CMC to host cannabinoid research conference

The Centre for Medical Cannabis (CMC) has announced its first major cannabinoid research conference on April 16 and 17.

The industry first event will be held in collaboration with the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) at BMA House, London.

The organisers aim to bring policymakers within the health service and researchers from around the world together to foster dialogue around the topic of Cannabis Based Medicinal Products (CBMP) research.

Chief Pharmaceutical Officer of NHS England Dr Keith Ridge and NICE Centre for Guideline Director Dr Paul Chrisp are among the keynote speakers along with Prof Roger Pertwee, Emeritus Professor, University of Aberdeen, Honorary Fellow of the British Pharmacological Society (BPS) and Prof John Tooke, Executive Chairman of Academic Health Solutions.

Prof Saoirse O'Sullivan, Science Lead, Centre for Medicinal Cannabis, said: “I am delighted that the CMC undertook to put an event like this together and have assembled such a great programme of national and international speakers.”

“This will be an event not to be missed by basic and clinical researchers who are passionate about getting the right evidence to enable broader CBMP prescriptions. The event will also be an excellent education on the current evidence base for cannabinoids for those new to this exciting research area.”

Representatives from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) are also attending the event.

"It is timely to bring together the country's leading researchers, policymakers and industry working in cannabis-based medicine, to discuss the latest developments and identify the research evidence needed around the potential effectiveness of these types of treatment," said Dr David Baghurst, a Research Programme Director at the NIHR.