A University of Saskatchewan study will look at if cannabis can relieve anxiety in people who suffer from dementia.

The study will examine how patients tolerate the side effects of the drug, what dosage to use, and any adverse effects.

"[We're] trying to reduce anxiety using a cannabis intervention so that patients, and caregivers, experience a higher quality of life," says U of S professor Jane Alcorn.

Alcorn is co-lead of the biomedical branch of the U of S Cannabinoid Research Initiative of Saskatchewan (CRIS) ​and Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Affairs in the College of Pharmacy and Nutrition.

The study, which is in collaboration with Alberta-based Sundial Growers Inc., will see a dozen residents from extended care facilities take cannabis oil.

There has never been strong randomized clinical trial studies done with cannabis and what we need to show is that cannabis can be effective and safe in certain indications. - U od S professor Jane Alcorn

"We could just give it to them and they could follow it up with a glass of water or it might be instilled in something like apple sauce, or something that is palatable to the participant," Alcorn says.

She said the pilot project, which is expected to begin next year, is just the first step and will hopefully lead to larger studies.

"We want to provide the rigorous, scientific evidence to support its use," Alcorn says.

"There has never been strong randomized clinical trial studies done with cannabis and what we need to show is that cannabis can be effective and safe in certain indications."

Alcorn says there are many questions that have yet to be answered when it comes to the health benefits of cannabis.

"[For instance], there's a belief out there that it's natural therefore it's safe. We don't know that. Secondly, some people think it is a cure for everything. Well, it's not," Alcorn says, adding they still don't know what dose to give people.

The study will take a two-pronged approach.

First they will administer a single oral dose to understand how the adult body absorbs and eliminates the cannabanoids.

Then they will look to find a dose that is safe and tolerable, and will produce a reduction in anxiety in the patients, Alcorn says.

A dozen residents at Sherbrooke Care Centre, Central Haven Special Care Home and Luther Special Care Home will take part in the pilot study.

"It is intended to inform a larger intervention trial," Alcorn says. "You always have to put these therapeutics in a larger population to truly to understand whether they are safe and effective."

While the U of S has access to cannabis gene collections, it needs a consistent and quality supply of cannabis for research purposes, which is where Sundial comes in.

They are able to provide the U of S with individually controlled cultivation rooms.

"We believe strongly in the potential of cannabis as a modern natural alternative and health solution to many ailments," said Sundial President Geoff Thompson.

The U of S chose dementia as an area of focus for clinical trials due to serious national and international concerns about the impact dementia is having in countries with aging populations.

The study could also learn more about the impact of cannabis on patient anxiety, aggression, sleep, pain, cognitive stabilization and nutrition when it is used as a treatment option for dementia.