Illinois is investing $7 million in a new Cannabis Research Institute (CRI) to examine marijuana’s effects on individuals and communities.
The funding, from the state’s Department of Human Services, will support the institute’s mission to provide comprehensive research on the scientific and socio-economic impacts of cannabis use and production.
The CRI, set to be led by Reginald “Reggie” Guadino, will operate from the University of Illinois’ Discovery Partners Institute in Chicago. It is temporarily located at the Illinois Medical Center, previously used as a COVID-19 testing site on the city’s West Side.
“CRI aims to be a source of unbiased, factually accurate information with research into agricultural crop management, health and medicinal effects, and social equity impacts”, states a press release. “Community engagement events will follow this winter and spring to inform research priorities.”
Governor JB Pritzker said “At the time I was elected, we were allowing people to be held criminally liable — and inequitably so — for consuming cannabis. Just five years later, we have one of the most orderly and successful cannabis industries, and we are launching a research institute – funded by the legal sale of that same plant – that will accelerate the transformation of that old, unfair, unjust system into a vehicle for community revitalization.”
Pritzker says “The Cannabis Research Institute will use innovative research and data collection to deepen our understanding of cannabis and help shape the future of the industry, better inform the public, and develop policies for consumer protection, economic and community development, and equity.”
Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton said “Illinois continues to be at the forefront of cutting-edge practices and programs surrounding cannabis. Holistic reform is part of our administration’s vision for transforming the state’s justice system toward more healing-centered practices. This is an exciting development that will move us even closer to an equitable cannabis industry and a more just Illinois.”
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