Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
Research at Colorado State University-Pueblo's newly formed Institute of Cannabis Research is in full swing, school officials said Wednesday.
In a letter sent out to constituent groups this week, CSU-Pueblo President Lesley Di Mare said there are 16 faculty members leading research efforts on 12 cannabis-related studies.
Di Mare said that multiple academic disciplines are involved that include psychology, education, engineering, business, biology and chemistry.
The institute and Pueblo County finalized Monday the scope of cannabis impact studies to be conducted by CSU-Pueblo in 2017.
The scope of research areas will include social and economic impact.
Pueblo County contributed $220,000 for cannabis studies and $50,000 that will go toward the impact studies.
Jennifer Mullen, interim managing director of the institute, said the impact study being funded by Pueblo County will have as many as six faculty analyzing a tremendous amount of data.
"There are an additional 10 faculty, who with other faculty colleagues, students and graduate students, will be conducting cannabis-related research from multiple academic disciplines. Those 10 faculty come from six different disciplines, psychology, education, engineering, business, biology and chemistry," Mullen said.
The state monies for research represent most of the allocation from the last year's funding through Senate Bill 191, that provided $900,000 to CSU-Pueblo to create the institute.
"In all, 100 percent of the county funds and 82 percent of the state funds are being used directly for independent, objective cannabis-related research at CSU-Pueblo in 2017," Mullen said
"The remaining state funds are supporting the 2017 national conference and management of the institute."
Next year's cannabis research conference is scheduled to be held April 28-30 on the Belmont campus.
Di Mare said excellent progress is being made in planning the conference. The keynote speaker is Raphael Mechoulam, considered a pioneer in cannabis research.
Mullen said the areas of research being conducted are diverse.
"Some of the areas of research involve characterizing new strains of hemp, extracting cannabinoids from hemp and assessing their potential related to brain function. Other research involves examining possible therapeutic and medicinal value of cannabis compounds," Mullen said.
"Some of the pilot studies being conducted include extensive data collection and survey research in K-12 educational institutions, and a business analysis of jobs created in the cannabis industry."
Mullen said that it is important to note that although these faculty are focusing their 2017 research on cannabis-related studies, all faculty at CSU-Pueblo continue to conduct research in their respective disciplines.
"Simultaneously, the Institute of Cannabis Research is identifying its vision, goals and resource needs for the future, as it determines how best to fulfill its mission to develop new knowledge of cannabis and its derivatives through research and education," she said.
Di Mare said the steering committee for the institute continues to lay a firm foundation for the institute.
During the upcoming Colorado legislative session, university leaders will present a 2018 budget plan to continue the work of the institute. Additionally, the institute steering committee is responsible for ensuring its current programming is implemented as well as laying the groundwork for the future of the institute. New research strands, collaboration with other universities, government and the private sector are being considered, as well as potential state, national and international partnerships.
"I'm very pleased with the progress being made at the institute," Di Mare said.
"It is imperative that we are good stewards of the state and county funds through our research and education mission, and that we communicate our progress to our constituents."
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Faculty Members Beginning Cannabis Studies At CSU-Pueblo
Author: Anthony A. Mestas
Contact: (719) 544-3520
Photo Credit: Jackie Borchardt
Website: The Pueblo Chieftain
In a letter sent out to constituent groups this week, CSU-Pueblo President Lesley Di Mare said there are 16 faculty members leading research efforts on 12 cannabis-related studies.
Di Mare said that multiple academic disciplines are involved that include psychology, education, engineering, business, biology and chemistry.
The institute and Pueblo County finalized Monday the scope of cannabis impact studies to be conducted by CSU-Pueblo in 2017.
The scope of research areas will include social and economic impact.
Pueblo County contributed $220,000 for cannabis studies and $50,000 that will go toward the impact studies.
Jennifer Mullen, interim managing director of the institute, said the impact study being funded by Pueblo County will have as many as six faculty analyzing a tremendous amount of data.
"There are an additional 10 faculty, who with other faculty colleagues, students and graduate students, will be conducting cannabis-related research from multiple academic disciplines. Those 10 faculty come from six different disciplines, psychology, education, engineering, business, biology and chemistry," Mullen said.
The state monies for research represent most of the allocation from the last year's funding through Senate Bill 191, that provided $900,000 to CSU-Pueblo to create the institute.
"In all, 100 percent of the county funds and 82 percent of the state funds are being used directly for independent, objective cannabis-related research at CSU-Pueblo in 2017," Mullen said
"The remaining state funds are supporting the 2017 national conference and management of the institute."
Next year's cannabis research conference is scheduled to be held April 28-30 on the Belmont campus.
Di Mare said excellent progress is being made in planning the conference. The keynote speaker is Raphael Mechoulam, considered a pioneer in cannabis research.
Mullen said the areas of research being conducted are diverse.
"Some of the areas of research involve characterizing new strains of hemp, extracting cannabinoids from hemp and assessing their potential related to brain function. Other research involves examining possible therapeutic and medicinal value of cannabis compounds," Mullen said.
"Some of the pilot studies being conducted include extensive data collection and survey research in K-12 educational institutions, and a business analysis of jobs created in the cannabis industry."
Mullen said that it is important to note that although these faculty are focusing their 2017 research on cannabis-related studies, all faculty at CSU-Pueblo continue to conduct research in their respective disciplines.
"Simultaneously, the Institute of Cannabis Research is identifying its vision, goals and resource needs for the future, as it determines how best to fulfill its mission to develop new knowledge of cannabis and its derivatives through research and education," she said.
Di Mare said the steering committee for the institute continues to lay a firm foundation for the institute.
During the upcoming Colorado legislative session, university leaders will present a 2018 budget plan to continue the work of the institute. Additionally, the institute steering committee is responsible for ensuring its current programming is implemented as well as laying the groundwork for the future of the institute. New research strands, collaboration with other universities, government and the private sector are being considered, as well as potential state, national and international partnerships.
"I'm very pleased with the progress being made at the institute," Di Mare said.
"It is imperative that we are good stewards of the state and county funds through our research and education mission, and that we communicate our progress to our constituents."
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Faculty Members Beginning Cannabis Studies At CSU-Pueblo
Author: Anthony A. Mestas
Contact: (719) 544-3520
Photo Credit: Jackie Borchardt
Website: The Pueblo Chieftain
