Israeli researcher Raphael Mechoulam, known as the “father of cannabis research,” has passed away at the age of 92 in Jerusalem. Mechoulam’s work in marijuana studies included the first isolation of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive compound in the cannabis plant, which earned him his nickname.
He also worked to isolate and synthesize other compounds in the drug, and demonstrated the potential for medical uses, including treating epilepsy and autoimmune diseases. Mechoulam’s work helped to broaden the scientific understanding of cannabis and the compounds responsible for its distinctive effects.
He was a pioneer in the field and his contributions were significant.
His work showed that humans have been using cannabis for millennia, and he even provided the first-ever physical evidence of its use in the ancient Middle East.
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