Journal: Toxicology Reports, 2026, doi: 10.1016/j.toxrep. 2026.102202
Authors: Karen Lin, Yehao Sun, Rhea Raghu, Parth Suharu, Felix Effah, & Irfan Rahman
Abstract: Hemp-derived cannabinoids (CBDs) such as Δ8- and Δ10-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in cannabis e-cigarettes have been growing in popularity among youth, causing great concern for their health effects. Previous novel lung injury outbreaks, such as E-cigarette or Vaping Use-Associated Lung Injury (EVALI), were associated with the rising use of e-cigarettes and vaping products. Toxicological studies have revealed that chronic exposure to cannabis vapor can cause adverse brain and pulmonary effects. Hemp products are classified as cannabis and set a limit of no more than 0.3 % Δ9-THC, while products containing more than 0.3 % are defined as ‘marijuana.’ This has led to the proliferation of hemp-derived intoxicating cannabinoids, such as Δ8- and Δ10-THC, in addition to cannabidiol (CBD), cannabinol (CBN), cannabigerol (CBG), and Δ9-THC appearing in combination products. CBD frequently serves as a significant component of hemp-derived formulations, making it a central consideration for toxicological and regulatory evaluation as well. This phenomenon poses significant health risks to youth because these newer THC isomers and products are currently unregulated and not well-researched, yet they are still widely available. Therefore, we have examined the pharmacology, toxicity, potential therapeutic uses and possible health risks of several THC and hemp-derived cannabinoids. This review draws insightful highlights to the public health consequences of secondary exposures to CBD and THC, and their molecular mechanisms of action. It underscores the urgency for a regulatory oversight over unregulated cannabinoid markets to prevent toxicity of vaping-related health crises and other rapidly emerging cannabis health disorders, like the cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS).
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Journal: Psychiatry Research, 2026, doi: 10.1016/j.psychres .2026.116983
Authors: Adrian Loerbroks, Liwei Chen, Chunqing Lin, Kira Schmidt Stiedenroth, & Jian Li
Abstract:
Objective: Prospective studies on the link between workplace discrimination and subsequent alcohol abuse remain markedly sparse. We aimed to address this gap and to expand the current evidence base by exploring i) the potential explanatory role of psychological stress and ii) gender differences.
Methods: We included 1097 workers from the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study without alcohol abuse at baseline (2004-2006) followed up in 2013-2014. Workplace discrimination at baseline was measured using a validated 6-item instrument and categorized into three levels by tertiles. Alcohol abuse at both baseline and follow-up was assessed using a modified 4-item Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test. We applied multivariable Poisson regression to estimate associations in terms of risk ratios (RRs) for and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Multivariable RRs were additionally adjusted for a measure of psychological stress (i.e., Kessler 6 scale) and gender differences were examined by interaction terms.
Results: The risk of alcohol abuse was increased 2.6-fold in those reporting high workplace discrimination as compared to those with low levels (RR=2.60, 95% CI=1.10-6.15). Stress explained this association only marginally (i.e., RRs for high workplace discrimination were attenuated by 14.47%). Associations did not differ between women and men (i.e., p-values for all interaction terms were > 0.05)
Conclusion: Our findings suggest that workplace discrimination is an important risk factor for alcohol abuse among US workers, highlighting the need for organizational interventions to address discrimination at the workplace.
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Journal: JAMA Health Forum, 2026, doi: 10.1001/jamahealthforum.2025.6839
Authors: Kelly C. Young-Wolff, Catherine A. Cortez, Stacey E. Alexeeff, Lynn D. Silver, Rosalie Liccardo Pacula, Natalie E. Slama, … Stacy A. Sterling
Abstract:
Importance: As cannabis becomes more accessible and socially accepted, concerns have grown about its potential implications for adolescent mental health. While prior research has linked adolescent cannabis use to psychiatric symptoms, few large, population-based, longitudinal studies have examined associations with clinically diagnosed psychiatric disorders.
Objective: To evaluate whether adolescent cannabis use is associated with an increased risk of incident psychotic, bipolar, depressive, and anxiety disorders during adolescence and young adulthood.
Design, setting, and participants: This cohort study included adolescents aged 13 to 17 years who were screened for past-year cannabis use at Kaiser Permanente Northern California from 2016 to 2023. Adolescents were followed up through age 25 years or until December 31, 2023. Data were analyzed from February 21, 2024, to August 27, 2025.
Exposure: Time-varying self-reported past-year cannabis use based on universal, confidential screening during standard pediatric care.
Main outcomes and measures: Incident clinician-diagnosed psychotic, bipolar, depressive, and anxiety disorders, which were identified through electronic health records using International Classification of Disease codes. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to measure the strength of associations between adolescent cannabis use and incident psychiatric diagnoses, with adjustments for sex, race and ethnicity, neighborhood deprivation index, insurance type, and time-varying alcohol and other substance use.
Results: Of 463 396 adolescents (234 114 males [50.5%]; mean [SD] age, 14.5 [1.3] years) included in the sample, 136 708 were Hispanic individuals (29.5%), 93 737 were non-Hispanic Asian individuals (20.2%), 35 346 were non-Hispanic Black individuals (7.6%), 153 102 were non-Hispanic White individuals (33.0%), and 18 795 individuals were multiracial or of other races or ethnicities (4.1%). At baseline, 26 345 adolescents (5.7%) self-reported past-year cannabis use. Past-year cannabis use was associated with an increased risk of incident psychotic (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR], 2.19; 95% CI, 1.97-2.42), bipolar (AHR, 2.01; 95% CI, 1.82-2.22), depressive (AHR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.30-1.39), and anxiety disorders (AHR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.21-1.28). The strength of the associations between cannabis use and incident depressive and anxiety disorders decreased as adolescents aged. This pattern was similar but slightly attenuated after additional adjustment for past psychiatric conditions (psychotic disorder: AHR, 1.92; 95% CI, 1.73-2.13; bipolar disorder: AHR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.57-1.90; depressive disorder: AHR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.29-1.38; anxiety disorder: AHR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.16-1.23).
Conclusions and relevance: This cohort study found that adolescent cannabis use was associated with increased risk of incident psychiatric disorders, particularly psychotic and bipolar disorders. These results could inform the development of clinical and educational interventions for parents, adolescents, and clinicians, as well as protective policies to prevent or delay adolescent cannabis use in the context of expanding cannabis legalization.
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Journal: Harm Reduction Journal, 2026, doi: 10.1186/s12954-026-01415-z
Authors: Alan H. B. Wu, Chui Mei Ong, Melissa Alamillo, Steven Farias, & Luana Barbosa
Abstract:
Background: Testing street drugs for the presence of active adulterants such as fentanyl and xylazine can provide the user some confidence as to the safety of their drugs.
Methods: We obtained 3 different commercially available xylazine and 3 different commercially available fentanyl test strips and evaluated them for analytical sensitivity using drug standards. The specificity of the fentanyl strips against fentanyl analogues was also assessed. Powdered fentanyl, xylazine, and fentanyl analogue standards were dissolved in water and serially diluted to bracket the manufacturer’s stated test strip sensitivity. Each dilution was tested in duplicate until a negative result was obtained. The ability to discern positive from negative results under different lighting conditions was also assessed for one of the strips (two lots of reagents).
Results: All three xylazine test strips detected the drug at concentrations below the manufacturer’s stated limits, however one strip was substantially more sensitive (at 50 ng/mL) than the other two (at 250 ng/mL). One of the fentanyl strips had the best sensitivity (at 3.5 ng/mL), well below the stated sensitivity of 20 ng/mL. The other two were less sensitive (at 7 and 250 ng/mL). For specificity against fentanyl analogues, all of the strips tested positive for all of the analogues tested, but at different levels. The visual endpoints for all of the strips were acceptable under normal lighting conditions, but cannot be read when the ambient light is low.
Conclusion: Based on these results, we selected one xylazine (Shanghai Accurature Diagnostics) and one fentanyl strip (W.P.H.M.) based on the best analytical sensitivity. The fentanyl strip chosen had varying degrees of specificity against the other manufacturers
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Journal: Addictive Behaviors, 2026, doi: 10.1016/j.addbeh .2026.108633
Authors: Alexander W. Sokolovsky, Lauren Micalizzi, & Cara M. Murphy
Abstract:
Introduction: The co-use of substances confers risks above single-product use and has significant public health implications. This study investigated trends in past 30-day co-use of nicotine/tobacco products with alcohol and cannabis in the US using Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study data from Waves 4–6 (December 2016-November 2021).
Methods: All wave 4–6 PATH participants age 15+ were included in analyses. Changes across wave in past 30-day co-use of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and other tobacco products (OTP; cigars, filtered cigars, smokeless, hookah, snus, and cigarillo) with alcohol and cannabis, moderated by age (15–17,18–24, 25–34,35–64, 65+), and controlling for demographics were investigated.
Results: Changes in co-use of tobacco products with cannabis and alcohol varied across age and product. Cigarette and alcohol co-use was most prevalent across all adult ages, with rates declining over time among young adults (18–24, 25–34) but stable in older adults (65+). Rates of e-cigarette and alcohol co-use increased among young adults, possibly supplanting alcohol and cigarette co-use. E-cigarette and alcohol co-use was the most popular pattern of co-use in youth, with initially increasing and then declining prevalence. Co-use of e-cigarette and cannabis increased at Wave 5 among those 15–17, 18–24, and 25–34, although this increase lessened in all groups except those age 25–34 at Wave 6. Cigarette and cannabis co-use rates, and co-use rates of OTP with both cannabis and alcohol were generally stable or decreasing.
Conclusions: Findings highlight the complex interplay between substance use patterns and developmental stages and the dynamic nature of co-use in ever-evolving tobacco and cannabis marketplaces.
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