The legalization of cannabinoid products and standardizing cannabis-drug development in the United States: a brief report
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This brief report covers recent advances in cannabis and cannabinoid regulation and drug approval. The popularity of cannabis and cannabinoid products continues to rise, and these products are available for the majority of the population in the United States to purchase as easily as alcohol. Although many states have approved programs and research licenses, these activities and products all remain federally illegal. The solution may be for the United States to offer multiple pathways for product approval that adapt to the diversity of the products and the needs of the consumer. Multiple pathways for market approval would protect public health, whether the public is using cannabis and cannabinoids as a medicine, a wellness product, or as a recreational substance.
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Este breve informe cubre los avances recientes en la regulación del cannabis y los cannabinoides y en la aprobación de medicamentos. La popularidad del cannabis y de los productos cannabinoides continúa aumentando. Estos productos están disponibles para la mayoría de la población en los Estados Unidos y se pueden comprar tan fácilmente como el alcohol. Aunque muchos estados han aprobado programas y licencias de investigación, estas actividades y productos siguen siendo ilegales a nivel federal. La solución para Estados Unidos sería ofrecer múltiples vías para la aprobación de productos que se adaptarían a la diversidad de los productos y las necesidades del consumidor. Estas múltiples vías para la aprobación del mercado protegerían la salud pública, ya sea que el público esté utilizando cannabis y cannabinoides como medicamento, producto de bienestar o o sustancia recreativa.

Ce rapport couvre les progrès récents dans la réglementation du cannabis et des cannabinoïdes et l'approbation des médicaments. La popularité du cannabis et des dérivés cannabinoïdes continue d'augmenter, et ces produits sont disponibles pour la majorité de la population aux États-Unis, où ils s'achètent aussi facilement que l'alcool. Bien que de nombreux états aient approuvé des programmes et les licences de recherche, ces activités et produits demeurent tous illégaux au niveau fédéral. La solution pourrait être pour les États-Unis d'offrir plusieurs voies d'approbation qui s'adaptent à la diversité des produits et aux besoins du consommateur. Plusieurs voies d'approbation du marché protégeraient la santé publique, que le cannabis et les cannabinoïdes soient consommés en tant que médicament, produit de bien-être ou substance récréative.

Cannabis Pharmacology: The Usual Suspects and a Few Promising Leads.

The golden age of cannabis pharmacology began in the 1960s as Raphael Mechoulam and his colleagues in Israel isolated and synthesized cannabidiol, tetrahydrocannabinol, and other phytocannabinoids. Initially, THC garnered most research interest with sporadic attention to cannabidiol, which has only rekindled in the last 15 years through a demonstration of its remarkably versatile pharmacology and synergy with THC. Gradually a cognizance of the potential of other phytocannabinoids has developed. Contemporaneous assessment of cannabis pharmacology must be even far more inclusive. Medical and recreational consumers alike have long believed in unique attributes of certain cannabis chemovars despite their similarity in cannabinoid profiles. This has focused additional research on the pharmacological contributions of mono- and sesquiterpenoids to the effects of cannabis flower preparations. Investigation reveals these aromatic compounds to contribute modulatory and therapeutic roles in the cannabis entourage far beyond expectations considering their modest concentrations in the plant. Synergistic relationships of the terpenoids to cannabinoids will be highlighted and include many complementary roles to boost therapeutic efficacy in treatment of pain, psychiatric disorders, cancer, and numerous other areas. Additional parts of the cannabis plant provide a wide and distinct variety of other compounds of pharmacological interest, including the triterpenoid friedelin from the roots, canniprene from the fan leaves, cannabisin from seed coats, and cannflavin A from seed sprouts. This chapter will explore the unique attributes of these agents and demonstrate how cannabis may yet fulfil its potential as Mechoulam's professed "pharmacological treasure trove."