Long known for its programs in agricultural research, Washington State University (WSU) is now expanding into an old plant that has over time become increasingly mainstream in the United States—cannabis.
WSU first started to research cannabis in 2011, before the state had even legalized recreational cannabis use, and the new program created a center that focused on cannabis-related issues. Specifically, about 100 scientists and staff members are joining what is called the Center for Cannabis Policy, Research and Outreach. College of Medicine Professor Michael McDonell leads the center and says some of the work done there will focus on medical uses.
“[This] research looks at the impact of use of cannabis by pregnant women and work[s] to determine whether in a medical setting, people who use cannabis have better pain outcomes,” he said.
The center will also work to continue work done by other WSU researchers who were exploring public policy and safety angles, according to McDonell. He says that the team, “… focuses on both roadside detection and helping law enforcement detect potentially intoxicated drivers who are using cannabis.”
The center also carries the option for further investigation that would focus on the economics of cannabis, like industry taxes and workplaces issues. WSU also embraces a traditional, agricultural, research angle which could help faculty members to look toward industrial hemp and how it can be used for different purposes like textiles, food, fiber and CBD extracts for medical use.
McDonell admits that cannabis research is still in a tough position because cannabis possession and use is still illegal according to federal law. And currently, there are many types of cannabis products sold legally in Washington, but federal law still requires researchers to source their cannabis samples from a limited number of authorized producers.
“We’re not able to study the cannabis that is available in the marketplace in Washington state. We have to study a different cannabis that is produced by these manufacturers,” McDonell said.
The WSU Center is collaborating with agricultural researchers at other schools, too, including Oregon State and the University of California at Davis, with the aim of improving hemp germplasm. The center also developed a partnership with the Puyallup Tribe in regard to using medical cannabis for pain management.
