The Philadelphia-based Rothman Institute at Jefferson will partner with Franklin BioScience to study how medical marijuana can help patients with chronic and acute pain, according to Philly.com. Here are six insights:
1. The study will address whether medical marijuana can serve as an effective alternative to opioids for pain relief.
2. Research will be funded by Franklin BioScience, a cannabis grower and retailer planning on opening a medical marijuana dispensary in Bristol, Penn. this March.
3. Ari Greis, DO, a pain management specialist at Rothman, will oversee the research. "We’re all being cautiously optimistic that it could be helpful to some of our patients. Because we’re leaders in orthopedic medicine, we feel this is an opportunity we can’t pass up," he said.
4. Patients with lower back and leg pain caused by sciatica are the target enrollment group for the observational study, as opioids are a common treatment for the condition.
5. The length of the study and number of patients involved are yet to be determined.
6. Last year, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia announced a partnership to study the use of cannabis on children with autism.