Colorado’s Department of Public Health and Environment yesterday began accepting grant applications yesterday for the Retail Marijuana Health Monitoring Program, the Denver Post reports. The $2.4 million in grants will be used for post-legalization cannabis health effect studies, and will be awarded to researchers who have “a demonstrated record of successful grant-funded research or data analysis.”
Historically, similar grants have been presented to researchers connected to hospitals or universities. For-profit companies can apply for the new round of grants if they partner with a non-profit entity when applying. Governmental agencies can also apply for consideration.
According to the official request for applications released by the department, two types of grants are available; $300,000 per-year full research grants and $100,000 per-year pilot grants. Full research funding grants will pay up to three years and are intended for multi-year projects that “involve extensive primary data collection using observational study designs.” Pilot grants will pay up to two-years of funding and are intended for shorter term projects that “can provide important public health data.”
The department is specifically interested in studies concerning the safety and effects of marijuana use on “vulnerable populations,” such as pregnant or breastfeeding women, and the health effects from accidental marijuana ingestion; and health outcome comparisons between heavy and occasional marijuana users, however human clinical trials will not be accepted for consideration.
Capital construction, lobbying, cell phone and building renovation requests are not permitted under the grants, which were approved by the legislature last April. Preliminary applications are due by June 22, with an anticipated award date of Mar. 1, 2017.
Ultimately, grant research can lead to the establishing of new business infrastructure and an uptick in investments.