*A recent clinical trial suggests that a new experimental cannabis-based drug can ease chronic lower-back pain.
Unlike the FDA-approved drug Epidiolex, which contains only CBD, Vertanical’s formula includes THC, the compound that produces the psychoactive effects of marijuana. However, the medication uses very low doses, essentially a microdose compared to products sold at dispensaries—and trial participants showed no signs of abuse, dependence, or withdrawal.
Patients were randomly assigned to take either Vertanical’s liquid cannabis extract or a placebo for 12 weeks. Those taking the drug reported nearly a 2-point reduction in pain on an 11-point scale, compared with a 1.4-point reduction for the placebo group. Participants who continued in a six-month extension phase maintained reduced pain levels.
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Adverse reactions in the trial included dizziness, headache, fatigue, and nausea, leading over 17% of participants to discontinue the treatment early. Researchers noted that this dropout rate is lower than typically reported with opioids, which often carry higher risks of addiction.
Vertanical has filed for approval with European regulators and is collaborating with U.S. officials to craft an FDA-supporting study. Published in Nature, the trial’s findings highlight the drug’s lower safety risks compared to opioids.
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