Canada Invests $24.5M Into Cannabis Research

Canadian officials have earmarked C$24.5 million (US$18 million) for cannabis research to fund 26 projects throughout the nation, according to a CBC report.

The research will cover cannabis as a migraine treatment, cannabis education and harm reduction for youth, and cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome – a rare condition that can cause severe nausea and vomiting after cannabis consumption.

Organized Crime Reduction Minister Bill Blair, who was in charge of legalization in Canada, said the research would “make the world a better, healthier, and safer place.”

“For too long many people have based their medical use of cannabis on anecdotal evidence, and frankly that’s not good enough.” – Blair, to the CBC

Researcher Rebecca Haines-Saah, who will head up the harm reduction among youth research, said that it will be an attempt to “mobilize different messages” noting that “‘just say no’ is not an effective strategy.” By the time Canadian students reach grade 12, 17 percent of them have used cannabis and half of Canadians have used cannabis by the time they are 24-years-old, according to Statistics Canada figures outlined by the CBC.

Haines-Saah said some students are already making their own harm reduction choices by choosing cannabis instead of tobacco or alcohol.

Alice Moon, Director of Communications for Blunt Talks and vocal advocate for cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome awareness told Benzinga that she has been “desperately” searching for more information on the condition but there is a “major lack of research.”

The term was first coined by Australian researchers in 2004.

“I am beyond excited to hear that Canada is going to be leading the charge with research on this controversial topic,” she said in the report. “Canada’s dedication to education is groundbreaking and I think it’s going to inspire more doctors worldwide to study the topic as well.”