Mechoulam

Raphael Mechoulam (born 1930 in Sofia, Bulgaria) is an Israeli organic chemist and professor emeritus at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He is widely regarded as a pioneer in cannabinoid research and has played a central role in establishing the scientific study of cannabis.

Mechoulam immigrated to Israel and pursued studies in chemistry at the Hebrew University, where he earned his PhD and built a research program focused on natural products. His most notable achievement came with the elucidation of the chemical structure of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) by Mechoulam and Yehiel Gaoni in 1964. His group also isolated and characterized other cannabinoids, including cannabidiol (CBD). In 1992, Mechoulam and colleagues identified anandamide, an endogenous cannabinoid, revealing a natural signaling system for cannabinoids.

These contributions laid the groundwork for the modern understanding of the endocannabinoid system and opened avenues for medical research on cannabis-based therapies. Professionally, Mechoulam has served as a professor of medicinal chemistry and natural products at the Hebrew University and has led cannabinoid research programs at the Institute for Drug Research. He has received multiple awards and honorary degrees and is often described as the father of cannabis research.