Breakthrough Research Could Significantly Advance The Medical Marijuana Market

Medical marijuana has struggled to be considered as a valid treatment option for patients dealing with ailments like chronic pain, seizures and anxiety. Research on the effects marijuana has on patients has been limited and many believe the industry won't advance until more is known.

However, a discovery by scientists at the Technical University of Dortmund in Germany may have unlocked the key to legitimizing marijuana in the medical world.

Growing THC

The researchers found that they can use genetically modified yeast in order to generate the chemicals found in marijuana, including THC. The finding could potentially give scientists the ability to produce over 80 of the drug's cannabinoids and test them individually.

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Cannabinoid Research

Several studies have shown that the cannabinoids found in marijuana could be effective in treating things like seizures, but scientists say that without knowing the specific chemical within the plan that is having the positive effect, doctors are essentially prescribing patients a cocktail of different pills knowing that at least one will have an effect. Using the new method, scientists can isolate and test the different cannabinoids and chemicals that make up marijuana plants in order to determine which ones have the most promising effects.

Regulating Legal Weed

Having the ability to create certain chemicals derived from marijuana has other benefits as well.

Many governments have resisted medical marijuana because they are concerned about illegal growing that could stem from medical marijuana farms. If the chemicals can be created without the need for the rest of the plant, that would alleviate those worries and still allow patients to benefit from marijuana-based treatments.