By Benjie Cooper
IG: @nuglifenews
YouTube: Lucid’s Vlog
The Korean Cannabinoid Association (KCA) announced a plan last week to conduct a pilot cannabidiol (CBD) program involving blockchain technology from the AI-based decentralized bioinformation network, Prasm.
Blockchains are growing lists of viewable, permanent records that are widely used by cryptocurrencies due to their resistance to data modification.
Formerly known as the Organization of Legalizing Medical Cannabis in Korea, the KCA is looking to dissuade the public from the notion that hemp is a dangerous narcotic.
“Due to the prejudice that hemp is a drug, Korean medical society had been reluctant to conduct any clinical studies that could prove the therapeutic benefits of medical hemp,” said KCA director of Prasm Kwon Yong-Hyun in a press conference. “We are aware that the majority of the public is concerned about people abusing marijuana if it becomes legalized for medicinal use.”
Patients involved in the study will be given wearable systems that record and store their biometric data using blockchain.
“The blockchain technology is suitable for managing medical hemp as the data cannot be altered while providing essential information about the patient’s condition,” said Kwon Yong-Hyun. “The platform will also be helpful in removing any concerns related to abuse of the treatment as it can keep track of the distribution without any omission.”
Upon gaining official approval from the authorities, KCA will begin recruiting epileptic patients to participate in their clinical trials. In 2015, the Ministry of Health and Welfare showed more than 137,000 individuals diagnosed with epilepsy in the country.
The KCA is hopeful that their research will be instrumental in the legalization of medicinal cannabis in South Korea.
