Cannabis Research Proposals Announced

For release: Wednesday, February 21, 2001

MEDIA ADVISORY
UC Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research
Sacramento Briefing on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2001

TO: Political and medical/science reporters

EVENT: Announcement of the first clinical research proposals recommended for funding by Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research (CMCR), established to study the potential medical efficacy and safety of marijuana.

DATE: Thursday, February 22, 2001

TIME: 10:00 a.m.

LOCATION: Governor's Conference Room, Capitol Building, Sacramento

WHO: Senator John Vasconcellos, (D-Santa Clara)

Igor Grant, M.D., Professor/Vice Chair of Psychiatry, UCSD, and Director, CMCR

Donald Abrams, M.D., Professor of Clinical Medicine, UCSF, and Co-Director, CMCR

Andrew Mattison, Ph.D., Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry/Family and Preventive Medicine, UCSD, and Co-Director, CMCR

BACKGROUND:

The Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research was established in August 2000 as the result of SB847 (Vasconcellos), passed by the State Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Gray Davis in October 1999. The legislation calls for a three-year program overseeing objective, high quality research on the potential therapeutic benefits and safety of cannabis. The CMCR, headquartered at UCSD, is a collaboration between UCSD and UCSF. The CMCR will administer $3 million in first-year funding for support and coordination of scientific research at universities and research centers throughout California.

After a rigorous screening process, the first four projects have been recommended for funding, pending final review by state and federal regulatory agencies. They will be announced at this media briefing by CMCR Director Igor Grant and Senator Vasconcellos.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Leslie Franz, UCSD, (619) 543-6163 (lfranz@ucsd.edu)

Jeff Sheehy, UCSF, (415) 597-8165 or (415) 845-1132 (jsheehy@psg.ucsf.edu)

Please contact Franz or Sheehy if you are interested in covering this announcement but are unable to attend the Sacramento briefing. We will attempt to arrange interviews to meet your needs.

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