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Pioneering medical research

Alleviating human suffering with medicinal cannabis Find out how

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Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics

Advancing cannabinoid-based treatments in mainstream medicine

The Lambert Initiative was created when Barry and Joy Lambert made a $33.7 million donation for research into the therapeutic use of medicinal cannabis.

The Lambert initiative is an Australian first in the field of medicinal cannabinoids. We are targeting a range of conditions including paediatric epilepsy, cancer, chronic pain, obesity, neurological, and mental health disorders.

Our aim is to optimise safe and effective cannabinoid therapeutics into mainstream medicine in Australia and beyond to deliver long overdue benefits for patients and to alleviate suffering.

Updates

We are now recruiting for 3 new clinical trials! Learn more about our ongoing clinical trials.

The CAFTAN Study

Cannabidiol (CBD) as an adjunct to Maudsley Family Based Treatment in young persons with Anorexia Nervosa

We are recruiting young people between 12-18 years old, who are about to start Maudsley Family Based Treatment (MFBT) to treat Anorexia Nervosa in NSW. Human Research Ethics Committee approval has been granted by the Sydney Local Health District [X21-0440].

The CAPSTAN Study

Cannabidiol (CBD) for Acute Psychosocial Stress, Situational Anxiety and Nausea

We are recruiting healthy volunteers to study the effects of a new treatment on stress and nausea, using virtual reality technology. Human Research Ethics Committee approval has been granted by The University of Sydney [2023/307].

The CAPE Survey

Cannabinoids for Adult and Paediatric Epilepsy Survey

Help us better understand the lived experience of individuals who have tried medicinal cannabis to treat epilepsy. Human Research Ethics Committee approval has been granted by the University of Sydney [2023/313].

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NSW drivers using medicinal cannabis would be shielded from DUI charges under MP’s proposed reforms

Legalise Cannabis party’s Jeremy Buckingham says risk of losing driver’s licence under current drug-driving laws acts as disincentive for patients. Academic Director Prof Iain McGregor is featured in The Guardian Australia, 2 Aug 2023.

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Legalising cannabis in Australia: how would it work and is there a catch?

The Greens say legalising cannabis could net the government $28bn tax revenue in nine years, but there are a few hurdles. The Lambert Initiative Academic Director Professor Iain McGregor provides expert advice on cannabis and driving for The Guardian Australia, 10 April 2023.

Other news from the Lambert Initiative

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09 June 2023

Medicinal cannabis is a 'life-changing treatment' for people with Tourette syndrome

Australian researchers have published the first robust clinical study proving that medicinal cannabis effectively treats the debilitating effects of Tourette syndrome.

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06 June 2023

Patients with unmet mental health needs are turning to medicinal cannabis

New research shows Australian healthcare practitioners are often prescribing medicinal cannabis for psychiatric conditions where the evidence for effectiveness is unclear.

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06 February 2023

Limited evidence that cannabis ‘hangover’ blunts performance

The first systematic review examining the phenomenon of a 'next day' hangover caused by cannabis has found scant evidence impairment exists hours after consumption.

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30 January 2023

New trial uses cannabis for spinal cord injury induced chronic pain

Scientists at the University of Sydney have been awarded $1.7 million from NSW Health to research a new treatment for chronic pain which commonly affects people with spinal cord injuries.

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16 December 2022

Medical cannabis treating at least 2.7 percent of population

An estimated 600,000 Australians are using medical cannabis - but that's according to data from 2019. Considering the dramatic increase in the number of doctors registering to prescribe in the past two years, and the rapid growth of applications for prescriptions, the figure today is likely to be much higher.

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15 September 2022