Headshot of Carika Weldon

Carika Weldon
Founder and CEO
CariGenetics Limited
POSTER PRESENTER
MEDICINE

Early Insights Show Varied Pharmacogenetics of Medicinal Cannabis in the Caribbean Population

The Caribbean is poised to become the first intensive zone of medicinal cannabis legalization in the world. However, the genetics and pharmacogenetics of this diverse population have not been well studied in relation to cannabis use, which has significant implications for dosing and successful medical application. Individual responses to cannabis-based therapies can vary greatly due to genetic differences in metabolism, underscoring the need for region-specific research.

As part of the Caribbean Genome Programme delivered by CariGenetics, we have collected genetic data from individuals across several Caribbean islands over diverse ethnicities, assessing key genes involved in THC and CBD metabolism, as well as terpenes with energizing or relaxing effects. Our findings indicate a high prevalence (>80%) of rapid metabolizers of CBD and THC among Afro-Caribbean individuals, with a clear pattern of a 1:1 CBD/THC
ratio recommended for use, suggesting that standard dosing regimens may not be optimal for this population. This contrasts with 0% of Caucasian-Caribbean having rapid metabolism and needing up to 20:1 CBD/THC ratio. This trend also extends into the metabolism of minor cannabinoids. This has significant implications for medicinal cannabis use, as rapid metabolism may lead to reduced therapeutic effects at conventional doses, necessitating population-specific dosage recommendations and product formulations. Genetic patterns
related to pain management, sleep, cannabis dependence, psychosis trigger from cannabis, and stress have also been assessed.

Beyond immediate clinical applications, this research highlights the broader potential of pharmacogenetics in optimizing drug efficacy and safety for diverse populations. The Caribbean Genome Programme aims to sequence 100,000 genomes over three years, uncovering additional insights relevant to disease risk, diagnostics, and drug development. Our work underscores the importance of incorporating genetic diversity into precision medicine initiatives to improve therapeutic outcomes and ensure equitable access to optimized treatments.

These findings set the stage for the development of population-specific medicinal cannabis formulations and personalized dosing strategies, ultimately advancing precision medicine for Caribbean populations and beyond.

BIO
Dr Carika Weldon, PhD, MRSB, FIBMS (Founder, CEO, and Director ofResearch) is a Bermudian biochemist and the first sole black female-founder of agenetics company in the world. She was Valedictorian of Warwick Academy’s class of2008 and won the 2008 Bank of Bermuda Foundation Sir Henry Tucker UndergraduateScholarship. She received her Bachelor of Science honours degree in MedicalBiochemistry from the University of Leicester in 2011. She was then awarded the 2011Sir Arthur Dudley Spurling Butterfield Postgraduate Scholarship to complete her Doctorof Philosophy in Biochemistry also at the University of Leicester in 2015. In 2015, DrWeldon became the youngest full-time Lecturer in Biomedical and Medical Sciences atDe Montfort University in the UK.In appreciation of the investment Bermuda made into her education, Dr Weldonfounded the Bermuda Principles Foundation (BPF) in 2016 to make a worthwhilecontribution to Bermudian society in both the education and science tourism sector.BPF was able to host four successful science school tours and annual internationalscience conferences between 2016-2020, hosting over 300 international scientists andreaching 800 students.In November 2018, Dr Weldon went back into full-time research, working as a ResearchScientist within the Oxford Genomics Centre at the University of Oxford. In April 2020,called by the Bermuda Government, Dr Weldon came back to Bermuda to expandtesting capacity for COVID-19 and was appointed as Science Advisor to the Premier forCOVID-19 and Laboratory Director of the government’s Molecular DiagnosticLaboratory that she created.Dr Weldon was successful in creating the national testing strategy which allowed forwider community testing, opening back up the economy, and re-opening of the airportand tourism sector. For this work’s contribution to the Bermuda pandemic response DrWeldon was granted a Queen’s Certificate & Badge of Honour in November 2020. DrWeldon held the post of Laboratory Director of MDL until she resigned in January2022.She was awarded as Woman of the Year 2022, Bermudian of the Year 2023 andEntrepreneur of the Year 2024. In addition she has won regional awards for Science andHealthcare Impact in 2024.Currently, Dr Weldon is also an adjunct lecturer at the Bermuda College, teachingMolecular Medicine. She is focused on ensuring the research culture the pandemicfostered amongst healthcare professionals and the general public is harnessed for ahealthier future for the Caribbean.

ATTENDANCE IS LIMITED. THE OPPORTUNITIES ARE NOT.

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