning in them. It is difficult for health care professionals to know about the amount children have consumed. It causes difficulty in anticipating the severity of intoxication and the extent to which pot ingestion can damage other body organs. 

What Can Be Done To Avoid Pot Intoxication?

Dr. Yaron Finkelstein elaborating on the situation suggests people be careful of cultivating and consuming various pot products. Particularly, if there are children in your house. Weed users must keep pot products out of the reach of children in a safe place. 

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The research team and other experts at SickKids believe that creating awareness among individuals about pot products is essential. People must learn about the potentially harmful effects of cannabis on children. Doing so can help to avoid intoxication cases and pot-associated unintentional poisoning incidents.

Creating awareness among individuals will encourage pot users to store cannabis recreational and medical products in a secure place away from kids. If a person keeps edible marijuana products at home, it is best to keep them far from other edibles. Children can mistake edible weed products for simple sugars, gummies, and candy. 

Dr. Yaran Finkelstein is a professor at the Departments of Pediatrics and Pharmacology and Toxicology at the University of Toronto. According to Finkelstein, during the coronavirus pandemic situation, people are forced to stay at home. The majority of people consume pot products in their homes with their families. 

It is high time to educate marijuana users to keep pot products away from other foods and drinks to prevent unintentional cannabis intoxication in children. Also, store your pot products in a tightly closed container, in a safe and secure place away from other edible products. 

Cannabis legalization and decriminalization are subject of discussion in most states of the United States of America. Many states have approved bills regarding marijuana after thorough discussion. Lawmakers are making efforts to legalize and decriminalize marijuana on the federal level.

Progress towards approval of cannabis on the federal and state levels varies. Some states, after certain modifications, have approved the bills. However, others have not approved the use of marijuana for recreational use.

Later this week, it is expected that Governor Ralph Northam will sign a cannabis legalization bill for Virginia. Once the signatures are done, Virginia will become the 16th state to legalize marijuana for recreational or adult use. However, the law will not come into action until 2024.

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Matters Under Progress Regarding Cannabis Legalization

Currently, at least 12 state lawmakers have put forward legalization bills and decriminalization bills regarding cannabis. Last year, at a time of year, an almost equal number of states have been discussing marijuana legalization bills. However, only five states legalize adult use of weed. Moreover, one or two states rejected recreational use right away.

The situation has changed to a great extent. About three-quarters of U.S. states have legalized marijuana for adult use. Moreover, fifteen states permit the use of cannabis for recreational use.

The states most-likely to least-likely legalize marijuana are New Mexico, New York, Connecticut, Minnesota, Florida, Pennsylvania, Hawaii, and Maryland.

New Mexico and New York Most Likely To Legalize Cannabis 

The Democrat-controlled House and Senate of New Mexico are discussing five bills regarding cannabis. Moreover, the authorities have to choose the bills for approval from the five-bills before 20th March 2021. Four of the bills give rules and regulations regarding the framework of a new program for cannabis. Moreover, another bill sponsored by Republicans aims at the illicit market.

Lawmakers in New Mexico are discussing all five bills and will be formulating a new bill with all agreeable instructions. Moreover, the amendments will yield the formulation of better legislation. According to Lujan Grisham, the legalization of recreational use of cannabis will result in tens of thousands of jobs and hundreds of millions in new revenue for the state.

It is not clear whether Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham will approve a bill limiting cultivators and dispensaries or consider a more open market approach like Oregon and Colorado.

Furthermore, New York lawmakers have been making efforts to legalize cannabis. However, previously due to lack of votes in favor of the bills, marijuana legalization does not occur. If the situation has changed, Senator Pete Harckham suggests approving legalization bills would be better for the state as the state would generate tax revenue and job opportunities. Moreover, according to the new cannabis-bill, minorities will have equity and will not suffer. Advocates have high hopes that the cannabis legalizing bill approval will occur by 1st April 2021. Moreover, upon approval, the bill will be in action by 1st July 2021.

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Connecticut And Minnesota Bills

Lawmakers aim to legalize the recreational use of cannabis and design a system that prioritizes public health, safety, and social justice. Moreover, lawmakers highlight that if the state continues the non-legalizing-strategies, there is a high risk that the underground market will earn more profits. Furthermore, legalizing marijuana for recreational use will generate more tax revenue for the state.

The LCO 3311 allows possession of 1.5 ounces of marijuana by individuals above 21 years. Moreover, bill HB 6377 will permit Native American tribes to get involved in the business of the cannabis industry.

Minnesota Senator Majority Leader Paul Gazelka has opposed legalization. If the Senate rejects the HF600 bill, then adult-use will be on the 2022 ballot paper as a statewide initiative. Individuals in Minnesota favor the legalization of cannabis for recreational and medical use.