Mississippi Funds Medical Cannabis Research Program At Ole Miss

The Mississippi State Legislature passed legislation Tuesday to establish the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Research Program at the University of Mississippi, marking a significant step forward in the study of medical marijuana applications. Governor Tate Reeves (R) ratified the bill, which aims to deepen understanding of cannabis’s therapeutic potential and its impact on patient care.

Bipartisan Effort Supports Ole Miss’s Legacy In Cannabis Research

Spearheaded by State Senator Kevin Blackwell (R) and co-authored by State Senators Reginald Jackson (D), Rod Hickman (D), Sarita Simmons (D) and Nicole Boyd (R), this initiative seeks to leverage Ole Miss’s longstanding expertise as a premier research institution. Historically, the University of Mississippi was the sole federally authorized cannabis cultivation site for research since 1968, a distinction that held until 2022 when the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) authorized additional growers for research.

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“We are grateful for the leadership of Gov. Reeves and the tireless efforts of Sen. Blackwell, Sen. Boyd and their colleagues in championing this landmark legislation,” said Robert Welch, director of the university’s National Center for Cannabis Research and Education (NCCRE) in a press release.

Bridging Cannabis Research With Health Policies

The program, housed in the university’s School of Pharmacy, will operate under the aegis of the newly established NCCRE. It will collaborate closely with the Mississippi Department of Health’s Mississippi Medical Cannabis Program and various patient advocacy groups to disseminate findings that are comprehensible to healthcare providers, patients, caregivers, law enforcement and policymakers.

Bill Secures Funding For Cannabis Research

The bill outlines the creation of an advisory board to oversee research compliance and strategic direction and provides the necessary funding to support scientific investigations. This funding is a pivotal component for exploring new therapeutic potentials and educational initiatives surrounding medical cannabis.

“The National Center for Cannabis Research and Education will help to ensure that Mississippi remains at the forefront of natural products research,” noted Senator Boyd. “I am proud of the University of Mississippi for continuing to be a national leader in research excellence.”

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Photo by Kevin Bain/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services.