Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Cannabis in Dermatology

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Cannabis in Medicine

Abstract

Expansion of legal Cannabis sativa has been accompanied by increased patient exposure to the plant material and its derivatives. Dermatologic diseases and conditions have been noted to result or be worsened by this exposure. Scientific investigation into possible medical uses of cannabinoids in dermatology, although in its infancy, shows potentially promising results. However, this work has been generally limited to in vitro and nonhuman in vivo models. Currently, human clinical trials are scant, and most studies to date include small numbers of subjects; few are double-blind or cohort-controlled clinical trials. Unreliable, adulterated, and misbranded cannabis products are encountered by patients from both legal, state-sanctioned retail shops and Internet or black market sources. These products have been found to exhibit content and potency discrepancies, along with instances of contamination with toxic chemicals and/or infectious agents. While there is potential for the discovery and development of effective dermatological treatments using quality-controlled cannabis products, more research is required before medical recommendations can be responsibly forwarded.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 99.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Min J, Min K. Marijuana use is associated with hypersensitivity to multiple allergens in US adults. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2018;182:74–7.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Silvers WS, Bernard T. Spectrum and prevalence of reactions to marijuana in a Colorado allergy practice. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2017;119(6):570–1.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Decuyper I, et al. Where there’s smoke, there’s fire: cannabis allergy through passive exposure. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2016;5(3):864–5.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Ocampo T, Rans T. Cannabis sativa: the unconventional “weed” allergen. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2015;114:187–92.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Rabinovitch N, et al. The highs and lows of marijuana use in allergy. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2018;121(1):14–7.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Liskow B, et al. Allergy to marihuana. Ann Intern Med. 1971;75(4):571–3.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Stadtmauer G, et al. Anaphylaxis to ingestion of hempseed (Cannabis sativa). J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2003;112(1):216–7.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Bortolin K, et al. Case series of 5 patients with anaphylaxis to hemp seed ingestion. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2016;137(2):AB239.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Alkhammash S, et al. Cannabis and hemp seed allergy. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2019;7(7):2429–2430.e1.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Majmudar V, et al. Contact urticaria to Cannabis sativa. Contact Dermatitis. 2006;54(2):127.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Williams C, et al. Work-related contact urticaria to Cannabis sativa. Contact Dermatitis. 2008;58(1):62–3.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Kanceljak-Macan B, et al. Organic aerosols and the development of allergic disorders. Arh Hig Rada Toksikol. 2004;55:213–20.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Gamboa P, et al. Sensitization to cannabis sativa by a novel allergenic lipid transfer protein, Can s 3. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2007;120(6):1459–60.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Ebo DG. New food allergies in a European non-Mediterranean region: is Cannabis sativa to blame? Int Arch Allergy Immunol. 2013;161:220–8.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Armentia A, et al. Allergic hypersensitivity to cannabis in patients with allergy and illicit drug users. Allergol Immunopathol (Madr). 2011;39(5):271–9.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Nie B, et al. The role of mass spectrometry in the cannabis industry. J Am Soc Mass Spectrom. 2019;30(5):719–30.

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  17. Gaffal E, et al. Anti-inflammatory activity of topical THC in DNFB-mediated mouse allergic contact dermatitis independent of CB1 and CB2 receptors. Allergy. 2013;68:994–1000.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Karsak M, et al. Attenuation of allergic contact dermatitis through the endocannabinoid system. Science. 2007;316:1494–7.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Diaz P, et al. 6-Methoxy-N-alkyl isatin acylhydrazone derivatives as a novel series of potent selective cannabinoid receptor 2 inverse agonists: design, synthesis and binding mode prediction. J Med Chem. 2009;52(2):433–44.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Bobrov M, et al. Expression of Type I Cannabinoid Receptors at Different Stages of Neuronal Differentiation of Human Fibroblasts. Bull Exp Biol Med. 2017;163:272–5.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Katchan V, et al. Cannabinoids and autoimmune diseases: a systematic review. Autoimmun Rev. 2016;15:513–28.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. del Rio C, et al. The endocannabinoid system of the skin. A potential approach for the treatment of skin disorders. Biochem Pharmacol. 2018;157:122–33.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Petrosino S, et al. Anti-inflammatory properties of cannabidiol, a non-psychotropic cannabinoid, in experimental allergic contact dermatitis. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2018;365:652–63.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Makrantonaki E, et al. An update on the role of the sebaceous gland in the pathogenesis of acne. Dermatoendocrinol. 2011;3(1):41–9. https://doi.org/10.4161/derm.3.1.13900.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  25. Kistowska M, et al. Propionibacterium acnes promotes Th17 and Th17/Th1 responses in acne patients. J Investig Dermatol. 2015;135(1):110–8.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Stander S, et al. Distribution of cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) and 2 (CB2). J Dermatol Sci. 2005;38:177–88.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Dobrosi N, et al. Endocannabinoids enhance lipid synthesis and apoptosis of human sebocytes via cannabinoid receptor-2-mediated signaling. FASEB J. 2008;22:3685–95.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Maccarrone M, et al. Endocannabinoid signaling at the periphery: 50 years after THC. Trends Pharmacol Sci. 2015;36(5):277–96.

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  29. Olah A, et al. Cannabidiol exerts sebostatic and anti-inflammatory effects of human sebocytes. J Clin Invest. 2014;124:3713–24.

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  30. Olah A, et al. Differential effectiveness of selected non-psychotropic phytocannabinoids on human sebocyte functions implicates their introduction in dry seborrheic skin and acne treatment. Exp Dermatol. 2016;25:701–7.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Jin S, Lee M. The ameliorative effect of hemp seed hexane extracts on Propionibacterium acnes-induced inflammation and lipogenesis in sebocytes. PLoS One. 2018;13(8):e0202933. Published online 2018 Aug 27. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0202933.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  32. Jhawar N, et al. The growing trend of cannabidiol in skincare products. Clin Dermatol. 2019;37:279–81.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Ali A, Akhtar N. The safety and efficacy of 3% cannabis seeds extract cream for reduction of human cheek skin sebum and erythema content. Pak J Pharm Sci. 2015;28(4):1389–95.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Siano F, et al. Comparative study of chemical, biochemical characteristic and ATR-FTIR analysis of seeds, oil and flour of the edible fedora cultivar hemp (Cannabis sativa L.). Molecules. 2018;24(1):83.

    PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  35. Ghosh S, et al. Fish oil attenuates omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid-induced dysbiosis and infectious colitis but impairs LPS dephosphorylation activity causing sepsis. PLoS One. 2013;8(2):e55468.

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  36. Wolkenstein P, et al. Smoking and dietary factors associated with moderate-to-severe acne in French adolescents and young adults: results of a survey using a representative sample. Dermatology. 2015;230:34–9.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Dréno B, et al. The influence of exposome on acne. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2018;32(5):812–9.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  38. Iversen L. Cannabis and the brain. Brain. 2003;126:1252–70.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Rieder S, et al. Cannabinoid-induced apoptosis in immune cells as a pathway to immunosuppression. Immunobiology. 2010;215:598–605.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Navarini L, et al. Endocannabinoid system in systemic lupus erythematosus: first evidence for a deranged 2-arachidonoylglycerol metabolism. Int J Biochem Cell Biol. 2018;99:161–8.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Nabatian A, et al. Tumor necrosis factor alpha release in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of cutaneous lupus and dermatomyositis patients. Arthritis Res Ther. 2012;14(1):1–11.

    Google Scholar 

  42. Tepper M, et al. Ultrapure ajulemic acid has improved CD2 selectivity with reduced CD1 activity. Bioorg Med Chem. 2014;22:3245–51.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Robinson E, et al. Cannabinoid reduces inflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and type I interferons in dermatomyositis in vitro. J Investig Dermatol. 2017;137:2445–7.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Marquart S, et al. Inactivation of the cannabinoid receptor CB1 prevents leukocyte infiltration and experimental fibrosis. Arthritis Rheum. 2010;62(11):3467–76.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Servettaz A, et al. Targeting the cannabinoid pathway limits the development of fibrosis and autoimmunity in a mouse model of systemic sclerosis. Am J Pathol. 2010;177(1):187–96.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  46. Juknat A, et al. Differential transcriptional profiles mediated by exposure to the cannabinoids cannabidiol and delta nine tetrahydrocannabinol in BV-2 microglial cells. Br J Pharmacol. 2012;165(8):2512–28.

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  47. Klein TW. Cannabinoid-based drugs as anti-inflammatory therapeutics. Nat Rev Immunol. 2005;5:400–11.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Lazzerini P, et al. Adenosine A2A receptor activation stimulates collagen production in sclerodermic dermal fibroblast either directly and through a cross-talk with the cannabinoid system. J Mol Med. 2012;90:331–42.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. Akhmetshina A, et al. The cannabinoid receptor CB2 exerts antifibrotic effects in experimental dermal fibrosis. Arthritis Rheum. 2009;60(4):1129–36.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. Garcia-Gonzalez E, et al. Can cannabinoids modulate fibrotic progression in systemic sclerosis? Isr Med Assoc J. 2016;18:156–8.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Juel-Jensen B. Cannabis and recurrent herpes simplex. BMJ. 1972;4(5835):296.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Zhang X, et al. Cannabinoid modulation of Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpes virus infection and transformation. Cancer Res. 2007;67(15):7230–7.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  53. Huemer H, et al. “Recreational” drug abuse associated with failure to mount a proper antibody response after a generalised orthopoxvirus infection. Infection. 2007;35(6):469–71.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  54. Huemer H, et al. Cannabinoids lead to enhanced virulence of smallpox vaccine (vaccinia) virus. Immunobiology. 2011;216:670–7.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. Sauvanier M, et al. Lower limb occlusive arteriopathy: retrospective analysis of 73 patients with onset before the age of 50 years. J Mal Vasc. 2002;27:69–76.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  56. Timlin H, et al. Vascular effects of cannabis: case report and review of literature. J Rheumatol Arthritis Dis. 2017;2:1–3.

    Google Scholar 

  57. Jouanjus E, et al. Cannabis use: signal of increasing risk of serious cardiovascular disorders. J Am Heart Assoc. 2014;3:e000638. https://doi.org/10.1161/JAHA.113.000638.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  58. Kalla A, et al. Cannabis use predicts risks of heart failure and cerebrovascular accidents: results from the National Inpatient Sample. J Cardiovasc Med. 2018;19:480–4. https://doi.org/10.2459/JCM.0000000000000681.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  59. Cappelli F, et al. Cannabis: a trigger for acute myocardial infarction? A case report. J Cardiovasc Med. 2008;9(7):725–8.

    Google Scholar 

  60. Middleman MA, et al. Triggering myocardial infarction by marijuana. Circulation. 2001;103:2805–9.

    Google Scholar 

  61. Noel B. Thromboangiitis obliterans a new look for an old disease. Int J Cardiol. 2001;78:199.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  62. Dahdouh Z, et al. Cannabis and coronary thrombosis: what is the role of platelets? Platelets. 2012;23:243–5.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  63. Combemale P, et al. Cannabis arteritis. Br J Dermatol. 2005;152:166–9.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  64. Li J, Kampp J. Review of common alternative herbal “remedies” for skin cancer. Dermatol Surg. 2019;45(1):58–67.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  65. Taha T, et al. Cannabis impacts tumor response rate to nivolumab in patients with advanced malignancies. Oncologist. 2019;24(4):549–54.

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  66. Blazquez C, et al. Cannabinoid receptors as novel targets for the treatment of melanoma. FASEB J. 2006;20:2633–5.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  67. Armstrong J, et al. Exploiting cannabinoid induced cytotoxic autophagy to drive melanoma cell death. J Invest Dermatol. 2015;135:1629–37.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  68. Carpi S, et al. Tumor promoting effects of cannabinoid receptor type 1 in human melanoma cells. Toxicol In Vitro. 2017;40:272–9.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  69. Glodde N, et al. Differential role of cannabinoids in the pathogenesis of skin cancer. Life Sci. 2015;138:35–40.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  70. Sailler S, et al. Regulation of circulating endocannabinoids associated with cancer and metastases in mice and humans. Onco Targets Ther. 2014;1:272–82.

    Google Scholar 

  71. Pucci M, et al. Endocannabinoids stimulate human melanogenesis via type-1 cannabinoid receptor. J Biol Chem. 2012;287:15466–78.

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  72. Casanova M, et al. Inhibition of skin tumor growth and angiogenesis in vivo by activation of cannabinoid receptors. J Clin Invest. 2003;111:43–50.

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  73. Zheng D, et al. The cannabinoid receptors are required for ultraviolet-induced inflammation and skin cancer development. Cancer Res. 2008;68(10):3992–8.

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  74. Nakajima J, et al. Structure-dependent inhibitory effects of synthetic cannabinoids against 12-0-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-induced inflammation and skin tumor promotion in mice. J Pharm Pharmacol. 2013;65(8):1223–30.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  75. Soliman E, Van Dross R. Anandamide-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis are mediated by oxidative stress in non-melanoma skin cancer: receptor-independent endocannabinoid signaling. Mol Carcinog. 2016;55:1807–21.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  76. Bruni N, et al. Cannabinoid delivery systems for pain and inflammation treatment. Molecules. 2018;10:2478.

    Google Scholar 

  77. USFDA. Facts about the current good manufacturing practices (CGMPs). https://www.fda.gov/drugs/pharmaceutical-quality-resources/facts-about-current-good-manufacturing-practices-cgmps. Accessed 30 Aug 2019.

  78. https://apnews.com/2cb04323f9074c1ca28001693f6e2a8a. Accessed 25 Aug 2019.

  79. Oregon Secretary of State. 2019. https://sos.oregon.gov/audits/Documents/2019-04.pdf. Accessed 25 Aug 2019.

  80. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Industry-Insiders-Warn-of-Fraud-at-Marijuana-Testing-Labs-458125743.html. Accessed 25 Aug 2019.

  81. USFDA. Scientific data and information about products containing cannabis or cannabis-derived compounds; Public Hearing. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/fda-meetings-conferences-and-workshops/scientific-data-and-information-about-products-containing-cannabis-or-cannabis-derived-compounds. Accessed 30 Aug 2019.

  82. Bonn-Miller MO, et al. Labeling accuracy of cannabidiol extracts sold online. JAMA. 2017;318(17):1708–9.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  83. Fulton A, Blitz S. Into the weeds: walking the regulatory line of CBD in cosmetics. Cosmetics and Toiletries https://www.cosmeticsandtoiletries.com/regulatory/claims/Into-the-Weeds-Walking-the-Regulatory-Line-of-CBD-in-Cosmetics-511854642.html. Accessed 20 Aug 2019.

  84. Shapiro BB, et al. Cryptococcal meningitis in a daily cannabis smoker without evidence of immunodeficiency. BMJ Case Rep. 2018;2018:bcr-2017-221435.

    Google Scholar 

  85. Thompson GR, et al. A microbiome assessment of medical marijuana. Clin Microbiol Infect. 2017;23(4):269–70.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  86. Szaflarski JP, et al. CBD EAP study group. Long-term safety and treatment effects of cannabidiol in children and adults with treatment-resistant epilepsies: expanded access program results. Epilepsia. 2018;59(8):1540–8.

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Vermont Dermatopathology, South Burlington, VT, USA

    Catherine Murer Antley

  2. Dermatology, Rocky Vista University, Colorado Springs, CO, USA

    Reagan Anderson

  3. Pharmacology, Timbre Health, Cambridge, MA, USA

    Judith Margulies

Authors
  1. Catherine Murer Antley
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Reagan Anderson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Judith Margulies
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Catherine Murer Antley .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Springs Rehabilitation PC, Colorado Springs, CO, USA

    Kenneth Finn

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2020 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Antley, C.M., Anderson, R., Margulies, J. (2020). Cannabis in Dermatology. In: Finn, K. (eds) Cannabis in Medicine. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-45968-0_15

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-45968-0_15

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-45967-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-45968-0

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation