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:	9780198792604
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	10/01/2016
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	784
Product dimensions:	9.60(w) x 6.70(h) x 1.70(d)

About the Author

Roger Pertwee, Professor of Neuropharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, UK

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

Part 1 Constituents, History, International Control, Cultivation and Phenotypes of Cannabis, Ethan B. Russo1. Constituents of Cannabis Sativa, Mahmoud A. ElSohly and Waseem Gul2. The Pharmacological History of Cannabis, Ethan B. Russo3. International Control of Cannabis, Alice P. Mead4. Cannabis Horticulture, David J. Potter5. Cannabis Phenotypes (Chemotypes) of Cannabis, Etienne de MeijerPart 2 Pharmacology, Pharmacokinetics, Metabolism and Forensics, Roger G. Pertwee6. Known Pharmacological Actions of Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol and of Four Other Chemical Constituents of Cannabis that Activate Cannabinoid Receptors, Roger G. Pertwee and Maria Grazia Cascio7. Known Pharmacological Actions of Nine Non-Psychotropic Phytocannabinoids, Maria Grazia Cascio and Roger G. Pertwee8. Effects of Phytocannabinoids on Neurotransmission in the Central and Peripheral Nervous Systems, Bela Szabo9. Cannabinoids and Addiction, Eliot L. Gardner10. Effects of Phytocannabinoids on Anxiety, Mood, and the Endocrine System, Sachin Patel, Matthew N. Hill, and Cecilia J. Hillard.11. Phytocannabinoids and the Cardiovascular System, Saoirse E. O'Sullivan12. Phytocannabinoids and the Gastrointestinal System, Marnie Duncan and Angelo A. Izzo13. Reproduction and Cannabinoids: Ups and Downs, Ins and Outs, Jordyn M. Stuart, Emma Leishman, and Heather B. Bradshaw14. Phytocannabinoids and the Immune System, Guy A. Cabral, Erinn S. Raborn, and Gabriela A. Ferreira15. Non-Phytocannabinoid Constituents of Cannabis and Herbal Synergy, John M. McPartland and Ethan B. Russo16. Cannabinoid Pharmacokinetics and Disposition in Alternative Matrices, Marilyn A. Huestis and Michael L. SmithPart 3 Medicinal Cannabis and Cannabinoids: Clinical Data, Ethan B. Russo17. Self-Medication with Cannabis, Arno Hazekamp and George Pappas18. Cannabis Distribution: Coffee Shops to Dispensaries, Amanda Reiman19. Development of Cannabis-Based Medicines: Regulatory Hurdles/Routes in Europe and the United States, Alison Thompson and Verity Langfield20. Licensed Cannabis-Based Medicines: Benefits and Risks, Stephen Wright and Geoffrey Guy21. Synthetic Psychoactive Cannabinoids Licensed as Medicines, Mark A. Ware22. Cannabinoids in Clinical Practice: A UK Perspective, William Notcutt and Emily L. ClarkePart 4 Approved Therapeutic Targets for Phytocannabinoids: Preclinical Pharmacology, Marnie Duncan23. Effect of Phytocannabinoids on Nausea and Vomiting, Erin M. Rock, Martin A. Sticht, and Linda A. Parker24. 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 Marzo25. Pain, Barbara Costa and Francesca Comelli26. Cannabis and Multiple Sclerosis, Gareth Pryce and David BakerPart 5 Some Potential Theraputic Targets for Phytocannabinoids, Marnie Duncan27. Neurodegenerative Disorders Other Than Multiple Sclerosis, Javier Fernandez-Ruiz, Eva de Lago, Maria Gomez-Ruiz, Concepcion Garcia, Onintza Sagredo, and Moises Garcia-Arencibia28. Cannabidiol/Phytocaanabinoids: A New Opportunity for Schizophrenia Treatment, Daniela Parolaro, Erica Zamberletti and Tiziana Rubino29. Phytocannabinoids as Novel Therapeutic Agents for Sleep Disorders, Eric Murillo-Rodriguez, Lisa Aguilar-Turton, Stephanie Mijangos-Moreno, Andrea Sarro-Ramirez, and Oscar Arias-Carrion30. Cannabis and Epilepsy, Claire M. Williams, Nicholas A. Jones and Benjamin J. Whalley31. Cardiovascular, Metabolic, Liver, Kidney, and Inflammatory Disorders, Pal Pacher and George Kunos32. Phytocannabinoids and Skin Disorders, Sergio Oddi and Mauro Maccarrone33. Phytocannabinoids in Degenerative and Inflammatory Retinal Diseases: Glaucoma, Age-Related Macular Degeneration, Diabetic Retinopathy and Uveoretinitis, Heping Xu and Augusto Azuara-Blanco34. Bone As a Target for Cannabinoid Therapy, Itai Bab35. Cancer, Guillermo Velasco, Cristina Sanchez, and Manuel GuzmanPart 6 Recreational Cannabis: Sought-After Effects, Adverse Effects, Designer Drugs and Harm Minimization, Wayne Hall36. Desired and Undesired Effects of Cannabis on the Human Mind and Psychological Well-Being, H. Valerie Curran and Celia J. A. Morgan37. Recreational Cannabis: The Risk of Schizophrenia, Paul D. Morrison, Sagnik Bhattacharyya, and Robin M. Murray38. Nonpsychological Adverse Effects, Franjo Grotenhermen39. Harm Reduction Policies for Cannabis, Wayne Hall and Louisa Degenhardt40. 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.

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