WHY IT MATTERS: Patients using cannabis for appetite stimulation, including those managing cachexia or chemotherapy-related anorexia, now have stronger neurological evidence supporting what clinicians have observed for years, which may help guide more targeted and confident therapeutic use. CLINICAL OVERVIEW: The appetite-stimulating effects of cannabis, commonly known as “the munchies,” have long been observed clinically but the precise neurological mechanisms were not well characterized until recently. Research has now identified how cannabinoids interact with specific brain circuits to drive increased appetite, independent of the type or palatability of food available.
Scientists are raising new concerns about marijuana use in teens – KPBS
WHY IT MATTERS: For parents and adolescents, this research reinforces that cannabis is not a low-risk substance during the teenage years, and decisions about use should be made with full awareness of the potential for lasting mental health consequences. CLINICAL OVERVIEW: Research continues to build a concerning picture around adolescent cannabis use and its association with elevated risk for psychiatric conditions, including psychosis, depression, and anxiety disorders. The developing brain, particularly during the teenage years, appears to be especially vulnerable to the neurochemical disruptions that cannabinoids can produce, with THC’s interaction with the endocannabinoid system potentially altering normal neurodevelopmental trajectories.
Top of the Feed: Policy Momentum, Patient Safety, and the Science Still Catching Up – February 25, 2026
A synthesis of 5 featured cannabis articles from 22 reviewed — key themes, clinical context, and Dr. Caplan’s take from the latest feed update on February 25, 2026.
In the Mix: 15 More Articles — February 25, 2026
15 cannabis articles reviewed and scored below the CED clinical relevance threshold in the February 25, 2026 feed update. Summaries and source links included.
Building a global standard for cannabis vapes one terpene at a time – MJBizDaily
WHY IT MATTERS: Patients using cannabis vaporizers currently have no reliable way to know whether the terpene content listed on a product label reflects what they are actually inhaling, which directly affects both safety and therapeutic predictability. CLINICAL OVERVIEW: Terpenes are aromatic compounds found in cannabis that contribute to the distinct sensory profiles of different cultivars, and growing evidence suggests they also interact with cannabinoids to shape pharmacological effects through what researchers call the entourage effect. Standardizing terpene content in cannabis vaporizers is scientifically complex because these compounds are volatile, degrade with heat and oxygen exposure, and vary considerably across extraction and formulation methods.
Health advocate underscores ‘real danger’ in medical cannabis legalization in PH
WHY IT MATTERS: Patients in the Philippines who might benefit from cannabis-based therapies for conditions like chronic pain or epilepsy are directly affected by whether lawmakers build a regulated, medically supervised program or stall indefinitely due to fear-based opposition. CLINICAL OVERVIEW: The debate over medical cannabis legalization in the Philippines centers on legitimate concerns about regulatory infrastructure, diversion risk, and whether the healthcare system has the capacity to oversee a new therapeutic category responsibly. Opponents raise valid points about the need for physician education, product quality standards, and enforcement mechanisms before any framework goes live.
Alabama medical cannabis program is now accepting patient registrations! – Blog
WHY IT MATTERS: Alabama patients with qualifying conditions can now begin the registration process to legally access medical cannabis, meaning those who have been managing symptoms without legal options may soon have a regulated, physician-supervised pathway available to them. CLINICAL OVERVIEW: Alabama has opened patient registration for its medical cannabis program, marking a significant step forward for a state that has historically maintained strict drug policies. The program will allow qualifying patients with conditions such as chronic pain, PTSD, anxiety, and cancer-related symptoms to access cannabis through licensed dispensaries.
Prescribed cannabis and driving behaviours among two samples of people who regularly … – UNSW
WHY IT MATTERS: If you are a medical cannabis patient who drives, understanding the specific timing and formulation of your medication is critical to both your legal safety and your actual ability to operate a vehicle without impairment. CLINICAL OVERVIEW: Research examining driving behaviors among medical cannabis patients raises important questions about how THC affects psychomotor function, reaction time, and judgment at various doses and time points after consumption. The relationship between measured THC levels and actual impairment is complex, as tolerance, route of administration, and individual pharmacokinetics all influence functional capacity behind the wheel.
Daily Digest: Last 24 Hours: Teen Brain Risk, Veteran Access, and the Regulatory Tug-of-War Over Hemp THC — February 24, 2026
Last 24 Hours February 24, 2026 — 24 articles reviewed The last 24 hours were dominated by mounting evidence on adolescent cannabis risk and serious mental illness, growing momentum for veteran access...
Top of the Feed: Alcohol vs. Cannabis Risk and the Population Dynamics of Youth Use — February 24, 2026
A synthesis of 2 newly added cannabis articles — key themes, clinical context, and Dr. Caplan’s take from the latest feed update on February 24, 2026.