Many fo you know about high CBD strains of marijuana that contain smaller amounts of THC, and now scientists in Israel have developed a cannabis plant that comes without a “high” feeling.

“It has the same scent, shape and taste as the original plant — it’s all the same — but the numbing sensation that users are accustomed to has disappeared,” said Tzahi Klein, head of development at Tikkun Olam, the firm that developed the species.

While many cannabis users, even medical ones, might wonder why you wouldn’t want THC, there are some medical users who would like to get the benefits of CBD without getting a high feeling.

Cannabis is an amazingly versatile plant, and its versatility comes from the range of chemicals that makes it up. While THC is great for many things, CBD is as well, and it’s nice for patients to have the option of one or both. And isn’t the essence of healthcare the quality of patient choices?

I am a firm believer that the potential of the cannabis plant has barely been tapped. It’s time for the U.S. federal government to unleash the floodgates of research that will produce medical miracles for centuries to come.

- Joe Klare