About this Research Topic
The toxicology of cannabis and cannabis-based products has garnered significant attention due to the increasing use of cannabis for both medical and recreational purposes. With an estimated 192 million users globally, cannabis remains the most widely used psychoactive drug. Over 30 US states and nearly all EU Member States have approved cannabis for specific therapeutic applications, and several countries, including ten US states, Canada, and Uruguay, have legalized its commercial supply and sale. This evolving landscape has led to a worldwide expansion in the availability and use of cannabis, raising concerns about its safety and potential risks. These concerns range from immediate, acute effects to long-term, chronic consequences. Additionally, the concurrent use of cannabis with other substances necessitates an understanding of potential toxicological interactions. Vulnerable populations, such as youth, pregnant women, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions, require special attention regarding cannabis-related risks. Despite substantial research on cannabis effects, information remains scattered and challenging to access. Known adverse effects include impaired cognitive function, mental health risks, addiction potential, and increased accident risk during activities like operating heavy machinery. Long-term cannabis use may also impact lung and cardiovascular health and cognitive development. This Research Topic aims to provide a dedicated platform for researchers, clinicians, and policymakers to share their latest findings, encompassing acute and chronic effects, substance interactions, dosage-related issues, and cannabis's impact on vulnerable populations.
This Research Topic aims to consolidate and expand the current understanding of the toxicological effects of cannabis and cannabis-based products. The primary objectives include addressing specific questions about the acute and chronic health risks associated with cannabis use, understanding the interactions between cannabis and other substances, and identifying the particular risks faced by vulnerable populations. By compiling comprehensive data and insights, this research aims to generate evidence-based guidelines for safer cannabis use, both medicinally and recreationally.
To gather further insights into the toxicology of cannabis and cannabis-based products, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Acute and chronic health effects of cannabis use
- Toxicological interactions between cannabis and other substances
- Dosage-related toxicological issues
- Impact of cannabis use on vulnerable populations (e.g., youth, pregnant women, individuals with pre-existing health conditions)
- Long-term effects on cognitive development, lung, and cardiovascular health
- Risk assessment and management strategies for cannabis use
- Policy implications and guidelines for safer cannabis consumption
This Research Topic aims to consolidate and expand the current understanding of the toxicological effects of cannabis and cannabis-based products. The primary objectives include addressing specific questions about the acute and chronic health risks associated with cannabis use, understanding the interactions between cannabis and other substances, and identifying the particular risks faced by vulnerable populations. By compiling comprehensive data and insights, this research aims to generate evidence-based guidelines for safer cannabis use, both medicinally and recreationally.
To gather further insights into the toxicology of cannabis and cannabis-based products, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Acute and chronic health effects of cannabis use
- Toxicological interactions between cannabis and other substances
- Dosage-related toxicological issues
- Impact of cannabis use on vulnerable populations (e.g., youth, pregnant women, individuals with pre-existing health conditions)
- Long-term effects on cognitive development, lung, and cardiovascular health
- Risk assessment and management strategies for cannabis use
- Policy implications and guidelines for safer cannabis consumption
Keywords: cannabis, adverse effects, drug interactions, drug regulation
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
