MediPen Invests £1.5 Million to Develop Cannabis-Based Lung Cancer Treatment
According to a research laboratory in Cardiff, cannabis may become a treatment for lung cancer. The MediPen research center has been experimenting with cannabinoids and their effectiveness in slowing the growth of cancer cells, which, according to their director, is the first of its kind in the world. “The ultimate goal is to create an effective treatment for lung cancer,” said Jordan Owen.
Lung cancer is an aggressive form of cancer that can spread very quickly. Owen stated, “We are currently actively studying the cells. We want to slow down the process of metastasis. If we can slow this process by conducting various experiments with cannabinoids, we can effectively slow the progression of cancer.”
Such a breakthrough would undoubtedly change the lives of millions of people and also support those who have long believed that cannabis has significant medicinal properties. Owen is enthusiastic about the research conducted by his chief scientist, Jordan Kopner, and believes that when this medicine reaches the market, it will be “groundbreaking.” “This will be huge,” he said. “It will definitely change the way many people view cannabis.”
However, since the research is still in its early stages, there is a question of how realistic such a treatment might be. Dr. Wai Liu, a senior research fellow at the University of London who has focused his work on developing new approaches to fighting cancer, shared his views on such studies: “Scientists are beginning to understand the mechanism of action of cannabinoids. The process that occurs in some cancer cells can be deactivated by agents found in certain cannabinoids. As a result, cancer cells regain the ability to ‘die.’”
Despite promising results obtained in laboratory experiments, Dr. Liu says this does not necessarily mean it will become a certified lung cancer drug. He said, “The potential of these drugs is enormous, but the frustration is that early preclinical evidence still needs to be tested in large randomized trials. Until this is completed, it is difficult to say with certainty whether these agents are truly anti-cancer.”
Funding, Products, and Legal Challenges
It is clear that MediPen has taken a progressive approach to cannabis and its health benefits. Owen explained, “We are approaching 15,000 studies, not only on the medicinal but also the psychoactive side of cannabis, such as THC, which can help with things like pain and anxiety. I think that if we study it in a truly scientific way, where we can determine the dosage, it will help many people.”
The research is not funded by the government. To support their studies, the company launched a range of products. The main product is the MediPen Cannabinoid Vaporizer, which is similar to an electronic cigarette but uses cannabis oil. This helped raise £1.5 million in investments for the research program.
This product is not a medicine; it allows users to inhale cannabis oil, also known as CBD. Since it contains no psychoactive elements, CBD is legal in the UK. Owen said, “Regarding the change in public perception over the past few years, people have definitely come to realize that there are different parts and components of cannabis that we can use for different things.”
Of course, many still refuse to acknowledge the healing and positive properties of the plant. Owen explained, “Because there was a ban for a long time, cannabis was subject to misinformation and a generally negative view.” Owen used recent American examples of legalization to highlight the positive impact such a move could have on the UK economy. He said, “A thriving medical cannabis market will positively impact our society, as our economy can receive much-needed financial stimulus, as we have seen in 30 US states with legal access to medical cannabis. Our great healthcare system will finally get the help it needs, using billions of pounds in tax revenue generated from cannabis legalization.”
Legal Status and Future Prospects
The current legal status of cannabis in the UK is Schedule 1, which states that it has no medicinal value. This has been a problem for MediPen. Owen said, “For a plant with enormous therapeutic potential, this is devastating because it is very difficult to use an illegal plant for further research.”
Lack of funding is a key issue, as MediPen currently relies on product sales to provide capital for research. Despite legal challenges, MediPen still operates within the law. The elements used in their research and consumer products do not contain THC, which is the illegal component in the UK. Instead, by focusing on the non-psychoactive properties of the plant, MediPen can legally import cannabinoids for their research and consumer products from partner companies in Colorado and the Czech Republic.
Although any potential treatment will take several more years, it is clear that such a discovery will change perceptions of cannabis and pave the way for other life-changing breakthroughs.