These Israeli scientists are showing the world why medical cannabis is the next big thing in big pharma

Jeff Weisbein -

This year is poised to be the year of cannabis. Ever since Canada became the second country ever to legalize cannabis for both medical and recreational use, the industry has gone “full bloom.” More countries, US states, and governments, are following suit, with a majority favoring legalization especially in the medical field. Now, the cannabis market is flooded with products and companies using cannabis, CBD, THC oils, and more in ways we never thought possible.

While medicinal and recreational use of the plant are on the rise, industry leaders and pharmaceutical experts are doing everything they can to stay ahead in a market that is constantly evolving and changing. Whether it’s a lip balm infused with CBD, or a mini refrigerator that lets users grow their own marijuana plant, cannabis leaders are always looking ahead at what will be the next big thing, in a market that we can expect to  soon be oversaturated.

So how does one stand out in a marketplace filled with competitions? Having an all star team doesn’t hurt, especially when producing products for medicinal or pharmaceutical use. OWC Pharma is one company that is leading the field for cannabis research and development, and much of its success is due to the expert minds behind it.

Oron Yacoby Zeev, who serves as CSO for OWC Pharma has more than 20 years of experience in the scientific biopharmaceutical industry. Together with Mr. Mordechai Bignitz, a prominent financial entrepreneur and CEO of OWC Pharma, they are developing cannabis drug solutions for a variety of health problems using scientific and clinical research. Other notable team members behind OWC Pharma include, Dr. Yehuda Baruch, the former Head of the Israeli Ministry of Health’s Medical Marijuana Program from 2001 through 2012, and Dr. Stanley Hirsch, Chairman of OWC Pharma, who holds a PH.D. in Cell Biology and Immunology from Oxford University.

So what has this talented team created? OWC Pharma is developing multiple cannabis based products that can be used to treat a diverse range of medical issues.

  • Lower back pain – When thinking about treating back pain with cannabis, the first thought that usually comes to mind is smoking marijuana to ease the pain. However, many patients don’t want to feel comfortable with smoking a joint. OWC Pharma has created an alternative solution, a sublingual cannabis-based tablet. The tablet is absorbed under the tongue, and can provide rapid delivery of cannabis into the bloodstream.
  • Chronic skin conditions – OWC Pharma has developed a special ointment that can be used to treat skin conditions, such as psoriasis. The cream which primarily hampers keratocyte proliferation, can alleviate symptoms such as flaking, inflammation, and white and red patches of skin.
  • Cancer treatment – OWC Pharma is also working to use cannabinoids for cancer treatment, specifically multiple Myeloma. The company is proactively testing these therapy options, showing promising results in preclinical trials.
  • Mental health – CBD products can also promote better mental health by easing anxiety and signs of depression. It promotes relaxation and calmness, minimizing the chances of anxiety attacks and similar symptoms.

OWC Pharma is just one of the companies exploring the wide variety of benefits that cannabis has, specifically when applied for medicinal use. But how long will this “cannabis” boom last? Right now applications for medicinal and recreational marjiuana are a hot button issue. The industry is overcrowded, with multiple companies producing similar products. And because of the nature of cannabis, there will always be the question of legality.

Many countries today are more lenient towards the development of cannabis; in fact, some praise and encourage it because of the tax benefits. Companies like OWC Pharma that use real medical based research for the products that they’re developing, shows us that the medical field is becoming more open to these types of solutions. But what happens if that changes? What happens if we wake up tomorrow and states, governments, and big businesses decide that cannabis is and will always be a drug that cannot be brought to the mainstream and should not be used for medical research? It will be interesting to see how the global community adopts cannabis use in the long run.