The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) Priorities for Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research.

ABSTRACT

The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has a broad interest in the study of the biological activities of natural products with a strong research emphasis on products for which there is compelling preclinical evidence for potential biological activity that may lead to a health benefit or treatment interventions, and/or products that are widely used by the American public. Use of cannabis for medical purposes is legal in 38 states and the District of Columbia. As a result, the use of cannabis products to treat medical conditions in the United States continues to climb without sufficient knowledge regarding risks and benefits. In keeping with NCCIH's natural product research priorities and in recognizing this gap in knowledge, NCCIH formally launched a research program in 2019 to expand research on the potential therapeutic benefit of minor cannabinoids and terpenes for the treatment of pain. This Viewpoint provides additional details and rationale for this research priority at NCCIH. In addition, NCCIH's efforts and initiatives to facilitate and coordinate an NIH research agenda focused on cannabis and cannabinoid research is described. Significance Statement Trends in the use of cannabis products to treat medical conditions continues without sufficient knowledge regarding risks and benefits. Research is needed to help the public and health care providers make informed decisions about cannabis and cannabinoids for medical purposes. NCCIH along with other NIH Institutes, Centers and Office is expanding its study on the safety, efficacy, and harms of cannabis; a complex mixture of phytochemicals that need to be studied alone and in combination.