UC Davis Cannabis and Hemp Research Forums (monthly)
Hosted by the UC Davis Cannabis and Hemp Research Center, this monthly series of Zoom webinars both informs our campus community, members of the cannabis and hemp industry, and the general public on cannabis and hemp research being done at UC Davis, and provides an opportunity for guest external researchers to share their expertise and connect with our community.
Details and videos of previous past presentations can be found on this webpage.
Two undergraduate courses on cannabis and physiology offered at UC Davis
An undergraduate course on “Physiology of Cannabis” (HPH 115) is offered every Spring quarter at UC Davis (since Spring 2017) to raise awareness and understanding of how cannabis and cannabinoids affect the body. Another undergraduate course title "Cannabis and Cannabinoids in Physiology and Medicine" (HPH 440) is offered every Winter quarter (since Winter 2018).
Designed for students in the biological sciences, the three-unit "Physiology of Cannabis" course covered the biology of cannabis and cannabinoids as well as their physiological effects in multiple systems, underlying mechanisms and therapeutic values. It also surveyed the history of cannabis use, covered the endocannabinoid system and discussed potential medical targets for cannabis and their relative effectiveness.
The "Cannabis and Cannabinoids in Physiology and Medicine" course is designed for fourth year students, and its goals for these students are twofold: 1) to understand the physiological effects exerted by cannabis and cannabinoids on major organ systems in humans, and; 2) become proficient in communicating the pros and cons of medicinal uses of cannabis/cannabinoids with patients and peers.
Graduate course – Cannabis sativa: The Plant and its Impact on People – in Plant Sciences at UC Davis
This seminar style course, first offered in the Fall of 2018, provides a scientific overview of the biology, genetics, biochemistry and pharmacological potential of Cannabis sativa. Cannabis is among the world’s earliest domesticated plant species and this class will explore its origin, evolution and ethnobiology.
Students learn how specialized metabolites synthesized by cannabis interact with receptors in the mammalian endocannabinoid neurotransmitter system and how these interactions affect pain sensation, mood, memory and other central nervous functions. The course covers the status of clinical trials using synthetic and plant derived cannabinoids to treat neurological disorders. In addition, students learn how cannabis is currently cultivated and the rapidly changing legal landscape associated with its production and utilization.
Videos of the seminars can be found at the following links:
Medicinal Cannabis
Distinguished Professor Igor Grant | Department of Psychiatry | University of California, San Diego
California Sungrown Cannabis: A Healthy and Sustainable Cannabis Industry
Kristin Nevedal | Principle, the Nevedal Group | Humbolt, California
Cannabis Genetics
Cannabis Cultivation in California: Where the Industry Has Been and Where It Is Going
Robert Flannery, PhD | Founder and CEO of Dr Robb Farms | San Ramon, California
The Cannabinoid System: A Primer
Plant Terpenoids: Their Biosynthesis, Function and Applications
Professor Philipp Zerbe | Department of Plant Biology | University of California, Davis
Cannabis sativa; Botany, Domestication and Ethnobotany
Professor John Yoder | Department of Plant Sciences | University of California, Davis
More John Yoder cannabis sativa videos here.
PAST EVENTS
Open Panel Discussion on Cannabis & Hemp Research at UC Davis
Thursday, November 12, 2020
3 to 4:30pm
Moderator: Gail Taylor, Professor and Chair, Department of Plant Sciences
Panelists:
- Cameron Carter, Co-Director of the UC Davis Cannabis and Hemp Research Center
- Li Tian, Co- Director of the UC Davis Cannabis and Hemp Research Center
- Cindy Kiel, Executive Associate Vice Chancellor, Research Administration and Compliance
- Charlie Brummer, Professor & Director of the UC Davis Plant Breeding Center
- Dan Putnam, Extension Agronomist and Forage Specialist, UC Davis
- Don Land, Professor, Department of Chemistry
- George Hodgin, Founder & CEO, Biopharmaceutical Research Company
- John McFerson, VP of Breeding, Phylos Bioscience
Seed Central Calendar of Events: http://www.seedcentral.org/calendarofevents.htm
Cannabis and Public Health: New and Persisting Challenges for Policymakers
Thursday, November 12, 2020
12 - 1:30 pm
A UC Center Sacramento (UCCS) event co-sponsored by the UC Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program (TRDRP).
Cannabis legalization in California has raised a number of important policy questions. In this panel presentation moderated by TRDRP Director Tracy Richmond McKnight, UC experts addressed cannabis policy from three perspectives. First, Matthew Springer (UCSF) provided an update on the science of second-hand marijuana smoke, the likely health effects, and how policymakers might respond. Then Thomas Marcotte, a cognitive psychologist at UCSD, discussed what is known about the effects of cannabis on driving impairment, including how new ways of detecting and quantifying impairment may be able to keep our streets and highways safer. Finally, Pamela Ling (UCSF), drew on her long career researching tobacco use among young adults to describe the co-mingling of cannabis and tobacco issues and the resulting impact on both tobacco and cannabis regulation. Following brief presentations by the three speakers, Dr. McKnight led a discussion of intersecting topics, followed by an open question and answer session with the audience.
UC Center Sacramento website.
Short course
October 27-29, 2020
Hemp Breeding and Seed Production was a 3 half-day online (Zoom conferencing) course designed to enhance the knowledge of professionals working on hemp improvement and propagation. The course covered hemp seed production topics such as flowering, pollination, seed development, harvesting and certification. Course participants also learned about hemp genomics, genetics, sex expression, types of cultivars with corresponding breeding schemes and intellectual property protection options. The course was delivered in an interactive format with lectures and discussions. The instructors included experts from the public and private sectors.
Hosted by the Seed Biotechnology Center
More information: http://sbc.ucdavis.edu/Courses/Hemp_Breeding_and_Seed_Production/
Envisioning a Safe and Functional Cannabis Marketplace
Tuesday, October 20, 2020
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
This UC Center Sacramento (UCCS) Special Session brought together speakers to discuss opportunities & barriers to creating a safe and functional legal marketplace for cannabis in California.
- Dr. Anna Song, Associate Professor of Health Psychology and Director of the UC Merced Nicotine and Cannabis Research Center
- Dr. Mariaelena Gonzalez (Dr. G), Assistant Professor in Public Health at the University of California Merced
- Ms. Amanda Kirchner, Legislative Director for Assemblyman Ken Cooley, Chair of the Assembly Rules Committee
- Ms. Nicole Elliott, appointed to serve as Governor Newsom’s senior cannabis advisor in February 2019
This UCCS special session was co-sponsored by the Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program (TRDRP).
UC Center Sacramento website.
The Cannabis and Hemp Industry: Cultivating Knowledge and Growing Opportunities
February 20, 2020
As part of the Future of Work Series at UC Davis, which brings together experts from academia, government, and industry to discuss new and emerging fields of research and employment, a cannabis entrepreneur and the Chief Scientific Consultant for a cannabis analysis lab shared their thoughts on this rapidly developing industry. More information here.
The speakers:
Dr. Donald Land is the Chief Scientific Consultant for Steep Hill, one of the leading scientific cannabis analysis labs in the world. He is also a Professor of Chemistry, Forensics, and Biotechnology at UC Davis
Vince Lane is an entrepreneur and investor with over twenty five years of startup and corporate experience. He's also a UC Davis alumnus. Vince's background spans across real estate, business development, technology, IT, entertainment - and now cannabis/hemp.
Seed Biotechnology Center short course: Hemp Breeding and Seed Production
October 29-30, 2019
Hemp Breeding and Seed Production was a two-day course designed to enhance the knowledge of professionals working on hemp improvement and propagation. The course covered hemp seed production topics such as flowering, pollination, seed development, harvesting and certification. Course participants also learned about hemp genomics, genetics, sex expression, types of cultivars with corresponding breeding schemes and intellectual property protection options. The course was delivered in an interactive format with lectures and discussions. The instructors included experts from the public and private sectors. 165 students participated. The course was offered again in 2020 (see above).