5 Countries with the Most Advanced Cannabis Research
It's no secret that cannabis use remains highly stigmatized, both for medical and recreational purposes. The most advanced countries in cannabis research use scientific methods to suppress this stigma while providing people with medicines they critically need for their health.
Below is a list of countries that are one step ahead in cannabis research and are currently taking steps to explore potential healing effects of cannabis.
Cannabis Research
Multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease, chronic pain and many other conditions. Due to the healing properties of cannabis, this plant is an excellent treatment option for numerous diseases. However, medical cannabis research remains very limited, so patients, healthcare professionals, and politicians lack reliable evidence needed to make decisions about using this plant for treatment.
Leading Countries in Cannabis Research
Israel
Besides being the world leader in medical cannabis research, Israel is also a country that is a pioneer in researching the chemical properties of this plant. Israel is considered the most progressive country in the world regarding cannabis research. THC and the endocannabinoid system were discovered in Israel in the 1960s by world-renowned cannabis research pioneer Raphael Mechoulam. Since then, the country has funded scientific cannabis research, placing Israel at the top of cannabis research rankings.
Israel can now boast the largest number of clinical studies worldwide examining cannabis benefits. Cannabis research in this country focuses on the role of cannabis in treating various health issues.
Canada
In 2018, Canada became the second country to fully legalize cannabis. The legalization process began in full after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's election, who campaigned with a promise to legalize recreational cannabis. During preparations for the Canadian cannabis program, over 1,800 Canadian scientists and researchers sent Trudeau a letter requesting the government facilitate cannabis research.
In 2018, the Canadian government decided to provide 1.4 million dollars to 14 scientific projects planning to study cannabis legalization impacts across the country. Some projects will examine potential impacts of cannabis use on indigenous communities, pregnant women and adolescents, while other projects will investigate how cannabis use might change after legalization.
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is one of the few European countries that legalized medical cannabis in the past decade (in 2013). Since then, the Czech Republic has become one of the primary locations for cannabis research.
The Czech Republic has one of the highest quality research institutions in cannabis not just in Europe, but worldwide. International Institute for Cannabis and Cannabinoids (ICCI) in the Czech Republic is a global leader in scientifically-based cannabis research. Some of their research activities focus on examining the effectiveness of cannabis compounds on the human organism, the effects of various substances on specific syndromes and health disorders.
Spain
Although THC-containing medical cannabis is currently prohibited in Spain, several cannabis research institutions have emerged in the country. Research teams from Complutense University of Madrid discovered that THC might affect programmed cell death in brain tumors without adversely impacting surrounding brain cells. In 2000, the same team tested synthetic THC effects on rats injected to destroy brain tumors. It worked for a third of the rats, extending their life by six weeks.
Spaniards also conducted research aimed at revealing the overall benefits of cannabis, understanding the plant's genetic elements, and the diversity of species found in nature. Spanish Observatory for Medical Cannabis (OECM) is currently one of the most significant cannabis research institutions in the country.
Netherlands
The Netherlands, considered the main cannabis tourism destination, is a leader in medical cannabis research. It is one of the few countries worldwide with a nationally recognized medical cannabis program.
Dutch test projects include numerous studies involving the creation of terpene and cannabinoid profiles and testing medical cannabis applications. Dutch research has produced several crucial findings in recent years. They investigated whether CBD could affect driving, whether this substance could create false memories, and whether cannabis users should be considered suitable witnesses in criminal investigations.