In this episode, Dr. Igor Grant speaks with Dr. Jamie Corroon about the impact of cannabis use on cardiovascular health. They explore various studies focusing on heart disease, hypertension, and atherosclerosis, discussing both acute and long-term effects of cannabis. Dr. Corroon shares insights from his research, highlighting the importance of understanding the relationship between cannabis and cardiovascular outcomes, while also addressing the need for more rigorous studies to clarify potential risks.

Chapters

00:00 - Research Methodology and Data Collection

00:31 - Podcast overview

01:06 - Dr. Corroon's background

03:26 - Acute effects of cannabis use on the heart

04:13 - Chronic effects

05:39 - Research methods used to study chronic effects

07:05 - Datasets used to study cardiovascular disease

07:48 - Findings for heart attack

10:14 - Cannabis use and heart attack

12:30 - Heavy use and heart attack

13:36 Atherosclerosis & carotid artery calcification

18:22 - Findings related to carotid artery calcification

20:37 - Hypertension and Long-term Cannabis Use

21:52 - Conclusions and Future Research Directions

24:08 - Final thoughts

24:51 - Outro

Additional resources:

1. Trends in Cannabis Use, Blood Pressure, and Hypertension in Middle-Aged Adults: Findings From NHANES, 2009-2018
2. Associations Between Monthly Cannabis Use and Myocardial Infarction in Middle-Aged Adults: NHANES 2009 to 2018
3. Regular cannabis smoking and carotid artery calcification in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA)

In this episode (Recorded in December 2024), Drs. Igor Grant, MD and Jamie Corroon, ND, MPH discuss the potential implications of rescheduling cannabis from a Schedule I to a Schedule III controlled substance. They explore the current scheduling system, the medicinal value of cannabis, the challenges researchers face under Schedule I, and how rescheduling could impact research and funding. They also emphasize the need for harmonization between state and federal laws to facilitate cannabis research.

Takeaways

• Rescheduling cannabis would acknowledge its medicinal value.Research on cannabis is heavily regulated under Schedule One.Moving to Schedule Three would ease some research restrictions.The FDA and DEA play crucial roles in cannabis research approval.More manufacturers of cannabis products for research have been approved recently.The stigma around cannabis research may decrease with rescheduling.Current cannabis products from dispensaries cannot be used in research.Standardization of cannabis products for research is challenging.Harmonization of state and federal laws is essential for effective research.

Chapters

00:00 - Intro

01:08 - Conversation with Dr. Grant

17:29 - Outro

In this episode, Dr. Tom Marcotte discusses a significant study on the acute effects of cannabis on driving impairment, detailing the methodology, findings, and implications for public safety and law enforcement. The conversation explores how THC levels affect driving performance, the perception of impairment among users, and the challenges of conducting cannabis research in a regulated environment. Future research directions and participant recruitment for upcoming studies are also highlighted.

Takeaways

• The study was the largest randomized double-blind clinical trial on cannabis and driving. Participants showed similar levels of impairment regardless of THC content. Behavioral tolerance plays a significant role in driving performance among frequent users. Perception of impairment can be misleading; users may feel safer to drive before they are actually recovered. Blood THC concentrations do not correlate with driving impairment, unlike alcohol. Future studies will explore real-world cannabis products and their effects on driving. The research aims to improve understanding of cannabis use and public safety. Participants will be recruited from the community for upcoming studies. The driving simulator is designed to replicate real-world driving challenges. The study's findings have important implications for law enforcement and public policy.

Chapters

00:00 - Preview

00:30 - Intro

01:15 - Cannabis & Driving Impairment

13:35 - New Observational Study - Real World Cannabis Study

18:17 - New CMCR Mobile Driving Simulator & Clinical Lab

19:22 - Outro