Oxford University launches research on medical cannabis

Researchers from Oxford University, the oldest English-speaking University and one of the most prestigious in the world, are preparing a study on the benefits of therapeutic marijuana for the treatment of pain, cancer and other severe and chronic diseases.

This is due to the demands of some British MPs for a law that allows medical use of cannabis, and the latest surveys on the subject, which indicate that 58% of citizens support such legislation.

In recent years, research in this field has advanced by leaps and bounds. There is evidence of the benefits of cannabis in the treatment of multiple sclerosis, epilepsy and arthritis, among other pathologies.

Oxford University is teaming up with Kingsley Capital Partners on a multi-million dollar medical cannabis research program –named “the Cannabis Research Plan”- to develop new therapies. Kingsley is providing up to $12.36 million for the program through its new biopharmaceutical arm Oxford Cannabinoid Technologies (OCT).

“This field holds great promise for developing novel therapeutic opportunities for cancer patients”

“Cannabinoid research has started to produce exciting biological discoveries and this research program is a timely opportunity to increase our understanding of the role of cannabinoids in health and disease” Ahmed Ahmed, professor of gynaecological oncology at Oxford University, said. “This field holds great promise for developing novel therapeutic opportunities for cancer patients”, concluded.

The research has also received support from renowned voices such as Patrick Stewart, a British actor known for his roles of Professor X in X-Men and Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek, who has said that he uses therapeutic marijuana to treat his arthritis.  “This is an important step forward for Britain in a field of research that has for too long been held back by prejudice, fear and ignorance. I believe this programme of research might result in benefits for people like myself as well as millions of others”.

Cannabis use is currently not allowed in the UK. The only product that contains cannabis and is regulated in the country is Sativex, a medicine to relieve the muscle spasms of patients with multiple sclerosis, which is available on prescription.