Dermatology-Related Uses of Medical Cannabis Promoted by Dispensaries in Canada, Europe, and the United States

Abstract

There is a growing interest in the use of medical cannabis for a variety of dermatologic conditions. Despite the lack of evidence to validate the effectiveness and safety of marijuana, it is approved to treat a variety of dermatologic conditions in the United States. Furthermore, medical cannabis dispensaries have been making unsubstantiated claims about medical cannabis. It is important for dermatologists to know about the purported use of medical cannabis to help patients navigate this new treatment option, particularly as cannabis becomes legal in Canada in October 2018. We collected and tabulated the dermatologic indications for medical cannabis from Canada, the United States, and Europe. In the United States, dermatologic-approved indications vary by state but include psoriasis, lupus, nail-patella syndrome, and severe pain. Health Canada has listed psoriasis, dermatitis, and pruritus as potential therapeutic uses for cannabis but does not endorse its use for therapeutic purposes. We also surveyed the websites of dispensaries in Canada, the United States, and Europe and found that numerous unsubstantiated claims were being made and advertised to consumers. Dermatologic uses of medical cannabis, as claimed by dispensaries, included treating acne, aging, allergic contact dermatitis, chronic pain, herpes, dermatitis, lupus, Lyme disease, nevi, psoriasis, epidermolysis bullosa, and melanoma. Psoriasis, dermatitis, and chronic pain were the most commonly cited indications for medical cannabis listed by dispensaries. Our data indicate that the suggested and advertised uses of medical cannabis are largely unsubstantiated. Further research is necessary to validate the indications, effectiveness, and safety of medical cannabis.

Allergenic ingredients in commercial topical cannabinoid preparations

“…Spironolactone is emerging as a potential alternative to oral antibiotics. 2,3 However, little is known about long-term outcomes with spironolactone for those who have an initial positive response and how it compares with other alternatives.…”

“…1 While therapeutic applications are under study, over-the-counter topical cannabinoids have been promoted for use in skin conditions on the basis of limited evidence. 2 The risk of allergic contact dermatitis posed by these products is unclear. We sought to characterize the formulations and allergenic potential of topical cannabinoids.…”

Real-world drug usage survival of spironolactone versus oral antibiotics for the management of female patients with acne

“…1 In vitro susceptibility was tested by using the disk diffusion method as previously reported. Phylotype was determined according to the method recently developed by Barnard et al 2 SLST was performed on all isolates as described by Scholz et al 3 Macrolide and tetracycline resistance were investigated as previously described. Wilcoxon and Fisher exact tests were used to compare both groups.…”

<p>Optimal Management Of Chronic Wounds In Paediatric Junctional Epidermolysis Bullosa Patients</p>

“…A paper indicated that suggested and advertised dermatological use of medical cannabis by dispensaries across USA, Canada and Europe are largely unsubstantiated. 34 This may leave parents and patients in difficult with regards to accurate information gathering. Research performed with adults with all subtypes of EB have shown pharmaceutical grade CBD-based medicines can improve pain scores, reduce pruritus and reduce overall analgesic drug intake.…”