Now What? Medical Marijuana That Doesn’t Give a High

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The medical marijuana debate is poised to take a quite different turn if these scientists in Israel are to have their way. According to industry reports, Tikun Olam, an Israeli company, has been able to cultivate cannabis plants in northern Israel that possess all the benefits of medical marijuana, but do not provide a high. While this would definitely devastate the pro-alcohol-no-marijuana lobby, it is doubtful, how many are going to remain pro-medical marijuana when smoking pot takes away your pains but doesn’t let you see the colors of music any more. In fact, according to Zach Klein, the head of development at Tikun Olam, the medical properties of the plant are in fact more enhanced than in normal marijuana, but it won’t get you stoned.

Talking to the media, Zach Klein said, “Not all of the people can enjoy the high. For some of them, it’s not what they want. So they use the new plant that has all the qualities, all the medicinal qualities of Cannabis but without the high, without the psycho-active effect.”

According to the company producing the concerned cannabis plants, the marijuana crops have very low levels of THC – the ingredient that provides the proverbial intoxicating effects of marijuana. However, the plant has very high levels of CBD or Cannabidiol. It is Cannabidiol that has the near-to-miraculous anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties. The breakthrough was reached by Tikun Olam about six months ago with a cannabis plant named “Avidekel” that has only traces of THC but almost 16 percent of CBD.

  

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Professor Ruth Gallily of the Hebrew University, who has been deeply studying cannabis for more than 12 years said, “Cannabis plant enriched with CBD, can be used for treating diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, colitis, liver inflammation, heart disease, and diabetes. Very inexpensive, no side effects, just optimum drug.”

Currently in Israel, almost nine thousand people use cannabis to treat illnesses like cancer, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s. Many of these people now welcome marijuana without clouding their minds. Speaking to the media, an unidentified female patient said, “For me, it’s a huge advantage because it’s very easy for me not to smoke during the day, and to function this way with a lot less pain and still be focused, work and drive. It is really a great gift.”

Tikan Olum sees a long campaign ahead to popularize the use of marijuana only for medicinal effects. The head of development said that he held hopes that “cannabis will become main medicine and main treatment, not as it is today. Our main goal is to bring it to the center of medicine so it will be available for those who need it.”