Another Medical Cannabis Clinical Trial Launches in South Africa
High Times

A clinical trial was recently launched by the Cannabis Research Institute of South Africa (CRI), in partnership with Releaf Cannabis E-Clinics, with the goal of observing how medical cannabis can help treat opioid addiction. The duration of the trial will last for one year as it examines how cannabis affects a patient’s chronic pain. According to Business Tech, results will be provided to “relevant authorities” who can use that information to regulate medical cannabis in the country. The trial will be led by Dr. Shiksha Gallow, who will be working with her team to conduct the study. “While the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) does not yet have any official cannabis-containing medicines approved for pain relief, anecdotal evidence and preliminary studies point towards its potential to be highly effective in pain management,” Gallow said. Gallow explained that chronic pain is defined as lasting longer than six months. Treatments for chronic pain include opioids such as morphine, oxycodone, and codeine, which tells a patient’s opioid receptors to block pain messages sent by the body. However patients develop a tolerance over time, so the medication only works for a while, until medication doses must be increased. “Opiates are associated with many side effects, including sedation, respiratory depression—and even death,” Gallow said. “With the global increase in opiate addiction, which brings far-reaching repercussions—from ill health to broader societal issues such as crime—the research will be focused on establishing a safer alternative to treating pain.” CRI is working with Releaf Pharmaceuticals to study cannabis and find safer medical options for patients. The company’s Managing Director, Willco Janse van Vuuren, expressed their excitement for launching this study. “At Releaf Pharmaceuticals (a proud member of the ImpiloVest Group), we believe being well is a basic human right. Social, mental and physical health is at the heart of everything…

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