Medical cannabis research

Medical Cannabis Research Overview:

• Cannabis use for medical treatment has increased globally since 2008.
• Major social and legal barriers slow down cannabis research compared to standard medical research.
• Cannabis is not a patented drug owned by the pharmaceutical industry.
• Legal status of cannabis as a medical treatment is ambiguous even where it is allowed.
• Ethics around cannabis research are rapidly changing.
• Approval from the FDA is required to conduct cannabis research.
• A DEA license specific to Schedule I drugs is necessary.
• Prior to June 2015, US Public Health Service approval was mandatory for cannabis research.
• NIDA was the sole source licensed for cannabis cultivation and provision by the federal government.

Medical Conditions and Cannabis Research:

• Cancer: Laboratory experiments suggest cannabis and cannabinoids have anticarcinogenic effects.
• Dementia: Medical cannabis’s potential in treating dementia remains weakly supported.
• Diabetes: Cannabis use may slightly reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
• Epilepsy: Clinical data on cannabis and epilepsy treatment are limited.
• Glaucoma: Limited research exists on cannabinoids’ therapeutic effects on the eyes.
• Tourette Syndrome: Cannabinoids show potential in treating Tourette syndrome.

Potential Treatment Conditions:

• Anecdotal evidence and pre-clinical research suggest cannabis/cannabinoids may benefit Huntington’s disease or Parkinson’s disease.
• Cannabis was argued to have potential for treating amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
• Review indicated bipolar disorder might not be well-controlled by current medications.
• Cannabinoids proposed for primary anorexia nervosa treatment but with no measurable effect.
• Cannabinoids suggested for future clinical use in treating digestive diseases.

Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders:

• American Academy of Neurology found weak scientific evidence for cannabis treating brain diseases.
• Cannabis extract or spray may help ease multiple sclerosis patients’ stiffness.
• Preliminary studies show cannabis potential in treating anxiety, depression, and psychosis.
• Cannabidiol showed potential in relieving convulsion, inflammation, cough, congestion, and nausea.
• Laboratory experiments show cannabinoids in marijuana may have analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects.

Legal History and Reforms:

• U.S. Legal History: Overview of the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937 and major legal reforms.
• International Legal Reforms: Timeline of cannabis law changes in Canada, Germany, UK, and Uruguay.
• Treaty Law: Rescheduling of cannabis in 2020.
• Landmark Case: Overview of Gonzales v. Raich.
• Regulatory Updates: Recent changes in cannabis laws in different countries.

Medical cannabis research Data Sources