Cannabis research laws will help FAMU on its path to R1

Back in 2015, Florida A&M University reached “R2: Doctoral Universities – Higher research activity” in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Two cannabis research laws that originated in the Florida Senate during the 2017 session will help FAMU on its path to “R1: Doctoral Universities – Highest research activity.”

The explanation for “Level of Research Activity” on the Carnegie webpage states: “Doctoral universities were assigned to one of three categories based on a measure of research activity. The research activity scale includes the following correlates of research activity: research & development (R&D) expenditures in science and engineering; R&D expenditures in non-S&E fields; S&E research staff (postdoctoral appointees and other non-faculty research staff with doctorates); doctoral conferrals in humanities fields, in social science fields, in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields, and in other fields (e.g., business, education, public policy, social work).”

An amendment to SB 8-A “Medical Use of Marijuana,” now Chapter No. 2017-232, by state Sen. Darryl Rouson is expected to bring millions of new research dollars to FAMU. The law instructs the Florida Department of Health to “issue medical marijuana use registry identification cards for qualified patients and caregivers who are residents of this state, which must be renewed annually.”

Rouson’s amendment mandates that that “the department shall allocate $10 of the identification card fee to the Division of Research at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University for the purpose of educating minorities about marijuana for medical use and the impact of the unlawful use of marijuana on minority communities.” More than 12,226 cards have been issued, with $10 from each fee going to FAMU.

A new law on “Industrial Hemp Pilot Projects,” originally introduced as bill by state Sen. Bill Montford, also authorizes Florida A&M University and the University of Florida “to cultivate, process, test, research, create, and market safe and effective commercial applications for industrial hemp in the agricultural sector in this state.”

A number of potential investors have already contacted FAMU to express interest in partnering on industrial hemp opportunities. FAMU has reestablished its Research Foundation to prepare to for this work.

The two laws provide new ways for FAMU to boost its R&D expenditures, which could contribute to an eventual R1 classification.