The 2006 International Cannabinoid Research Society (ICRS) meeting, held in Tihany, Hungary from June 24 to 28, brought together funding agencies, industry representatives, and the academic community to exchange new information and ideas about cannabis and cannabinoids. "Hot and Controversial Issues" were discussed. This year the topics were: "Are there CB2 receptors in CNS neurons?" and "Pharmacology of Cannabidiol (CBD): Cannabinoid receptors and Beyond." While these scientifically controversial issues may seem inapplicable to the average medicinal cannabis patient, this type of open discussion among cannabinoid researchers will shape the direction of research, the development of medical applications, and our understanding of cannabis and cannabinoids.

The meeting included 91 research presentations and 135 posters that discussed the role of cannabinoids in neuronal development, nervous-system function, memory and learning, pain, inflammation, food intake, energy balance, anti-cancer effects, drug abuse, and neuro-protection. Despite differing political opinions, attendees - including clinicians, researchers, and even a few self-proclaimed cannabis experts - generally agreed on the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids.

Founded in 1991, the ICRS is a 400-member international scientific association of active researchers in the field of endogenous, plant-derived, and synthetic cannabinoids and related bioactive lipids. Cannabinoids are components of the cannabis plant, including tetrahydrocannbinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD). The endogenous Cannabinoids are those cannabinoids synthesized by our bodies, such as Anadamide or 2-arachydonylGlycerol (2-AG). The wide range of effects from cannabinoids is due to their specific interactions with an endocannabinoid regulatory system in the body. The endocannabinoid system includes specific cannabinoids receptors found throughout the human body.  The annual ICRS Conference draws researchers from around the world.

Patricia Reggio from the University of North Carolina (UNC) presented data on a project that was a collaborative effort between California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute (CPMCRI) and UNC. These researchers investigated the effects of mutations on the Cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) receptor. At CPMCRI, researchers recently generated data on the ability of natural cannabinoids to fight brain and breast cancer, as well as halt the progression of Lou Gehrig's Disease or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) in mice.

Research presented by Moises Garcia-Arencibia from the Complutense University in Madrid, Spain indicated that THC and CBD might provide protection against Parkinson's disease. The data indicates that the protective effects against Parkinson's disease are most likely due to the antioxidant properties of cannabinoids and not the activation of the CB1 receptors in the brain.

Dr. Donald Abrams from the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) presented research entitled "Vaporization as a Safe and Efficient Smokeless Cannabis Delivery System." The results indicated that future studies of medicinal cannabis could consider utilizing vaporization - a method that releases a vapor of cannabinoids by heating plant material to a temperature just below burning - because it delivers relatively equal amounts of medicinal compounds from the plant when compared to the potentially hazardous practice of smoking combusted material.

At the end of the third and fourth days of the conference "Hot and Controversial Issues" were discussed. This year the topics were: "Are there CB2 receptors in CNS neurons?" and "Pharmacology of Cannabidiol (CBD): Cannabinoid receptors and Beyond." While these scientifically controversial issues may seem inapplicable to the average medicinal cannabis patient, this type of open discussion among cannabinoid researchers will shape the direction of research, the development of medical applications, and our understanding of cannabis and cannabinoids.

For more information and summaries of the research presented at 2006 ICRS meeting, see: www.cannabinoidsociety.org