Trials find a potential drug to target cannabis addiction

Subject : Science and technology

Section: Msc

Concept :

In the results of clinical trials published in the journal Nature Medicine on 8 June, researchers noted that molecule AEF0117 shows promise in treating cannabis addiction.

Cannabis Use Disorder

According to the article, cannabis is the most widely used recreational substance in the world and 19.5 percent of those who consume it develop cannabis use disorder (CUD), or cannabis addiction. So far, there is no drug or treatment for it.
A research group at French biotechnology company Aelis Farma developed and tested the molecule AEF0117 and found that it targets the body’s cannabinoid receptor, CB1, and reduces the drug’s effects without triggering any withdrawal symptoms.
According to the article, the active ingredient in cannabis known as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) stimulates CB1 — a protein that is present in the peripheral nervous system and central nervous system.
Once CB1 is activated by THC, it affects feelings of pleasure, motivation, cognition and pain.

About Cannabis Cultivation:

Cannabis refers to a group of three plants with psychoactive properties, known as Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, and Cannabis ruderalis.
Cannabis is made up of more than 120 components, which are known as cannabinoids but experts have a pretty good understanding of two of them, known as cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
The Mexican term ‘marijuana’ is frequently used in referring to cannabis leaves or other crude plant material in many countries.
The unpollinated female plants are called hashish. Cannabis oil (hashish oil) is a concentrate of cannabinoids obtained by solvent extraction of the crude plant material or of the resin.
In India farming of cannabis has been legalised in Uttarakhand, and controlled cultivation of cannabis is also being done in some districts of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.

Legal Provisions in India

The central law that deals with cannabis (weed or marijuana) in India is the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, of 1985.
The NDPS Act prohibits the sale and production of cannabis resin and flowers, but the use of leaves and seeds of the cannabis plant is permitted
The states have the power to regulate and form the state rules for it.