The study demonstrated that a shortened conditioning period of 18 minutes in the conditioned place preference paradigm could induce significant delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (∆9-THC) reward at low doses, supporting the addictive potential of the psychoactive agent of marijuana. This is the first report of significant reward at a dose of 0.05 mg/kg of ∆9-THC in an animal model of addiction.
DC Oshi, WD Abel, T Ricketts-Roomes, CF Agu, SN Oshi, J Harrison, K Smith, U Atkinson, P Clarke, A Bailey, P Whitehorne-Smith
Based on the data analysed from the National Secondary School Survey 2013, Jamaica, lifetime cannabis use was significantly associated with multiple substance use and was shown to be a risk factor for lifetime use of cigarettes and alcohol. However, adolescents who reported recent (past-month) use of cannabis were less likely to report recent use of alcohol and cigarettes.
DC Oshi, WD Abel, T Ricketts-Roomes, CF Agu, SN Oshi, J Harrison, K Smith, U Atkinson, P Clarke, P Whitehorne-Smith, KN Ukwaja
This study analysed the role of the family as a determinant of marijuana use among the Jamaican secondary school population. Results demonstrated that parental involvement carried more weight in influencing marijuana use than family structure and gender which showed no significant difference.
T Bernard, WD Abel, P Whitehorne-Smith, G Mitchell, E Thompson, K Lalwani, C Sewell, DC Oshi
The aim of the study was to determine whether perception of risk and accessibility of cannabis predicted the age of initiation of cannabis among secondary school students in Jamaica. Whereas there was a significant inverse association between grade level in school and age of initiation, perceptions of access did not predict the age of initiation of cannabis.
WD Abel, S Longman-Mills, J Martin, DC Oshi, P Whitehorne-Smith
This study investigated and evaluated the mental health comprehension of a randomly selected population in Jamaica. General perceptions were significantly correlated with level of education and age, while perceptions about treatment and prevention significantly correlated with gender and education.
This was an exploratory qualitative study that investigated the degree to which marijuana smokers at a tertiary institution perceived their susceptibility to mental illness. Risk perception was found to be low, as the drug’s benefits seemingly outweighed its risks.
This study investigated the association of marijuana use with sperm parameters and reproductive history of subfertile men. Sperm motility was affected by reported quantity and frequency of marijuana use.
This paper explored the suitability of naturally occurring and synthetic cannabinoids for pain management. The antinociceptive mechanisms identified for cannabinoids, relative to currently available analgesics, are promising in several cases, more so for chronic than for acute pain, where the potential remains hopeful but as yet unrealized.