Handbook of Cannabis

by Roger Pertwee (Editor)

Overview

Truly global in scope and with contributions from leading researchers around the world, The Handbook of Cannabis is the definitive resource on this fascinating drug. Combining scientific perspectives and clinical applications, it covers a vast array of topics, from why over the centuries cannabis has been used as a medicine, through the regulations facing those wishing to self-administer cannabis or provide cannabis-based medicines, to the chemical structure of its many constituents and the rapidly growing group of synthetic cannabinoids that are currently being used for 'legal highs'. With each chapter written by a group of one or more internationally recognised subject experts, it provides academics and researchers with authoritative scientific material on the main pharmacological actions and their effects, as well as their pharmacokinetics, metabolism, and forensic detection. In addition it also examines the complex morphology, cultivation, harvesting, and processing of cannabis and the ways in which the plant's chemical composition can be controlled. As well as offering a raft of scientific information there is extensive coverage of cannabinoid-based medicines. Helping readers to identify and evaluate their benefits, chapters explore pharmacological actions and the effects that seem to underlie approved therapeutic uses, how they are currently used to treat certain disorders, and the ever-growing number of wide-ranging potential clinical applications. There is also coverage of both the legal and illegal sources of cannabis, including 'coffee shops' and 'cannabis dispensaries'. The complex issue of 'recreational cannabis' is also tackled. The sought-after and adverse psychological and non-psychological effects are described and discussions are included on how some adverse effects can be lessened by at least one constituent of cannabis, and that it might be possible to reduce the harm that cannabis does to some by changing current regulatory policies. The Handbook of Cannabis is a one-stop reference; essential reading for all clinicians, pharmacologists, psychologists, and psychiatrists interested in this drug, as well as those working in the field of public health.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780191639708
Publisher:	OUP Oxford
Publication date:	08/21/2014
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	632
File size:	19 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Roger Pertwee has three degrees from the University of Oxford: MA (in biochemistry), D.Phil. (in pharmacology) and D.Sc. (in physiological sciences). He is Professor of Neuropharmacology at the University of Aberdeen, Director of Pharmacology for GW Pharmaceuticals, co-chairman of the International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology (IUPHAR) Subcommittee on Cannabinoid Receptors, a co-ordinator of the British Pharmacological Society's Special Interest Group on Cannabinoids, and visiting Professor at the University of Hertfordshire. He has also served as chairman of the International Association for Cannabinoid Medicines (IACM; 2005-2007) and twice as President of the International Cannabinoid Research Society (ICRS; 1997-1998; 2007-2008), and is currently ICRS International Secretary and also a member of the IACM board of directors.

Table of Contents

Constituents, history, international control, cultivation and phenotypes of cannabis
1. Section Overview, Roger G. Pertwee
2. Constituents of Cannabis Sativa, Mahmoud A. ElSohly and Waseem Gul
3. The Pharmacological History of Cannabis, Ethan B. Russo
4. International Control of Cannabis, Alice Mead
5. Cannabis cultivation, David Potter
6. Cannabis phenotypes, Etienne de Meijer
Pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, metabolism and forensics
7. Section Two Overview, Roger G. Pertwee
8. Known pharmacological actions of phytocannabinoids that activate cannabinoid receptors, Roger G Pertwee and Maria Grazia Cascio
9. Known pharmacological actions of nine non-psychotropic phytocannabinoids, Maria Grazia Cascio and Roger G Pertwee
10. Effects of phytocannabinoids on neurotransmission in the central and peripheral nervous systems, Bela Szabo
11. Bioassays that measure acute or chronic effects of phytocannabinoids in vivo, Aron Lichtman
12. Cannabinoids and Addiction, Eliot L. Gardner
13. Effects of Phytocannabinoids on Anxiety, Mood and the Endocrine System, Sachin Patel, Matthew N. Hill, and Cecilia J. Hillard,
14. Phytocannabinoids and the cardiovascular system, Saoirse Elizabeth O'Sullivan
15. Phytocannabinoids and the gastrointestinal system, Marnie Duncan and Angelo A. Izzo
16. Reproduction and cannabinoids: ups and downs - ins and outs, Jordyn M Stuart, Emma Leishman, and Heather B Bradshaw
17. Phytocannabinoids and the Immune System, Guy A. Cabral, Erinn S. Raborn, and Gabriela A. Ferreira
18. Non-phytocannabinoid constituents of cannabis and herbal synergy, John M. McPartland
19. Pharmacokinetics, metabolism and forensic detection of certain phytocannabinoids, Marilyn Huestis
Medicinal cannabis and cannabinoids: clinical data
20. Section Three Overview, Roger G. Pertwee
21. Self-medication with cannabis, Arno Hazekamp and George Pappas
22. Cannabis pharmacies and coffee shops, Amanda Reiman
23. Development of cannabis based medicines: regulatory hurdles/routes in Europe and USA, Alison Thompson and Verity Langfield
24. Licensed Cannabis-based Medicines: Benefits and Risks, Stephen Wright and Geoffrey Guy
25. Synthetic psychoactive cannabinoids licenses as medicines, Mark Ware
26. Cannabinoids in clinical practice: a UK perspective, William Notcutt and Emily Laura Clarke
Approved therapeutic targets for phytocannabinoids: preclinical pharmacology
27. Section Four Overview, Roger G. Pertwee
28. Effect of Phytocannabinoids on Nausea and Vomiting, Erin M. Rock, Martin A. Sticht, Linda A. Parker
29. Established and Emerging Concepts of Cannabinoid Action on Food Intake and their Potential Application to the Treatment of Anorexia and Cachexia, Luigia Cristino and Vincenzo Di Marzo
30. Pain, Barbara Costa and Francesca Comelli
31. Cannabis and Multiple Sclerosis, Gareth Pryce and David Baker
Some potential therapeutic targets for phytocannabinoids
32. Section Five Overview, Roger G. Pertwee
33. Neurodegenerative disorders other than multiple sclerosis, Javier Fernandez-Ruiz, Eva de Lago, Maria Gomez-Ruiz, Concepcion Garcia, Onintza Sagredo and Moises Garcia-Arencibia
34. Cannabidiol/Phytocaanabinoids: A new opportunity for schizophrenia treatment, Daniela Parolaro, Erica Zamberletti and Tiziana Rubino
35. Phytocannabinoids as novel therapeutic agents for sleep disorders, Eric Murillo-Rodriguez, Lisa Aguilar-Turton, Stephanie Mijangos-Moreno, Andrea Sarro-Ramirez, Oscar Arias-Carrion
36. Cannabis and epilepsy, Claire M. Williams, Nicholas A. Jones & Benjamin J. Whalley
37. Cardiovascular, metabolic, liver, kidney and inflammatory disorders, Pal Pacher and George Kunos
38. Gastrointestinal disorders, Angelo Izzo
39. Phytocannabinoids and skin disorders, Sergio Oddi and Mauro Maccarrone
40. Phytocannabinoids in degenerative and inflammatory retinal diseases: glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and uveoretinitis, Heping Xu and Augusto Azuara-Blanco
41. Bone as a target for cannabinoid therapy, Itai Bab
42. Cancer, Guillermo Velasco, Cristina Sanchez, and Manuel Guzman
43. Recreational cannabis: sought-after effects, adverse effects, designer drugs and harm minimization, H Valerie Curran and Celia JA Morgan
Recreational cannabis: sought-after effects, adverse effects, designer drugs and harm minimization
44. Section Five Overview, Roger G. Pertwee
45. Recreational Cannabis: The Risk of Schizophrenia, Paul D Morrison, Sagnik Bhattacharyya, and Robin M Murray
46. Non-psychological adverse effects, Franjo Grotenhermen
47. Cannabinoid designer drugs: effects and forensics, Brian F. Thomas, Jenny L. Wiley, Gerald T. Pollard, and Megan Grabenauer
48. Harm Reduction Policies for Cannabis, Wayne Hall and Louisa Degenhardt
49. Cannabinoid designer drugs: effects and forensics, Brian F. Thomas, Jenny L. Wiley, Gerald T. Pollard, and Megan Grabenauer

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Michael Easton, MD (Rush University Medical Center)
Description: This definitive resource on cannabis combines scientific perspectives and clinical applications, and covers a wide and diverse range of topics, including its history, medical and recreational use, the science behind it, and the current regulation of its use.
Purpose: The purpose is to present a comprehensive reference on a range of topics related to cannabis, such as its historical use, scientific knowledge, present day uses, both recreational and medicinal, and legal issues related to its consumption.
Audience: The intended audience includes clinicians, pharmacologists, psychologists and psychiatrists, as well as those involved in public health and lawmakers interested in this drug.
Features: The first of the book's six sections covers the history of cannabis, the breeding of the plant, and the national and international regulations that control its distribution and use. The second section focuses on the pharmacology and actions of the various components of the cannabis plant. The third and fourth sections focus on specific cannabinoids and their mechanisms of actions and medical applications. The fifth is devoted to the ever-growing number of potential new clinical applications for phytocannabinoids. The sixth considers the complicated issues around its recreational use.
Assessment: This is an extensive review of our expanding knowledge in a controversial area. It provides a detailed review of a wide variety of areas related to this compound, from historical use, pharmacological actions of this substance, the scientific evidence supporting its medicinal properties, as well as the political and legal issues around its medical and recreational uses. Overall this is an excellent reference for a wide variety of individuals that would be a welcome addition to most libraries.

Doody's Review Service