The Cannabis Research Institute coming to Chicago
CHICAGO - Chicago and the state of Illinois are partnering with Discovery Partners Institute to take a closer look at cannabis use.
The first-of-its-kind Cannabis Research Institute was announced Thursday.
"This is a tremendous opportunity to not only promote Chicago as the center for highly-demanded cannabis research but expand the breadth of knowledge and science needed to shape policy," Mayor Lori Lightfoot said in a statement.
The goal is to provide scientific data on the impacts of usage and production with the goal of informing policymaking surrounding the industry.
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"We're excited that, I mean, it's legal here. You're allowed to use it, so why can't we research it and figure out a lot more, to better inform our policies," said Nathaniel Steinfeld, Deputy Cannabis Regulation Oversight Officer of Research and Data.
The institute will work closely with the Cannabis Regulatory Oversight Officer of Illinois and the DEA.
The rollout is scheduled for the coming months.
"I am thrilled to announce the launch of the Cannabis Research Institute — a national first, creating actionable research to inform data-driven policymaking and advance public knowledge on the impacts of cannabis," Governor JB Pritzker said in a statement. "I can think of no better place than Illinois for this endeavor. We are the heart of the Midwest and at the very forefront of cannabis legalization — all while dismantling the longlasting effects of the War on Drugs on our communities."
The organization is currently working to hire an executive director.