A series of new research findings will be unveiled next month at the United in Compassion symposium, during a full-day program bringing together speakers from around the world.
The Lambert Initiative has organised the sessions with the goal of putting the latest advances in cannabis science — both domestically and internationally — before a specialist audience.
Sydney University's Dr Llew Mills will release new data from the 2022/23 Cannabis as Medicine (CAM) survey, while Dr Anastasia Suraev will present findings from her CANSLEEP trial on THC and insomnia, which are due for publication shortly.
The CAM survey data builds on results released earlier this year — drawn from 1,600 respondents — which revealed significant differences between patients who source medicinal cannabis via a prescription compared to those who do so illicitly.
At UIC, data from 5,000 respondents will be made public, offering a far more detailed picture of medicinal cannabis use across Australia.
Additional sessions will cover the most recent research into cannabinoids and driving.
Professor of cannabinoid pharmacology and deputy director of the Lambert Initiative, Dr Jonathon Arnold, said the research program will explore "new advances in the science of cannabis".
"This program showcases the latest and greatest in cannabis science nationally and internationally, and highlights progress in the basic science of cannabis from the plant to humans," he said.
"It will also report on innovative research and new applications for cannabis and its constituents and highlight critically important new evidence for the clinical use of cannabis which will ultimately ensure better outcomes for patients."
Further highlights include research into minor cannabinoids, encouraging clinical trial outcomes for patients with Tourette's syndrome, and updated findings on cannabis, driving, and community usage trends.
The day-long program, scheduled for Friday August 11, will also cover progress in cannabis-inspired drug discovery, including the identification of lesser-known cannabinoids with anti-seizure and sleep-promoting properties, along with findings related to cannabinoids in the context of neurodegeneration and cancer.
Emerging work on cannabinoids as potential anti-ageing agents will also feature on the program.
There will additionally be an update on the current state of clinical trials in Australia, including the introduction of new trials and results from completed trials focused on Tourette's syndrome, insomnia, and pain.
Confirmed speakers include associate professor Monika Doblin (AgrioBio, La Trobe University), professor Michelle Glass (University of Otago, NZ), Dr David Meiri (Technion, Israel), associate professor Ziva Cooper (UCLA, US), professor Ryan Vandrey (Johns-Hopkins University, US) and professor Jan Ramaekers (Maastricht University, the Netherlands).
The full line up can be found here.
