As cannabis legalization spreads throughout the United States and beyond, cannabis research and publications continue to grow with the times. A recent study published in Population Health Management released findings that highlight the dramatic increase in marijuana-related studies and publications in recent years. The study focused on finding trends among cannabis research in the past 17-year period.

Increase In Cannabis Research and Publications

A research team in Israel, one of the countries leading scientific research on cannabis, analyzed 29,000 cannabis-related studies from 2000 to 2017 and found a sharp increase in cannabis-related studies and medical publications during this time period. An extensive search of medical resource sites PubMed and Web of Science found that a surge in research began in 2013.

According to the study, “the overall number of scientific publications in PubMed increased 2.5-fold” while “the number of publications on cannabis increased 4.5-fold and the number of publications on medical cannabis increased almost 9-fold.” In Web of Science, the number of publications increased 10-fold.

Medical Fields Interested In Cannabis Research

Of the 29,000 cannabis-related studies published between 2000 and 2017, 3,300 studies were on medical marijuana that focused on HIV, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, nausea, and chronic pain. Cannabis publications in the field of psychiatry experienced the highest increase among medical publications.

Between 2011 and 2013, cannabis-related studies focused on neurology and cancer. Starting in 2013, cannabis research publications on children and the elderly increased exponentially. The researchers noted that “the spike in medical publications on medical cannabis that began in 2013 is impressive and encouraging.”

U.S. And Canada Are Leading In Cannabis Research

The report discovered that “more than half of the publications on medical cannabis originated from the United States, followed by Canada.” Canada contributed 7.5% of the studies reviewed. Researchers believe that the increase in cannabis legalization across the states has directly contributed to the trend in cannabinoid research.

The study concludes that “the absence of an increase in publications on cannabis until recent years would appear to be related to the United Nations Single Convention that prohibited the use of cannabis for recreational purposes.” Researchers noted that recreational cannabis laws in Washington, Colorado, Alaska, and Oregon led to an increase in cannabis research.

The comprehensive analysis of cannabis studies and publications is a promising sign for medical cannabis patients and researchers. In response to the study, NORML’s Deputy Director Paul Armentano said,”the ample studies already exist to contradict cannabis’ federal, schedule I status as a substance without medical utility.” The results can help guide and inform future cannabis research to cover areas that require more scientific studies.