Molecular biologist Rodrigo Moura Neto, who works in a laboratory on the University campus in Rio de Janeiro recently discovered cannabidiol, a compound in marijuana known as CBD, in the Trema micrantha Blume, a common Brazilian plant.

CBD without the THC: New Cannabidiol source found in a common Brazilian plant

<p>In a laboratory tucked away on a sprawling university campus in Rio de Janeiro, Brazilian molecular biologist Rodrigo Moura Neto is running tests on a seemingly ordinary plant with a potent secret.</p>

<p>The fast-growing, homely plant, Trema micrantha blume, is native to the Americas, where it is widespread and often considered a weed.</p>

<p>But Moura Neto recently discovered its fruits and flowers contain one of the active ingredients in marijuana: cannabidiol, or CBD, which has shown promise as a treatment for conditions including epilepsy, autism, anxiety and chronic pain.</p>

<p>Crucially, he also found it does not contain the other main ingredient in pot, tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC — the psychoactive substance that makes people high.</p>

<p>That opens the possibility of an abundant new source of CBD, without the complications of cannabis, which remains illegal in many places.</p>

<p>The discovery has made something of an overnight academic star of Dr Moura Neto, an affable, silver-haired 66-year-old who now has a packed schedule of meetings with patent experts and companies keen to tap the multi-billion-dollar CBD market.</p>

<p>"It was wonderful to find a plant (with CBD but) without THC, because you avoid all the mess around psychotropic substances," says Moura Neto, who has spent the better part of five decades researching in this small lab at Rio de Janeiro Federal University.</p>

<p>"That means the potential is enormous," he tells AFP.</p>

<p>His 10-member team recently won a 500,000-real ($104,000) public grant to expand his project, which will now identify the best methods to extract CBD from "Trema," and then study its effectiveness as a substitute for medical marijuana.</p>

<h2>Man in demand</h2>

<p>Many of CBD's touted medical uses are still under research.</p>

<p>The compound is controversial, including in Brazil, where patients have gone to court to win the right to use it. They often have to import it at eye-watering prices, given that cultivating medical marijuana remains illegal — though there is legislation before Congress to change that.</p>

<p>Debates aside, demand for CBD is booming.</p>

<p>The global market for CBD last year was estimated at nearly $5 billion. Analytics firm Vantage Market Research projects it will grow to more than $47 billion by 2028, driven mainly by health and wellness use.</p>

<p>Interest in Moura Neto's research has been "huge," says Rosane Silva, the director of his laboratory, which sits off a hallway bustling with students and researchers in white lab coats.</p>

<p>"Lots of companies have been calling, looking to collaborate" on an eventual non-cannabis-based CBD medication, Silva says, standing beside what she calls the "magical plant."</p>

<p>A member of the Cannabaceae family — like cannabis — "Trema" can grow into a tree up to 20 meters (66 feet) tall.</p>

<p>Moura Neto says he and the university may explore patenting any innovations they find for extracting CBD from its tiny fruits and flowers.</p>

<p>But he is quick to add he won't patent "Trema" itself. He wants scientists everywhere to be able to research it.</p>

<p>"If I dreamed of being a billionaire, I wouldn't have become a professor," he says.</p>

<h2>From policing to producing?</h2>

<p>Moura Neto started studying CBD for a completely different reason: trained as a forensic geneticist, he would analyze the DNA of marijuana seized by police to help investigators trace its source.</p>

<p>When he came across a study that identified CBD in a related plant in Thailand — another member of the Cannabaceae family — he got the idea to test for it in "Trema."</p>

<p>He says turning his still-unpublished findings into a drug ready for market will take five to 10 years of research and clinical trials — if it is possible at all.</p>

<p>Cannabis, first domesticated in China more than 10,000 years ago, has been cultivated for millennia to hone its mind-altering and medicinal effects.</p>

<p>CBD from "Trema" might not work as well, or at all, Moura Neto says.</p>

<p>In the meantime, it's no use smoking the plant for a high.</p>

<p>"That definitely won't do anything for you," he laughs.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>


In a laboratory tucked away on a sprawling university campus in Rio de Janeiro, Brazilian molecular biologist Rodrigo Moura Neto is running tests on a seemingly ordinary plant with a potent secret.

In a laboratory tucked away on a sprawling university campus in Rio de Janeiro, Brazilian molecular biologist Rodrigo Moura Neto is running tests on a seemingly ordinary plant with a potent secret. The fast-growing, homely plant, Trema micrantha blume, is native to the Americas, where it is widespread and often considered a weed. But Moura Neto recently discovered its fruits and flowers contain one of the active ingredients in marijuana: cannabidiol, or CBD, which has shown promise as a treatment for conditions including epilepsy, autism, anxiety and chronic pain. Crucially, he also found it does not contain the other main ingredient in pot, tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC — the psychoactive substance that makes people high. That opens the possibility of an abundant new source of CBD, without the complications of cannabis, which remains illegal in many places. The discovery has made something of an overnight academic star of Dr Moura Neto, an affable, silver-haired 66-year-old who now has a packed schedule of meetings with patent experts and companies keen to tap the multi-billion-dollar CBD market. "It was wonderful to find a plant (with CBD but) without THC, because you avoid all the mess around psychotropic substances," says Moura Neto, who has spent the better part of five decades researching in this small lab at Rio de Janeiro Federal University. "That means the potential is enormous," he tells AFP. His 10-member team recently won a 500,000-real ($104,000) public grant to expand his project, which will now identify the best methods to extract CBD from "Trema," and then study its effectiveness as a substitute for medical marijuana. Man in demand Many of CBD's touted medical uses are still under research. The compound is controversial, including in Brazil, where patients have gone to court to win the right to use it. They often have to import it at eye-watering prices, given that cultivating medical marijuana remains illegal — though there is legislation before Congress to change that. Debates aside, demand for CBD is booming. The global market for CBD last year was estimated at nearly $5 billion. Analytics firm Vantage Market Research projects it will grow to more than $47 billion by 2028, driven mainly by health and wellness use. Interest in Moura Neto's research has been "huge," says Rosane Silva, the director of his laboratory, which sits off a hallway bustling with students and researchers in white lab coats. "Lots of companies have been calling, looking to collaborate" on an eventual non-cannabis-based CBD medication, Silva says, standing beside what she calls the "magical plant." A member of the Cannabaceae family — like cannabis — "Trema" can grow into a tree up to 20 meters (66 feet) tall. Moura Neto says he and the university may explore patenting any innovations they find for extracting CBD from its tiny fruits and flowers. But he is quick to add he won't patent "Trema" itself. He wants scientists everywhere to be able to research it. "If I dreamed of being a billionaire, I wouldn't have become a professor," he says. From policing to producing? Moura Neto started studying CBD for a completely different reason: trained as a forensic geneticist, he would analyze the DNA of marijuana seized by police to help investigators trace its source. When he came across a study that identified CBD in a related plant in Thailand — another member of the Cannabaceae family — he got the idea to test for it in "Trema." He says turning his still-unpublished findings into a drug ready for market will take five to 10 years of research and clinical trials — if it is possible at all. Cannabis, first domesticated in China more than 10,000 years ago, has been cultivated for millennia to hone its mind-altering and medicinal effects. CBD from "Trema" might not work as well, or at all, Moura Neto says. In the meantime, it's no use smoking the plant for a high. "That definitely won't do anything for you," he laughs. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

This 'magic plant' has medical component CBD similar to marijuana in leaves and fruit, but no high

<p>As it tries to move away from selling traditional cigarettes, a giant tobacco company in the UK says cannabis will be a part of its future.</p>

<p>In an effort to accelerate its transformation, British American Tobacco says it will reduce the negative health effects associated with its products.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cannabis-may-have-originated-in-china-study-398674">Cannabis may have originated in China: Study</a></strong> &nbsp;</p>

<p>In March, BAT acquired a 19.9 per cent stake in Canada-based medical marijuana manufacturer Organigram.</p>

<p>Additionally, the company signed a deal to research cannabidiol (CBD)-based adult cannabis products.</p>

<p>In analysing the future of BAT's portfolio, Jack Bowles, boss of the company, said the company is eyeing other markets beyond nicotine products as an additional wave of growth.</p>

<p>Bowles believes cannabis-related products will be part of the company's future growth. The company is currently testing a trial of a CBD vape product in Manchester.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/colombia-authorises-export-of-dried-cannabis-flowers-400240">Colombia authorises export of dried cannabis flowers</a></strong></p>

<p>He added that despite the fact that CBD vaping is part of the future, the immediate challenge is to present alternatives for smoking and nicotine to reduce harm.</p>

<p>The tobacco giant's half-year results to the end of June saw revenue rise 8.1 per cent to £12,18billion.</p>

<p>Vuse, Velo, and Glo contribute more than a third of the company's revenues in the UK.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/urgent-action-required-on-vaping-videos-on-tiktok-study-400972">Urgent action required on vaping videos on TikTok: Study</a></strong></p>

<p>Non-combustible product users —&nbsp;including vapes — grew by 2.6 million from 16.1 million, making it the company's largest gain in new customers.</p>

<p>After the end of coronavirus lockdowns, some countries were able to resume cigarette sales following a ban. BAT reported that cigarette sales have recovered in some developing nations since the end of the lockdowns.</p>

<p>In markets such as Brazil, Turkey and Pakistan, sales of brands such as Dunhill, Kent, Lucky Strike and Rothmans increased in the first half of the year.</p>

<p>However, combustibles revenue, which includes cigarettes and heated tobacco products, has fallen three per cent to £10.5bn, the company reported.</p>


As it tries to move away from selling traditional cigarettes, a giant tobacco company in the UK says cannabis will be a part of its future. In an effort to accelerate its transformation, British American Tobacco says it will reduce the negative health effects associated with its products.

As it tries to move away from selling traditional cigarettes, a giant tobacco company in the UK says cannabis will be a part of its future. In an effort to accelerate its transformation, British American Tobacco says it will reduce the negative health effects associated with its products. Also read | Cannabis may have originated in China: Study In March, BAT acquired a 19.9 per cent stake in Canada-based medical marijuana manufacturer Organigram. Additionally, the company signed a deal to research cannabidiol (CBD)-based adult cannabis products. In analysing the future of BAT's portfolio, Jack Bowles, boss of the company, said the company is eyeing other markets beyond nicotine products as an additional wave of growth. Bowles believes cannabis-related products will be part of the company's future growth. The company is currently testing a trial of a CBD vape product in Manchester. Also read | Colombia authorises export of dried cannabis flowers He added that despite the fact that CBD vaping is part of the future, the immediate challenge is to present alternatives for smoking and nicotine to reduce harm. The tobacco giant's half-year results to the end of June saw revenue rise 8.1 per cent to £12,18billion. Vuse, Velo, and Glo contribute more than a third of the company's revenues in the UK. Also read | Urgent action required on vaping videos on TikTok: Study Non-combustible product users — including vapes — grew by 2.6 million from 16.1 million, making it the company's largest gain in new customers. After the end of coronavirus lockdowns, some countries were able to resume cigarette sales following a ban. BAT reported that cigarette sales have recovered in some developing nations since the end of the lockdowns. In markets such as Brazil, Turkey and Pakistan, sales of brands such as Dunhill, Kent, Lucky Strike and Rothmans increased in the first half of the year. However, combustibles revenue, which includes cigarettes and heated tobacco products, has fallen three per cent to £10.5bn, the company reported.

Tobacco giant eyes cannabis, says it's the future

<p>American reality star Kim Kardashian West, who became a mother for the fourth time, shared pictures from her CBD-themed baby shower that the family celebrated about a week ago.</p>

<p>"We celebrated our baby boy about a week ago and now he`s here! He`s so perfect! Here are some pics of my CBD baby shower," she captioned the Instagram post.</p>

<p>Calling the newborn the 'calmest', Kim wrote, "I was freaking out for nothing because he is the most calm and chill of all of my babies so far and everyone loves him so much."</p>

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<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BxVdknbnqPS/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">We celebrated our baby boy about a week ago and now he’s here! He’s so perfect! Here are some pics of my CBD baby shower. I was freaking out for nothing because he is the most calm and chill of all of my babies so far and everyone loves him so much 🧸</a></p>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kimkardashian/" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Kim Kardashian West</a> (@kimkardashian) on <time datetime="2019-05-11T20:17:01+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">May 11, 2019 at 1:17pm PDT</time></p>
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<p>The new mother looked elegant in a ruched white dress, perfectly complemented by her hair in loose curls.</p>

<p>The first picture in the series of photographs shared by Kim features her grandmother MJ, mother Kris Jenner, daughters North West and Chicago West, her sisters Khloe Kardashian, Kourtney Kardashian with daughter Penelope Disick and Kylie Jenner with daughter Stormi Webster.</p>

<p>Kim`s wellness and CBD-themed baby shower was attended by Chrissy Teigen, Paris Hilton, Larsa Pippen, Jen Atkin, Nicole Williams, Sara Foster, Natalie Halcro, and Olivia Pierson, to name a few.</p>

<p>On Friday, Kim announced the arrival of her fourth child with rapper husband Kanye West, a day after Kim`s sister Kourtney announced that her sister`s surrogate went into labour.</p>

<p>The couple is already proud parents to North, Saint and Chicago.</p>

<p>This will be the power couple`s second boy and the second time they have used a surrogate.</p>

<p>They earlier used a surrogate with Chicago.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>


American reality star Kim Kardashian West, who became a mother for the fourth time, shared pictures from her CBD-themed baby shower that the family celebrated about a week ago.

American reality star Kim Kardashian West, who became a mother for the fourth time, shared pictures from her CBD-themed baby shower that the family celebrated about a week ago. "We celebrated our baby boy about a week ago and now he`s here! He`s so perfect! Here are some pics of my CBD baby shower," she captioned the Instagram post. Calling the newborn the 'calmest', Kim wrote, "I was freaking out for nothing because he is the most calm and chill of all of my babies so far and everyone loves him so much." View this post on Instagram We celebrated our baby boy about a week ago and now he’s here! He’s so perfect! Here are some pics of my CBD baby shower. I was freaking out for nothing because he is the most calm and chill of all of my babies so far and everyone loves him so much 🧸 A post shared by Kim Kardashian West (@kimkardashian) on May 11, 2019 at 1:17pm PDT × The new mother looked elegant in a ruched white dress, perfectly complemented by her hair in loose curls. The first picture in the series of photographs shared by Kim features her grandmother MJ, mother Kris Jenner, daughters North West and Chicago West, her sisters Khloe Kardashian, Kourtney Kardashian with daughter Penelope Disick and Kylie Jenner with daughter Stormi Webster. Kim`s wellness and CBD-themed baby shower was attended by Chrissy Teigen, Paris Hilton, Larsa Pippen, Jen Atkin, Nicole Williams, Sara Foster, Natalie Halcro, and Olivia Pierson, to name a few. On Friday, Kim announced the arrival of her fourth child with rapper husband Kanye West, a day after Kim`s sister Kourtney announced that her sister`s surrogate went into labour. The couple is already proud parents to North, Saint and Chicago. This will be the power couple`s second boy and the second time they have used a surrogate. They earlier used a surrogate with Chicago.

Kim shares pictures from her baby shower

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CBD without the THC: New Cannabidiol source found in a common Brazilian plant

This 'magic plant' has medical component CBD similar to marijuana in leaves and fruit, but no high

Tobacco giant eyes cannabis, says it's the future

Kim shares pictures from her baby shower