Legacy of Research
For over 50 years, the University of Mississippi has been a leader in cannabis research, laying the foundation for scientific discoveries that continue to shape medical cannabis policy, patient care, and treatment development.
Our History in cannabis research
Decades of Federally Supported Research
For more than 50 years, the University of Mississippi has played a central role in cannabis research, cultivation, and policy development. Under a federal contract with the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the university was the sole supplier of research-grade cannabis in the U.S. for decades, holding a DEA Schedule-I Bulk Manufacturer registration to support federally approved studies.
Advancing the Science
This long-standing research has led to major discoveries in cannabinoid science, including the identification and characterization of cannabinoids, including early work on THC and CBD; groundbreaking studies on cannabis pharmacology, drug interactions, and clinical applications; and research that contributed to the development of cannabis-derived medications, such as Epidiolex for epilepsy.
A New Chapter in Medical Cannabis Research
Building on this legacy, the National Center for Cannabis Research and Education was established in 2022 as part of the University of Mississippi’s School of Pharmacy. While the university has studied cannabis for decades, NCCRE was created to expand the focus beyond cultivation and chemical analysis—toward real-world patient outcomes, education, and clinical research on medical cannabis use.
Our Partnerships
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Mississippi Medical Cannabis Program
NCCRE partners with the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Program (MMCP) to ensure policy, patient care, and provider education are grounded in research. NCCRE also helps advance continuing education for healthcare providers, equipping them to safely and effectively integrate medical cannabis into patient care.
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Mississippi Medical Marijuana Association (3MA)
NCCRE partners with the 3MA to support public education and outreach around medical cannabis. Together, they co-host community events and develop accessible educational materials to help patients, and families make informed decisions.
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Mississippi State Department of Health
NCCRE collaborates with the Mississippi State Department of Health to support educational events for healthcare professionals and the public. NCCRE also provides research-based information to help support the department’s ongoing oversight of the state’s medical cannabis program.
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University of Mississippi Medical Center
NCCRE collaborates with the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) to advance medical cannabis education, research, and clinical understanding. This partnership includes continuing education programs for healthcare providers, research on patient outcomes and drug interactions, and efforts to integrate evidence-based cannabis care into medical practice.
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Advancing Cannabis Research Through Statewide Initiatives
In 2024, Senate Bill 2888 established the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Research Program (MMCRP) at the NCCRE, positioning the center as a prominent voice in cannabis research and education. The program was funded through SB-3007 to support NCCRE’s research projects, which are central to fulfilling its mission of advancing cannabis knowledge, combating misinformation and translating findings into real-world applications.
Elements of this program include:
NCCRE collects and analyzes real-world patient outcomes from those using medical cannabis under Mississippi’s medical cannabis program. Our team designs studies, recruits current patients and collects data via apps and websites, looking primarily at the effectiveness and side effects of cannabis treatments. Insights from these studies provide healthcare providers and policymakers with actionable data to improve treatment protocols and inform future regulatory decisions.
NCCRE’s team explores the interactions between cannabis and other medications, particularly those used to treat conditions qualifying for medical cannabis in Mississippi. We conduct in vitro and in silico studies to assess interactions and guide future clinical trials.
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Association of Cannabis Research Centers (ACRC)
More about ACRC
Meet NCCRE's Researchers
John Bentley
- Professor of Pharmacy Administration and Marketing and Research Professor in the Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Director of the Center for Pharmaceutical Marketing and Management Pharmacy Administration
Suman Chandra
- Principal Scientist/Research Production Manager in NCNPR and Research Professor of BioMolecular Sciences
Mahmoud Elsohly
- Research Professor in the National Center for Natural Products Research and Professor of Pharmaceutics
Bill Gurley
- Principal Scientist in NCNPR and Affiliate Professor of Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery
Islam Husain
- Research Scientist
Ikhlas Khan
- Director, the National Center for Natural Products Research; Distinguished Professor;Research Professor of Pharmacognosy; Program Director for Federal Drug Administration Program; and Research Professor and Coordinator for Natural Products Research in the
Shabana Khan
- Principal Scientist in the National Center for Natural Products Research and Research Professor in Pharmacognosy
Hemant Lata
- Principal Scientist in NCNPR and Research Professor in BioMolecular Sciences
Pankaj Pandey
- Research Scientist
Mo Maniruzzaman
- Chair and Professor of Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery and Research Professor in the Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Michael Neal
- Postdoctoral Research Associate
Mohamed Radwan
- Principal Scientist in NCNPR and Research Professor of BioMolecular Sciences
Justin Sherman
- Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice
Amira Wanas
- Research Scientist