Pennsylvania to introduce marijuana research programs at eight universities

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A lot of welcomed research is coming to help clear the air on the benefits of cannabis

The Keystone State is pursuing a different approach to fund cannabis research with the help of medical schools statewide and alongside cannabis producers. Eight Pennsylvania medical schools are already working on several marijuana studies. Kent Vrana, a researcher from Penn State College, praised the program for being unique since most cannabis research is funded privately solely by cannabis industries. Even though cannabis for adult consumption is legal in several states, Pennsylvania is unique in that it included in its legislation language that allows research programs.

“This is what has gotten me so excited: The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is finding a way to support quality research without using tax dollars,” said Vrana, who is chairman of the department of pharmacology at Penn State College of Medicine in Hershey. “I think good things are going to come of it.”

These eight research programs will have each a signed contract with a marijuana producer who has a license for growing, producing and for having a retail sales dispensary. Under the law, the cannabis business that acts as a partner will be identified as a “clinical registrant.” Currently, seven out of those eight programs already have active contracts with clinical registrants such as Drexel University College of Medicine and Agronomed Biolologics LLC, Penn State College of Medicine and PA Options for Wellness Inc. and Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University and Laurel Harvest Labs LLC.

The eighth program is still struggling and finding some roadblocks in the way, the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine did not get approval for the proposed clinical registrant application. This month, representatives from all eight programs will join to finalize research plans as announced by the Department of Health.