The dark side of cannabis legalization and a biotech company’s solution

From Jacinta Sherris

By July 2021, 18 states had legalized marijuana for recreational use, while another 18 had legalized cannabis for medical use only. Meanwhile, Florida, Connecticut, and Hawaii have all introduced laws to support legalization.

As cannabis is decriminalized across the country, one of the unintended consequences is an increase in use and, inevitably, an increase in cannabis poisoning.

Photo by Javi Julio Photography / Getty Images

Since the substance was legalized in the first few states in 2012, cannabis emergency room visits have increased by an average annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15%. It is estimated that more than 1.7 million emergency rooms were associated with THC in 2018. The trend of adults and children inadvertently consuming high levels of THC and synthetic THC is likely to continue.

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Public discourse about the symptoms of cannabis poisoning tends to be minimized, especially when compared to other narcotics, where overdoses are often fatal. Even so, cannabis poisoning can be incredibly stressful. Symptoms include extreme anxiety, panic attacks, psychotic reactions, uncontrollable tremors, or even seizures. The symptoms of synthetic cannabis are more severe.

According to emergency doctors, patients and doctors cannot wait for an antidote, but unfortunately the market lacks an efficient solution to cannabis poisoning.

Anebulo, used to treat cannabis poisoning

Anebulo Pharma (NASDAQ: ANEB) is a clinical-stage biotech company whose lead product ANEB-001 is a promising antidote to cannabis poisoning. The development of Anebulo is significant as there are currently no approved medical treatments for the relief of symptoms of cannabis poisoning.

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Instead, patients who go to the emergency room with cannabis poisoning have no choice but to wait in the hospital until they are sober – consuming valuable resources and delaying other patients.

Photo by Adrian Black / Getty Images

Anebulo’s solution is said to work quickly and relieve the worst symptoms of an overdose – especially those caused by accidental ingestion of edible products and synthetic marijuana.

The ANEB-001 treatment works by blocking the effects of THC on the brain’s CB1 receptor. In just 1 hour, patients were able to experience relief from anxiety, a reduction in psychosis, normalization of heartbeat, and an overall decrease in exhilaration.

How companies like Anebulo will continue to shape the cannabis industry

Much of the investment focus within the cannabis sector is focused on the production, distribution and retailing of cannabis brands. However, as legalization increases across the country, so will the emergency rooms related to cannabis and the need for a viable antidote.

While not much can be done to prevent cannabis poisoning, Anebulo’s solution offers the potential for quick and safe treatment that could help patients and people with addiction problems, and enable doctors to work more effectively.

Anebulo is a publicly traded company based in Texas. Find out more about Anebulo’s stock data, financial reports and investor relations here.

This article originally appeared on Benzinga and was republished with permission.