The ICR is sponsoring the development of an online cannabis certificate program at CSU Pueblo. Coursework will be available beginning in spring semester of 2024 and will be aimed at providing cannabis education which will serve the public at an entry level. Offerings will cover a variety of emphases ranging from regulatory and legal aspects to biomedical, chemical, and agricultural aspects of cannabis.
The ICR also supports CSU Pueblo’s Cannabis Biology and Chemistry BS Program by providing experiential learning opportunities for undergraduate students in the program. This is achieved through a partnership with the ICR’s internal research program at CSU Pueblo.
The ICR additionally supports the development of student researchers involved in its externally funded research programs by allowing research funding to support student involvement, and through implementation of its Emerging Cannabis Scholars program.
“This project has allowed me to gain experience in multiple areas of research including plant biology, genetics, genomics and pest management. I have decided to join the CSU graduate school for my M.S program thanks to the experience working on this project.”
Project: Can cannabinoids work as pesticides to help with agricultural production in Colorado?
“The ICR grant funding for my role in this project has provided me the opportunity to pursue dissertation work that has clear and immediate public health impact in the world of vaping and cannabis use, all while continuing to develop my analytical and environmental health research skillsets.“
Project: Health Effects of Heavy Metals in Cannabis Flower, Concentrates, Vape Devices, and Vape Emissions
“ICR funding has been instrumental in all of my research. The existence of ICR should be a model for other states, as it drives research, innovation and training, incentivizing Colorado institutions to invest in Cannabis science.”
“Through my work leading this complex human research study, I have developed organizational and leadership skills that will continue to serve me throughout my PhD program and my career. I have also been learning phlebotomy to collect blood samples from study participants, which we will analyze along with various other subjective and objective measures of cannabis and alcohol intoxication. I have thoroughly enjoyed learning this methodology for collecting data, and I look forward to analyzing the data and relating these objective measures like blood-THC content to relevant psychological outcome variables.”
“I have been centrally involved in a study examining the relationship between adolescent cannabis use and later life suicidality. This ICR funded project has allowed me to receive fantastic mentorship, under which I have learned advanced behavioral genetic statistical analytic methods, among other skills. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to contribute to such meaningful research and am enthusiastic about using what I have learned from this experience throughout my career.”
Project: Cannabis use and Suicidal Tendencies in Colorado’s Youth
“Working with Dr. Stewart on how cannabis can affect pain medication requirements after surgery is very exciting – can’t wait for the final results!”
“With this award, I will be able to dedicate a greater portion of time to my interests in the neurobiology of aging, an important track of research in my training. I will also be presenting recent findings at the 33rd Annual International Cannabinoid Research Society Symposium in Toronto, Ontario this June.”
“The Emerging Scientist Award from the Institute of Cannabis Research has been incredibly impactful to my career development and training as a developmental biologist. This scholarship is enabling me to present my research and network with scientists in my field at two national conferences, the Society for Developmental Biology Annual Meeting and the Institute of Cannabis Annual Conference. Additionally, the funds from the Emerging Scientist Award have allowed me to perform experiments that earned me authorship on two manuscripts, one of which was recently published in Molecular Psychiatry and the other is set to be submitted for publication soon. The Emerging Scientist Award has provided me with career development and scientific training opportunities that would otherwise be inaccessible.”
“Thanks to funding from ICR, I’ve been able to more fully dedicate my time and energy to a novel and fascinating study on the accuracy of cannabis product labels. The stipend has been so helpful in relieving the financial stress of grad school!”
“Receiving the Emerging Scientist Award from ICR is very exciting for me. As a first-generation college student, receiving outside support to develop my research skills means a lot to me. I plan to use this award to help conduct meaningful research on how cannabis effects pain management for surgical patients. I will also use this opportunity to advance my knowledge of how to properly investigate scientific questions which will help prepare me to lead future research projects during my career. Thank you for this award and opportunity!”
“This emerging scientist award supports my PhD research on Cannabis at CU Boulder. This award will contribute to my ongoing research projects and doctoral dissertation by allowing me to establish mathematical models to understand the interaction between cannabinoid genes and validates the importance of mathematical models in the understanding of gene interactions. Being validated as an emerging scientist by the Institute of Cannabis Research is incredibly empowering and lends credence to the value I place on my work. Additionally, this award is extremely meaningful as a person of color given historic and current racial injustices associated with Cannabis; in particular, the racially disproportionate rates of arrests and incarceration for Cannabis possession present a material and symbolic barrier for academics of color interested in studying Cannabis. To receive validation from the ICR on my research in this area is larger than myself and effectively represents a step towards racial equity.”
“The Emerging Scientist Award is critical for my development as an independent scientist within my lab. Not only did this award fund a new computer set up for big data analysis, but it’s funding my attendance at a major conference within my field. This funding is expediting my research and helping me understand how CBD consumption during pregnancy effects baby’s brain development. I am grateful for the support of the Institute of Cannabis Research and the wonderful researchers who are affiliated with it.”
“As a recipient of the Emerging Scientist Award, I’ve gained hands-on experience with cannabis and alcohol administration procedures and Dr. Karoly’s novel mobile drug administration laboratory. Serving as a graduate research assistant on this study has been instrumental to my development as a cannabis researcher and paramount to achieving my long-term goal of directing my own lab one day. Ultimately, the Emerging Scientist Award has allowed me to contribute to innovative translational research on legal-market cannabis that will inform both policy and practice.”
Process for Institute of Cannabis Research Governing Board Review of Cannabis Related Degrees or Certifications
The Subcommittee shall seek to complete its review and consultation within 30 days of receiving the cannabis degree or certificate program plan from the proposing institution.