The Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research (CMCR) is a state-funded initiative to support and coordinate scientific research at universities and research centers throughout California. The goal is to assess the use of cannabis for treating specific medical conditions.

"The politics of medical marijuana are behind us as we begin the important work of researching the safety and efficacy of medical marijuana," said Senator John Vasconcellos (D-Santa Clara). "The National Institutes of Health and the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences have independently called for further studies. Now, because of the vision of the California legislature, the governor and the University of California, the issue of medical marijuana is properly in the hands of physicians and researchers."

The CMCR will administer $3 million in first-year research funding. Data from the studies will be used to establish guidelines for appropriate pharmaceutical use of medicinal cannabis.

"This is an important opportunity to continue to evaluate the therapeutic potential of cannabis," said Donald Abrams, M.D., professor of medicine at UCSF and a co-director of the CMCR. "The findings from our initial safety trial suggest that studies of the possible effectiveness of marijuana should be launched now. This state funding will allow that to happen quickly so that we may finally get some needed answers."

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