News in Science

Israelis develop 'highless' marijuana

Israeli researchers have developed a medicinal marijuana that can ease the symptoms of some ailments without making patients "high".

Cannabis has more than 60 constituents called cannabinoids. THC is perhaps the best known of those, less so for its medical benefits and more for its psychoactive properties that give people a "high" feeling.

But cannabis also contains Cannabidiol, or CBD, a substance that some researchers say has anti-inflammatory benefits. Unlike THC, it hardly binds to the brain's receptors and can therefore work without getting patients stoned.

Israeli medicinal cannabis grower, Tikun Olam, began its research on CBD-enhanced cannabis in 2009 and about six months ago it came up with Avidekel, Zack Klein, head of development at the company, says.

The new cannabis strain contains 15.8 per cent CBD and only traces of THC, less than 1 per cent.

"Sometimes the high is not always what they need. Sometimes it is an unwanted side effect. For some of the people it's not even pleasant," says Klein.

Marijuana is an illegal drug in Israel. Medicinal use of it was first permitted in 1993, according to the health ministry.

Today cannabis is used in Israel to treat 9000 people suffering from illnesses such as cancer, Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, Crohn's disease and post-traumatic stress disorder, according to Israel's health ministry.

Clinical trials

Drug companies have also been interested in cannabis as a medicine. Britain's GW Pharmaceuticals, with Bayer and Almirall, sells an under-the-tongue spray called Sativex that is designed to minimise highs by manipulating ratios of active ingredients.

Raphael Mechoulam, a professor of medicinal chemistry at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, says Avidekel is thought to be the first CBD-enriched cannabis plant with no THC to have been developed in Israel.

"It is possible that (Avidekel's) CBD to THC ratio is the highest among medical marijuana companies in the world, but the industry is not very organised, so one cannot keep exact track of what each company is doing," he says.

Although there have been no clinical trials in humans, Mechoulam, who is a leading researcher of cannabinoids, says Avidekel shows promise as a potent anti-inflammatory.

Klein says about 10 patients are currently using the new marijuana strain.

Professor Ruth Gallily, also of the Hebrew University, who works for the company and has been studying CBD for more than 12 years, says she has found the substance has impressive anti-inflammatory qualities.

She has been testing the effects of the CBD-enhanced cannabis on mice and expects clinical trials to begin in a few months.

"The cannabis plant, enriched with CBD, can be used for treating diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, colitis, liver inflammation, heart disease and diabetes," she says, adding there are no side effects.

"It's a huge advantage," says one 35-year-old patient who asked not to be identified, "I can smoke during the day, function with a lot less pain and still be focused, work and drive. It is a great gift."