The world’s top medical cannabis brands [Leaders in research and clinical application]

by Richard Lewis | May 22, 2020 | MEDICAL INNOVATION

Table of contents

How to get medical cannabis
Health conditions suited to cannabis
Leaders in cannabis research
GW Pharmaceuticals
Canndoc
Tikun
Canadian medical cannabis brands
Aphria
Broken Coast
Aurora
Medreleaf
Canna Farms
Canopy Growth
Emerald
Tilray
Weedmd

How to get medical cannabis

You’ve got a chronic health condition and heard about medical cannabis. With a quick google, it’s not hard to find sites offering cannabis products. 

You’ll find a plethora of obscure names, like “Purple Monkey Balls.” Budding marketing departments derive brand names from baked brainstorming sessions. 

Wondering if any of these brands are valid? Are cannabis medications legitimate? For which illnesses are they suitable? Can you trust the brand? What do you need to do to get a prescription?

First of all, it’s reasonable to have doubts about the claims of sponsors. Buying online without a prescription from a qualified doctor is a risk.

It’s ironic that conservative countries like the UK, have circumvented regulation by categorizing CBD as a supplement. But are shoppers kidding themselves with this legal loophole? There’s no control over content, concentration, and dosage. As a result, cannabis remedies without supervision can lead to side effects.

Going to your local doctor for weed is embarrassing. It’s bureaucratic and even annoying, especially if your doctor’s stuck in the past. UK’s specialists only recommend cannabis for specific conditions. Some countries are more advanced in their policy towards prescribing cannabis.

Which health conditions benefit from medical cannabis?

Most doctors recognize that cannabis helps in certain health conditions. 

• Epilepsy cases for patients older than two years. Where the seizures stem from Lennox-Gastaut and Dravet syndrome
• Multiple-Sclerosis (MS) spasticity for ineffective treatments 
• Cancer patients with nausea from chemo
• Patients that have a lack of appetite and have cachexia wasting syndrome.

Forward-thinking countries treat a broader range of conditions with cannabis. In Canada and the US, research supports marijuana for Arthritis pain. But not all doctors agree. There is however a growing number of clinicians using cannabis for treatment. 

Some clinicians prescribe cannabis for insomnia, but only relating to chronic conditions. The most common are MS, sleep apnea, and fibromyalgia.

Recent studies have shown that CBD won’t induce sleep. But CBD does reduce anxiety, calming the nerves. Being less anxious about pain and discomfort will help you sleep better.

“A recent surge in scientific publications has found preclinical and clinical evidence documenting value for CBD in some neuropsychiatric disorders, including epilepsy, anxiety, and schizophrenia. Evidence points toward a calming effect for CBD in the central nervous system.”

In Canada, Dr. Michael Hart treats patience for pain relief and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Cannabis helps Veterans (VETS), reducing dependency on opioids and Benzodiazepine. Due to Hart’s wealth of clinical experience, his current focus is on educating the medical industry. 

The FDA is reticent in legalizing recreational marijuana. Yet, the US system of governance permits states to make their own decisions. As a result, on a practical level, the FDA doesn’t interfere. 

Health authorities are willing to try new treatments. Accordingly, thirty-five states have approved cannabis for a range of medical conditions. The result of this is an extensive list, some of which are as follows. 

Health Disorders Associated with Cannabis Treatment

Alzheimer’s
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/Lu Gehrig’s disease
Anorexia
Cachexia
Cerebral palsy
Chrohn’s
Colitis
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
Cystic fibrosis
Fibromyalgia
Glaucoma
Hepatitis C
Hydrocephalus with intractable headaches
Intractable headache syndromes
Irreversible spinal cord injury with (an indication of intractable spasticity)
Migraines
Neuropathic facial pain
Osteogenesis Imperfecta
Parkinson’s
Post Herpetic Neuralgia
Post Laminectomy Syndrome with Chronic Radiculopathy
Severe Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis
Sickle Cell
Spasticity or neuropathic pain associated with fibromyalgia
Terminal illness requiring end of life care
Tourettes
Ulcerative colitis
Uncontrolled intractable seizure disorder

For a comprehensive report on US states providing cannabis treatment, visit Leafy. You’ll need to contact clinics to learn about their available treatments. Now let’s talk about the medication itself. 

Leading Medical Cannabis Brands

Johnson and Johnson, join a host of big pharma supporting cannabis research— this is a good thing.

JJ’s incubator is JLABS, a site that resides in the MaRS discovery district of Toronto. JLABS operates a 40,000, square-foot life science innovation center. The environment supports startups, that develop technologies in advanced medical care.

“Companies are free to develop products, either on their own or by initiating a separate external partnership with Johnson & Johnson Innovation or any other company.”

JLABS

Businesses that are vying for GMP EU status are backing cannabis research. For this reason, experienced physicians and scientists are undertaking clinical trials. The result of this is the development of new pharmacy-grade medical cannabis products.

Teva is the world leader in generic medication. Last year its daughter company LSE signed an agreement with Israel’s Canndoc. A leading cannabis producer, Canndoc distributes its products worldwide, with a business strategy in developing integrated logistic networks. 

It’s refreshing to see cannabis offered in pharmacy packaging. Products come with detailed descriptions and precise contents and quantities. The upshot, transparency that makes regulation easy for health bodies, doctors, and patients.

Following is a list of brands offering medical cannabis products.

Medical Cannabis brands that excel in clinical research

A pathfinder in cannabis-based therapeutics, GW Pharmaceuticals started over twenty years ago in 1998. GW’s subsidiary, Greenwich Biosciences Inc, was the first to achieve FDA approval for a cannabis-based medication.

Epidiolex, launched in 2018, is an oral formulation of purified cannabidiol (CBD). The drug relieves epilepsy seizures for patients with Lennox-Gastaut and Dravet Syndrome. 

Following this, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) approved the medication as a supplement. Hence, the drug was released in Europe under the name EPIDYOLEX®, patients two years and above can use the drug in conjunction with clobazam. 

GW was also responsible for producing Nabiximols (US). The drug was the world’s first cannabis-based prescription medicine, with a 1:1 ratio of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).  

The EU approved the same drug in 2012, under the name Sativex. Consequently, the medication is now available in several countries for treating spasticity due to multiple sclerosis (MS). 

With its quality-of-life formulas, pharmaceutical-grade standards, and FDA approval, GW’s achievements make them one of the top medical cannabis brands in the world.

Active in medical cannabis research, clinical trials, and treatment, for over 12 years, Canndoc produces an extensive line of GMP pharmaceutical-grade medical cannabis, for an array of medical disorders.  

The company’s success has built upon clinical data gathered from over 15,000 medical cannabis patients dispensing more than half a million treatments.

It’s this solid reputation motivated Ehud Barak, Israel’s former prime minister, to chair its board. The company produces, distributes, and offers its medications in Canada, Germany, Denmark, Portugal, and Israel. 

The company has also entered agreements with Canadian, Tilray pharmaceuticals headquartered in Toronto. Consequently, Canndoc can now expand its distribution network to Australia, New Zealand, and Latin America. 

Building upon its global network of relationships with companies producing medical cannabis, Canndoc is importing medication for distribution in Israel. 

Canndoc has just signed an agreement with Super-Pharm. As Israel’s largest drugstore chain, Superpharm will now offer pharmaceutical-grade cannabis to patients with an approved government license. 

With the development of proprietary genetic profiles with over 30 cannabinoid compounds, Canndoc’s medications treat numerous disorders. 

In contrast to others, Canndoc’s extensive experience in research and clinical application, allows them to list the medical conditions their products are suited.

Some of the health disorders listed are as follows:

• Neuropathic and cancer-related pain
• Multiple sclerosis-related states of spasticity
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Parkinson’s
• Epileptic seizures 
• Tourette syndrome
• PTSD
• Patients on chemotherapy
• Cachexia weight loss syndrome associated with AIDS
• Terminal Patients with six months of life expectancy.

Without exception, all of the developer’s medication with its proprietary genetic strains have achieved European, Canadian, and Israeli regulatory requirements.

The company offers a comprehensive range of oils and flower inflorescences (Buds), THC Sativa dominant, and THC Indica dominant varieties. 

Like other leading brands, Canndoc’s formulas come in pharmaceutical boxed packages. The product line offers an array of THC and CBD content, in varying strengths from 5% to 24% content, as well as balanced formulas.

Canndoc’s extensive research, treatment history, precise formulas, and ability to make clinical recommendations, makes them one of the best medical cannabis brands on the planet.

As a medical cannabis producer, with grow-farms in Israel’s Galilee region, Tikun was recently purchased by Cannabit. Similar to Canndoc, Tikun has a long history of over 15 years of research. Likewise, they have an extensive database of clinical cases treated with medical marijuana and extracts. 

Tikun was the first company in Israel to be licensed and supervised by the Ministry of Health. For this reason, Tikun were pioneers in medical cannabis research. The company worked alongside globally renowned Israeli scientist, Professor Raphael Mechoulam, and colleagues.  

These scientists were the first to discover the human body’s endocannabinoid system. Furthermore, they were the first clinicians to research the body’s healing response to cannabinoids. 

Like other cannabis pharma medications, Tikun details the specific quantities of cannabinoids and terpene content. Based on their experience, Tikun also has the authority to declare for which medical disorders their products are most suited. In contrast, few companies are privileged to make such declarations. 

The strains Tikun offers provide treatment or relief from symptoms of significant health disorders: 

• Cancer-related symptoms:
  • Improvement of appetite related to Cachexia
  • Nausea associated with chemotherapy treatment
• Chrone’s disease
• The alleviation spasticity related to Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
• Dystonia
• Epilepsy seizures
• Pain and inflammation control pertaining to:
  •  carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Arthritis
  • Fibromyalgia
• Parkinson’s
• Muscle spasm and Tremors
• Stomach inflammation
• Tinnitus

The range of Tikun’s medications is extensive and includes dried flowers (Buds), oils, topical creams, prerolls, tinctures, as well as vapes and accessories. 

Tikun is not as large as its Canadian counterparts. Still, its research knowledge, association with top cannabis scientists, and its formulas make Tikun a top medical cannabis brand.

Canadian Medical Cannabis Brands

In 2001 Canada legalized the medicinal use of cannabis. It took another seventeen years and many updates to the law to permit recreational use in 2018.

The most significant change was in 2016. The Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations (ACMPR), licensed homegrown cannabis.

A patient with time and a green thumb may well find cultivation a rewarding pass-time on many levels. Still, growing marijuana at home can be time-consuming and requires know-how. It is not for everyone.

The legalization of cannabis in Canada has attracted considerable investment. Consequently, it’s turned the country into a global powerhouse with some of the best medical cannabis brands on the planet.

The race is on for Canadian entrepreneurs to promote their cannabis products. Certainly, mass production to pharmaceutical standards eases the need for home cultivation. It seems that players’ have gone beyond big pharma in content and operational transparency.

Enter a sterile world of labs, mega greenhouses, and plants built on hundreds of acres. Canadian cannabis producers have distribution networks, unsurpassed by any country on the globe.

Cannabis shopping websites list an array of products with precise doses and content. The distinct impression is one of professionalism—regulated health clinics with the highest care for patients.

Entrepreneur’s hungry for business, are trying hard to present legitimacy. Consequently, having impressed medical authorities worldwide, Canadian cannabis producers have struck several global trade deals.

With the level of investment and aggressive acquisitions, comes the distinct aroma of opportunity. It seems entrepreneurs are trying hard to win the race to the top and earn the bucks and a lot of them.

Significant investment has gone into acquiring smaller brands. The reason being, that specialist operations have extensive experience in medical research and clinical application. After all, medical research has advanced in Canada for two decades.

Accessing a cannabis store website requires a cursory age-check, which is pretty ridiculous. It’s a bit like asking kids to verify their age on a porn site. Unless you have surfing security software installed, anyone can enter. But regulations are what they are. For sure, you can only order products after registration and strict age verification.

Following is a list of some of the notable Canadian medical marijuana brands— all without exception offer pharmaceutical-grade medical cannabis. But some have significant differences. For that reason, it’s worth reading through each company to understand its unique specialty.

Aphria has become a giant in the cannabis industry, acquiring Broken Coast and Nuuvera. Founded in 2014, the company has forecasted an annual production of 230,000kg.

Since regulatory changes in 2018, Aphria made a distribution deal with the behemoth US wine and spirits Southern Glazer’s— Its purpose, to distribute recreational Cannabis throughout Canada.

Most notably, the company has developed a reputation for medical cannabis and patient care. Appealing to Veterans, Aphria has a close relationship with health care professionals dealing with a variety of health disorders.

Also, in support of patient care, Aphria offers compassionate pricing and a map locator for clinics throughout Canada. 

The product line includes bud, softgels, oil, vapes, replacement cartridges, battery kits, and oral sprays. Most noteworthy, state-of-the-art sunlit greenhouses guarantee product consistency. 

Broken Coast produces medicinal and recreational cannabis. Launched in 2013, BC is a boutique brand renowned for British Columbian cultivation. Probably it was their reputation that drove Aphria to acquire them in 2018.

These master growers boast a 44,000 square-foot grow facility on Vancouver Island. Their outstanding cannabis comes as dried bud, oils, capsules, and accessories.

Most significantly, BC prides its product as free from harmful substances. These include pesticide, fungicide, toxic heavy metals, and pathogens.

As with other sites, users must register to access the product line.

With BC’s unique strains, user ratings are outstanding. Yet, you wonder what separates the medicinal varieties. It seems, their approach to medical treatment is more a euphoric distraction.

The company rides high on a reputation for superb top-shelf weed, rather than personalized treatments.

One of the largest Canadian cannabis producers, Aurora, has a license to cultivate up to 150,00 Kilograms a year, in sites around the globe. 

The company acquired several specialist medical cannabis companies, including CanniMed Therapeutics Inc and MedReleaf Corp. 

Aurora produces high quality (top shelf) CBD heavy strains. With over 30 different products, the line has THC dominant, CBD dominant, and balanced medications.

A must-see, their product line is the most creative of all medical cannabis producers. The result of this is a growing following of exuberant patients delighted with their medication varieties. 

It’s eye-opening to visit the online shop of dried bud, cannabis oil, and capsules. For patients that prefer edibles to vape, Aurora offers fruit flavored Gummies, chocolate, and peppermints. They even have drinks with precise doses of THC and CBD.

Of extreme importance, Aurora guarantees consistency. Why this is significant, is that edibles can have a much longer-lasting and powerful effect than vaping or smoking. 

Quite rightly gummies are limited to 5 units per package. These are not regular candies, although apparently they taste really good. 

With its global strategy, attention to detail, creative product line, and care for patients, Aurora is one of the top medical cannabis brands on earth.

Aurora subsidiary Medreleaf is one of the few companies with certified ISO standards. Their certificates cover quality management, environmental systems, occupational Health, and Safety Assessment. 

ISO checks R&D, production, processing, distribution, selling, and the removal of surplus cannabis. MedReleaf’s (GPP) high-grade standards exceed the requirements of Canadian licensing (ACMPR).

Akin to its name, Medreleaf are medical research specialists with a reliable clinical program that validates therapies. Besides linking patients with healthcare practitioners, they also offer financial relief programs.

The online Medreleaf shop offers over 40 medication and accessory products. Categories currently include 16 kinds of dried cannabis. 

In difference to other brands, their strains come in a variety of forms, including, crumble wax concentrate. Their 14 oils, and softgel extracts, include Tikun’s Avidekel. The site also offers vapes, and other accessories. 

The first licensed British Columbian Cannabis producer, Cannafarms, was recently purchased by VIVO. This remarkable company offers high-grade affordable medical cannabis. 

Cannafarm prides itself on a large selection of award-winning strains. Its artisan, hand-trimmed cannabis flowers have varying levels of THC and CBD. 

The product line offers 17 oil products with differing balances of THC: CBD ratios. Cannabinoid extraction methods use water, CO2, alcohol, and organic solvents. Most notably, the oil carrier is grape seed oil. If you know your supplements, Grape seed is rich in Omega 3-6 as well as Omega-9 essential fatty acids.

What’s remarkable about Cannfarms is their dedication to detail. Their information-rich website lists the terpene quantity by color, on each product. These are Limonene, Linalool, Myrcene, Pinene, Terpineol, and Terpinolene. 

Detailing the terpene content is essential identify the medications’ compounds. Terpenes are part of the entourage effect that medical Cannabis has on health conditions.

That’s why listing the terpenes by color is so significant. It helps clinicians prescribe the precise cannabis strain for a patient’s unique medical condition— a detailed approach helps clinicians and patients alike.

Founded in 2014, Canopy Growth Corporation is a public company, previously named Tweed Marijuana Inc. It is a leading cannabis producer in Canada with significant investment. The company grows high-quality flowers and has partnerships with leading influencer names. CG has built relationships with Icons such as Snoop Dogg and Seth Rogen, breeding legends with their own DNA genetics and seeds.

Canopy Growth is expanding to Jamaica, Chile, Brazil, Germany, Spain, and Denmark. Additionally, the company made a strategic decision to acquire Spectrum Therapeutics. 

Notable is that Spectrum is a global leader in medical cannabis research, operating in 12 countries on four continents. 

Unique to Spectrum is a cannabinoid color-coding system. The cannabinoids (THC and CBD) are grouped by color. This makes it easier for clinicians and patients to understand the content of each product. That way clinicians can match the right prescription to the necessary treatment.

Spectrum and Canopy both offer a variety of products, including oils, concentrates, softgel capsules, and dried flowers. Additionally, trial sizes are also available. The line includes vaporizers and accessories as well. 

Like other medical cannabis dispensers, Spectrum can link patients directly with specialist clinicians. Accordingly, their website acts as a platform for introduction and direct communication.

As a licensed producer of medical pharmaceutical-grade cannabis, Emerald launched in 2007. The management team comprised of physicians, scientists, and experts in cultivating medical marijuana, some of which have over 60 years of experience.

Located in Victoria, British Columbia, Emerald’s website is geared strictly to medical cannabis. Emerald develops its products and services with reliable research from the combined efforts of a dedicated team.

Emerald stresses its research and focus on the effects of it products on on the endocannabinoid system (EC). As mentioned previously, it’s the EC system that controls how the body responds to multiple health conditions.

As a medical-oriented company, Emerald’s priority is making sure patients have appointments with clinicians. Being so answerable to their patient’s needs, it’s essential that patients’ have the right prescription for their specific medical condition. 

The product line includes dried cannabis buds and based on customer demand, pre-rolled products. Emerald also offers cannabis oil with a coconut base.

But, be aware that pre-rolls and joints are more susceptible to carcinogens associated with burning. Emerald encourages the use of vapes and oils that release cannabinoids at lower temperatures.

As a global leader in cannabis research, Tilray-Canada, farm, process, and distribute medical cannabis around the world. Tilray has subsidiaries in Australia, New Zealand, Europe, and Latin America.

The transparency of Tilray’s operations is apparent. As a result, they’ve attracted investment from collaborating partners worldwide. The company has created a network of approved cannabis manufacturers and distributors.

Tilray’s website illustrates how and where they are operating globally. To further illustrate their openness, the site details the 14 stages of their production process from the genetic development to shipping.

Furthermore, Tilray is supporting several clinical trials. Its currently testing CBD in the treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). 

Additionally, other research is studying the efficacy of cannabis on immune activation, especially helpful in HIV patients. Tilray supports research in oral Cannabis solutions for reducing behavioral difficulties in children with intellectual disabilities.

The company’s Canadian website offers 20 medical cannabis products in the form of oil drops, dried flowers, ground cannabis bud, and vape pen accessories. 

Tilray’s online stores are quite remarkable for their clarity of labeled products and content search filters. 

All products list the exact quantities and ratios of THC: CBD and their respective concentration. Oil products use coconut oil to suspend the cannabinoids, extract bottles coming with a dropper for measured quantities. 

In line with their unparalleled transparency, the product descriptions state the manufacturing plant that produces the medication. Also included are the production methods involved. Third-party external labs verify the precise contents. 

Tilray pays attention to detail.  There’s an explanation of how to ingest, and what to expect. There’s even information on the length of time to take effect and the medication’s duration. 

Besides standalone products, Tilray also offers bundles. These are medications that complement each other: Rise and Relax, Day and Night, and Opposites Attract.  These opposing Cannabis strains are suited to different times of the day for needing a different effect. 

Order these products out of state to territories where it’s illegal is a different matter. As mentioned earlier, it would be wise to consult with a Cannabis specialist clinician before ordering online.

Tilray’s transparency, attention to detail, pharmaceutical-grade product, and global reach, make them one of the world’s top medical cannabis brands. 

Based in Ontario, Weedmd is a fully licensed medical Cannabis public company listed on several exchanges. Launched in 2014, the company has an impressive 158-acre state-of-the-art facility in Strathroy, Ontario. Its operation includes greenhouses, outdoor farms, and processing plants. The company also has another 26,000 sq Ft. production facility in Aylmer, Ontario, specializing in cannabis extraction and processing.

Weedmd is a principal operator in the production of Canadian medical cannabis. The firm recently acquired Starseed Medicinal Inc. of Bowmanville, Ontario. Complementing Weedmd’s direct patient approach, Starseed distributes to the medical industry.

Additional agreements are in place supplying Shoppers Drug Mart and six provincial distribution agencies. Renowned for competitive pricing and excellent service, Weedmd has a high customer-rating among patients.

Customized cannabis blends target patients’ unique medical conditions. The WeedMD product line includes dried cannabis flowers and oil, live cannabis plants, and accessories.

The brand lives up to its name, with a transparent, detailed approach to Terpene profiles and Cannabinoid content. Its 12 strains of medication, list the full table breakdown illustrating terpene percentages. 

Weedmd’s uncompromising standards, mega-production facilities, detailed formulas, and patient reputation, make them one of the best medical cannabis brands on the planet. 

These are just a few of the ever-growing list of reputable medical cannabis brands. The importance of consulting with a doctor before ordering online, cannot be overstressed. Be well and stay safe.