5 COUNTRIES WITH THE MOST ADVANCED CANNABIS RESEARCH

It is no secret that cannabis use is still highly stigmatised, both for medicinal and recreational purposes. The most modern countries in cannabis research are using scientific methods to counteract this stigma while providing people with the medicine they need to stay healthy.

Below is a list of countries that are one step ahead in cannabis research and are currently taking a number of steps to explore the potential medicinal effects of cannabis.

Cannabis research

Multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease, chronic pain and many other diseases. The healing effects of cannabis make the plant a great therapeutic choice for a number of ailments. However, research on medicinal cannabis is very limited, so patients, health professionals and policy makers do not have the reliable evidence needed to make decisions about the medicinal use of this plant.

Leading countries in cannabis research

Israel

In addition to being a world leader in medical cannabis research, Israel is also a pioneer in research into the chemical properties of the plant. Israel is considered the most advanced country in the world when it comes to cannabis research. THC and the endocannabinoid system were discovered in Israel in the 1960s by Raphael Mechoulam, a world-renowned Israeli pioneer in cannabis research. Since then, the country has funded scientific research into cannabis, putting Israel at the top of the cannabis research ladder.

Israel now boasts the largest number of clinical trials in the world investigating the benefits of cannabis. Cannabis research conducted in the country focuses on the role of cannabis in treating various health conditions.

Canada

In 2018, Canada became the second country to fully legalise cannabis. The legalisation process got into full swing after the election of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who ran on a promise to legalise recreational cannabis. In preparation for the launch of Canada's cannabis programme, more than 1 800 Canadian scientists and researchers sent a letter to Trudeau demanding that the government facilitate cannabis research.
In 2018, the Canadian government decided to provide $1.4 million to 14 research projects that plan to study the impacts of cannabis legalization across the country. Some of the projects will look at the potential impacts of cannabis use on Indigenous communities, pregnant women and teens, while other projects will examine how cannabis use will change after legalization.

Czech Republic

The Czech Republic is one of several European countries that have legalised medicinal cannabis in the past decade (and in 2013). Since then, the Czech Republic has become one of the main sites for cannabis research.

The Czech Republic has one of the highest quality cannabis research institutions not only in Europe but also beyond. The International Cannabis and Cannabinoid Institute (ICCI) in the Czech Republic is a world leader in evidence-based cannabis research. Some of their research activities focus on investigating the efficacy of cannabis substances on the human body, the effects of different substances on specific syndromes and health disorders.

Spain

Although medical cannabis containing THC is currently prohibited in Spain, several institutions dedicated to cannabis research have been established in the country. Research teams from the Complutense University of Madrid have found that THC can affect the programmed cell death of brain tumours without adversely affecting surrounding brain cells. In 2000, the same team tested the effects of synthetic THC on rats that had been injected to destroy brain tumours. It worked in a third of the rats and extended their lives by six weeks.

The Spaniards also carried out research to discover the overall benefits of cannabis, to understand the genetic elements of the plant and the diversity of species found in the wild. The Spanish Observatory for Medical Cannabis (OECM) is now one of the most important institutions for cannabis research in the country.

The Netherlands

The Netherlands, which is considered a major cannabis tourist destination, is one of the leaders in the field of medical cannabis research. The Netherlands is one of the few countries in the world with a nationally recognised medical cannabis programme.

Dutch testing projects include a number of studies that involve the development of terpene and cannabinoid profiles and the testing of the medical use of cannabis. Dutch research has produced a number of major findings in recent years. It has investigated whether CBD can influence driving, whether the substance can create false memories and whether cannabis users should be considered suitable witnesses in criminal investigations.