The definition of “medical marijuana” is on the verge of transformation. For the first time, the federal government is permitting four new American companies to cultivate and study cannabis for medical research, aiming to develop new pharmaceutical drugs.
Since 1968, the University of Mississippi has maintained a monopoly on federally legal cannabis production, with the severe limitations on cannabis research stemming from its classification as a Schedule I drug. This classification defines cannabis as having “no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.”
Historically, cannabis was a common ingredient in medicines sold at pharmacies. However, the wave of Mexican immigration following the Mexican Revolution of 1910 led to the plant being associated with negative stereotypes, which contributed to its stigmatization. The word “marijuana” gained popularity during this time, and many in the industry now prefer the term “cannabis” due to its xenophobic origins.
Public sentiment turned against cannabis throughout the 1920s, leading to its prohibition in 29 states by 1931 and ultimately the criminalization of cannabis with the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937. This resulted in a prolonged halt to research in the United States.
Significant progress resumed in the 1960s when Israeli chemist Raphael Mechoulam isolated CBD in 1963 and THC in 1964. In 1968, the University of Mississippi contracted with the federal government to produce cannabis for research, which has since served as the sole source for the National Institute on Drug Abuse’s Drug Supply Program.
Mahmoud Elsohly has directed this program for decades. A native of Egypt, Elsohly earned degrees in pharmacy before obtaining his Ph.D. at the University of Pittsburgh. He has authored over 250 scholarly articles but downplays his contributions to cannabis research in the U.S.
Despite facing skepticism from academic and medical circles about cannabis research, Elsohly noted that his findings were taken seriously, even when the topic was often avoided in the late 1980s to early 1990s.
As societal attitudes shifted, interest in exploring cannabis for its pharmaceutical potential grew; however, its continued status as a Schedule I drug hampered research efforts. Joe Gryzb, CEO of Groff North America, one of the newly approved companies, emphasized that pharmaceutical companies have had to exercise extreme caution due to its federal illegality.
In the last 25 years, millions of Americans have accessed medical or recreational cannabis through state legalization, while researchers observed a significant market for products lacking rigorous testing.
George Hodgin, CEO of Biopharmaceutical Research Company (BRC), one of the four newly licensed companies, expressed frustration over the academic and pharmaceutical industries being sidelined while consumers engaged in an unprecedented experiment.
Researchers could apply to the DEA to study cannabis sourced from the University of Mississippi, although many criticized the quality as insufficient for clinical trials. Studies revealed that the cannabinoid levels of this cannabis were often much lower than those available commercially.
Elsohly acknowledged this disparity, noting that the cannabis he produces typically contains between 2-6% THC, while commercial varieties can reach up to 30%. Historically, his cannabis was primarily provided in cigarette form, with studies showing participants struggled to manage the dosage.
The newly approved companies intend to offer cannabis that allows researchers to investigate various compounds, including cannabinoids such as THC and CBD, terpenes, and flavonoids, which hold potential therapeutic benefits for a range of medical conditions.
Elsohly welcomed the entry of more producers into the cannabis research field, stating that it could enhance variability and allow for a broader spectrum of studies. “That allows some other producers that maybe produce some genetics that are different than mine to produce, you know, things for research,” he remarked.
