Medical Cannabis in Lebanon: History &amp; Therapeutic, Ethical, and Social Challenges. A Narrative Review

Fakhry, Battoul; Abdulrahim, Mostafa; Chahine, Mirna N.

doi:10.26502/acbr.50170156

Cited by 7 publications

(7 citation statements)

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“…Cannabis is also documented to possess beneficial effects for treating ear ailments. The earliest documented therapeutic application of medical use of cannabis for medicine dates back to the ninth century (Fakhry et al, 2021). As antiquity's greatest botanist, Dioscorides prescribed cannabis seeds to 'quench geniture' and its juice to treat earaches (Dioscorides, 2000).…”

Section: C) Treatment For Ear Diseasesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Medicinal Use of Cannabis Documented by Muslim Scientists

Joni¹,

Ismail²,

Nordin³

2023

IJARBSS

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Clinical studies have demonstrated many therapeutic benefits of cannabis, which has been used for medicinal purposes for over 6000 years. Despite its curative properties and therapeutic advantages, Muslim-majority countries impose strict regulations due to the stigma attached to cannabis use as a medicine associated with its use as a medicine. The majority of Muslim nations forbid the use of cannabis for either recreational or therapeutic purposes and impose punishments such as imprisonment or death sentences. However, history shows that cannabis was used as a medicine in the past by Muslim scientists. Therefore, this article intends to examine the practice of Muslim scientists in using cannabis for medicinal purposes. In achieving the objective, the researchers use a qualitative method by analysing previous literature using content analysis. Findings showed that cannabis is used as a medicine for various types of illness by Muslim scientists. It is important to note that a review of pertinent scientific materials provides support for the traditional use of medical cannabis practised by Muslim medical professionals. Hopefully, this article will enlighten readers' knowledge on this topic, especially among Muslims, to correct any misconceptions and misapprehensions surrounding cannabis. It is suggested that Muslim countries embark on more research on cannabis' therapeutic benefits.

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Section: C) Treatment For Ear Diseasesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Medicinal Use of Cannabis Documented by Muslim Scientists

Joni¹,

Ismail²,

Nordin³

2023

IJARBSS

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“…The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) ranked Lebanon as the world’s third largest producer and supplier of cannabis resin in 2019 after Morocco and Afghanistan (World Drug Report 2018 ). Cannabis history and social background in Arabic-speaking countries date back to the ninth century when it was used to treat ear diseases (Fakhry et al 2021 ). Cannabis was later employed by Arabic physicians for a variety of purposes such as anti-parasitic characteristics, dermatologic problems, and rheumatological/ophthalmological conditions (Lozano 2001 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Cannabis was banned in Lebanon; nevertheless, it was widely grown, covering an estimated 400,000 hectares and centered mostly in the Beqaa valley, due to its unique geographic location and Mediterranean weather. Furthermore, its proximity to the borders, as well as the ease of access to trafficking routes, resulted in high-quality cultivation (Fakhry et al 2021 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Development of scales to measure Lebanese university students’ perceived knowledge about and attitudes about cannabis use: initial psychometric properties

et al. 2022

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Background For a long period, cannabis in Lebanon was categorized as an illegal psychoactive substance criminalized by law, despite being the 3rd largest producer of cannabis resin after Morocco and Afghanistan. The current available literature on the topic in Lebanon is scarce, as perceived knowledge towards cannabis use in the general population is not well established, and public health policies are absent. In the context of future legalization of cannabis for both medical and recreational purposes, what is the public’s perception of cannabis perceived knowledge about and attitude against cannabis use? The objectives of this study were to create two scales to assess perceived knowledge towards cannabis use and attitude against cannabis use and check their psychometric properties in a sample of Lebanese university students. Methods The study was designed as a cross-sectional study involving 415 Lebanese university students aged between 18 and 30 years. Students were only recruited from one university and were sent an email with a brief description of the study and a link to the questionnaire. The questionnaire items covered perceived knowledge and attitude about cannabis use, recovered and adapted from available literature. Results Perceived knowledge items converged over a solution of four factors that had an Eigenvalue over 1, explaining a total of 64% of the variance (factor 1 = perceived knowledge about cannabis quality of life improvement; factor 2 = perceived knowledge about cannabis psychiatric use; factor 3 = perceived knowledge about cannabis risks; factor 4 = perceived knowledge about cannabis neurological use). Attitude items converged over a solution of two factors that had an Eigenvalue over 1, explaining a total of 58.2% of the variance (factor 1 = negative attitude about cannabis use; factor 2 = positive attitude about cannabis use). Good Cronbach’s alpha values were found for the perceived knowledge and attitude scales (α = 0.78 and α = 0.73 respectively). Greater perceived knowledge was found in male participants and in those who have tried cannabis for recreational purposes. Greater perceived knowledge was also associated with stronger attitude about cannabis use and older age. Furthermore, greater mean attitude about cannabis use scores were significantly found in male participants and in those who have tried cannabis for recreational or medicinal purposes. Conclusion Primary results showed acceptable psychometric properties for the perceived knowledge towards and attitudes about cannabis use scale. Further studies are needed in order to validate them among the general population and assess more psychometric properties of these scales.

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“…Notably, the THC/CBD ratio of cannabis determines its potency. In contrast to recreational marijuana, MC has a low THC/CBD ratio (Fakhry et al, 2021).…”

Section: The Endocannabinoid Systemmentioning

confidence: 98%

Evaluation Of Anti Thyroid Activity of Cannabis Sativa Oil Extract Against Levothyroxine Induced Hyperthyroidism in Mice. (c2021)

Sayed¹

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Lebanese cannabis is well-known for its high quality and recreational value; yet little is known regarding its medical use. Hyperthyroidism affects approximately 1%-2% of the world population. Limited literature is available on cannabis use on thyroid dysfunction. The present study aims to explore the antithyroid potential of Lebanese cannabis oil extract (COE) use in mice. Male BALB/c mice weighing between 31 and 35 grams were distributed into five groups of 14 mice each; group I served as control and was given a mixture of Ethanol: Cremophor: PBS (1:1:18) administered intra peritoneally (i.p.) for 35 days. To induce hyperthyroidism, group II was given levo- thyroxine (10μg) orally for 35 days; groups III, IV, and V were given levo- thyroxine (10μg) over 14 days and then treated with PTU (0.2mg/kg PO), COE (10mg/kg i.p.), and COE (20mg/kg i.p.), respectively over 21 days. The effect of COE on hyperthyroidism was assessed by measuring FT3, FT4 and TSH levels in mice blood. Mice liver and thyroid morphology was examined, as well. Results show that COE and PTU where equally effective in controlling FT3 levels in mice (P-value <0.001), but PTU was more potent than COE dose I and dose II in abating FT4 levels. Regarding thyroid and liver morphology, the group treated with COE dose II (group V) showed the lowest thyroid weight as compared to other treated groups (III, IV). To note, there was no observed difference in the liver morphology in any of the treated and control groups. In conclusion, the results assured that COE has dose/time dependent effect in lowering FT3 and FT4 thyroid hormones. Further studies are required to acknowledge the mechanism of action of COE antithyroid effect.

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Medical Cannabis in Lebanon: History & Therapeutic, Ethical, and Social Challenges. A Narrative Review

Cited by 7 publications

References 0 publications

The Medicinal Use of Cannabis Documented by Muslim Scientists

The Medicinal Use of Cannabis Documented by Muslim Scientists

Development of scales to measure Lebanese university students’ perceived knowledge about and attitudes about cannabis use: initial psychometric properties

Evaluation Of Anti Thyroid Activity of Cannabis Sativa Oil Extract Against Levothyroxine Induced Hyperthyroidism in Mice. (c2021)

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