Raphael Mechoulam, the father of cannabis research, passed away on March 9, 2023 at the age of 92. He is leaving behind a legacy that has transformed the way we think about cannabis and its potential medical uses. His groundbreaking work on cannabinoids, endocannabinoids, and the endocannabinoid system has opened new doors in the field of cannabis research. His contributions to the scientific community will be remembered for years to come.

Born in Bulgaria in 1930, Mechoulam moved to Israel with his family at a young age. He earned his undergraduate degree in chemistry from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and went on to receive his Ph.D. from the Weizmann Institute of Science.

He began his work on cannabis research in the 1960s. I saw him speak one time and he told the story about how he went to the Israeli police and asked them for cannabis to use in his research. They gave him five kilos of the plant, which he used to isolate and identify the main psychoactive ingredient of cannabis, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

His research was the first to demonstrate the structure of THC and to identify the endocannabinoid system. He went on to produce synthetic versions of THC and other cannabinoids and to discover and characterize the endocannabinoid receptors. His work revolutionized our understanding of the cannabis plant and its effects on the human body.

Mechoulam's pioneering work on cannabinoids led to the identification and isolation of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the compound responsible for the psychoactive effects of cannabis. He also discovered cannabidiol (CBD), another cannabinoid found in the plant that has potential therapeutic benefits for a variety of conditions.

One of the most significant applications of CBD is in the treatment of epilepsy. Mechoulam's research on CBD led to the development of CBD oil, which has been shown to help control seizures in patients with Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, two severe forms of epilepsy. CBD oil has been FDA-approved for the treatment of these conditions and is being used by patients around the world.

In addition, Mechoulam's research revealed the presence of other cannabinoids in the cannabis plant, including cannabinol (CBN) and cannabigerol (CBG).

His work has provided the basis for future research into the potential therapeutic applications of cannabis and its derivatives, as well as the development of synthetic cannabinoids for medical use. Mechoulam's discoveries have helped to further our understanding of the endocannabinoid system and its role in maintaining human health. His work has opened up a new field of research and has helped to advance the medical use of cannabis for the relief of pain, inflammation, and other conditions.

One of the most significant applications of CBD is in the treatment of epilepsy. Mechoulam's research on CBD led to the development of CBD oil, which has been shown to help control seizures in patients with Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, two severe forms of epilepsy. CBD oil has been FDA-approved for the treatment of these conditions and is being used by patients around the world.

Mechoulam's work on endocannabinoids and the endocannabinoid system has also had a profound impact on our understanding of the human body and its regulation of various physiological processes. He was a member of the Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities, the European Academy of Sciences and Arts, and the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, and he played a key role in the founding of the International Association for Cannabinoid Medicines and the International Cannabinoid Research Society.

Mechoulam's work has been recognized with numerous awards and honors, including the Israel Prize in 2000 and the Rothschild Prize in Chemical Sciences and Physical Sciences in 2012. He was also a visiting professor at institutions around the world, including the Rockefeller Institute in New York and Tel Aviv University, where he taught courses on Jewish studies, social sciences, life sciences, and more.

Today, CBD products and other cannabis-based treatments are being used to treat a wide range of conditions, from chronic pain to neurological disorders. Mechoulam's legacy has helped to pave the way for this new era of cannabis research, and his contributions will continue to shape the field for years to come.

In honor of Mechoulam's life and work, it is important to continue supporting cannabis research and advocating for the potential medical benefits of this complex plant. Mechoulam's legacy will inspire generations of scientists to come, and his contributions to the field of cannabis research will never be forgotten.

We are so thankful for Doctor Mechoulam's work because we would not be here today without it. We thank you for pioneering the cannabis industry. RIP Raphael Mechoulam.