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