Cannabis Research

One can argue that research results from animal models cannot provide solutions to some of our more complex diseases such as sepsis and neurodegeneration; however, the fact is that animal models have provided solutions to chronic and infectious diseases such as polio, hypertension, diabetes, HIV, Alzheimer’s disease, and most recently, malaria. Malaria is one of the three deadliest infectious diseases in the world and the leading cause of death among African children younger than five. Thankfully, a safe and effective vaccine, developed by research with animal models, has succeeded in clinical trials this year.

Ethical and responsible research that directly translates from the bedside to the research bench and back to the clinic takes time. I was trained as a registered veterinary technician and have seen first-hand how animals have benefited from the discoveries made by researchers. They undergo life saving surgeries using anesthetics and are administered pain medications that were discovered by researchers. I am also my father’s caregiver and have watched him battle the consequences of diabetes by taking medications that were discovered by researchers. None of these therapies were discovered overnight. It takes years of basic research in animals and preclinical trials in humans before they can be safely used in patients.

Each of us has a story about how these treatments have improved our lives or the lives of someone we love. Anyone who claims that the benefits of biomedical research do not outweigh the risks is someone who has not taken the time to become informed. — Rosa Harmon | MS, RVT, CPIA | Biomedical Research Regulatory Compliance Manager | Lundquist Institute, formerly Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute.

A case is made that not enough Cannabis Research has been performed, this is far from the truth. When searching a research database, the keyword “Cannabis” brings up over 26,000 studies, while the keyword “Alcohol” brings up a little over 5,000. With that said, it is also argued that the research performed is fraught by bad design and bias. As with other controversial subjects, close attention must be paid to who is paying for the research. Let’s have bias free research!

Below is a Library of Cannabis Research Studies.