Cannabis research and clinical trials surge

Marijuana research is increasing across the country following the federal government's decision to establish a new regulatory regime and privatize the plant's production for medicinal purposes. In recent months, at least one clinical trial has been launched and two of the dozens of companies created to enter the marijuana businesses have struck agreements with researchers in the academic sector.

The country's first clinical trial has been commissioned by Prairie Plant Systems Inc (PPS), the first company to receive a new licence. The trial will provide physicians with data on appropriate dosing, initially for arthritis patients which are the largest users of medical marijuana. Several varieties with varying strengths of the two most active cannabinoids will be tested. PPS once received a $5.7-million contract from Health Canada to provide research-grade marijuana for medical and research purposes (R$, January 15/01).

Smith Falls ON-based Tweed Marijuana Inc (a wholly owned subsidiary of Tweed Inc) announced it will collaborate with researchers at the Univ of Ottawa and Ryerson Univ. Initial research led by Ryerson's Dr Lesley Campbell will focus on environmental factors that affect the health and productivity of cannabis plants with the aim of narrowing down success factors. At U of O, Drs Cory Harris, Doug Johnson and John Arnason will assess correlations between active ingredients in medical marijuana and strain effectiveness on selected ailments. The researchers anticipate their work will lead to new avenues of future research.

Also in Ontario, Napanee ON-based ABcann Medicinals is conducting research to develop innovative ways cannabis can be used as well as standardizing its quality. It has contracted with researchers at the Univ of Guelph and Queen's Univ.

Health Canada is struggling to keep on top of a growing pile of applications for licences to grow marijuana, with approximately 1,000 received to date. The flood of applications began shortly after legislation passed last year amending the Narcotic Control and Marijuana for Medical Purposes regulations, which came into effect April 1st. The new laws also spurred the creation of the Canadian Medical Cannabis Industry Association which represents the majority of licensed cannabis producers.

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