Each year, researchers worldwide work to better understand the human relationship with cannabis. Much of their cannabis research focuses on cannabis’ pharmaceutical potential and its safety of use both medically and recreationally. The following is a recap of cannabis research conducted in 2021 and industry discussions that continue to impact the field into 2022.
The 2021 CCORC
In June of 2021, the first Cannabis Clinical Outcomes Research Conference (CCORC) presented virtually. This conference featured keynote speakers and panelists from the industry discussing recent findings and providing a forum for industry professionals to identify problems and seek solutions. The conference proceedings were later detailed online and remain available through open access to researchers and industry members awaiting the next CCORC in 2022.
Improving Cannabis Research Efficacy
During the CCORC, various keynote speakers took the stage to explain both research findings and current field challenges. In his presentation of “Clinical Trials of Cannabis in Cancer and Sickle Cell Pain: ‘Not As Easy As It Looks’!”, Dr. Donald Abrams explored the roadblocks and problems facing cannabis research in 2021. Funding, participants, and product accessibility are listed issues that gave ongoing studied limitations and delays. Dr. Abrams recommends first implementing improved methods for finding and enrolling study participants. He also suggests a push for giving researchers more access to a range of cannabis products, including those currently on and entering the market.
Cannabinoids in Pain Management
Medical cannabis is known for its potential to help manage pain. THC plays a significant role, while terpenes may also contribute to pain relief. However, Dr. Ziva Cooper, Director of the Cannabis Research Initiative at the University of California, Los Angeles, emphasized the need for more in-depth research. She also stressed the importance of connecting specific cannabis components with their health outcomes. Researchers will need to continue exploring these connections in future studies.
During the same discussion, Dr. Yan Wang presented findings from a year-long study of patients who used cannabis products to manage pain. He collected data directly from these patients throughout the study. Although 78.6% of patients reported that cannabis effectively treated their pain, 42.9% also reported experiencing side effects.
Cannabis Product Policy
During her keynote speech “Cannabis Science vs. Policies: Reconciling the Disconnect,” Dr. R. Loraine Collins discussed the current and potential future impact of further legalization and exploration of medical cannabis on patients in need of pain treatment. She emphasized a lapse between current policy and research, and proposed that the research industry push harder to stay in time with policymakers in order to provide more accurate public safety information and improved evidence-based policy.
Clinical Trials
Clinical trials are a constant as the government, the public, and commercial industries continue to seek more information regarding cannabis usage and safety. These trials often explore the effects of THC, CBD, and placebos on both daily life and medical treatment. The goal is to gain a well-rounded understanding of ingestible products, and the impact cannabinoids have on our daily lives while striving to discover any treatment potential cannabis presents.
Cannabidiol and THC in Driving Performance
A randomized clinical trial accepted for publication in late 2020 made the rounds online in 2021 for further discussion. This study, funded by the Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics at the University of Sydney, used THC-dominant, CBD-dominant, and placebo cannabis to determine if cannabis use presented a crash risk for users when driving. A THC/CBD option was also used in the double-blind study.
Participants used randomized cannabis substances before performing a driving test with a goal of maintaining a standard deviation of lateral position (SDLP) from the lane boundary. The study concluded that while CBD alone had no measurable impact on driving performance, THC initially increased SDLP but wore off to match placebo results after some time.
Cannabinoids and Colitis
Another study from the University of South Carolina in 2021 looked at mice to determine why THC had an improving effect on colitis, or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). While CBD showed little to no effect on the condition of the female test mice, THC did prove to stimulate mucus and improve bowel stability. The research also concluded that the anti-colitic THC effects were independent of the gut microbiome and activated cannabinoid receptors to improve conditions.
Cannabinoids and Sleeping Through Chronic Pain
Finally, a substantial systematic review of over 5,000 participants with affiliations in McMaster University, University of Western Ontatio, and Ryerson University sought to explore the impact of cannabis on impaired sleep. The majority of participants live with chronic cancer or chronic pain with the potential to cause sleep disturbances. The review found that medical cannabis and cannabinoids likely have a positive but minimal impact on sleep by reducing sleep disturbances in both categories of participants.
Cannabis Research Moving Into 2022
As more government agencies regulate cannabis products, the need for further research continues to grow. Growing interest in cannabis use has opened the door to new studies. This interest spans academic, consumer, and medical settings. Policy changes across the country are also driving additional research.
However, increased interest in cannabis also brings new regulatory challenges. As more people use cannabis products, regulators may respond with sudden or specific restrictions. For example, consumers and researchers must continue to monitor Texas’ Delta-8 THC regulations. The legal battle surrounding its use remains ongoing.
Overall, the CCORC’s key speakers believe cannabis research can make the most progress when several groups work together. They emphasize the importance of aligning policy, public health messaging, and public interests. This approach can help support comprehensive, unbiased studies.
Cannabis research in 2022 will likely build on the progress made in 2021. Researchers will continue exploring which conditions cannabis may help treat. They will also study the safety and effectiveness of specific cannabis compounds. Recreational users and patients alike can look forward to new discoveries and information in the years ahead.
This recap of cannabis research conducted in 2021 highlights the ongoing need for progress. If you are joining the effort by starting a cannabis analysis lab, GenTech Scientific can help. For the past 25 years, we have provided refurbished and certified cannabis testing equipment to laboratories across the country.
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