{"id":8926,"date":"2020-02-28T13:41:26","date_gmt":"2020-02-28T13:41:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.denverpost.com\/?p=3971569"},"modified":"2020-02-28T13:41:26","modified_gmt":"2020-02-28T13:41:26","slug":"colorados-first-licensed-cannabis-rd-firm-to-study-marijuanas-effect-on-alzheimers-disease","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/colorados-first-licensed-cannabis-rd-firm-to-study-marijuanas-effect-on-alzheimers-disease\/","title":{"rendered":"Colorado\u2019s first licensed cannabis R&amp;D firm to study marijuana\u2019s effect on Alzheimer\u2019s disease"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"wp_fb_like_button\" style=\"margin:5px 0 5px 5px;float:right;height:100px;\"><script src=\"http:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/all.js#xfbml=1\"><\/script><fb:like href=\"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/colorados-first-licensed-cannabis-rd-firm-to-study-marijuanas-effect-on-alzheimers-disease\/\" send=\"true\" layout=\"standard\" width=\"450\" show_faces=\"false\" font=\"arial\" action=\"like\" colorscheme=\"light\"><\/fb:like><\/div><div class=\"media_block\"><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.denverpost.com\/2020\/02\/28\/colorados-cannabis-study-marijuana-alzheimers\/?utm_source=feedburner&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_campaign=Feed%3A+dp-news-marijuana+%28Denver+Post%3A+News%3A+Marijuana%29&amp;utm_content=Google+UK#comments-anchor\"><span class=\"spot-im-replies-count\" data-post-id=\"3971569\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>A Denver-based company hopes to be the state\u2019s first to study the effects of marijuana on Alzheimer\u2019s disease, thanks to a newly available research and development license in the city.<\/p>\n<p>MedPharm Holdings plans to apply for a Denver marijuana R&amp;D license to test delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD) and other cannabinoids\u2019 effects on Alzheimer\u2019s and dementia patients.<\/p>\n<p>According to the Alzheimer\u2019s Association, 5.8 million Americans have the disease, a degenerative brain disorder that affects a person\u2019s memory and thinking skills. While there are drugs that help ease symptoms, they do not change the course of the disease.<\/p>\n<p>Albert Gutierrez, CEO of MedPharm, sees Alzheimer\u2019s as \u201cone of the biggest things that\u2019s plaguing our country now and in the future.\u201d That\u2019s why he\u2019s excited about cannabis\u2019 potential to treat it.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe haven\u2019t yet tapped into what this plant can really do to help alleviate the symptoms,\u201d Gutierrez said. \u201cWe hear a lot of anecdotal evidence as far as helping with epilepsy or helping with arthritic pain\u2026 now it\u2019s time to put the cannabinoids to the test and really understand what cannabinoids and what doses and what delivery methods really help deliver that relief.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>More than 30 states plus the District of Columbia have legalized medical marijuana, but research into the plant has been stifled because it\u2019s still a Schedule I controlled substance under federal law.<\/p>\n<p>Colorado first introduced R&amp;D licensing in 2017 with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thecannabist.co\/2017\/06\/15\/colorado-marijuana-pesticides-enforcement-language-lapse\/81208\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">passage of House Bill 1367<\/a>, but left it up to municipalities to individually decide if they would offer it. So far only one company \u2014 MedPharm \u2014 has ever applied for an R&amp;D license, according to the Marijuana Enforcement Division.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3973162\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter size-article_inline\"><img class=\" lazyautosizes lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/colorados-first-licensed-cannabis-rd-firm-to-study-marijuanas-effect-on-alzheimers-disease.jpg\" width=\"8057\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/colorados-first-licensed-cannabis-rd-firm-to-study-marijuanas-effect-on-alzheimers-disease.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/colorados-first-licensed-cannabis-rd-firm-to-study-marijuanas-effect-on-alzheimers-disease.jpg 620w,https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/www.denverpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/TDP-L-MedPharm022620-cha-447.jpg?fit=780%2C9999px&amp;ssl=1 780w,https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/www.denverpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/TDP-L-MedPharm022620-cha-447.jpg?fit=810%2C9999px&amp;ssl=1 810w,https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/www.denverpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/TDP-L-MedPharm022620-cha-447.jpg?fit=910%2C9999px&amp;ssl=1 910w\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">\n<p>Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post<\/p>\n<p>Formulation Technician Robyn Patrick cleans terpenes at MedPharm\u2019s lab in Denver on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3>Clinical trials ahead<\/h3>\n<p>MedPharm obtained its license from the state in 2018 and began growing cannabis and creating a variety of original drug formulas while waiting for Denver to open up city-level applications. If approved, the new license will enable MedPharm to administer clinical trials and develop drugs for them, including placebos.<\/p>\n<p>During trials, MedPharm scientists plan to track how cannabinoids interact with neurological receptors through brain mapping and measuring cognitive abilities and patterns in patient demeanor. They\u2019ll also study how THC, CBD and other cannabinoids are absorbed and metabolized in the body.<\/p>\n<p>Gutierrez expects to begin the first phase of double-blind testing in the second quarter of 2020. Trials will run about six to nine months, he said.<\/p>\n<p>This isn\u2019t the first time researchers have studied the link between marijuana and Alzheimer\u2019s. The Alzheimer\u2019s Association funded at least two studies to look at the plant\u2019s impact on brain inflammation, said Jim Herlihy, senior director of marketing and communication for the Colorado chapter. The results of those studies, which started in 2016 and 2017, have not yet been reported, but Herlihy is encouraged to see new research being pursued.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe association has been exploring all legitimate avenues of research, from basic research through clinical trials, and investigating chemical components of marijuana and other plants because we understand that traditionally plants are an important source for many life-saving medicines,\u201d Herlihy said.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3973158\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter size-article_inline\"><img class=\" lazyautosizes lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/colorados-first-licensed-cannabis-rd-firm-to-study-marijuanas-effect-on-alzheimers-disease-1.jpg\" width=\"8033\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/colorados-first-licensed-cannabis-rd-firm-to-study-marijuanas-effect-on-alzheimers-disease-1.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/colorados-first-licensed-cannabis-rd-firm-to-study-marijuanas-effect-on-alzheimers-disease-1.jpg 620w,https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/www.denverpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/TDP-L-MedPharm022620-cha-210.jpg?fit=780%2C9999px&amp;ssl=1 780w,https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/www.denverpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/TDP-L-MedPharm022620-cha-210.jpg?fit=810%2C9999px&amp;ssl=1 810w,https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/www.denverpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/TDP-L-MedPharm022620-cha-210.jpg?fit=910%2C9999px&amp;ssl=1 910w\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">\n<p>Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post<\/p>\n<p>Extraction Chemist Joshua Wilkins works with cannabis products at MedPharm in Denver on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3>\u201cA lot of potential\u201d<\/h3>\n<p>When legislators passed HB 1367, they hoped it would put Colorado at the forefront of medical marijuana research. Schools such as the University of Colorado and Colorado State University-Pueblo, which is home to the Institute of Cannabis Research, have been doing studies on the effects of marijuana on various conditions such as Parkinson\u2019s disease and cancer. But sponsors of the bill contended there were plenty more opportunities.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cRight now, there\u2019s more research than any one institution could possibly handle, frankly, for the next 10 years,\u201d former state Rep. Dan Pabon <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thecannabist.co\/2017\/06\/15\/colorado-marijuana-pesticides-enforcement-language-lapse\/81208\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">said at the time<\/a>.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"related right\" \/>\n<p>Chad Kinney, director of the Institute of Cannabis Research at CSU Pueblo, said research is generally concentrated at universities because of the infrastructure that already exists there, including staff, laboratories and technology.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe costs of such research tools can be a barrier for many companies, especially smaller ones, to conducting research in-house,\u201d Kinney said by email.<\/p>\n<p>Gutierrez said it cost $12 million to get MedPharm\u2019s facility up and running. Even if big pharmaceutical companies want to get into the industry, many rely on federal funding that could be at risk if they study marijuana, he said.<\/p>\n<p>Denver may also be one of the first cities to opt in to allow marijuana R&amp;D licensing, and Eric Escudero, director of communications at the Department of Excise and Licensing, said he hopes this new opportunity will inspire others to get in the game.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere\u2019s a lot of potential,\u201d Escudero said. \u201cWhat Silicon Valley did for technology, Denver can do for medical (cannabis) research.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"media_block\"><\/div>\n<p>A Denver-based company hopes to be the state\u2019s first to study the effects of marijuana on Alzheimer\u2019s disease, thanks to a newly available research and development license in the city. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[5062,531,52,330,7347,6811,6464,8052,7143,8042,6892,446,7455,6813,77,6999,6815,56,9,2331,5019,1777,1,3,5219,61,1736],"tags":[5063,3105,2632,2908,7348,6816,6466,8053,7144,8044,6893,3020,7459,6818,2655,7000,6820,2636,4898,5022,4345,5234],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8926"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8926"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8926\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8926"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8926"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8926"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}