United States: $3 million in grants to study cannabinoids as an alternative to opioids

The U.S. federal government has awarded $3 million in grants for research into the therapeutic benefits of cannabinoids, other than THC, as an alternative to prescription opioids that have led to a serious crisis in the United States.

In a notice published on September 18, 2019, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) explained why these studies were needed, and listed the grantees and topics they will study. The research includes tests on the use of cannabidiol (CBD) for the treatment of arthritis-related pain, to be led by the New York University School of Medicine.

«The treatment of chronic pain relies heavily on opioids, despite their potential for dependence and overdose and the fact that they often don't work well if used long-term.», explains Helene Langevin, Director of the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). «There is an urgent need for more effective and safer options.».

A total of nine grants were awarded. The NIH said the funds would help identify other pain treatment options and provide information on the impact of using cannabis compounds such as CBD and other lesser-known cannabinoids, as well as terpenes found in the plant.

«The cannabis plant contains over 110 cannabinoids and 120 terpenes, but the only compound studied in depth is THC,» says the press release.

Although the THC is known to treat certain forms of pain, the NIH is concerned that its intoxicating effects may limit its medical applicability.

«THC can help relieve pain, but its value as an analgesic is limited by its psychoactive effects and abuse potential,» said David Shurtleff, Deputy Director of NCCIH. «These new projects will examine cannabis substances that don't have the drawbacks of THC, looking at their basic biological activity and potential mechanisms of action as analgesics.»

Federal health agencies aren't the only institutions interested in learning more about cannabis compounds other than THC. On September 18, 2019, a Senate committee has published a report in which it was recommended that research be carried out on CBD and the cannabigerol (CBG) while criticizing the federal drug classification system, which currently prevents such research.