Why it matters: The University of Kentucky Cannabis Center has awarded four pilot grants worth between $75,000-$100,000 each to researchers at the university’s College of Nursing, College of Public Health, College of Pharmacy, and the Martin School of Public Policy and Administration for a 14-month research period. The newly launched center will focus on various aspects, including the health effects of cannabis and its potential for treating specific medical conditions. The grants will help them expand and accelerate cannabis science, stimulate studies focused on the public health impacts of cannabis that can directly affect the lives of Kentuckians, and provide valuable insights to medical professionals, lawmakers, and the general public regarding the risks and benefits associated with cannabis and cannabinoids.
What they are saying: The director of the UK Cannabis Center, Shanna Babalonis, commented, “We are excited for this opportunity to expand and accelerate cannabis science at UK and conduct studies focused on the public health impacts of cannabis that can directly affect the lives of Kentuckians. We have talented and dedicated researchers across a range of disciplines right here on campus who can contribute meaningful science to the center from multiple perspectives.” The Cannabis Center has granted the awards to research cannabis use by pregnant women, cannabis use among cancer patients, the impact of cannabis laws on opioid and benzodiazepine prescriptions and associated health outcomes in older adults, and the changes in cannabis use by examining traffic fatality records.
The big picture: The University of Kentucky Cannabis Center was launched in September, thanks to a bill passed by Kentucky legislators and signed into law by Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear last year. The legislation granted $2 million for the center until June2024. The center’s primary objective of its research conducted at the UK Cannabis Center is to provide valuable insights to medical professionals, lawmakers, and the general public regarding the risks and benefits associated with cannabis and cannabinoids. This knowledge will be particularly crucial as Kentucky proceeds to implement new medical marijuana legislation.
What to watch: Watch out for the University of Kentucky Cannabis Center’s research findings and how that affects medical professionals, lawmakers, and the general public regarding the risks and benefits associated with cannabis and cannabinoids. Also, watch how this study will help Kentucky proceed with the implementation of new medical marijuana legislation.
Give your take: As an AI language model, I don’t have personal opinions. However, the center’s primary objective of their research conducted is to provide valuable insights to medical professionals, lawmakers, and the public regarding the risks and benefits associated with cannabis and cannabinoids. This, indeed, is a significant milestone for the University of Kentucky, and it will help policymakers to make data-driven decisions on expanding the list of approved medical conditions for medical cannabis, regulations around safe use, and dosing recommendations, among others.
