The principal investigator on the research study, a cannabis clinician and global pioneer in the medical cannabis industry, Dr Shiksha Gallow, says the main reason for conducting these studies is because of the opioid crisis the United States (US) is experiencing and the deaths as a result of opioid overdoses.

"If it works as a replacement for opioids and it’s a safe, effective treatment for pain, then it will actually assist in curbing the opioid addiction as well," says Gallow.

Gallow explains that there is enough evidence to show that medicinal cannabis can assist patients with pain relief. This is because when cannabis is introduced into the system, it interacts with cannabis receptors. The cannabinoid system initiates physiological and psychological changes that are needed to adjust to the changing enteral environment. This then produces a nurturing response to injuries and inflammation.

Gallow notes that the risk of side effects from medicinal cannabis use is relatively low compared with opioids. Although opiates can be highly effective in pain management, over time the body will develop a tolerance, meaning that the dose needs to be systematically increased to bring relief, which can lead to dependence, whereas cannabis does not necessarily have the same effect.

"What we found is naïve users. They are prone to more adverse effects until some tolerance has been built up. What that means is they just suddenly go on high THC and they have never even experienced it." 

"If they are controlled or guided by a doctor, and the dosing is correct - we always call it micro-dosing with cannabis - you actually don’t have any of these adverse reactions," she adds.

Gallow tells OFM News that during the pilot study, they found that medicinal cannabis was not only helpful in pain relief but improved the quality of life for some patients. She adds that their secondary objective in the study will also be whether cannabis can be used to improve patients’ quality of life.

The study, which has received worldwide interest with many countries and international medical professionals eagerly awaiting the results, has been approved by Pharma-ethics, the Department of Health (DOH), and the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC). SAHPRA has been notified about the sponsor and the study protocol.

Gallow says the results of the study will be posted three to four months after it has started, regardless of its outcomes. The final results will be posted by the end of the study, which will end in August or September 2023.

"I want to let people know how safe the medicine is and let them get the stigma removed from their minds. Because the pharmaceutical industry indoctrinated everyone with this. I think it’s important that we start educating our people, doctors as well as patients, so that everybody is on the same page," Gallow concludes.

OFM News/Bambatha Giko