Roger Pertwee
Emeritus Professor, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK
Biggest challenge facing cannabis science?
The complete pharmacological characterization of all the many phytocannabinoids and other constituents of cannabis in order to facilitate the discovery of important new medicines.
Predictions?
The discovery of novel synthetic compounds that (i) can modulate the functioning of the endocannabinoid system to meet therapeutic needs and/or facilitate the pharmacological and physiological characterization of this system or (ii) are novel analogues of plant cannabinoids that possess particularly important therapeutic properties.
Serendipitous career moment?
First, the co-discovery of the endocannabinoids system; second, the discovery of an allosteric site on the cannabinoid CB1 receptor; third, the co-discovery of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) in cannabis; fourth, becoming a cannabinoid pharmacological researcher; fifth co-founding the International Cannabinoid Research Society; sixth editing and contributing chapters to well-read books on cannabinoids, including “Handbook of Cannabis” and “Endocannabinoids”.
