Clinical Research (Chapter 20)
If you are a patient interested in participating in medical marijuana research with an Academic Clinical Research Center, please send an email to RA-DHMMResearch@pa.gov. Upon receipt and review, a member of the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Office of Medical Marijuana's research division staff will provide you with information on studies in which you may be able to partake.
Participation in the Medical Marijuana Research Program will provide our medical community with invaluable data on the efficacy of medical marijuana as well as specific administration options to assist in recommending the best treatments for patients.
For a brief look into medical marijuana research, please see the information provided by the Academic Clinical Research Centers below.
Certified Medical Marijuana Academic Clinical Research Centers
Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia
After receiving approval by the Pennsylvania Department of Health to conduct research on medical cannabis grown by a clinical registrant, and then signing a contract with the clinical registrant, the Chester-based Agronomed Biologics LLC, Drexel University has now opened a new Medical Cannabis Research Center (MCRC) to begin conducting evidenced-based research on effects medical cannabis has on patients with specific medical and behavioral maladies.
Read more about the MCRC.
Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey
In May of 2018, Penn State College of Medicine was one of eight universities approved by Gov. Tom Wolf as a Certified Academic Clinical Research Center. In June 2019, the Penn State College of Medicine ACRC, in a relationship with PA Options for Wellness, was one of the first three centers approved by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Learn more about their ACRC.
Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia
The Sidney Kimmel College of Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University (TJU) became a certified Academic Clinical Research Center (ACRC) in 2018 in partnership with Ethos Cannabis.
Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University is currently enrolling patients for medical marijuana studies related to cancer and chronic pain.
TJU is actively recruiting patients who are prescribed opioids and have been treated for cancer in the past three years for a 12-month observational study. The goal of this study is to assess the role of medical marijuana in the management of cancer-related pain conditions. The study involves completing monthly surveys via Zoom or telephone and using a smartphone application to complete brief surveys. Participants will be compensated for completed assessments. To learn more, contact the study team by calling 267-624-4232 or emailing mmjstudy@jefferson.edu.
TJU is also actively recruiting new medical marijuana patients who are prescribed opioids for chronic pain for a 3-month observational study. The purpose of this research is to determine if medical marijuana helps reduce pain and opioid usage compared to those not using medical marijuana. Participants will be asked to complete frequent assessments via email or text and will be compensated for each assessment monthly while purchasing medical cannabis at a reduced price. If you would like more information about this study, please call 215-503-3013 or email mmjstudy@jefferson.edu.
TJU is also planning an upcoming observational study for patients receiving medical marijuana for generalized anxiety disorder. Please fill out this secure, online form to be contacted for current or future studies. For questions, please direct them via email at mmjstudy@jefferson.edu.
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh
Along with their partner Goodblend is conducting an observational study on the effects of cannabis on acute pain, chronic pain, and inflammation in adult patients with sickle cell disease. Also completing a sophisticated retrospective analysis of the effects of cannabis on chronic pain, overall well-being, sleep, and opioid use with the UPMC Department of Anesthesiology. As future studies develop, information about participation will be made available.
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine-Erie (LECOM)
LECOM became a certified ACRC in 2018 and has been conducting medical marijuana research with their CR: CannTech PA LLC doing business as Ayr Wellness.
View the most recent updates regarding their current studies.
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia (PCOM)
PCOM, in collaboration with its clinical registrant partner Organic Remedies, has developed a multi-study research program that will gather and share data and insights into the use and processing of medicinal cannabis and its impact on behavior, quality of life, cognition, chronic pain and opioid management.
Read more about their research program.
Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, Scranton (GCSOM)
The Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine was authorized by the Department of Health as an Academic Clinical Research Center in September of 2021 and became operational in the summer of 2022, with their clinical registrant partner, Story of PA LLC. With increasing numbers of residents registered to use medical marijuana and leveraging Geisinger's close community relations and aim to make better health easier for our patients, the Geisinger ACRC is conducting research to evaluate the impact of medical marijuana on patients cared for within the Geisinger Health System.
View more information on Geisinger and its medical marijuana research program.
Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia
Temple University is a certified Academic Clinical Research Center with Laurel Harvest as the clinical registrant for medical marijuana research. Together, we are working to deploy pharmaceutical principals to medical marijuana research, exploring cannabis components to identify mechanisms of action and optimizing formulation and dosing. Ongoing studies focus on the therapeutic potential of cannabis for applications in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), post incisional pain and eosinophilic esophagitis (EOE). To accomplish this, Temple has engaged investigators from around our university, including those from the College of Science and Technology, School of Pharmacy, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University Hospital, and College of Public Health. This effort is anchored by Temple's well-established Center of Substance Abuse Research (CSAR). Most recently, Temple and Laurel Harvest have been working on clinical studies to focus on cannabis efficacy for sleep troubles arising from chronic pain, and cannabis use for neuropathic pain. Laurel Harvest Labs, LLC was acquired by Cresco Labs in 2021.
The Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania (PSOM), Philadelphia
The Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania has partnered with Curaleaf, a leading medical marijuana provider, as its clinical registrant to advance science through medical marijuana research. Researchers at PSOM are currently working to assess medical marijuana for patients with epilepsy and evaluating medical marijuana as part of an outpatient palliative treatment plan for patients with cancer. More information will be available as the studies progress.
Resources for Academic Clinical Research Centers
Certified Medical Marijuana Academic Clinical Research Centers
Please note: The following were certified on September 21, 2018
- Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia
(contractually committed, not available for Phase III);
- Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia
(contractually committed, not available for Phase IV);
- Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey
(contractually committed, not available for Phase III);
- Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia
(contractually committed, not available for Phase III);
- The Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
(contractually committed, not available for Phase IV);
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh
(contractually committed, not available for Phase V);
- Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine-Erie (LECOM)
(contractually committed, not available for Phase IV); and
- Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia
(contractually committed, not available for Phase IV).
Please note: The following was certified on September 23, 2021
-
Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, Scranton