Multidrug-resistant biofilms present a severe global health crisis by combining the natural resistance of the biofilm structure with the acquired resistance from genetic advantage. Cannabis extracts offer a novel source of potential antimicrobial agents that can be used to treat infection. Through the first stage of the present research, the protocol for culturing nine biofilm-producing species was developed, and through the second stage of the research, a variety of terpenes and cannabinoids isolated form Cannabis sativa were screened against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria using an MBEC assay. Cannabidiol, tetrahydrocannabinol, and cannabigerol all exhibited antibiofilm activity against five species of staphylococcal bacteria and were effective against both multidrug-resistant and non-resistant strains. This work has established the research principles required to focus future studies on combination assays to determine the synergistic effects of cannabinoids and terpenes on bacteria which will increase the availability of novel antimicrobials.
