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{{/_source.additionalInfo}}The implications of this on workplace and driving are as serious as previous studies have indicated. Further evidence that Cannabis and operating any machinery is a dangerous combination – in the workplace or on the roads.
Intoxication due to Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol is characterized by disrupted prefrontal cortex activity
Conclusions: In summary, we used portable fNIRS to demonstrate that acute THC intoxication causes significant changes in brain activity within the prefrontal cortex that include (a) reduced correlations and anticorrelations at rest that correlated with severity of intoxication, indicating reduced top-down attention control and engagement of compensatory mechanisms, (b) more variability in dRSFC over time, that may contribute to a disruption of executive function by reducing the ability of cortical networks to efficiently adapt or reconfigure to salient stimuli, and (c) reduced spectral power, indicating THC disrupts the brain’s normal function in this area, as decreased power is generally associated with neural suppression or inhibition. These neurobiological correlates of THC intoxication severity were measurable using fNIRS and could potentially be incorporated into objective roadside impairment testing. Future study is warranted to investigate how these brain effects of acute THC intoxication relate to cognitive performance and operational impairment. (Source Neuropsychopharmacology (nature.com)
A new study led by investigators from Massachusetts General Hospital reveals that the main psychoactive component in cannabis or marijuana disrupts the normal connections and activity of the brain's prefrontal cortex, a region that is crucial for decision-making and self-control.
THC was associated with decreased functional connectivity within the prefrontal cortex relative to placebo, with the weakest connections among those who reported greater severity of intoxication.
Also, THC was associated with increased variability (or reduced stability) of functional connectivity of the prefrontal cortex, which could indicate a reduced ability of the brain to efficiently adapt or reconfigure to changing stimuli. Finally, THC was associated with lower overall activity within the prefrontal cortex.
"We were able to measure these effects of THC intoxication using portable imaging, which could potentially be incorporated in impairment testing scenarios, for example at the roadside," (Source: Medical Xpress Neuroscience 5th June 2024thMedical Xpress Neuroscience 5th June 2024)
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A recent study published in JAMA Network Open delved into the association between heavy cannabis use and mortality, specifically focusing on cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality among females. The research, utilising data from the UK Biobank and analysing a substantial cohort of individuals aged 40 to 69, revealed compelling insights into the risks posed by intensive cannabis consumption, particularly for women.
The study’s findings shed light on the sex-specific impact of heavy cannabis use on mortality, particularly underscoring the elevated risk of CVD mortality for women engaged in intensive cannabis consumption. These revelations underscore the importance of further research endeavours aimed at unravelling the intricate interplay between cannabis use and mortality, with a specific focus on understanding the unique vulnerabilities faced by female cannabis users.
June 3, 2024
Washington — Federal action aimed at easing restrictions on marijuana under the Controlled Substances Act “may have considerable negative consequences for highway safety and safety-sensitive industries,” the American Trucking Associations claims.
Dan Horvath, senior vice president of regulatory affairs and safety policy at ATA, sent a letter on May 15 to the departments of Justice, Health and Human Services, and Transportation.
The correspondence preceded a May 21 notice of proposed rulemaking from DOJ and the Drug Enforcement Administration seeking comment on rescheduling marijuana to a Schedule III controlled substance from Schedule I. Although such a move wouldn’t legalize marijuana at the federal level, it would change its classification to a drug with “lower degree of abuse potential” and “a moderate to low level of physical dependence,” the notice states.
Because the federal government tests safety-sensitive workers for only Schedule I or II controlled substances, ATA is concerned that “without additional action, deregulation or rescheduling of marijuana would have the likely consequence of precluding testing for all professional drivers and transportation workers as part of the DOT testing program,” Horvath writes.
He adds: “If the trucking and broader transportation industries’ ability to conduct drug testing is restricted, the risk of impaired drivers operating on our nation’s roadways undetected would increase, endangering all who share the road.”
As of March, marijuana represented nearly 60% of positive employer drug tests of regulated truck drivers reported to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse, the letter notes.
DOJ and DEA say that “if marijuana is transferred into Schedule III, the manufacture, distribution, dispensing and possession of marijuana would remain subject to the applicable criminal prohibitions of the CSA.
“Any drugs containing a substance within the CSA’s definition of ‘marijuana’ would also remain subject to the applicable prohibitions in the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.”
Unlike alcoholics, daily pot users often use pot all day long; wake and bake, before breakfast, after breakfast, before lunch, after lunch, before dinner, after dinner, etc. This likely makes them impaired anytime they drive and they often drive when traffic is heavy. -Scott Chipman VP of AALM
(Source: Safety & Health Magazine - June 2024)
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Age-dependent association of cannabis use with risk of psychotic disorder
Abstract
Background: Epidemiologic research suggests that youth cannabis use is associated with psychotic disorders. However, current evidence is based heavily on 20th-century data when cannabis was substantially less potent than today.
Discussion: We found that cannabis use, compared to no cannabis use, was associated with over 11 times (95%CI4.6–27.3) greater risk of psychotic disorder at any point during adolescence (ages12–19 years)…
We observed a stronger measure of association during adolescence than the vast majority of previous studies. Meta-analyses of longitudinal studies suggest that cannabis use roughly doubles the risk of developing a psychotic disorder compared to non-users…
However, meta-analyses suggest that cannabis use is more strongly associated with psychotic disorders than with psychotic experiences (Marconi etal., 2016;Mooreetal., 2007).Our data also suggests that cannabis use is more strongly associated with more severe psychotic outcomes as the strength of association during adolescence increased markedly when we restricted the outcome to hospitalizations and ED visits (the most severe types of health service use).We highlight that of all the incident psychotic disorder hospitalizations/ED visits during adolescence, roughly 5 in 6 had reported lifetime cannabis use at baseline…
Conclusions: This study provides new evidence of a strong but age-dependent association between cannabis use and risk of psychotic disorder, consistent with the neurodevelopmental theory that adolescence is a vulnerable time to use cannabis. The strength of association dur ing adolescence was notably greater than in previous studies, possibly reflecting the recent rise in cannabis potency.
(Source: Psychological Medicine – Cambridge.org )
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