Newswise — WASHINGTON, D.C., March 19, 2018 -- In a new video for Inside Science News Service, executive producer Karin Heineman interviews Robert Dellavalle from the University of Colorado School of Medicine, who explains how some compounds found in marijuana might help stop itching and pain in people suffering from skin diseases like eczema and psoriasis. 

Watch the video for free at https://tinyurl.com/ydfxbxzu.

Inside Science is an editorially independent nonprofit journalism venture operated by the American Institute of Physics.

Eczema affects millions of people, causing an itchy, painful rash. There are medications, but they don’t always work for patients. Researchers now want to investigate if marijuana can offer some relief for some skin conditions.

The cannabis plant has anti-inflammatory properties that can help with inflammation, itching and pain. The plant produces chemical compounds called cannabinoids; THC and CBD are the most widely known and understood. CBD however, does not make users “high” -- it is non-psychoactive. Researchers want to study whether a drug containing the CBD compounds can help with some skin diseases. 

The video talks about ongoing clinical trials for testing marijuana for certain skin diseases and the regulatory hurdles that researchers have had to overcome for testing marijuana -- a drug that is still considered a controlled substance, and under federal law is illegal, whether you live in a state that legalized it for medical or recreational use, or not.

####

ABOUT INSIDE SCIENCE

Inside Science is an editorially independent nonprofit science news service run out of the American Institute of Physics and supported by a coalition of underwriters. It produces original breaking news stories, features, essays, illustrations, documentaries, animations and news videos, all of which are procurable for syndication by news organizations or available on our web site. https://www.insidescience.org

ABOUT AIP

The American Institute of Physics is an organization of physical science societies, representing scientists, engineers, educators, and students. AIP delivers valuable services and expertise in education and student programs, science communications, government relations, career services, statistical research in physics employment and education, industrial outreach and the history of physics and allied fields. AIP publishes Physics Today, the most closely followed magazine of the physical sciences community. http://www.aip.org