$7.3 million from the California Cannabis Control Department (DCC). The funding will support studies that examine medical applications of cannabinoids, potential heart-related risks linked to marijuana consumption, and ways to better understand and respond to California’s illegal cannabis market.
Faculty members from multiple UCLA divisions will participate, including researchers from the Fielding School of Public Health, the David Geffen School of Medicine, and the College of Letters and Science.
UCLA Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoids director Ziva Cooper noted that the awards highlight the university’s growing role in marijuana research. She added that UCLA scientists are studying everything from molecular compounds created in the lab to consumer behavior in real-world markets to produce evidence that supports health-focused policy decisions.
The grants account for roughly one-quarter of the $30 million recently distributed by the DCC to nine institutions across the state. The broader initiative is designed to expand scientific knowledge about marijuana and help inform lawmakers and regulators overseeing California’s legal marketplace.
One of the funded projects will focus on synthetic cannabinoids. Granted $2 million, the study will involve creating rare and newly designed cannabinoid compounds in laboratory settings. Researchers will assess their potential medical value, potency, and possible adverse effects. The work is intended to lay the groundwork for future treatments that may be safer or more effective than existing options.
Another $2 million award supports a study of California’s unlicensed marijuana market, which continues to operate years after legalization. Researchers will investigate why many consumers still buy products outside the regulated system. The study will combine fieldwork, surveys, and laboratory testing to identify contaminants and other risks associated with illicit products. Findings are expected to help policymakers develop strategies to reduce harm linked to illegal sales.
A third study will examine how cannabis affects the heart. With $2.1 million in funding, researchers will conduct controlled clinical trials to measure both short-term and longer-lasting cardiovascular effects from smoked and edible marijuana. The results are intended to inform doctors, public health officials, and consumers.
The final project, funded at $1.2 million, centers on marijuana flavoring compounds known as terpenes. Researchers will create a scientific reference library of these substances to help regulators set standards for their use in commercial products. The work aims to reduce health risks and limit marketing practices that could appeal to children.
All four studies are scheduled to launch in early 2026.Their findings could provide insights to marijuana firms in and outside California, such as Aurora Cannabis Inc. (NASDAQ: ACB) (TSX: ACB), in their bid to serve customers better while furthering their business interests.
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