How about we take a look at the latest research on cannabis?

Research into the independent effects of THC and CBD remains at the center of most cannabis research. However, there is growing interest in commercially available cannabis products, whole-plant extracts, and the effects of terpenes on brain function.

Recently published research explores the role of cannabis in the treatment of anxiety, ADHD, and fibromyalgia, as well as its potential in reducing concussions in athletes and in palliative care for cancer. New research articles exploring the therapeutic potential of cannabis are therefore being published at a rapid pace.

Here, we review some notable new research on cannabis for the treatment of anxiety, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and fibromyalgia.

The prescription of cannabinoids is associated with clinically significant improvements in people with generalized anxiety disorder, according to data from a British study.

More than 300 patients from the UK Medical Cannabis Registry completed questionnaires at follow-up visits 3, 6, and 9 months after the start of treatment. These results were then compared to the patients’ baseline symptoms. 

Improvements in anxiety, sleep quality, and quality of life were observed at every stage, the authors said. “Prescribing medical cannabis products to patients with generalized anxiety disorder was associated with clinically significant improvements in anxiety and had an acceptable safety profile in real-world settings,” they concluded. The next step is to conduct randomized trials to study the efficacy of medical cannabis products.”

As the use of cannabis for rehabilitation by athletes becomes more common, researchers sought to determine whether long-term cannabis use could reduce the effects of an acute head injury.

The study involved 43 adult soccer players who had used cannabis at least once a week over the past six months. They found that after 20 impacts delivered through a controlled series of head impacts, the cannabis-using group showed less impairment in oculomotor function (control of eye movements and the amount of light entering the eye) than the control group. 

The researchers also examined levels of S100B, a protein marker whose elevated levels are associated with brain damage and neurodegenerative diseases. S100B levels increased significantly in the control group after hair removal, while there was no change in the group using cannabis. 

The authors concluded: “Our data suggest that chronic cannabis use may be associated with improved oculomotor resistance and a suppression of neuroinflammatory responses following multiple blows to the head.”

German researchers examined the effectiveness of THC as a treatment for patients with fibromyalgia undergoing interdisciplinary multimodal pain therapy (IMPT). 

A total of 120 patients with fibromyalgia were included in the study, more than half of whom (51.7%) were treated with THC. Pain intensity, depression levels, and quality of life improved significantly in all patients, but to a much greater extent in those treated with THC. 

Doses of other medications are also reduced or discontinued entirely in patients receiving THC, which is more common.

The authors note: “The results suggest that THC can be considered a medical alternative in addition to the substances previously recommended in various guidelines.”

Despite the lack of clinical research, cannabis is increasingly being used to treat neurodevelopmental disorders such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Researchers conducted a systematic review of articles published over the past decade to understand the nature of the relationship between cannabis use and ADHD symptoms. 

According to the authors, the findings shed new light on the perceived effects of cannabis on specific symptoms, as well as on its potential to modulate executive function deficits associated with ADHD, which have been largely overlooked in previous studies.

In 2022, the U.S. state of California introduced a bill known as the “Ryan Act” to allow patients with terminal cancer to receive medical cannabis treatment during their hospital stay. 

After the new policy allowing patients to continue their treatment was implemented, researchers studied nurses’ responses and their perceptions of cannabis’s impact on patients’ symptoms.

Most felt comfortable applying the law in practice and reported that medical cannabis had a positive impact. Most of them believed that patients’ symptoms improved after using medical cannabis. Anxiety and insomnia were the most common symptoms to improve, followed by pain, nausea, and loss of appetite.

In France, the law of December 31, 1970, establishes the legal framework for drug policy. It regulates the use, possession, distribution, and production of cannabis. The law specifically criminalizes the use of narcotics. It distinguishes between the use, possession, and trafficking of cannabis.

The use, cultivation, sale, or even mere possession of cannabis is strictly prohibited, regardless of the quantity. Similarly, smoking cannabis at home is prohibited. For example, if a neighbor suspects you of using cannabis and reports it to the police, and these allegations are confirmed, you could face prosecution. 

The penalty for committing a cannabis-related offense is one year in prison and a fine of 3,750 euros. (Article 3421-1 of the Public Health Code)

If the person is not a repeat offender—that is, if this is their first conviction—the sentence may be lighter. In fact, prosecutors often opt for alternatives to prosecution in such cases, such as referral to a nursing facility or drug awareness classes. If the offender is still a minor, the parents will be notified.

As for cannabis sellers, there is also a crime of cannabis trafficking. Selling or giving away cannabis, even in small quantities, is a crime. This offense is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of 7,500,000 euros. ( Article 222-37 of the Penal Code)

Recently, the therapeutic use of cannabis has become possible. Authorized since October 2020, France permits the use of therapeutic or medical cannabis through March 25, 2024. The pilot program was initially scheduled to last two years (March 2021 to March 2023).

CBD is a substance extracted from cannabis that is believed to have potential therapeutic properties for various conditions. This is the case, for example, with pain and epilepsy.

Currently, there are five therapeutic indications for which medical cannabis trials are permitted. These include: 

• neuropathic pain that is refractory to existing therapies,
• certain forms of severe epilepsy, 
• certain persistent tumor-related symptoms associated with cancer or its treatment,
• certain palliative care conditions,
• multiple sclerosis.

For the first time since Nicolas Sarkozy’s presidency, the possibility of decriminalizing drug-related offenses has emerged in public debate in certain parts of Europe, where drug control policies prioritize public health responses over law enforcement. The idea is to reclassify drug-related offenses as misdemeanors, where they no longer constitute a felony. The proposal was put forward in a 2003 Senate report, endorsed at the time by Nicolas Sarkozy, and passed by the Senate in 2011. The proposal was subsequently not placed on the National Assembly’s agenda. 

The same thing happened in 2019. In fact, lawmakers proposed a bill to legalize the production, sale, and consumption of cannabis. The bill argues that studies have shown that France’s policies of cannabis repression have failed to reduce consumption. Furthermore, demand is increasing, and the supply is expanding and diversifying.

Cannabis legislation remains a topic of debate today. The Economic, Social, and Environmental Council (CESE) advocated for the legalization of cannabis during a meeting in late January 2023.