13 December 2016
Colorado’s Dept of Health has release the following press release
State issues $2.35 million in marijuana research grants
DENVER – The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has awarded $2.35 million in grant funding for seven research studies to address potential public health and safety impacts of marijuana use.
Research areas will include an assessment of driving impairment in occasional versus heavy marijuana users, the duration of marijuana in breast milk and the types of marijuana products associated with emergency department visits. Other studies will examine the effects of dabbing, marijuana use among older Coloradans, analysis of data comparing recreational marijuana use before and after legalization among college-aged students, and the short-term cardiovascular effects of marijuana use.
The state already has funded $9 million in medical marijuana research, and earlier this year, the General Assembly authorized the additional funding to study potential public health and safety impacts of legalized retail marijuana.
The approved projects are intended to continue to fill gaps in marijuana research, which historically was limited because recreational marijuana use was illegal. After voters approved legalized marijuana in 2012, the Retail Marijuana Public Health Advisory Committee was formed to monitor changes in drug use patterns, as well as the public health impacts of marijuana use.
“This research will be invaluable in Colorado and across the country,” said Dr. Larry Wolk, department executive director and chief medical officer. “The findings will inform our public education efforts and give people additional information they need to make decisions about marijuana use.”
The seven grants were awarded following scientific review and scoring of 16 full grant applications out of 58 preliminary applications initially received.
Two types of grants were awarded. Pilot grants will fund up to $100,000 per year for up to two years. Full research grants will provide up to $300,000 per year for up to three years.
The approved grants include:
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APPROVED MARIJUANA PUBLIC HEALTH RESEARCH GRANTS |
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Project Title |
Principal Investigator |
Project Duration |
Grant Amount |
|
Comparative Assessment of Driving Impairment in Occasional Versus Heavy Marijuana Users
|
Michael Kosnett, MD, MPH Associate Clinical Professor, Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Colorado School of Medicine & Ashley Brooks-Russell, PhD Assistant Professor, Community & Behavioral Health Colorado School of Public Health |
3 yrs |
$843,500 |
|
Acute Effects of Dabbing on Marijuana Intoxication, Driving Impairment, and Cognitive Functioning |
L. Cinnamon Bidwell, PhD Assistant Professor Institute of Cognitive Science University of Colorado at Boulder |
3 yrs |
$839,500 |
|
Duration of Marijuana Concentration in Breast Milk
|
Erica Wymore, MD, MPH Assistant Professor, Neonatology University of Colorado School of Medicine (Children’s Hospital Colorado) |
2 yrs |
$186,500 |
|
Older Coloradans and Marijuana: A Public Health Problem or Policy Alternative
|
Sara Qualls, PhD Professor of Psychology and of Aging Studies; Director, Gerontology Center University of Colorado Colorado Springs |
1 yr |
$97,500 |
|
The Adverse Effects of Edible Cannabis Products
|
Andrew Monte, MD Associate Professor Emergency Medicine & Medical Toxicology University of Colorado School of Medicine |
1 yr |
$97,500 |
|
Analysis of Data from Before and After Implementation of Recreational Marijuana in Colorado
|
Bradley Conner, PhD Assistant Professor Department of Psychology; Director, Addiction Counseling Programs Colorado State University |
2 yrs |
$186,500 |
|
The Cardiovascular Effects of Marijuana in At-Risk Patients
|
Lori Walker, PhD Associate Professor Division of Cardiology University of Colorado School of Medicine |
1 yr |
$99,000 |
