Cannabis: Innovation Opportunities for its Medical Use

Abstract

Background: Cannabis is the most widely used illicit drug worldwide. Although cannabis can be considered a malignant drug that affects health and produces adverse effects on individuals, their families and society, it should be noted that therapeutic use has a scientific basis. Objective: This study was carried out through a joint methodology that included both the analysis of patents and scientometrics, with the purpose of constructing a profile for the scientific, inventive and innovative activity of marijuana in medical uses. Methodology: The analyses included indicators based on information about the publication and registration of scientific articles and patents, as well as impact indicators measured by the citations of the related publications, facilitating the establishment and understanding of the trends that were identified. Results: As a result, it was intended to establish the state of the technologies, processes and research of this subject to determine whether it is in a state of growth maturity or decline. Additionally, ideas for novel studies are proposed, and information about countries, offices, authors and reference journals is shown to serve as a base for innovators, entrepreneurs and new researchers. Conclusion: The main contribution of this article is the identification of companies and leading applicants in the medical use of cannabis, mainly in the formulation of medical preparations, treatments using these preparations, and heterocyclic compounds present in the Cannabis Sativa plant. Also, potential markets for the protection of inventions in the field are presented, and a review of outstanding articles and patents that can be used to know in depth the interests of the main applicants.