Researchers develop marijuana without the high

(Reuters)

Israeli researchers may have found a way to keep healthy people from abusing medical marijuana: take away the high.

The “highless” marijuana still eases the symptoms of the medical marijuana patients, but it contains less than 1 percent of THC, the chemical that causes pot’s signature euphoric high.

Instead, this new cannabis strain, called Avidekel, is beefed up with 15.8% cannabidiol, or CBD, which has anti-inflammatory benefits but doesn’t bind to the brain’s receptors the way THC does.

But hold on: How would law enforcement authorities tell the one from the other?

Jonathan Turley, a law professor at George Washington University Law School, discussed on his blog the legal hiccups this highless drug could cause.

"Police would have a difficult time distinguishing the products if smoked — assuming non-high marijuana is declared legal. The basis for banning non-high marijuana would be dubious at best. However, if smoked, the government could require some additives to distinguish the smell."