All articles tagged with #cannabis
A massive review of 63 studies involving over 265,000 people finds that cannabis users are significantly more likely to commit violent acts and to be victims of violence. While the study does not prove causation, it suggests cannabis use is a modifiable risk factor that should be considered in clinical and public health contexts, particularly given the rise of high-potency products.
The US hemp industry is urgently lobbying to prevent a federal ban that would limit THC in hemp products to 0.4 milligrams per container, a threshold that would effectively destroy the market for intoxicating edibles and beverages. While the ban, inserted into a government funding measure last year, is set to take effect in December, industry advocates are proposing compromises such as age restrictions and import bans to save their businesses. Opponents, including the regulated marijuana sector, argue the industry built its success on a legal loophole and that the economic impact is overstated.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine found that frequent cannabis users with treatment-resistant epilepsy experienced more severe seizures and a faster progression to specialized care compared to non-users. The study, published in Epilepsia, suggests that high THC potency may worsen seizure outcomes, though it is observational and cannot prove causation.
Two American women allegedly attempted to smuggle about 30 kilograms of cannabis valued at around $1 million into Tokyo, concealing the drugs in their suitcases after allegedly being instructed via social media; one admitted involvement while the other denied it. If convicted, they could face many years in a Japanese prison, highlighting Japan’s strict drug laws and potential long-term penalties or bans on reentry after serving a sentence.
Two American women were stopped at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport after customs found about 30 kg of dried cannabis hidden in their luggage, worth roughly US$1 million. One suspect admitted she joined a drug-courier scheme that purportedly would cover airfare and lodging to visit Japan; the other denies the allegations. In Japan, cannabis import is illegal and can carry up to seven years in prison, with possible decades-long entry bans for foreigners, and the justice system reports a high conviction rate, meaning their case will proceed under Japanese law.
A Toronto study of 40 regular cannabis users found that edible THC doses of 10–20 mg impaired driving performance on a simulator two to five hours after consumption—worse lane control, slower reaction times, and greater speed variability—even when blood THC remained below the common 5 ng/mL limit, highlighting challenges for roadside testing and enforcement.
An Oklahoma man, Ryan Bassham, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the Aug. 27 explosion at Solos Extracts LLC in Sand Springs that killed employees Michael Newman and Stephen Scott; prosecutors allege he illegally operated the cannabis extraction business without valid OMMA or OBN licenses during a transition, and he turned himself in Aug. 30, later facing additional charges and remaining jailed without bond.
A Washington Post health explainer reviews current cannabis use trends (noting that more than 21% of Americans 12+ used cannabis in the past year and that older adults are the fastest-growing user group) and summarizes what scientists now know about the health risks and uncertainties of light to moderate cannabis use.
A JAMA Insights review links chronic cannabis use to scromiting (scream-vomiting), a manifestation of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, and says sustained abstinence is the only proven cure. The article notes rising THC potency may drive more cases, cites a spike in CHS-related emergency visits, and estimates about 6% of marijuana users experience scromiting annually. It also recommends addiction counseling, gradual reduction, and switching to lower-potency products, while warning that withdrawal and relapse can occur.
A 15-year-old with cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) suffered from severe vomiting that led to dangerous vitamin B1 (thiamine) deficiency and signs of Wernicke encephalopathy, a brain disorder usually associated with alcohol misuse. After rapid thiamine treatment, his neurological symptoms improved and he recovered enough to be discharged; he later stopped using cannabis. The case, one of the earliest pediatric CHS-linked instances of this brain condition, underscores the risk of nutritional deficits in CHS and suggests clinicians consider empiric thiamine supplementation in teens with prolonged CHS and new neurologic findings, even if MRI is inconclusive.
A randomized crossover trial of 108 adults who regularly used cannabis found that inhaling cannabis on 14 days reduced daily cardiac ectopy by about 9%, driven by fewer premature atrial contractions, with no significant changes in premature ventricular contractions, physical activity, sleep, or mean glucose; the effects are small, the study has limitations (imperfect adherence, varied cannabis products, young population with low ectopy), and researchers urge more research before any clinical implications are drawn.
A large analysis of 149 studies covering more than 71,000 people finds that cannabis use in people’s 20s and 30s can advance the onset of psychosis by up to 6.3 years, with an average shift of about 2.5 years. The findings challenge the idea that delaying cannabis use until brain development is complete protects against psychosis and underscore the need for public health warnings about psychiatric harms associated with cannabis.
An Air India Phuket–Delhi flight dropped roughly 300 feet midflight, injuring 24 passengers. The captain initially tested positive for cannabis, with a confirmatory test also positive; investigators are scrutinizing the captain’s conduct as crew reported concerns, and India’s Civil Aviation Ministry has summoned Air India’s CEO to answer questions about the incident.
ER visits for cannabis hyperemesis syndrome, nicknamed 'scromiting' for the severe vomiting, have surged about 370–400% since Oct 2025, largely because a new ICD-10-CM code made CHS easier to diagnose and track; visits rose from 3.35 to 11.26 per 10,000 in Oct 2025 and reached 13.10 per 10,000 by May 2026. CHS can cause intense nausea, abdominal pain, and vomiting, sometimes within 24 hours of cannabis use, and is increasingly seen among younger people (especially ages 15–24) and women; vaping is linked to faster onset. Complications include dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, kidney injury, seizures, and even death. The rise reflects greater recognition rather than an entirely new surge in cases.
A CDC study finds a 16% rise in emergency department visits for cannabis hyperemesis syndrome after a dedicated diagnosis code was introduced, with nearly 200,000 visits from Jan 2023 through summer 2025. Increases were largest among 15–24-year-olds, teen girls and women, and among Black Americans and American Indian/Alaska Native groups, highlighting prior underdiagnosis and the need for more research on high-potency cannabis products and usage patterns.