CannaCount: an improved metric for quantifying estimates of maximum possible cannabinoid exposure

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology
• Cannabinoid Science
• Clinical Research

Background:

• Growing access to diverse cannabinoid products necessitates accurate exposure quantification.
• Current methods fail to incorporate specific cannabinoid concentrations (e.g., THC, CBD).

Purpose of the Study:

• Introduce CannaCount, a novel metric for estimating maximum cannabinoid exposure.
• Validate CannaCount's feasibility in medical cannabis patients.

Main Methods:

• Developed CannaCount, an examiner-driven metric accounting for cannabinoid concentration, duration, frequency, and quantity of use.
• Applied CannaCount to quantify estimated THC and CBD exposure in 60 longitudinal patients.
• Collected data on product types and routes of administration.

Main Results:

• CannaCount successfully quantified estimated THC and CBD exposure for most patient visits.
• The accuracy of cannabinoid exposure estimation improved over the two-year study.
• Improved product labeling and consumer awareness contributed to better data.

Conclusions:

• CannaCount is the first metric to estimate maximum individual cannabinoid exposure based on product concentrations.
• This tool will enhance cross-study comparisons and provide valuable clinical insights.
• CannaCount offers detailed exposure information for researchers and clinicians.