Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine named a Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Academic Clinical Research Center

Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine has been certified as a Medical Marijuana Academic Clinical Research Center (ACRC) by the Pennsylvania Department of Health as part of the state’s medical marijuana research program.

Through this state-certified program, Geisinger will partner with Story of PA CR, LLC, and receive a minimum of $30 million to fund medical marijuana research over the next 10 years. Geisinger’s research expertise in addiction medicine, pharmacy, epidemiology, behavioral sciences, data science and genomics will support this research, and potential studies will focus on patient and provider perspectives and knowledge of medical marijuana, influence on traditional medication use and delivery, and patient outcomes. Geisinger will have full independent oversight of all research studies and publication of results.

Pennsylvania was the first state to include research as part of its authorization of medical marijuana use, and Geisinger Commonwealth joins Pennsylvania’s eight other medical schools that were previously certified. Designation as an ACRC does not change Geisinger’s medical marijuana policy. Geisinger does not permit prescribing or dispensing of medical marijuana at any of its facilities and does not advocate its use for any medical condition.

“As a healthcare system, Geisinger recognizes the changing landscape of the use of medical marijuana by our patients and has a responsibility to assess and understand the impact on our patients’ care,” said Julie Byerley, MD, MPH, Geisinger Commonwealth president and dean. “As a Medical Marijuana Academic Clinical Research Center, the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine has the opportunity to contribute to the small but growing field of research on medical cannabis use and the potential outcomes for patients. This research partnership will enhance our curriculum to prepare the next generation of physicians to best care for their patients given the increasing number of patients using medical marijuana.”