In the battle for credibility between medical cannabis supporters and MMJ opponents, chalk one up for the marijuana industry.
A new study spearheaded by the California Pacific Medical Center found strong evidence that cannabidiol (or CBD) – a key compound in marijuana – is effective in fighting some types of cancer.
The findings will provide a particularly big boost to companies that make cannabidiol-based products, such as Dixie Elixirs & Edibles, which is seeing widespread interest for a new line of hemp-based CBD tinctures, topicals and capsules. Cannabidiol offers some of the pain-relieving benefits of THC – without the “high.” Some observers see CBD as the next big thing in the medical cannabis industry, saying the potential market is huge. Here’s the main reason why: Hemp-based CBD products are legal in the United States, so you don’t need to live in a state with medical cannabis laws or hold an MMJ card to buy and use them. Dixie Elixirs and other companies are now hoping to capitalize on that by expanding nationally and even into other countries.
The CBD report also will bolster the medical marijuana industry as a whole, strengthening the scientific research behind MMJ. For instance, Cannabis Science – a publicly traded firm that is developing marijuana-based drugs for skin cancer and HIV/AIDS – said the report will give it more credibility.
“Cannabis Science is excited for the increasing scientific support for our projects,” Dr. Robert J. Melamede, president and CEO of the company, said in a release. “Our professional expansion and development…was driven by the science of how cannabinoids can benefit both HIV/AIDS and cancer patients.”
