Experts try to break stereotypes about cannabis in traditional debate

The Traditional Debate on Cannabis without Prejudice will take place on November 20 at 5:00 pm in Fort Science. It will be moderated, as in previous years, by Petr Tarkowski from CATRIN and Crop Research Institute. The main guest will be Jana Michailidu, Assistant Professor at the University of Chemistry and Technology and a member of the Government Council for Coordination of Policy on Addictions. Pavel Kubů, an expert in medical informatics and addictology, and Pavel Vojtko, a veterinarian, have also been invited to participate in the discussion.

“We want to contribute to the destigmatisation of this medicinal plant by sharing scientific knowledge. We are convinced that by communicating the results of evidence-based science, we create the conditions for a change in society’s attitude, which must necessarily lead to a change in the conditions of cannabis use through changes in our legislation. Our society has been confused for decades by false or inaccurate information about the zero therapeutic potential of cannabis, the toxicity of its components or their high addictiveness,” said Petr Tarkowski, who has been researching cannabis – modern cultivation methods, valorisation of waste from cannabis production, processing of cannabis extracts or the therapeutic potential of cannabis products – since 2015.

“The university must be an open space where we can offer the wider public an expert perspective even on controversial topics. Of course, such a discussion must be moderated and open to all opinions, which is why it is free of charge,” says Matěj Dostálek, director of Fort Science – Centre for Popularisation of the Faculty of Science of Palacký University.

The discussion On Cannabis without Prejudice is organised by Fort Science in cooperation with CATRIN UP and the Crop Research Institute.