The University of Utah recently confirmed that it has begun the early planning stages of building a medical cannabis research center. House Bill 230passed by the House and Senate, was signed into law by Utah Governor Spencer Cox on March 15.
According to the bill’s co-sponsor Jennifer Dailey Provost, HB-230 will expand the state’s ability to conduct research and provide science-backed information. Specifically in reference to the opening of the University of Kentucky’s Medical Cannabis Research Center September 2022Dailey-Provost thinks it’s time for Utah to do so, too. And she said, “I just realized Kentucky can do it… We can do one in Utah, too.” The Daily Utah Chronicle.
She added that previously, Utah Lawmakers have been listening to studies conducted from outside the state, rather than conducting their own research from within. “What we hear from providers, especially doctors, nurse practitioners and potential administrators who can recommend [cannabis] As a drug is that they don’t feel they have enough information to confidently recommend this as part of a comprehensive health care plan,” said Daily Provost.
The main goal of the Utah-based Medical Cannabis Research Center is to become a center that monitors all research conducted in the state, as well as “identify gaps in access for patients, support researchers in and out and find causes, carry out work, and talk to other states about the work being done.” .
Ultimately, Dailey-Provost also wants the state to have a National Institute of Health (NIH) certified medical cannabis growing site. “There are only six in the country who grow medical cannabis eligible for study with NIH grants,” she said. “I think Utah, with its strong agricultural heritage, we have an opportunity to perhaps be a center for meeting those needs for the research that’s being done at the NIH.”
HB-230’s passage also includes $650,000 in funding for the Medical Cannabis Research Center, which comes from the Health Department’s Eligible Patients Foundation Fund. According to University of Utah Associate Vice President Dr. Rachel Hess, they want to make sure they are doing everything they can to help usher in this new era of medical cannabis research. “Obviously, not everything can be done in one year, but the legislature has made a longitudinal commitment, so making sure that the flag is ready to go… can continue in the first year and then start on the main steps… to make sure We are truly able to deliver on the promise of this vision,” Hess said.
More importantly, the Medical Cannabis Research Center will open up research opportunities for other universities as well. “I think it’s going to be really important to reach out to all of the institutions across the state of Utah about this legislature-sponsored work and then bring that community together to form those collaborations to move that work forward,” Hess added.
The Medical Cannabis Research Center year plan will begin by focusing on upcoming research initiatives. The second year will be an opportunity for scholars to start planning for the future. In the end, Hess concluded that she was very proud of this new opportunity. “We really feel that Utah can lead in so many ways in this area and we’re really proud of the forward-thinking nature of creating something like this.” She said.
As medical cannabis embarks on a new journey with the University Research Center, psilocybin is also taking center stage. Last month, a Psilocybin mushroom bill It was introduced in Utah, which would mimic regulations similar to the state’s medical cannabis program. It would allow psilocybin treatment to be legal for patients with qualifying conditions. “It’s not for everyone, but if it’s someone who’s desperate (for help) with their anxiety, depression, PTSD – that drives many, unfortunately, to suicide, I want them to have access in a safe way,” said the Senate Majority Leader. Escamilla almonds.
