Scientists Develop Soluble Form of Marijuana
British scientists have developed a way to make marijuana soluble, potentially paving the way for the drug to be legalized and prescribed through Britain's National Health Service, BBC News reports. Previously, medical marijuana met opposition from physicians because it had to be either smoked, which posed risks of cancer, or eaten, which is an "unreliable" method of taking the drug. But a soluble form of marijuana could be administered through sprays, aerosols or injections. Roger Pertwee, a professor at Aberdeen University and secretary of the International Cannabinoid Research Society, developed and patented the new formula along with two American scientists. Pertwee stated that while more research was needed before making the drug available by prescription, the new formula seemed to reduce some of the health risks associated with the drug. "Water soluble compounds ... make the delivery of the drug easier and less toxic. If we can get rid of some of the unwanted effects of cannabis it may be able to help a great many conditions," he said. Pertwee added that he is currently working on a way to remove the "high" associated with marijuana, but the effort is more complex. "Unfortunately, the same receptor upon which cannabis acts is also the same target for the
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