Michael Dor

Ariel University, Israel

Title: Three Decades of Cannabis Research: What are the Obstacles?

Abstract

During the last years thousands of publications have been published concerning medical cannabis usage. Unfortunately, most publications are small and poorly designed research projects or case studies. However, the obstacles impending the use of medical cannabis and related research merit more in-depth examination if we are to understand the reasons behind this situation.

Legislative and Regulatory Barriers

The fundamental obstacles to cannabis research were a result of antagonistic legislation and legal prohibition. The cannabis was forbidden for medical purposes and for research projects. The perception of several producers was that the cannabis derived goods were a competition to other products and those companies promoted anti cannabis legislation starting in USA and later on expanding to the WHO and other countries. Although Federal USA legislation is still antagonistic toward medical cannabis use and research, the number of states approving it continues to grow all the time. In many states it is accompanied by legalization of cannabis for recreational purposes, and it is quite a complicated combination. In many places the promoters of cannabis for recreational use the medical cannabis as a point of entree for the cannabis for social purposes. Many other countries have changed their legislation over the last decade so as to remove cannabidiol (CBD) from the list of narcotics. The process of legalization for social purposes is progressing as well and is expected to continue so many other countries to follow. this direction. Cannabis was used thousands of years ago and during the last hundred years it was introduced for many medical indications.

Prejudice

During the years of the struggle between the supporters and the adversaries, a demonization process of the cannabis was initiated blaming the plant for many problems starting with being an entrance to hard drugs addiction and continuing with pushing the users to criminal activities. The unfounded accusations caused problems on patients and physician’s level. The patients refused treatment fearing of addiction. The physicians were reluctant to administer cannabis because they had no knowledge, they were afraid to take the responsibility for the use of the substance that was not approved as medication and didn't have the research to prove it efficient and safe. The stigma and the linkage to recreational and in many cases, illegal cannabis, intimidated the physicians. They were afraid of damage to their reputation if connected to the plant.

Medical Insurance

As long as the cannabis is not recognised as a medication, physicians worry about the dangers of malpractice suits. It is quite difficult to justify the use of a plant that doesn't present substantial research proving its safely and efficiently and was not produced under strict GMP standards.

Non-Uniformity in the production process

Cannabis is a highly complex plant composed of about 600 different cannabinoids, 60 flavonoids, and 60 terpenes. Differences in genetic origin or growing conditions lead to different composition of the final drug produced. Growing and production according to GMP standards is extremely difficult making the conduct of valid research complicated and costly. Problems concerning the ways of administration. Most of the users prefer smoking and even today 80% of the patients use the cannabis by smoking or inhaling.

Lack of reliable information

Cannabis was under a debate for many years and beside defamation it was also described by others as a "Panacea" - a drug that will cure every disease including cancer and many other diseases. The media took a huge role in promoting unfounded information. Since the physicians didn't know much about the cannabis, the population was sent to look for information in non-reliable sources.

Budgetary Issues

During many years the pharmaceutical companies were reluctant to finance the cannabis research. It is quite difficult to register a patent right of a plant that was in use for thousands of years. During the last decade we notice a significant change in this attitude and the investments in cannabis research are increasing. The interest of the potential investors is not limited to human medications. There are more areas that will be a huge potential for revenues, Cosmetics Food supplements Veterinary products Each one of those could be a source for billions of dollars income. There is no doubt about the direction. The research of the cannabis is progressing and will continue, and we will see more and better medical products and ways of administration in the near future. The key to this development is teaching the professionals and educating the public.

Biography

Michael Dor works as a Former Senior Medical Cannabis Consultant at the Medical Cannabis Unit, Israel Ministry of Health, Jerusalem, Israel.

4th International Conference on Global Healthcare and Nutrition

Michael Dor

Title: Three Decades of Cannabis Research: What are the Obstacles?

Abstract

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