Over the past two decades, our understanding of the therapeutic potential and medicinal properties of cannabis has evolved significantly. This transformation has been accompanied by a rise in cannabis use across diverse communities and age groups, particularly within the United States. Given this increasing prevalence, it is essential to assess the public health implications of cannabis and hemp, particularly their potential to influence therapeutic outcomes. This review was conducted in accordance with ethical guidelines for research involving human and animal subjects, adhering to the principles outlined in the Helsinki Declaration of 1975, as revised in 2013. As no direct human or animal subjects were involved, informed consent was not required.

This review examines ongoing research on the cannabinoid receptor system, its endogenous ligands, pharmacology, metabolism, and applications in pain management for both oral and topical use. Additionally, it explores the current oral health consequences associated with cannabis use and the associated medical dilemmas. Furthermore, this review highlights key clinical considerations for healthcare providers regarding cannabis and hemp-based product use. These products may influence several metabolic pathways and pose potential drug interactions with conventional treatments. While the pharmacological effects of pure cannabidiol (CBD) have been extensively studied, cannabis extracts vary significantly in composition and are often lacking empirical validation. There remain significant gaps in our understanding of the benefits and risks associated with cannabis and hemp-based products, largely due to the unpredictability of their pharmacological and clinical effects. Additionally, variations in commercially available products necessitate further empirical investigation. Given the ongoing challenges in managing acute and chronic pain, this review underscores the potential therapeutic applications of cannabis and CBD-hemp extracts, particularly for patient populations experiencing anxiety, inflammation, and dental pain.

The therapeutic utility and medicinal properties of cannabis have been subjected to many debates. In the last two decades, a significant rise in cannabis and hemp products has been introduced into the market and its impact on public health is unknown. Concerning dentistry, marijuana smokers exhibit oral complications and pathologies, but therapeutic application based on the delivery route and pharmacological action could provide beneficial clinical outcomes. The current shortcomings in understanding the benefits of cannabis or hemp products are limited due to pharmacological and clinical effects not being predictable. This course will highlight the important facts for clinicians that will give them a discussion on the cannabinoid receptor system, pharmacology, current oral health and systemic impact, medical dilemma, and drug metabolism (D-D interactions). Recent evidence links gingival disease and hypertension proposing several pathways including low-grade systemic inflammation and oxidative stress. The inflammation associated with elevated arterial blood pressure and vascular dysfunction results in many cardiovascular problems. Treatment with CB2R ligand SMM-189 shows promises to improve periodontal health by reducing the inflammatory burden and oxidative stress. We are currently studying CB2R selective ligand effects which provide an optimal target for novel strategies and should be further explored in both in vitro and animal studies in the management of periodontal and systemic health.