The University of Mississippi has announced plans for a new research center to support national efforts in prevailing the scientific and regulatory challenges in cannabis research.
The Resource Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research (R3CR) will be housed in the university’s already existing National Center for Natural Products Research (NCNPR), which is one of the nation’s leading marijuana research programs. R3CR is supported by the National Institutes of Health and includes the University of Mississippi (UM) partnering with Washington State University (WSU) and the United States Pharmacopeia (USP).
“This is a unique opportunity to assist others and encourage further research in all fields of cannabis research,” NCNPR director Ikhlas Khan said.
The new center will provide tools such as seed funding, webinars, conferences, and an interactive website to help guide researchers in areas including regulatory compliance, research support, and standard developments, which aim to expand and improve cannabis research across the U.S., contributing to safer, more effective therapeutic applications of cannabis-derived compounds.
Key contributors include:
- Donald Stanford (UM) – overseeing quality improvements in cannabis research.
- Mahmoud ElSohly (UM) – leading regulatory guidance.
- Robert Welch (UM) – supporting interpretation of cannabis research regulations.
- Mary Paine (WSU) – leading research support and outreach.
- Nandakumara Sarma (USP) – managing research best standards and practices.
