R3CR Team at Cannabis Research Conference 2025
Industry Events
Stay up-to-date on events and training around cannabis and cannabinoid research
The R3CR events page is designed to be your source for past and future events from the R3CR and the broader cannabis science community.
Please note that the industry events we share on this website are not exhaustive. If you have other suggestions of events and training we can add, please email us at info@r3cr.org.
Upcoming Industry & R3CR Events
R3CR Seed Funding Webinar
$50,000 Seed Funding Available! Overcome regulatory and logistical hurdles in cannabis research!
The Resource Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research (R3CR) has launched a Seed Funding RFA to support non-research activities that are critical for advancing cannabis science.
SEP 1 WEBINAR DETAILS:
• Topic: R3CR Seed Funding Informational Session
• Date: Tues, Sep 1 (US and Canada)
• Time: 11am PDT/2pm EDT
• Location: Virtual via Zoom (session will be recorded)
- Join Zoom Meeting from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS, or Android: https://wsu.zoom.us/j/88032359450?pwd=obEn2UcHCpmxgOgmIZegebid4Qe5cK.1&from=addon
- Meeting ID: 880 3235 9450
- Passcode: 418990
SEED FUNDING RFA DETAILS:
• Funding Amount: Up to $50,000 in total costs
• Project Duration: Up to one year
• Number of Awards: Up to eight awards will be funded this year
• Anticipated Award Date: First quarter 2027
• Award Type: Subcontract in the form of a fixed-amount award
Maximum award is $50,000 total costs for projects up to one year. This opportunity is intended to position investigators for competitive NIH funding by addressing the barriers that limit progress.
Important Dates:
• Webinar Info Session: September 1, 2026
• Letter of Intent Due: September 14, 2026
• Full Application Due: November 2, 2026
Applied Pharmacognosy: Personalizing Cannabis Dosing with Riley Kirk, PhD and Miyabe Shields, PhD
Sponsored by Drexel’s Medical Cannabis Research Center
September 3rd, 2026
4:00pm – 5:00pm ET
Virtual via Zoom
Zoom link will be sent to all who RSVP
Dr. Riley Kirk and Dr. Miyabe Shields, both PhD-trained pharmaceutical scientists and co-founders of the nonprofit Network of Applied Pharmacognosy (NAP), are leading experts in the chemistry and pharmacology of cannabis. Dr. Kirk is an author and educator who teaches cannabis medicine at Vermont State University, while Dr. Shields brings over 16 years of experience in cannabinoid structural biochemistry and natural product innovation. Leveraging their extensive backgrounds in academic research and pharmaceutical science, the duo will discuss the complexities of cannabis dosing schedules and the scientific principles required to achieve precise and accurate dosing.
▶️ RSVP Here
2026 Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research (CMCR) Symposium: Cannabis & Sport
October 1-2, 2026
8:00AM-12:00PM Pacific Time
Virtual Event
Cost: Free
The 2026 CMCR Symposium is a two-day, virtual scientific conference that will take place on Thursday and Friday, October 1-2, 2026 from 8AM-12Noon Pacific Time. Many athletes believe that cannabis and cannabinoids help them train, treat their pain, or otherwise improve their game, but what does the science say? This year’s symposium will highlight the latest scientific studies of the effects of cannabis and cannabinoids on exercise, athletic performance, and recovery.
➡️ REGISTER
Institute of Cannabis Research (ICR) National Interdisciplinary Cannabis Conference
10th Annual National Cannabis Research Conference
“The ICR in collaboration with the Global Hemp Innovation Center and the National Interdisciplinary Cannabis Symposium is pleased to announce the 10th Annual National Cannabis Research Conference to be held in San Diego California next fall! Please click below to learn more.”
Oct 19-21, 2026
San Diego, CA
Cost: Varies (full conference vs. student)
➡️ REGISTER
> Use promo code CHADSAID2GO and get 10% off registration
Cannabis Quality Conference and Expo
Oct, 21-23, 2026
Crystal Gateway Marriott, Arlington VA
“Brought to you by Cannabis Industry Journal, the 2026 Cannabis Quality Conference (CQC) is a business-to-business conference and expo where cannabis industry leaders and stakeholders meet to build the future of the cannabis marketplace. In a location surrounded by new market opportunities, the CQC will deliver hands-on education, networking and business discussions.
The Agenda focuses on Quality Management, Shifting from Reactive to Proactive Decision-Making through Quality Management, Regulations and Standards, Testing & Analysis, Technology and Data Solutions., and Audits and Supplier Management. The venue setting, coupled with our highly focused content, creates a business meeting environment unlike anything else.
The 2026 Cannabis Quality Conference (CQC) co-located with the Food Safety Consortium Conference, October 21-23, 2026 in Washington DC, at the Crystal Gateway Marriott, Arlington VA directly across the Potomac River from Washington, DC. The Program includes workshops and training as part of the 2.5 days of high-level panel discussions and educational presentations.”
▶️ Register
Prices vary – see Registration for details
3rd Annual NYS Cannabinoids in Clinical Practice and Research Symposium
Thursday, November 19, 2026 – Friday, November 20, 2026
Westchester Marriott, 670 White Plains Road, Tarrytown, NY
Hosts: Albert Einstein College of Medicine-Montefiore Medical Center and NYS Office of Cannabis Management
Conference Objectives:
- Describe the role of the endocannabinoid system and its relevance to the clinical use of cannabis.
- Evaluate the evidence supporting the use of cannabis for commonly treated health conditions.
- Apply evidence-based principles for the clinical management of patients using cannabis, including assessment of potential risks, adverse effects, and safety considerations.
2027 ICRS Annual Symposium on the Cannabinoids
Sunday, July 04, 2027
4:00 PM to Thursday, July 08, 2027 10:00 PM EDT
Alberta, Canada
“Join us at the 2027 ICRS Annual Symposium in Banff, Alberta!
Get ready for oral and poster presentations on all the latest cannabis, cannabinoid and endocannabinoid research from all over the world. This annual symposium is the ultimate meeting place for cannabinoid scientists, clinicians and industry.”
▶️ Learn More
NIH R3CR 2026 First Annual Stakeholder Meeting Highlights & Takeaways
The first annual NIH Resource Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research (R3CR) Stakeholder Meeting brought together investigators, standard-setting bodies, and federal regulators to discuss the future of cannabis research. Below is a look at the topics covered during the event 
:
- Navigating the evolving regulatory landscape: Experts from the NIH, FDA, CANNRA, and academia discussed the anticipated impacts of the DEA’s transition of marijuana to Schedule III. This shift is expected to significantly reduce barriers to clinical and non-clinical product development and enable more robust research.
Learn more - Advancing research standards and the P2P network: To address the lack of uniform terminologies and access to research-grade materials, R3CR is developing a peer-to-peer (P2P) supply network. The meeting highlighted how this network, alongside engagement with DEA-approved bulk manufacturers, will help facilitate compliant material sharing across institutions and improve research reproducibility. Learn more
- Seed funding innovations: Our first cohort of R3CR seed funding recipients showcased their emerging projects. Highlights included establishing a DEA-compliant research infrastructure at Tuskegee University, building the Colorado Cannabis Public Health Database (CCPHD) to standardize health data, and developing an IND-enabling platform for multi-site clinical evaluation. Learn more (2027 RFA will be announced at the end of summer 2026)
- Overcoming digital dissemination barriers: Researchers face unique challenges when sharing findings online due to strict platform policies and content moderation. The meeting provided actionable strategies for investigators to bypass automated shadowbans and effectively communicate legitimate scientific education without triggering recreational drug promotion filters.
- Aligning resources with community needs: Through partnerships with the Association of Cannabis Research Centers (ACRC) and the STEM (Systematically Testing the Evidence on Marijuana) project, the community identified critical research priorities for the next 5-10 years, emphasizing the need for better translatability of models, lifespan studies, and the harmonization of data and dosing standards.
Featured Event: 2026 CANNRA External Stakeholder Meeting
State cannabis regulators are tasked with a monumental responsibility: protecting public health within a rapidly expanding and evolving marketplace. However, policy decisions are frequently hindered by substantial scientific data gaps. At the 2026 Cannabis Regulatory Authorities Forum (CANNRA) External Stakeholder Meeting, discussions included how the scientific community can better align its research priorities to address these urgent regulatory needs.
Date: June 9–10, 2026
Location: Oklahoma City, OK
R3CR Representative: Nandakumara Sarma, RPh, PhD (Director of Dietary Supplements and Herbal Medicine, US Pharmacopeia)
CANNRA 2026 Stakeholder Meeting
Nandakumara Sarma, RPh, PhD (PI); Director of Dietary Supplements and Herbal Medicine at US Pharmacopeia: Serving on panel on vape products to represent the public health concerns and research gap
Addressing public health and vape safety
Dr. Nandakumara Sarma represented the public health and research sectors as a panelist on vape products, highlighting immediate public health concerns, product characterization challenges, and critical research blind spots.
A primary takeaway from the meeting is that regulators urgently require robust, validated data to guide policy frameworks. For example, insights shared by Heather Krug of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) emphasize that current regulatory frameworks are evolving faster than the data supporting them.
“State cannabis regulators need lots of data to guide decisions. Are your research priorities aligned to address the public health gaps?” – Dr. Nandakumara Sarma
Cultivating connections to shape policy
During the event, Dr. Sarma met with Dr. Gillian Schauer, Executive Director of CANNRA, to discuss collaborative strategies for connecting the regulatory and research communities – a foundational objective of the R3CR. By establishing direct lines of communication and understanding the concrete data challenges faced by state agencies, R3CR aims to help investigators design studies that directly inform evidence-based policy.
To explore how data can effectively guide frameworks, we highly recommend reading Dr. Schauer’s publication, “A Research Agenda to Inform Cannabis Regulation: How Science Can Shape Policy.” Link to publication
Event Resources & Further Reading
- Official Agenda: Download the CANNRA 2026 Meeting Agenda
- CANNRA Meetings: Visit the CANNRA Event Website
- Regulatory Gaps: Explore the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment Research Gaps Guide
During the event, Dr. Sarma met with Dr. Gillian Schauer, Executive Director of CANNRA, to discuss collaborative strategies for connecting the regulatory and research communities – a foundational objective of the R3CR. By establishing direct lines of communication and understanding the concrete data challenges faced by state agencies, R3CR aims to help investigators design studies that directly inform evidence-based policy.
To explore how data can effectively guide frameworks, we highly recommend reading Dr. Schauer’s publication, “A Research Agenda to Inform Cannabis Regulation: How Science Can Shape Policy.”
Event Resources & Further Reading
• Official Agenda: Download the CANNRA 2026 Meeting Agenda
• CANNRA Meetings: Visit the CANNRA Event Website
• Regulatory Gaps: Explore the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment Research Gaps Guide
CANNRA 2026 Stakeholder Meeting
Nandakumara Sarma, RPh, PhD (PI); Director of Dietary Supplements and Herbal Medicine at US Pharmacopeia and Gillian Schauer, the Executive Director of CANNRA
Past Presentations by R3CR Team
Cannabis and Cannabinoids Activities at the University of Mississippi and R3CR Center
May 19, 2025
Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoids (CCC) 50th Anniversary Event:
UCLA/ Semel Auditorium
Mahmoud A. ElSohly, Ph.D.
Research Professor,
Professor of Pharmaceutics
Regulatory Guidance Core
Cannabis and Cannabinoids Activities at the University of Mississippi and R3CR Center
July 9, 2025
Bloomington, Indiana
Mahmoud A. ElSohly, Ph.D.
Research Professor,
Professor of Pharmaceutics
Regulatory Guidance Core
Resource Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research (R3CR): A Newly Funded Center
Aug 5, 2025
ASP 2025: A Grand Natural Products Adventure
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Mahmoud A. ElSohly, Ph.D.
Research Professor,
Professor of Pharmaceutics
Regulatory Guidance Core
Quality Considerations for Cannabis Clinical Research
Aug 19, 2025
American Chemical Society (ACS) Meeting
“The Cannabis/Hemp Conundrum: Analytics, Standards, and Regulatory Control”
Howard University, Washington, D.C.
Nandakumara Sarma, RPh, PhD
Director of Dietary Supplements and Herbal Medicine at US Pharmacopeia
Research Standards Core
Resource Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research (R3CR): A Newly Funded Center
Aug 28, 2025 via Zoom
Mahmoud A. ElSohly, Ph.D.
Research Professor,
Professor of Pharmaceutics
Regulatory Guidance Core
WSU/UW Joint Cannabis Research Symposium
May 15, 2026 | Pullman, WA
WSU/UW Joint Cannabis Research Symposium
“Navigating the Weeds of Weed Research Through the NIH Cannabis Resource Center”
Mary F. Paine, Deena L. Hadi, and Rebecca L. Cooney
Research Support Core
International Conference on the Science of Botanicals (ICSB)
Aug 20-23, 2026
“A Joint Effort: Accomplishments of the Resource Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoids Research”
“Navigating the Regulatory Landscape: Strategic Insights from the FDA and DEA”
Representatives spoke from all three cores: Research Support, Research Standards, and Regulatory Guidance
WSU/UW Joint Cannabis Research Symposium
May 15, 2026 | Pullman, WA
WSU/UW Joint Cannabis Research Symposium
“Navigating the Weeds of Weed Research Through the NIH Cannabis Resource Center”
Mary F. Paine, Deena L. Hadi, and Rebecca L. Cooney
Research Support Core
NIH R3CR Stakeholder Meeting
May 21, 2026 | Rockville, MD
NIH R3CR first annual Stakeholder Meeting
Presentations included:
- “R3CR Core Overview and Implementation Updates”
- “Seed Funding Projects: Emerging Research Directions”
- “Navigating the Evolving Regulatory Landscape”
- “DEA approved Cannabis Growers and Peer-to-Peer Supply Network”
- “Aligning Center Resources with Research Community Needs”
Representatives spoke from all three cores: Research Support, Research Standards, and Regulatory Guidance