http://cannabis-med.org/data/pdf/en_2016_01_1.pdf

 

Cannabinoids 2016; 11 (special issue), 1-18

© International Association for Cannabinoid Medicines

 

Review

Review on clinical studies with cannabis and

cannabinoids 2010-2014

 

Mikael A. Kowal1, Arno Hazekamp1, Franjo Grotenhermen2

Bedrocan, Veendam, The Netherlands nova-Institut,

Chemiepark Knapsack, Industriestraße, D-50354 Hürth, Germany

 

Abstract

In 2010 a review by Hazekamp and Grotenhermen covered controlled clinical trials of the years 2006-2009 on cannabis-based medicines, which followed the example of the review by Ben Amar (2006). The current review reports on the more recent clinical data available from 2010- 2014. A systematic search was performed in the scientific database of PubMed, focused on clinical studies that were randomized, (double) blinded, and placebo-controlled.

The key words used were: cannabis, marijuana, marihuana, hashish, cannabinoid(s), tetrahydrocannabinol, THC, CBD, dronabinol, Marinol, nabilone, Cannador, nabiximols and Sativex. For the final selection, only properly controlled clinical trials were retained. Open-label studies were excluded, except if they were a direct continuation of a study discussed here.

Thirty-two controlled studies evaluating the therapeutic effects of cannabinoids were identified. For each clinical trial, the country where the project was held, the number of patients assessed, the type of study and comparisons done, the products and the dosages used, their efficacy and their adverse effects are described. Based on the clinical results, cannabinoids present an interesting therapeutic potential mainly as analgesics in chronic neuropathic pain and spasticity in multiple sclerosis. But a range of other indications also seem promising. CBD (cannabidiol) emerges as another valuable cannabinoid for therapeutic purposes besides THC.

 

Keywords : cannabinoids, cannabis, therapeutic potential, controlled clinical trial, efficacy, safety, cannabidiol

 

This article can be downloaded, printed and distributed freely for any non-commercial purposes, provided the original work is properly cited (see copyright info below). Available online at www.cannabis-med.org

 

Author’s address: Mikael A. Kowal, m.kowal@bedrocan.nl

http://cannabis-med.org/data/pdf/en_2016_01_1.pdf

 

en_2016_01_1