How can the legal status of cannabinoids hinder research into their therapeutic applications?
How can the legal status of cannabinoids hinder research into their therapeutic applications? The legal status of cannabinoids can significantly hinder research by creating barriers to access and complicating the regulatory landscape for conducting studies. In jurisdictions where cannabis remains illegal or heavily restricted, researchers may face challenges in obtaining necessary permits, accessing research-grade cannabis, and securing funding. This can limit the scope and scale of cannabinoid research, delaying the development of evidence-based therapies. Moreover, stigma associated with cannabis can deter researchers and institutions from pursuing cannabinoid studies, further stifling scientific progress. By advocating for more permissive regulations and fostering public awareness of the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids, researchers can help alleviate some of these barriers (Schmid et al., 2022).