W8 Cannabis (AG) Flashcards
What is Cannabis?
It is a plant that is made up of more than 400 chemical constituents, including…
* Cannabinoids
* Terpenoids
* Phenolic compounds
* Nitrogenous compounds
* Amino acids
* Steroids
* Hydrocarbon
70 of these chemical constituents have potential for medical use
American term= marijuana
Cannabis chemovars:
Most accepted viewpoint- Monotypic genus which consists of a single species- cannabis sativa
Sativa, Indica, Ruderalis
subspecies= sativa and indica
sativa- taller, pale green colour
Cannabis breeding:
- Plants are distinctly male or female
- Therefore, cannabis plants are predisposed to outcrossing as opposed to self-pollination, which is the primary means of fixing desirable traits in other species
- Selective breeding of cannabis as a source of seeds, fibre and drugs
- Understanding the inheritance of chemical phenotype (chemotype) for the most clinically relevant cannabinoids has been central to modern medicinal cannabis and hemp breeding.
3 main chemotypes
Phytocannabinoids e.g. THC and CBD
What are they responsible for?
Cannabidiol (CBD)
- Responsible for the calming characteristics of cannabis.
- It is not regulated under the Drugs Misuse Act and is classed as a medicine.
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
- Responsible for the intoxicating effects of cannabis.
- Classified as a Class B drug.
Cannabis-based product types?
Psychoactive use
Alimentary use
Medicinal yses
Fiber use
Other uses
Medicinal cannabis products:
- Cesamet and Canemes
-cont nabilone - Marinol and Syndros
-cont dronabinol - Sativex
-cont nabiximols - Epidiolex
-cont cannabidiol (plant-based CBD)
Cannabis preparations:
- Raw cannabis
- Magistral preparations
- Standardised cannabis
These are variable in THC/CBD composition
Cannabis based medicinal products
Current practice:
Who should prescribe?
Initial prescription of cannabis-based medicinal products (excluding nabilone, Sativex and CBD) must be made by a specialist medical practitioner (a doctor included in the register of specialist medical practitioners [the Specialist Register]. They should also have a special
interest in the condition being treated.
What are some cannabis-based product types?
Edibles
E-liquid
Non-prescription products
(not licensed)
Consumer products containing CBD are safe? (for info)
- Consumer products containing CBD are sold directly to consumers in high-street shops and online without a prescription
- They include food and cosmetic
products - They are available in different over-the-counter formulations
Are edible cannabis-containing products safer than other forms?
No
Ingestion vs inhaling:
Ingestion/eating has a delayed onset of drug effect
Are Consumer products-containing CBD safe?
Studies have shown that:
* They may contain traces of THC
* They may contain unclaimed contaminants and adulterants
* They can interact with medicines!
Analysis of applications submitted to EFSA showed uncertainties related to:
* CBD interactions and biological effects
* The CBD matrix and its effect on the substance’s bioavailability
* The impact of long-term consumption
* Impact on the liver, the reproductive and endocrine systems
* Oral intake of CBD sometimes causes diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea, GI discomfort, or
constipation in humans; the reason for this is not well-understood
* CBD may have neurological, psychiatric, and psychologic effects due to CBD’s
interaction with molecular targets and signalling pathways
* Genotoxicity?
Are Consumer products containing CBD addictive?
THC content and its impact
Consumer products containing CBD are not intoxicating?
Adverse effects due to a conversion of CBD to THC in the gut?
This was a rumour. Studies showed that this conversion does not occur.
Consumer products containing CBD are regulated?
- EFSA regulations
- UK FSA regulations
- Novel food products
