Brooke Worster, MD, FACP

Professor & Enterprise Director, Supportive Oncology 

Department of Medical Oncology

Medical Director, MS in Medical Cannabis Science and Business,IEHP

Thomas Jefferson University School of Medicine

From Dispensary to Data: Cannabis Research Findings and the Pennsylvania Academic Clinical Research Framework 

Learning Objectives:

Describe key findings from Jefferson-affiliated cannabis research studies examining outcomes in patients with chronic pain, anxiety, sleep impairment, opioid co-use, and quality of life across diverse populations.

Recall the structure of Pennsylvania's Medical Marijuana Act Chapter 20 framework, including the designated roles of Academic Clinical Research Centers (ACRCs) and Clinical Registrants, and identify the academic-industry opportunities within that partnership model.

Compare the methodological approaches used across Jefferson's observational cannabis studies — including longitudinal designs, survey-based instruments, and real-world dispensary-based cohorts — and distinguish their respective strengths and limitations for generating clinical evidence.

Evaluate opportunities for interprofessional collaboration in cannabis-related clinical research within the PA Chapter 20 framework, considering regulatory requirements, patient recruitment pathways, and gaps in the current evidence base.

Genester Wilson-King, MD FACOG

Medical Director, Victory Rejuvenation Center, Inc

President, Society of Cannabis Clinicians

Endometriosis, the Endocannabinoid System (ECS), and Cannabinoid Therapeutics:

Bridging Mechanisms, Clinical Evidence, and Patient Experience

Learning Objectives:  

Describe contemporary concepts of endometriosis pathophysiology

Explain ECS biology relevant to women's health

Review evidence for ECS dysregulation in endometriosis

Evaluate current evidence regarding cannabinoid therapeutics

Identify future research opportunities

Rukiyah Van Dross-Anderson, PhD

Professor, Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology

Adjunct Professor, Department of Chemistry

Affiliate Member, Center for Health Disparities

Brody School of Medicine

East Carolina University

Targeting Cancer with a Novel Cannabinoid Metabolite: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Development

Learning Objectives:

Describe the anticancer effects of a cannabinoid metabolite in preclinical cancer models.

Discuss the mechanisms through which cannabinoid metabolites influence tumor progression and antitumor immune responses.

Describe the key stages of anticancer drug development

Yoo Kim, PhD

Associate Professor

Nutritional Sciences

Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma

Effects of hepatic CB1 cannabinoid receptor (CB1R) on obesity, diabetes and aging

Learning Objectives:

Explain the contribution of hepatic CB1R signaling to obesity, insulin resistance, MASLD, and aging.

Compare the metabolic effects of CB1R antagonism and CB1R deficiency in preclinical models of obesity and aging.

Assess the potential of CB1R-targeted therapies for preventing or treating age-related metabolic diseases while considering age- and sex-specific responses.

Mariola Ferraro, PhD

Associate Professor

Microbiology and Cell Science

University of Florida

Beyond immune suppression: cannabinoid regulation of cytokine release and mucosal defense during Salmonella infection

Learning objectives:

Describe receptor-specific roles of CB1R and CB2R in host defense during bacterial infection.

Explain how synthetic cannabinoid exposure can alter inflammatory communication by modulating cytokine release.

Discuss how mechanistic studies of cannabinoid signaling may inform evidence-based evaluation of cannabinoid exposure

Cimona V. Hinton, Ph.D.

Professor

Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology

Director, Cannabinoid Research and Development 

Director and PI, Kessler Foundation Endowment

Combined Treatment with Agonists for CXCR4 and CB2 Receptors Reduces Prostate Cancer Growth and Metastasis

Learning Objectives:

Explain the biological roles of CXCR4 and CB2 receptors in cancer progression and metastasis.

Describe how CXCR4 signaling promotes tumor growth, migration, and metastatic spread, and how CB2 receptor modulates these pathways.

Evaluate the mechanistic effects of combined CXCR4 and CB2 receptor agonist treatment on prostate cancer cell behavior.

Discuss how receptor heterodimerization between CXCR4 and CB2 (upon combined receptor agonist treatment) influences signaling pathways, receptor interactions, cell migration, invasion, and tumor growth.

Assess the therapeutic potential of targeting CXCR4–CB2 receptor interactions as a novel strategy for metastatic prostate cancer.

Interpret preclinical findings and consider the translational implications of combined receptor agonist therapy for reducing prostate cancer progression and metastasis.

Pennsylvania Expert Panel of pharmacists, clinicians, researchers, and patient advocates

exploring how science, clinical practice, and policy are collectively shaping the state of cannabinoid medicine in Pennsylvania

Brooke Worster

William McLay

Emily Ansell