Center for Medical Cannabis Research opens at University of Utah

The University of Utah recently confirmed that it is beginning the early planning stages of building a medical cannabis research center. House Bill 230, passed by the House and Senate, was signed into law by Utah Gov. Spencer Cox on March 15.

HB-230 will expand the state’s ability to conduct research and provide science-based information, according to Legislative Rep. Jennifer Dailey-Provost. Specifically, with regards to the opening of a medical cannabis research center at the University of Kentucky in September 2022, Dailey-Provost believes it’s time for Utah to do the same. “I was like, if Kentucky can do that…we can do one in Utah, too,” she said, according to The Daily Utah Chronicle.

She added that Utah lawmakers used to listen to studies conducted from outside the state rather than conduct their own investigations from within. “What we’re hearing from providers, especially doctors, nurses, PAs who can recommend [cannabis] as a drug is that they just don’t feel they have enough information to really confidently recommend it as part of a comprehensive health plan,” Dailey-Provost said.

The primary goal of the Utah-based center for medical cannabis research is to become a hub that oversees all research being conducted in the state, as well as to “identify gaps in patient accessibility and support researchers and go out and find reasons to do so.” do work, talk to other states about what work is going on.”

Finally, Dailey-Provost also wants the state to have a National Institutes of Health (NIH)-licensed medical cannabis cultivation facility. “There are only six in the country that grow medicinal cannabis that is eligible for study through NIH grants,” she said. “I think that Utah, with its robust agricultural heritage, has an opportunity to maybe be a center to fill that need for research that’s being done at the National Institutes of Health.”

The passage of HB-230 also includes $650,000 to fund the Center for Medical Cannabis Research, which comes from the Department of Health’s Qualified Patient Enterprise Fund. According to University of Utah Associate Vice President Dr. Rachel Hess, want to make sure you’re doing everything you can to start this new era of medical cannabis research. “Of course, not everything can be accomplished in one year, but lawmakers have really made a long-term commitment to ensuring that science that is willing to go can go in the first year, and then staging after that are the most important steps… to ensure that we can really keep the promise of this vision,” said Hess.

More importantly, the Center for Medical Cannabis Research will open research opportunities to other universities as well. “I think it’s going to be really important to communicate with all of the institutions across Utah about this work that the legislature is promoting and then bring that community together to form these collaborations to move that work forward,” Hess added.

The Center for Medical Cannabis Research’s plan for the year begins with a focus on emerging research initiatives. The second year offers researchers the opportunity to start planning ahead. Ultimately, she is very proud of the new opportunity, says Hess. “We really feel that Utah can be a leader in many ways in this space and we’re just very proud of the forward-thinking nature of creating something like this,” she said.

As medical cannabis embarks on a new journey with the university’s research center, psilocybin is also taking center stage. Last month, Utah introduced a psilocybin mushroom bill that would mimic regulations similar to those of the state’s medicinal cannabis program. It would allow psilocybin therapy to be legal for patients with qualifying conditions. “This isn’t for everyone, but if it’s for someone who is desperate (for help) with their anxiety, depression and PTSD – which sadly drives many to suicide, I want them to be able to safely access that.” we can regulate,” said Senate Majority Leader Luz Escamilla.

Post a comment:

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *