NEW YORK— A significant surge in scientific research related to cannabis has been noted in the past ten years, coinciding with widespread legalization movements across the United States. This trend was highlighted by NORML, a cannabis advocacy group, which reported an extraordinary increase in the volume of peer-reviewed scientific papers on the subject.
According to NORML, a staggering 32,000 scientific papers on cannabis have been published since 2013, marking an unprecedented rise in academic interest. This surge accounts for over 70% of all peer-reviewed cannabis research. The organization, utilizing a keyword search on the National Library of Medicine/PubMed.gov, indicated a consistent yearly output of over 4,000 cannabis-specific scientific publications for the past three years.
The focus of this research has primarily been on cannabis’s therapeutic potential and the real-world impacts of legalization. NORML’s Deputy Director, Paul Armentano, emphasized that this upsurge in scientific studies contradicts the notion of inadequate research on cannabis. He advocated for evidence-based policy discussions, moving away from the paradigm of uncertainty towards a more informed understanding of cannabis and its societal effects.
However, not all findings have reinforced pro-cannabis viewpoints. A recent Australian study involving over 600 heroin addicts over two decades found little evidence to support cannabis as an aid in reducing or ceasing long-term illicit opioid use. This study highlighted the complexity and non-linear nature of the relationship between cannabis and heroin use.
Another intriguing exploration, published in November, delved into whether cannabis could be classified as a psychedelic. The researchers concluded that while high-THC cannabis might produce psychedelic effects, these have not been extensively observed in recent studies due to the typical doses and settings used in research. They called for further investigation into high-dose THC effects in contexts similar to those used in psychedelic therapy trials.
These studies represent a fraction of the broader scientific endeavor to understand cannabis in its various dimensions. As legalization continues to expand, this rich body of research will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping policies and public perception.
