They grow in a secret location in northern Israel. A tall
fence, security cameras and an armed guard protect them from criminals. A
hint of their sweet-scented blossom carries in the air: rows and rows
of cannabis plants, as far as the eye can see.
It is here, at a medical marijuana plantation atop the hills of the
Galilee, where researchers say they have developed marijuana that can be
used to ease the symptoms of
some ailments without getting patients
high.
“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,”
said Zack Klein, head of development at Tikun Olam, the company that
developed the plant.
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.
“CBD plants are available in different forms all over the world,”
said Klein, adding that the company’s plant is free of THC and very high
in CBD.
Tikun Olam began its research on CBD enhanced cannabis in 2009 and
about six months ago they came up with Avidekel, Klein said, a cannabis
strain that contains 15.8 percent CBD and only traces of THC, less than
one percent.
CANNABIS AS MEDICINE
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 9,000 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.
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 minimize highs
by manipulating ratios of active ingredients.
Raphael Mechoulam, a professor of medicinal chemistry at the Hebrew
University in Jerusalem, said 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 organized, so one cannot keep exact track of what each company is
doing,” he explained.
Although there have been no clinical trials in humans, Mechoulam, who
is a leading researcher of cannabinoids, said that Avidekel showed
promise as a potent anti-inflammatory.
Ruth Gallily of the Hebrew University who works for the company and
has been studying CBD for more than 12 years, said she has found that
the substance has impressive anti-inflammatory qualities. She has been
testing the effects of Tikun Olam’s CBD-enhanced cannabis on mice and
expects clinical trials to begin in a few months.
Avidekel is a new strain of a plant that is already permitted for
medical use so there is nothing stopping patients who are already being
treated with marijuana from trying Avidekel. About 10 patients began
using it in the past six months, Klein said.
“The cannabis plant, enriched with CBD, can be used for treating
diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, colitis, liver inflammation, heart
disease and diabetes,” she said, adding there are no side effects.
“It’s a huge advantage,” said 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.”
The woman began suffering chronic pains after a tumor was removed
from her spine. She began treatment with regular THC-containing
marijuana eight months ago. Two months ago she started smoking Avidekel.
“The difference is huge. Before, I would only smoke at the end of the
day and stay in pain.” Now, she said, with the highless marijuana “my
life is so much better.”
Despite Avidekel’s highless benefit, Klein does not see regular
marijuana disappearing any time soon. THC has its own unique effects
that alleviate illness symptoms.
“Don’t worry, I think that cannabis with THC will still be (around),” he said.
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