Renata Mala, PharmD, Chairman of Purely Plant GmbH, underlines the importance of ensuring high and reproducible quality when it comes to medicinal cannabis
In the last few years, the potential use of the cannabis plant and the chemicals it contains have been much featured in the news. There is evidence that it can be of use in treating severe epilepsy, nausea and vomiting during chemotherapy, and reducing chronic pain.
The cannabis plant contains over 400 compounds (cannabinoids, flavonoids, terpenes and fatty acids). The major compounds are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). THC is the most psychoactive compound and CBD is responsible for many of the anti-inflammatory and neurological effects of cannabis. There is virtually no understanding of the effect of the minor compounds found in the plant on the overall effect of THC and/or CBD (the “entourage effect”). To ensure reproducible effects and to study the interactions of all the component compounds, it is essential to be able to produce plant material with consistent composition and quality. Such products are required for reliable clinical trials and to provide consistent beneficial therapeutic effects.
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