The Rothman Institute at Jefferson, one of the nation’s largest orthopedic practices, announced Thursday it would collaborate on a study to investigate the benefits of medical marijuana for patients suffering from chronic and acute pain.
Rothman will work with Franklin BioScience, a Colorado-based cannabis grower and retailer. Franklin BioScience expects to open a medical marijuana dispensary in late March called Beyond Hello in Bristol Township, Bucks County.
“There’s a link between access to cannabis and reduced opioid overdoses,” said physician Ari Greis, a Rothman pain management specialist who will oversee the research. “We’re all being cautiously optimistic that it could be helpful to some of our patients. Because we’re leaders in orthopedic medicine, we feel this is an opportunity we can’t pass up.”
The announcement comes just after the state’s medical marijuana program officially launched last week with the first legal sales of cannabis occurring at six dispensaries. Dozens more—which only will sell concentrates, vape pens, tinctures and pills—are expected to open within the next several months.
Top image: © mandritoiu | Adobe Stock
