Federal Health Officials Set Priorities for Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research

Federal health officials have released a new report detailing research priorities for cannabis and cannabinoids. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) aims to bridge the gap between the growing medical use of cannabis and the need for research to ensure its safety and effectiveness.

Addressing Knowledge Gaps

Published in the Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, the report highlights that despite the increasing use of cannabis for medical purposes, there’s still a lack of knowledge about its risks and benefits. More research is needed to help doctors and patients make informed decisions about using cannabis for health reasons.

Expanded Research Efforts

NCCIH and other National Institutes of Health (NIH) agencies are stepping up their research on the safety and effectiveness of cannabis. They recognize that cannabis is a complex plant with many chemicals that need to be studied both separately and together.

Key Areas of Study

The report outlines several important research areas, including how cannabis affects pain, sleep, and social anxiety. Other areas include the therapeutic use of terpenes (aromatic compounds in cannabis), finding bioactive cannabinoids in hemp, synthesizing rare cannabinoids, and understanding how cannabis chemicals interact with the body and brain.

Focus on Pain Management

NCCIH is particularly interested in the pain-relief properties of cannabis, especially for chronic pain. In 2019, they issued grants totaling $3 million to study how cannabis chemicals can help relieve pain.

Recent Research Highlights

The report details various ongoing and recent studies, such as:

• How CBD affects chronic pain related to arthritis.
• Testing cannabinoids and terpenes for pain relief in animal models.
• Effects of rare cannabinoids on brain cells called microglia.
• How CBD and terpenes work together to regulate pain.
• Evaluating terpenes for treating nerve pain.
• Discovering new bioactive cannabinoids from hemp.
• Synthesizing rare cannabinoids not available commercially.
• Impact of CBD on brain signaling related to anxiety and sleep.
• Potential of myrcene and β-caryophyllene to replace THC and opioids.
• Effects of CBD on sleep and pain in multiple sclerosis.
• Observational research on edible cannabis and pain relief.

Supporting Research and Overcoming Barriers

NIH is also launching a Resource Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research to help researchers overcome challenges in studying cannabis. The center will provide tools and support for new cannabis researchers.

Resource Center and Future Directions

The Resource Center will serve as a hub for new cannabis research, providing resources and support. An agency website will consolidate information about NIH’s cannabis research programs, including priorities, contacts, funding opportunities, and access to research applications.

Commitment to Research

Despite regulatory challenges, NCCIH and NIH are committed to advancing cannabis research. Through rigorous studies, they aim to fully understand the therapeutic potential of cannabis and address safety concerns.

Collaborative Efforts

Other NIH entities involved in cannabis research include the National Institute on Aging (NIA), National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), National Eye Institute (NEI), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS), and Office of Research on Women’s Health (ORWH).

Navigating Regulatory Changes

At a recent conference, NCCIH officials discussed the potential impact of reclassifying marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act. Craig Hopp, deputy director of NCCIH’s division of extramural research, noted that while this change could ease study barriers, the current regulatory environment remains the same for now.

Hope for the Future

David Shurtleff, deputy director of NCCIH, expressed hope that rescheduling would speed up research. He emphasized the agency’s commitment to studying cannabis, regardless of scheduling changes.

The NCCIH report is a significant step towards closing the gap between the medical use of cannabis and the research needed to ensure its safety and effectiveness. As research efforts increase, federal health officials are committed to understanding the therapeutic potential of cannabis and addressing public health concerns.