Medical Marijuana: Just the Beginning of a Long, Strange Trip?

Medical marijuana continues to gain acceptance and become legalized in many states. Various species of the marijuana plant have been cultivated, and this plant can contain up to 100 active compounds known as cannabinoids. Two cannabinoids seem the most clinically relevant: Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which tends to produce the psychotropic effects commonly associated with marijuana, and cannabidiol (CBD), which may produce therapeutic effects without appreciable psychoactive properties. Although there is still a need for randomized controlled trials, preliminary studies have suggested that medical marijuana and related cannabinoids may be beneficial in treating people with chronic pain, inflammation, spasticity and other conditions.

Bermuda joins few Caribbean islands to decriminalize marijuana

Bermuda joins few Caribbean islands to decriminalize marijuana Bermuda has passed a bill decriminalizing the possession of cannabis after years of lobbying by advocates of the psychoactive drug which is used for both medicinal and recreational purposes. The island nation’s Misuse of Drugs [Decriminalization of Cannabis] Amendment Act 2017 removes criminal prosecution for the possession of not more…

Efficacy, Tolerability, and Safety of Cannabinoid Treatments in the Rheumatic Diseases: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

Extremely small sample sizes, short study duration, heterogeneity of rheumatic conditions and products, and absence of studies of herbal cannabis allow for only limited conclusions for the effects of cannabinoids in rheumatic conditions. Pain relief and effect on sleep may have some potential therapeutic benefit, but with considerable mild to moderate adverse events. There is currently insufficient evidence to recommend cannabinoid treatments for management of rheumatic diseases pending further study.

Harvesting the biosynthetic machineries that cultivate a variety of indispensable plant natural products

Plants are a sustainable resource for valuable natural chemicals best illustrated by large-scale farming centered on specific products. Gaps in our understanding of how economically important compounds such as cannabinoids are produced are being identified using next-generation ‘omics’ to rapidly advance biochemical breakthroughs at an unprecedented rate.