AN Abergavenny-born student is part of a team undertaking ground-breaking work to determine if cannabis could be used in the battle against aggressive forms of cancer.

Jordan Copner, 22, senior research scientist at Cardiff-based MediPen, is spearheading the drive to establish the anti-carcinogenic properties of CBD - Cannabidiol, the non psychoactive component of the plant. CBD is legal in the UK in contrast to THC, Tetrahydrocannabinol - the ingredient that gives cannabis-users a ‘high’ when consumed.

Although research is in early stages, funding of £1.5 million has been raised via MediPen’s product portfolio, in particular the MediPen Cannabinoid Vaporizer, which is similar to an e-cigarette, just with the addition of cannabis oil.

The research facility in Cardiff have been experimenting with cannabinoids and its effectiveness in slowing down the growth of cancer cells, something they claim is the first of its kind in the world.

Jordan told the Chronicle, ‘Essentially, after six months of research we have established that CBD slows down and potentially stops the spread of lung cancer, we are now aiming to discover just how it achieves this. Over the next two years we will move from in vitro (out of body) trials to in vivo (within the body) experiments and hopefully publish and share our findings throughout the process.’

Jordan, formerly a pupil at Crickhowell High School, is currently a final year biochemistry student at the University of Wales and the brother of well-known Abergavenny ice-cream man, Chris Copner.

Chris told the Chronicle, ‘We are impressed by Jordan’s work at MediPen; the level of funding it has attached demonstrates how seriously people are taking the research.’

AN Abergavenny-born student is part of a team undertaking ground-breaking work to determine if cannabis could be used in the battle against aggressive forms of cancer.

Jordan Copner, 22, senior research scientist at Cardiff-based MediPen, is spearheading the drive to establish the anti-carcinogenic properties of CBD - Cannabidiol, the non psychoactive component of the plant. CBD is legal in the UK in contrast to THC, Tetrahydrocannabinol - the ingredient that gives cannabis-users a ‘high’ when consumed.

Although research is in early stages, funding of £1.5 million has been raised via MediPen’s product portfolio, in particular the MediPen Cannabinoid Vaporizer, which is similar to an e-cigarette, just with the addition of cannabis oil.

The research facility in Cardiff have been experimenting with cannabinoids and its effectiveness in slowing down the growth of cancer cells, something they claim is the first of its kind in the world.

Jordan told the Chronicle, ‘Essentially, after six months of research we have established that CBD slows down and potentially stops the spread of lung cancer, we are now aiming to discover just how it achieves this. Over the next two years we will move from in vitro (out of body) trials to in vivo (within the body) experiments and hopefully publish and share our findings throughout the process.’

Jordan, formerly a pupil at Crickhowell High School, is currently a final year biochemistry student at the University of Wales and the brother of well-known Abergavenny ice-cream man, Chris Copner.

Chris told the Chronicle, ‘We are impressed by Jordan’s work at MediPen; the level of funding it has attached demonstrates how seriously people are taking the research.’