New Peer-reviewed Journal to Focus on Cannabis’s Medical Applications

A new peer-reviewed open access journal will focus on advancing knowledge of the scientific, medical, and psychosocial properties of cannabis and the endocannabinoid system. Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research is a new peer-reviewed, open access journal from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. publishers that will focus on the clinical and medical uses of cannabis. The journal, which began publishing in May, features peer-reviewed, evidence-based original articles, interviews, review articles, and perspectives on cannabis, cannabinoids, and the endocannabinoid system. The new cannabis medical journal will cover topics including, but not limited to, biochemical process of the endocannabinoid system, cannabinoid receptors and signaling, optimal dosing and drug delivery, neurological disorders like epilepsy and multiple sclerosis, cancer and cancer-related treatment, and the impact on social, behavioral, and public health. Today, there are more legal medical marijuana users in the United States than ever before, as nearly 1.5 million Americans are registered with state medical marijuana programs, according to Marijuana Policy Project. As of now, 24 states and the District of Columbia have adopted comprehensive public medical marijuana programs. Scientific research has already made groundbreaking discoveries on cannabis’s anti-inflammatory and anesthetic properties that are beneficial for managing chronic pain, nausea, and spasms. Research has shown cannabis provides therapeutic benefits for addressing serious conditions like cancer, HIV/AIDS, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and epilepsy. One of the most common criticisms of those against adopting marijuana policy, however, is a lack of research necessary to explain how cannabis works in treating various diseases and conditions. There is also the need to establish the baseline for optimal dosing and to better understand long-term health effects of use. Just recently, former Secretary of State and current Presidential nominee Hillary Clinton said she supports medical marijuana but made a push for more research. “There’s some great evidence about what marijuana can do for people who are in cancer treatment, who have other kinds of chronic diseases, who are suffering from intense pain,” Secretary Clinton said at a recent appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live, adding that she would remove marijuana from the list of Schedule I controlled substances. “There’s great, great anecdotal evidence, but I want us to start doing the research.” The journal will serve as an open source for sharing and exploring cannabis and cannabinoid research, discussion, and debate in an effort to move the cannabis medical field forward. Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, led by Editor-in-Chief Daniele Piomelli, PhD, PharmD, recently announced a new collaborative partnership with the International Association for Cannabinoid Medicines (IACM), an organization dedicated to advancing knowledge on the therapeutic potential of cannabis. The IACM also organizes a highly respected biennial Conference on Cannabinoids in Medicine. “The IACM welcomes this collaboration with Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research,” said Dr. Mark A. Ware, Chairman of IACM, in a press release. “We are particularly excited about increasing the amount of published clinical research that will become available for healthcare professionals and decision makers.” Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research offers immediate and unrestricted online access to published articles.  Several articles from Volume 1, Issue 1, still in progress, are now available to read.]]>