State seeks cannabis health research task force members
The Oregon Health Authority’s Public Health Division said Thursday it is seeking applicants to serve on a newly created Task Force on Researching the Medical and Public Health Properties of Cannabis (the Cannabis Research Task Force).
The task force consists of 15 members appointed by the governor. It is charged with studying and publishing a report on the development of a medical cannabis industry that provides patients with medical products that meet individual patient needs. The report must:
— Identify and assess the validity of research related to the medical properties of cannabis that have been conducted in other countries, and in other U.S. states and territories;
— Assess the potential for Oregon to collaborate with other states that have legalized the medical or recreational use of cannabis for purposes related to researching the medical properties of cannabis;
— Identify key research areas related to the medical properties of cannabis;
— Identify legal barriers to the establishment of laboratories that research the medical properties of cannabis, including barriers related to possession, delivery and manufacture of marijuana;
— Identify legal barriers to the use of institutional review boards in approving, monitoring and reviewing research involving the medical properties of cannabis;
— Propose solutions to structuring and funding research that involves the medical properties of cannabis, including solutions that involve state programs and monies and solutions that involve investment by private businesses and business sectors;
— Assess the potential of locating a cannabis grow site for research purposes in this state and, if appropriate, setting forth a plan for the establishment of a cannabis grow site for research purposes in this state.
The task force will meet eight times unless otherwise requested by OHA, and each meeting is expected to be about three hours long. Meetings will be held in Portland and Corvallis, and travel expense reimbursements will be available.
The following positions are open:
— One member who represents Oregon Health & Science University and is knowledgeable about at least one debilitating medical condition, as defined in ORS 475.302;
— One member who represents the Oregon University System and is knowledgeable about the availability of federal grants for researching cannabis;
— One member with expertise in agricultural research;
— One member with expertise in microbiology;
— One member with expertise in substance abuse treatment;
— One member with expertise in neurology;
— One member with expertise in oncology;
— One member with expertise in palliative care;
— One member who has been designated as a person responsible for a marijuana grow site under ORS 475.304;
— One member with expertise in measuring tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) levels, and in identifying other cannabinoid compounds that have a potential effect on specific medical conditions.
Those interested in appointment to the task force should complete an interest form, which can be found on the Governor’s Office website at www.oregon.gov/gov/admin/Documents/Interest%20Form.pdf , and return it by email to rosa.klein@state.or.us by September 30 , 2015.
The division will consider the following criteria in making its recommendation to the Governor’s Office: content expertise in the areas listed above; location of applicant; and organizational or business affiliation.
Deadline for receiving applications is September 30 . The division will review applications by Oct. 2 and make its recommendations to the Governor’s Office by October 5 . For more information, contact Rosa Klein, public health legislative coordinator, at 503-803-4274 or rosa.klein@state.or.us .
