Cannabis, Cannabinoids and Its Derivatives

Dear Colleagues,

Following the legalization of Cannabis sativa for medicinal use in many countries, modulation of the endocannabinoid system has been the subject of intense research interest. Despite being used since ancient times in traditional Asian medicine, its use in modern pharmacology has only become more commonplace in the last few years. Research into cannabis, cannabinoids, and their derivatives first began in 1964, when Gaoni and Mechoulam identified delta9-tetrahydocannabinol, the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis. In the 1990s, the cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) receptor was cloned in both rats and humans, followed shortly after by a second cannabinoid receptor (CB2). Endogenous cannabinoid receptor agonists (i.e., anandamide and 2-arachidonoyl glycerol) along with receptors and enzymes for the biosynthesis and degradation of endocannabinoids were then identified, and the endogenous cannabinoid signaling system was termed the “endocannabinoid system”. Since the discovery of endocannabinoids, many synthetic agonists and antagonists, as well as naturally occurring “phytocannabinoids” that target the endocannabinoid system, have been investigated and found to exhibit therapeutic potential in preclinical and clinical studies. This Topic will review and present novel scientific and clinical results regarding the potential therapeutic use of cannabis, cannabinoids, and their derivatives.

Prof. Dr. Melanie Kelly
Prof. Dr. Christian Lehmann
Topic Editors