“Because conducting cannabis studies involves a complexity of regulations of various federal and state agencies, both researchers and administrators must fully understand the requirements and must devise ways to comply in a practical manner,” ElSohly said in the announcement. “Our resource center will strive to provide guidance on matters such as this.”

ElSohly will be assisted in interpreting regulations by Robert Welch, director of the National Center for Cannabis Research and Education at UM. UM representatives weren’t immediately available for comment.

Mary Paine, professor of pharmaceutical sciences at WSU, will lead the research support core, while Nandakumara Sarma, director of dietary supplements and herbal medicines at USP, will lead the research standards core.

University of Mississippi and Medical Cannabis Research

For decades, Mississippi has maintained its status as the sole federally-approved source of cannabis for research in the United States, facilitating research, but with many limitations. Virtually all is sourced from a single facility in Oxford, Mississippi. Ongoing efforts have been introduced to expand research capabilities. In 2022, former President Biden Biden’s signed The Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act, which aims to make it easier for researchers to study cannabis for medical purposes, and have a consistent supply of research-grade cannabis.

The center is possible thanks to a grant from the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, the National Cancer Institute, the National Institute on Aging and the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

“This is a unique opportunity to assist others and encourage further research in all fields of cannabis research,” said Ikhlas Khan, director of the National Center for Natural Products Research and leader of the new resource center. “Establishment of this center should promote more science, and our hope is that in the near future, this center will develop evidence-based products that will address quality, safety and efficacy.”

The NIH partners include the National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institute on Aging and National Cancer Institute. The three organizations share an interest of developing standard methods for research into the potential therapeutic effects of cannabis and its compounds. To learn more visit the NCNRP website.