Cannabis social clubs (CSCs) in Spain are non-profit organizations that associate cannabis users. According to the Spanish criminal law drug consumption itself, as well as possession of a drug, is not considered a crime but rather an administrative offence. Yet, social club activities could possibly lower the health risk of cannabis among its users, mainly because they are avoiding the black market and they can control the drug quality as well as the amount of drug intake relating to the fixed consumption limit (Barriuso, 2005; Barriuso, 2011). The aim of the research conducted for this thesis was to reveal how Spanish CSCs function on daily basis from their members'perspective and how the cannabis cultivation and distribution is carried out. Although this is an explorative research, in addition it could indicate the possible weaknesses and strengths of this model as well as possible risks and benefits for its members. The open explorative qualitative study design was used. For data gathering qualitative data was chosen in a semi-structured focus group method (Miovský, 2006; Morgan 2001). One of the important joint activities of the social club members is cultivation of cannabis plants and sparing of the harvest just for their own consumption. As such, it's members can avoid the black market and...

A análise de fluidos biológicos para detecção de usuários de Cannabis não é rotina em nossos serviços de toxicologia forense pela falta de um método aplicável às condições de trabalho desses laboratórios. Neste trabalho foi estudado um método que utiliza a cromatografia de camada delgada de alta eficiência (CCDAE) como técnica de identificação. Cinco mililitros de urina são submetidos à hidrólise alcalina e à extração Iíquido/líquido, com posterior aplicação do resíduo obtido na cromatoplaca. O limite de detecção em estudo realizado com adicionados foi de 5ng/ml. Urina de usuários de Cannabis quando submetidas a esta metodologia apresentaram resultado semelhante ao do padrão de THCCOOH, principal produto de biotransformação do THC. As amostras utilizadas como branco de referência não apresentaram mancha semelhante. Na análise das amostras de usuários por imunoensaio de fluorescência polarizada (\"cutoff\' 50ng/ml) obteve-se resultado negativo para usuários moderados e ocasionais. Com auxilio de curva-padrão observou-se que a concentração provável de canabinóides nessas amostras estaria entre 20-50ng/ml. No estudo comparativo dos resultados obtidos nas duas técnicas, foi verificada uma correspondência de 100% para as amostras de usuários com padrão de uso intenso. Nos usuários moderados e ocasionais não foi observada boa correspondência entre os resultados. / Abstract not available.

Os estudos de metabolômica ganham importância a cada dia, por ajudarem a explicar processos biológicos em situações normais (fisiológicas) ou patológicas. Oferecem uma nova visão sobre o impacto funcional da expressão gênica, complementando os estudos de sequenciamento gênico, que negligenciam o impacto da exposição ao meio ambiente na etiologia de doenças. A metabolômica tem sido aplicada na toxicologia, mostrando que o perfil metabólico comparativo de duas situações, controle e teste, pode desempenhar um papel importante na descoberta e validação de biomarcadores, além de contribuir para o entendimento e consequente interpretação dos mecanismos de ação tóxica de xenobióticos. Este projeto de pesquisa tem por objetivo utilizar uma abordagem metabolômica para avaliar o impacto de alterações metabólicas no cérebro da prole de camundongos, ocorridas após exposição (via inalação) à fumaça decorrente da queima de maconha (Cannabis sativa). Fêmeas gestantes foram expostas a doses diárias de Cannabis sativa ou ar filtrado durante todo o período gestacional. Após o nascimento, os filhotes machos ao atingirem a idade para o desmame, considerado como fase adolescente, foram separados de suas respectivas mães e expostos à Cannabis sativa ou ar filtrado por mais 60 dias. As amostras de cérebro da prole foram submetidas a análises por cromatografia em fase gasosa acoplada a espectrometria de massas (CG-MS) numa abordagem metabolômica global (untargeted metabolomics). Os perfis metabólicos dos cérebros dos animais expostos (grupo teste) foram comparados com os obtidos na análise do grupo controle (não expostos), sendo identificados os metabólitos discriminadores candidatos. Estavam alterados os metabólitos: isoleucina, uréia, leucina, GABA, ácido succínico, ácido fumárico, serina, treonina, creatinina, ácido glutâmico, ácido acetilaspártico, glicerol -1 -fosfato, ácido ascórbico, tirosina, ácido cítrico, adenina, hipoxantina, inosina e uracila. A partir dos resultados apresentados, pode-se observar, que tanto a exposição gestacional à Cannabis sativa, quanto a exposição da prole na fase adolescente, provocam alterações metabólicas importantes. Os metabólitos significativamente alterados estão envolvidos no ciclo do ácido tricarboxílico, responsável pela respiração mitocondrial, na produção de energia, atuam na biossíntese de aminoácidos, glicólise, estresse oxidativo, podendo alterar o desenvolvimento e maturação do cérebro. Os resultados são preliminares, mas contribuem para o melhor entendimento dos mecanismos toxicológicos envolvidos na exposição crônica causada por essa droga, contribuindo para a prevenção e diagnóstico de danos no desenvolvimento fetal e adolescente. / Metabolomics studies gain importance each day because they help explain biological processes in normal (physiological) or pathological situations. They provide a new insight into the functional impact of environmental gene expression, complementing gene sequencing studies that neglect the impact of environmental exposure on the etiology of diseases. Metabolomics has been applied in toxicology, showing that the comparative metabolic profile of two situations, control and test, can play an important role in the discovery and validation of biomarkers, in addition to contributing to the understanding and interpretation of the toxic action mechanisms of xenobiotics. This research project aims to use a metabolomic approach to evaluate the impact of metabolic changes in the brain of the offspring of mice, which occurred after exposure (via inhalation) to the smoke from the burning Cannabis sativa. Pregnant females were exposed to daily doses of Cannabis sativa or filtered air throughout the gestational period. After birth, male offspring were reached adolescents weaning age were separated from their respective mothers and exposed to Cannabis sativa or to the filtrate for another 60 days. Offspring brain samples were analyzed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS) in a global metabolomic approach (non-target metabolomics). Metabolic profiles of the exposed animals brains (test group) were compared with those obtained in the control group (non-exposed), and the candidate discriminant metabolites were identified. The metabolites were altered: isoleucine, urea, leucine, GABA, succinic acid, fumaric acid, serine, threonine, creatine, glutamic acid, acetyl aspartic acid, glycerol-1-phosphate, ascorbic acid, tyrosine, citric acid, adenine, hypoxanthine, inosine and uracil were altered. From the results presented, it can be observed that both the gestational exposure in Cannabis sativa and the exposure of the adolescent phase exposure, induced important metabolic alterations. Significantly altered metabolites are involved in the tricarboxylic acid, which are responsible for mitochondrial respiration, in energy production, act at the amino acid biosynthesis, glycolysis, oxidative stress, which may alter the development and maturation of the brain. The results are preliminary but contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms of toxicity and of fetal and adolescent infection.

The aim of this thesis is to sum up the information connected with marijuana and cannabis topic in relation to their effects, use and misuse. At the beginning of my research three hypotheses have been determined . They have been based on the electronic questionnaires which have been answered by respondents in lower secondary schools. The results of my thesis are shown in its applied part. According to the questionnaire the first hypothesis has been confirmed. 17,68 % of survey participants have tried marijuana at least once in their lives. The second hypothesis has not been taken to be true, because although there is a prevention in primary schools, it doesn't provide pupils ' awareness of this problem completely. The third hypothesis has been proved false as well, because more than 50 % of the respondents said that they have already learnt about cannabis in Science. Key words: marijuana, hemp drugs, cannabis, Cannabis sativa

Os estudos de metabolômica ganham importância a cada dia, por ajudarem a explicar processos biológicos em situações normais (fisiológicas) ou patológicas. Oferecem uma nova visão sobre o impacto funcional da expressão gênica, complementando os estudos de sequenciamento gênico, que negligenciam o impacto da exposição ao meio ambiente na etiologia de doenças. A metabolômica tem sido aplicada na toxicologia, mostrando que o perfil metabólico comparativo de duas situações, controle e teste, pode desempenhar um papel importante na descoberta e validação de biomarcadores, além de contribuir para o entendimento e consequente interpretação dos mecanismos de ação tóxica de xenobióticos. Este projeto de pesquisa tem por objetivo utilizar uma abordagem metabolômica para avaliar o impacto de alterações metabólicas no cérebro da prole de camundongos, ocorridas após exposição (via inalação) à fumaça decorrente da queima de maconha (Cannabis sativa). Fêmeas gestantes foram expostas a doses diárias de Cannabis sativa ou ar filtrado durante todo o período gestacional. Após o nascimento, os filhotes machos ao atingirem a idade para o desmame, considerado como fase adolescente, foram separados de suas respectivas mães e expostos à Cannabis sativa ou ar filtrado por mais 60 dias. As amostras de cérebro da prole foram submetidas a análises por cromatografia em fase gasosa acoplada a espectrometria de massas (CG-MS) numa abordagem metabolômica global (untargeted metabolomics). Os perfis metabólicos dos cérebros dos animais expostos (grupo teste) foram comparados com os obtidos na análise do grupo controle (não expostos), sendo identificados os metabólitos discriminadores candidatos. Estavam alterados os metabólitos: isoleucina, uréia, leucina, GABA, ácido succínico, ácido fumárico, serina, treonina, creatinina, ácido glutâmico, ácido acetilaspártico, glicerol -1 -fosfato, ácido ascórbico, tirosina, ácido cítrico, adenina, hipoxantina, inosina e uracila. A partir dos resultados apresentados, pode-se observar, que tanto a exposição gestacional à Cannabis sativa, quanto a exposição da prole na fase adolescente, provocam alterações metabólicas importantes. Os metabólitos significativamente alterados estão envolvidos no ciclo do ácido tricarboxílico, responsável pela respiração mitocondrial, na produção de energia, atuam na biossíntese de aminoácidos, glicólise, estresse oxidativo, podendo alterar o desenvolvimento e maturação do cérebro. Os resultados são preliminares, mas contribuem para o melhor entendimento dos mecanismos toxicológicos envolvidos na exposição crônica causada por essa droga, contribuindo para a prevenção e diagnóstico de danos no desenvolvimento fetal e adolescente. / Metabolomics studies gain importance each day because they help explain biological processes in normal (physiological) or pathological situations. They provide a new insight into the functional impact of environmental gene expression, complementing gene sequencing studies that neglect the impact of environmental exposure on the etiology of diseases. Metabolomics has been applied in toxicology, showing that the comparative metabolic profile of two situations, control and test, can play an important role in the discovery and validation of biomarkers, in addition to contributing to the understanding and interpretation of the toxic action mechanisms of xenobiotics. This research project aims to use a metabolomic approach to evaluate the impact of metabolic changes in the brain of the offspring of mice, which occurred after exposure (via inhalation) to the smoke from the burning Cannabis sativa. Pregnant females were exposed to daily doses of Cannabis sativa or filtered air throughout the gestational period. After birth, male offspring were reached adolescents weaning age were separated from their respective mothers and exposed to Cannabis sativa or to the filtrate for another 60 days. Offspring brain samples were analyzed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS) in a global metabolomic approach (non-target metabolomics). Metabolic profiles of the exposed animals brains (test group) were compared with those obtained in the control group (non-exposed), and the candidate discriminant metabolites were identified. The metabolites were altered: isoleucine, urea, leucine, GABA, succinic acid, fumaric acid, serine, threonine, creatine, glutamic acid, acetyl aspartic acid, glycerol-1-phosphate, ascorbic acid, tyrosine, citric acid, adenine, hypoxanthine, inosine and uracil were altered. From the results presented, it can be observed that both the gestational exposure in Cannabis sativa and the exposure of the adolescent phase exposure, induced important metabolic alterations. Significantly altered metabolites are involved in the tricarboxylic acid, which are responsible for mitochondrial respiration, in energy production, act at the amino acid biosynthesis, glycolysis, oxidative stress, which may alter the development and maturation of the brain. The results are preliminary but contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms of toxicity and of fetal and adolescent infection.

Thèse d'exercice : Médecine. Médecine générale : Paris 12 : 2006. / Titre provenant de l'écran-titre. Bibliogr. f. 72-81.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Sydney, 2009. / Title from title screen (viewed June 1, 2009) Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy to the Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine. Degree awarded 2009; thesis submitted 2008. Includes bibliography. Also available in print form.

The aim of this thesis is to sum up the information connected with marijuana and cannabis topic in relation to their effects, use and misuse. At the beginning of my research three hypotheses have been determined . They have been based on the electronic questionnaires which have been answered by respondents in lower secondary schools. The results of my thesis are shown in its applied part. According to the questionnaire the first hypothesis has been confirmed. 17,68 % of survey participants have tried marijuana at least once in their lives. The second hypothesis has not been taken to be true, because although there is a prevention in primary schools, it doesn't provide pupils ' awareness of this problem completely. The third hypothesis has been proved false as well, because more than 50 % of the respondents said that they have already learnt about cannabis in Science. Key words: marijuana, hemp drugs, cannabis, Cannabis sativa

Le cannabis est la drogue illégale la plus consommée actuellement en France. Le Δ9-tétrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), en tant qu’excocannabinoïde, a un impact sur le système visuel via le système endocannabinoïde. Physiologiquement, parmi les deux voies majoritairement responsables de la transmission de l’information visuelle aux stades les plus précoces, la voie magnocellulaire pourrait être la plus sensible à l’effet du Δ9-THC. La perception des visages, stimuli complexes, nécessite le traitement précoce d’informations de bas niveaux : les fréquences spatiales. Or, les différentes gammes de fréquences spatiales, séparables en gamme de basses (BFS) et de hautes fréquences spatiales (HFS) seraient respectivement transmises de manière privilégiée par les voies magnocellulaire et parvocellulaire. Par ailleurs, la littérature fait état d’anomalies du traitement magnocellulaire dans la schizophrénie, une pathologie dont le risque accroît avec l’usage de cannabis. Ainsi, par le concours d’études chez des usagers de cannabis, des personnes souffrant de schizophrénie et des volontaires sains, notre recherche devait permettre d’évaluer l’impact de l’usage de cannabis sur les processus sensoriels et perceptifs en jeu dans le traitement des visages. Grâce à la mesure des composantes des potentiels évoqués P100 et N170 en réponse aux différentes gammes de fréquences spatiales contenues dans les visages, nous validons dans une première étude la méthodologie utilisée, confirmant notamment la sensibilité de la composante P100 aux BFS et de la N170 aux HFS. Une deuxième étude utilisant la même méthodologie suggère une altération du traitement des informations de BFS chez les consommateurs de cannabis, mesurable par une altération de l’étape perceptive d’intégration des informations de bas niveau associée à la N170. Une troisième étude portant sur des patients souffrant de schizophrénie retrouve une altération du traitement des BFS au cours des étapes précoces (composantes P100 et N170) et permet d’interpréter les résultats observés chez les usagers de cannabis sur la base d’une pathologie dont les dysfonctions visuelles sont mieux connues. / Cannabis is currently the most consumed illegal drug in France. The Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), as an exocannabinoid impacts the human visual system through the endocannabinoid system. Among the two main pathways responsible for early visual transmission, the magnocellular pathway might be the most affected by Δ9-THC. As they are complex stimuli, visual perception of faces requires the early processing of spatial frequencies, which are a type of low level information. The extreme ranges of spatial frequencies, qualified as low spatial frequencies (LSF) and high spatial frequencies (HSF), would be mainly transmitted, respectively by magnocellular and parvocellular pathways. In addition, literature already provides evidence towards magnocellular pathway impairments in schizophrenia, a pathology which incidence is known to increase with cannabis use. Hence, from studies with cannabis regular users, patients suffering from schizophrenia, and healthy controls, our research aimed at assessing the impact of regular cannabis use on early visual processes of face perception. Considering the P100 and N170 event-related potential (ERP) components in response to specific ranges of spatial frequencies available in our face stimuli, our first study tested and validated the methodology. As expected, healthy participants showed a stronger sensibility in response to LSF stimuli on the P100 and to the HSF stimuli on the N170. Using the same methodology, the second study suggests a LSF processing alteration in cannabis users, as reflected by the N170 ERP component. Our last study was conducted on patients suffering from schizophrenia and confirmed an alteration of LSF processing on both the P100 and the N170. On the basis of a pathology presenting well documented visual deficits, this last observation allows us to propose an interpretation of cannabis users’ data.

Submitted by Haroudo Xavier Filho (haroudo.xavierfo@ufpe.br) on 2016-04-05T16:00:13Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) Dissertação ENTREGA FINAL PDF.pdf: 1279401 bytes, checksum: 308cdb60e0a51eda5977d4d71d6fb05f (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-05T16:00:13Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) Dissertação ENTREGA FINAL PDF.pdf: 1279401 bytes, checksum: 308cdb60e0a51eda5977d4d71d6fb05f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-03-15 / Introdução: As modificações econômicas e sociológicas têm interferido na discussão sobre legalização e descriminalização do uso recreacional da Cannabis sativa exigindo um posicionamento da sociedade. Objetivo: Caracterizar a opinião de estudantes de Medicina sobre a legalização da maconha. Métodos: Em estudo transversal, descritivo, tipo levantamento de dados, realizado nos campi da Universidade de Pernambuco e da Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, instituições públicas de ensino superior foram incluídos 357 alunos regularmente matriculados e cursando disciplinas da graduação em Medicina, em 2016, que se dispuseram a responder a três instrumentos de coleta de dados, em sala de aula. Foram levantadas as características dos alunos, os conhecimentos sobre maconha e as expectativas de resultados sobre o efeito da maconha. As variáveis foram sexo, idade, período do curso de Medicina, opinião sobre legalização da maconha e expectativas do efeito da droga. Empregou-se o programa EPI7 para organizar o banco de dados e o Statistical Package for Social Sciences, para análise. Resultados: Constatou-se que 32,5% dos estudantes eram usuários de maconha, o que não influenciou no conhecimento ou nas expectativas. O motivo mais frequente dos 158 (44,3%) estudantes para serem favoráveis à legalização da maconha foram os benefícios econômicos, diferindo dos 199/(55,7%) desfavoráveis cujo motivo foi oferecer risco para uso de drogas pesadas. Os participantes declararam não perceber desconforto com a abertura de um estabelecimento de comércio de marijuana e tampouco se a pessoa consumisse a droga em sua residência, mas se aborreceriam na presença de uma pessoa usando droga. Pelo questionário de expectativas de uso de maconha se identificou haver uma tendência de os alunos favoráveis oferecerem pontuações menores e essas diferenças foram significantes. Conclusão A opinião sobre legalização da maconha pareceu não manter relação com os aspectos da saúde. / Introduction: Economic and sociological changes have affected the discussion of legalization and decriminalization of recreational use of cannabis sativa requiring positioning of society. Objective: To characterize the opinion of medical students about the legalization of marijuana. Methods: This is a cross-sectional, descriptive, data collection, held on the campuses of the University of Pernambuco and the Federal University of Pernambuco, public institutions of higher education to include 357 students enrolled and attending graduation courses in Medicine in 2016, who were willing to answer three data collection tools in the classroom. the characteristics of the students were raised, determining the knowledge of marijuana and the results expectations survey on the effect of marijuana. The variables were gender, age, medical school period, review of legalizing marijuana and drug effect expectations. The program EPI7 was employed to organize database and the Statistical Package for Social Sciences for analysis. Results: It was found that 32.5% of students were marijuana users, which did not influence their knowledge or expectations. The most common cause of 158 (44.3%) students to be in favor of legalizing marijuana were the economic benefits, differing from 199 (55.7%) unfavorable whose motive was to offer risk for use of hard drugs. Participants said they did not notice discomfort with the opening of a marijuana trade settlement nor with a person consuming the drug in his home, but abhor the presence of a person using drugs. Within the questionnaire marijuana expectations, we identified a trend of favorable students to offer lower scores and these differences were significant. Conclusion Opinion on legalizing marijuana appeared to maintain no relationship with health aspects.