PRESS RELEASE
U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration approves import of a pharmaceutical-grade medical cannabis product produced by Tilray into the United States for a clinical trial focused on Essential Tremor
Essential Tremor is a neurological movement disorder characterized by involuntary and rhythmic shaking. ET has extremely high prevalence rates; 0.4% of the general population suffer from ET, and that figure rises to 4.6% to 6.3% among those 65 and older. Essential Tremor can have a significant impact on a patient’s quality of life, causing embarrassment, social withdrawal, disability, and loss of occupation. Many patients do not experience relief with the current drugs on the market or find the side-effects of these drugs to be unbearable.
Additional Quotes:
- “It’s exciting to advance our work in this area by conducting a first-of-its kind trial of purified medicinal cannabis for a common neurological disorder like essential tremor,” says Dr. Nahab. “Until now patients have been on their own to figure out the efficacy, safety, and dosing of cannabinoids. This trial should help answer many of these critical questions.”
- “We are extremely enthusiastic about the initiation of this study, extending as it does CMCR’s program to discover therapeutic potential of various cannabinoid preparations,” said Dr. Igor Grant, Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research Director. “These studies are promising to uncover new treatments for difficult to treat conditions.”
- “The IETF is proud to provide grant funding for this study which provides hope to the essential tremor community,” said Patrick McCartney, executive director of the International Essential Tremor Foundation. “The effectiveness of cannabis as a treatment for essential tremor has long been a topic of interest in the ET community. We are grateful to Dr. Nahab and UC San Diego Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research for their dedication to scientific research of this kind. And we commend Tilray for the development of this study drug which has the potential to help thousands of people who struggle with ET.”