Michigan's Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA) today announced the 2022 Veteran Marijuana Research (VMR) Grant Program Award Recommendations to Wayne State University and the University of Michigan.
On April 1, 2022, the CRA issued a request for proposals (RFP) for VMR grants.
The Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Act was passed by state voters in November 2018. Part of the bill was used to create the Marijuana Regulation Fund in the state treasury. The fund requires the CRA to expend money in the fund until 2022 or for at least two years, to provide $20 million annually to one or more clinical trials that are FDA approved and sponsored by a non-profit organization or researcher within an academic institution researching the efficacy of marijuana in treating the medical conditions of U.S. armed services veterans and preventing veteran suicide.
The CRA received proposals from Wayne State University, the University of Michigan, Field to Healed and Omni Medical Services.
The review team recommended that Wayne State University receives two grant awards, and the University of Michigan receives one grant award. When determining the amount to be awarded to each organization, the review team took into consideration several factors, including:
- Experience and financial stability of the organization
- Work plan
- Management summary
- Budget and budget narrative
Wayne State University was awarded the full amount requested for both of their proposals – $9,028,541 and $3,536,524. The University of Michigan was awarded $7,434,935 of the requested $11,987,667.
Applicants were reviewed by a Joint Evaluation Committee (JEC) which consisted of the following individuals:
- Andrew Brisbo, Executive Director, Cannabis Regulatory Agency
- Robert Near, Deputy Director, Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency
- Catherine Reid, M.D., Medical Adviser for the State Hospital Administration, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
