2025 CMCR Symposium Agenda

 

Agenda

Day 1: Thursday, October 16, 2025

8:00-8:10 Welcome from the CMCR Director, Igor Grant, MD 

2025 CMCR Symposium Award

8:10-9:00 Mahmoud A. ElSohly, PhD 

CMCR Pioneer in Medicinal Cannabis Research Award and 

CMCR Award for Advancing Cannabis and Cannabinoids as Therapeutics 

Presentation of Award and Keynote Address 

These awards honor a leader in cannabis and cannabinoid research conducting groundbreaking basic and translational research of cannabinoids, other constituents of cannabis, and the endocannabinoid system and whose work has led to significant advances in our knowledge of or an expansion to the therapeutic use of cannabis and cannabinoid-based medicines.

9:00-10:00 Moderated panel discussion and Q&A with 2025 CMCR Symposium Award Recipient & previous award recipients; Moderator: Igor Grant, MD 

2024 Award Recipients: Alexandros Makriyannis, PhD and Mark Ware, MD

2023 Award Recipients: Marilyn Huestis, PhD and Margaret (Meg) Haney, PhD

2022 Award Recipients: Daniele Piomelli, PhD and Donald Abrams, MD

10:00-10:05 Five-minute break

CMCR Special Lectures

10:05-10:25 Guido Frank, MD - Clinical trial of CBD for meal-time anxiety in anorexia nervosa

10:25-10:30 Q&A moderated by J. Hampton Atkinson, MD 

10:30-10:50 Rudy Ortiz, PhD - Metabolic effects of cannabinoids in a rat model of obesity

10:50-10:55 Q&A moderated by J. Hampton Atkinson, MD 

10:55-11:00 Five-minute break

Cannabis, cannabinoids, and psychosis

11:00-11:15 F. Markus Leweke, MD - The role of antipsychotics and cannabidiol on the lipidome

11:15-11:30 Deepak D'Souza, MBBS, MD - Association between cannabis and schizophrenia

11:30-11:45 Sagnik Bhattacharyya, MD, PhD - Neuroimaging studies of cannabinoid exposure and psychosis

11:45-11:55 Moderated panel discussion with the speakers and Q&A; Moderator: Kristin Cadenhead, PhD 

11:55-12:00 Introduction to the poster session - Igor Grant, MD and David Grelotti, MD 

12:00-1:00 Poster Session 

Deadline for Abstract Submission – Tuesday, September 2, 2025 at 11:59PM Pacific

Notification of Abstract Acceptance – Tuesday, September 9, 2025

If Accepted, Deadline for Submission of the Pre-recorded Lecture – Friday, October 3, 2025 at 11:59PM  Pacific

 


Day 2: Friday, October 17, 2025

Translational studies of the gut-brain axis

8:00-8:15 Marieka DeVuono, PhD - Rat models of cannabis hyperemesis syndrome

8:15-8:30 Mahesh Mohan, DVM, MS, PhD - Cannabinoids and microbiota-gut-brain axis and neuroinflammation in SIV/HIV

8:30-8:45 Nicholas DiPatrizio, PhD - Gut endocannabinoid system and satiety

8:45-8:55 Moderated panel discussion with the speakers and Q&A; Moderator: David Sela, PhD 

8:55-9:00 Five-minute break

Clinical studies of the gut-brain axis

9:00-9:15 Michael Camilleri, MD - Clinical trial of CBD for gastroparesis

9:15-9:30 Rachel Wightman, MD - Cannabis hyperemesis syndrome

9:30-9:45  TBD 

9:45-9:55 Moderated panel discussion with the speakers and Q&A; Moderator Ron Ellis, MD, PhD

9:55-10:00 Five-minute break

Voice from the Community Panel

10:00-10:55 Anecdotal reports of the benefits of cannabis was the basis for medical marijuana use laws and the formation of the CMCR. Here we will hear the latest observations of cannabinoids and their use. 

Moderated panel discussion with the speakers and Q&A; Moderator: Thomas Marcotte, PhD 

10:55-11:00 5-minute break

Federal Panel

11:00-11:55  Stakeholders will discuss future directions in funding for medicinal cannabis research and new directions.

Panel discussion and Q&A moderated by Steve Gust, PhD, Advisor to CMCR 

11:55-12:00 Closing Remarks from Igor Grant, MD, CMCR Director

 

 

2025 Speaker Bios - coming soon

2025 CMCR Symposium Sponsors - coming soon

LINK to past CMCR Symposia