In Toulouse, the Polytechnic Institute produces a medical cannabis extract

In Toulouse, four French biologists and chemists will be working with cannabis flowers over the next three years. Their goal? To use these flowers to produce the best possible cannabis extract for patients. A «partnership research agreement», between the National Polytechnic Institute (INP) and the company La Fleur.

«We’re going to extract the active compounds from cannabis (the cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids) in the best possible way, to turn them into medicines. It may take in the form of excerpts »dry, meaning in powder form, or in oil. It is then intended to be made into a capsule.", explains the Franck Milone, founder of La Fleur, as reported by Newsweed.

And the results may be promising. In fact, cannabis extracts could… fight cancer. « »In oncology, we will assess the ability of cannabis extract to kill cancer cells.", the business leader continues. What types of cancer? «We don’t comment on that.», “he replies, mentioning only…” «severe cases.».

Scientists in Toulouse also want to highlight their «green» approach. « All operations related to The laboratory renovations are being carried out with minimal disruptionon the environment and on the health of People. Our approach is rooted in the principles of sustainable chemistry« , enthuses in a press release Marion Alignan, biologist and project manager.

«It's very difficult to conduct this kind of research» in France

To set up this research project, Franck Milone had to import cannabis flowers from abroad. He does not specify which country, only that they come from «of the European Union». To purchase this merchandise, he had to declare everything to the authorities.

No wonder, given how strictly regulated cannabis use is in France. In France, medical cannabis is still illegal. A The trial has just begun with a view to possible approval. In the meantime, research on the flower remains quite complicated. «It took a year and a half, maybe even two years. We had to seek approval from the National Medicines Agency, as well as from customs.”. »It's very complex to conduct this kind of research.", he laments.

However, while cannabis is not readily accepted in French universities, this is not the case everywhere in the world. Two countries in particular stand out for their commitment to being at the forefront of scientific research on cannabis: Israel and the United States.

Israel is at the forefront in this area. As early as 2017, the government had set aside more than $2 million to fund scientific research. One university even created a specialized degree program in medical cannabis in 2019. In the United States, a « The »cannabis exchange" has just opened at a university in Michigan.