Science & Regulatory Updates

Cannabis Research & Policy Updates

Landmark studies, FDA decisions, and regulatory milestones — with full citations and honest evidence summaries. No hype, no speculation.

Showing 12 of 12 items

Regulatory
May 2024
DEA Proposes Rescheduling Cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III
The US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) published a proposed rule to move cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act, following an August 2023 recommendation from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
DEASchedule IIIRescheduling
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Regulatory
July 2020
FDA Expands Epidiolex Approval to Tuberous Sclerosis Complex
The FDA approved Epidiolex (cannabidiol oral solution) for seizures associated with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) in patients one year of age and older, expanding its original 2018 approval for Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.
EpidiolexFDATuberous Sclerosis
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Research
January 2017
National Academies Report: Comprehensive Review of Cannabis Health Effects
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine published a landmark 400-page report reviewing over 10,000 scientific abstracts on the health effects of cannabis and cannabinoids.
National AcademiesSystematic ReviewEvidence
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Research
March 2019
Lancet Psychiatry: Daily High-Potency Cannabis Use Linked to 5× Psychosis Risk
A multi-site case-control study across 11 sites in Europe and Brazil found that daily use of high-potency cannabis (>10% THC) was associated with approximately 5× increased odds of first-episode psychosis compared to never-users.
PsychosisTHC PotencyMental Health
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Safety
Ongoing
Growing Evidence for Clinically Significant CBD–Warfarin Interaction
Multiple case reports and pharmacokinetic studies have documented that CBD inhibits CYP2C9, the primary enzyme metabolizing warfarin, leading to elevated INR and increased bleeding risk.
CBDWarfarinDrug Interactions
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Research
September 2020
ABCD Study: Prenatal Cannabis Exposure Linked to Childhood Psychopathology
The Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study — the largest long-term study of brain development in US children — found that prenatal cannabis exposure was associated with increased risk of psychopathology, sleep problems, and attention issues at ages 9–10.
PregnancyPrenatalABCD Study
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Research
February 2021
JAMA Psychiatry: Higher THC Potency Does Not Produce Greater Subjective High
A naturalistic study found that consumers of very high-potency cannabis concentrates (>90% THC) did not report greater intoxication than flower users, but showed significantly higher blood THC levels and greater impairment on cognitive tasks.
THC PotencyConcentratesImpairment
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Clinical
September 2017
RCT: CBD Shows Antipsychotic Properties in Schizophrenia
A Phase 2 RCT published in the American Journal of Psychiatry found that CBD (150–600mg/day) added to existing antipsychotic treatment significantly improved positive psychotic symptoms compared to placebo in patients with schizophrenia.
CBDSchizophreniaAntipsychotic
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Clinical
Ongoing
Nabiximols (Sativex) Approved in 30+ Countries for MS Spasticity
Nabiximols (Sativex), a 1:1 THC:CBD oromucosal spray, has received regulatory approval in over 30 countries for multiple sclerosis-related spasticity, representing the most widely approved cannabis-based medicine globally.
NabiximolsSativexMultiple Sclerosis
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Research
August 2019
Systematic Review: Cannabis as Opioid-Sparing Agent — Mixed Evidence
A systematic review in JAMA Internal Medicine examined whether medical cannabis access is associated with reduced opioid use, finding mixed evidence from observational studies and limited RCT data.
OpioidsOpioid SparingChronic Pain
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Safety
November 2017
Penn Medicine Study: 69% of CBD Products Inaccurately Labeled
A study published in JAMA analyzed 84 CBD products purchased online and found that 69% were inaccurately labeled — with 26% containing less CBD than stated and 43% containing more. 21% contained detectable THC.
CBDProduct LabelingSafety
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Safety
February 2012
BMJ Meta-Analysis: Cannabis Use Nearly Doubles Serious Crash Risk
A systematic review and meta-analysis published in the BMJ found that acute cannabis use was associated with nearly double the risk of a vehicle collision resulting in serious injury or death.
DrivingCrash RiskImpairment
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