UNLV Students Investigate Cannabis’ Health and Market Impacts

On September 5, 2023, students at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) showcased their research on the multifaceted impacts of cannabis during an event organized by the UNLV Cannabis Policy Institute. The students explored critical questions related to cannabis, including its potential medical benefits, the implications of Nevada’s illegal cannabis market, and the factors contributing to cannabis use disorder.

Research on cannabis remains limited due to its classification as a Schedule I controlled substance at the federal level, which hampers access to funding and research opportunities. During the event, Representative Dina Titus (D-NV) emphasized the urgency of understanding cannabis’s effects, stating, “There’s just such a range of sociological, economic, psychological and biological impacts that cannabis can have and that we are missing the boat on if we are not studying it.”

Medical Potential of Cannabis Sativa

Student Adriana Carrillo focused her research on the medical applications of cannabis sativa, a prominent strain of marijuana. She examined its classification as a controlled substance, which poses significant barriers to exploring its therapeutic potential for various conditions, particularly epilepsy.

Epilepsy, characterized primarily by seizures, often coexists with other health issues. While benzodiazepines are effective treatments, they can lead to adverse side effects. Carrillo’s research indicated that cannabidiol (CBD) could mitigate seizures without causing such effects. Due to federal restrictions limiting cannabis-based research, she sought an alternative source of CBD from the caraway plant, which belongs to the carrot family. By extracting carbon molecules from caraway seeds, Carrillo successfully created a synthetic structure that mimics CBD.

In tests conducted on mice, she found that this synthetic CBD demonstrated promise as an anticonvulsant, suggesting a potential future treatment for epilepsy that could be both safe and effective.

Tackling Nevada’s Illicit Cannabis Market

Another student, Mia Tschan, presented findings on Nevada’s illicit cannabis market, which is estimated to generate up to $370 million in untaxed revenue. Tschan highlighted that since 2021, tax revenues from legal cannabis sales have decreased while illegal sales have surged, according to the Guinn Center for Policy Priorities, a nonprofit policy research organization.

Alarmingly, Nevada reported the second highest youth usage rate of marijuana in the United States, with nearly 16% of youth aged 12 to 17 acknowledging use in the past month as of 2022. Tschan noted that despite these pressing issues, the state lacks comprehensive health campaigns to inform the public about the dangers of the illicit market and synthetic cannabinoids, such as SPICE or K2.

She argued that targeted informational campaigns could steer consumers towards safe, quality cannabis products, thereby diminishing the illicit market and ultimately reducing youth access to marijuana. Increased legal sales would also enhance funding for Nevada schools through tax revenues.

Cannabis Use Disorder Among Adults

Graduate student Frankie Nieblas concentrated on cannabis users, particularly those affected by Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD), which is commonly understood as marijuana addiction. Nieblas noted that approximately 15% of adults in the United States have consumed cannabis in the last 30 days, with around 2.5% meeting criteria for CUD.

He expressed concerns that CUD often correlates with underlying mental health issues. In a survey of 2,806 adults, Nieblas found that only 3.5% reported daily cannabis use, while a significant 71.1% had never used the substance. The large sample size allowed Nieblas to create a model predicting demographic likelihoods of past-year cannabis use and the risk of CUD.

He concluded his presentation by stressing the need for increased attention to vulnerable communities and further research into effective harm reduction strategies.

The students’ presentations underscored the complex landscape of cannabis use and its implications for health, policy, and society. Their work reflects a growing recognition of the necessity for evidence-based recommendations to navigate the evolving cannabis industry.