Cannabis: Therapeutic Potential, Secondary Metabolites, Toxicity, and Regulations

Cannabis: Therapeutic Potential, Secondary Metabolites, Toxicity, and Regulations offers a comprehensive overview of the medicinal promise and scientific complexity of Cannabis sativa. This book explores its key bioactive compounds—cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids—highlighting their therapeutic applications, toxicity concerns, and potential drug interactions.It also addresses evolving global regulations, quality control challenges, and safety standards. With insights from experts in science and policy, this volume serves as an essential reference for researchers, clinicians, and decision-makers navigating the future of cannabis-based medicine.

About the Author

Dr. Mahendra Rai is presently a senior visiting Professor at the Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Piaui (UFPI), Teresina, Brazil. Formerly, he was a Professor and Head of the Department of Biotechnology at SGB Amravati University in Maharashtra, India. He has also held positions as a visiting scientist at several prestigious institutions, including the University of Geneva, Debrecen University in Hungary, the University of Campinas in Brazil, VSB Technical University of Ostrava in the Czech Republic, the National University of Rosario in Argentina, and the University of São Paulo. Dr. Rai has an impressive publication record, with over 450 research papers published in national and international journals with 95 h-index. In addition, he has edited/authored more than 70 books and holds six patents. Notably, he has recently been featured in Stanford’s list of the top 2% of scientists in nanoscience and nanotechnology, and ranks 7th nationally in biology and biochemistry, according to Research.com.

Dr. Chistiane M. Feitosa is a Professor of Chemistry at the Federal University of Piauí (UFPI), Teresina, Brazil. She specializes in Natural Products Chemistry, with research interests in acetylcholinesterase enzyme bioassays, antioxidants, medicinal plants (extracts, secondary metabolites, and essential oils), and Alzheimer’s disease.

She was awarded the CNPq Technological Productivity Scholarship (2012–2015) for her scientific contributions. At UFPI’s Teresina campus, Dr. Feitosa teaches in the Chemistry Master’s program and in Pharmaceutical Sciences, with a focus on the production and quality control of medicines.

She has published more than 75 scientific articles and over 10 books in English and Portuguese. In addition, she serves as an active peer reviewer for several international journals, including the Brazilian Journal of Pharmacognosy, Pharmaceutical Biology, and the Journal of Medicinal Plants Research.