Gov. Pritzker celebrates launch of new Cannabis Research Institute

The State of Illinois has a new research project: cannabis. It recently launched the Cannabis Research Institute (CRI) in partnership with the City of Chicago.

“What we’re announcing, of course, and talking about is the advancement of scientific inquiry and research and lifting up Illinois as a national leader in a relatively new cannabis industry,” said Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (D).

He celebrated the CRI at an event Friday.

The University of Illinois System’s Discovery Partners Institute will house the CRI. The state is currently using a new laboratory in a former COVID-19 testing facility on Chicago’s west side Illinois Medical Center campus as a temporary research base according to the governor’s office.

“The goal of this event is to begin establishing CRI as a trusted source of unbiased factually accurate information research into crop management, health, medicinal effects and social equity impacts,” said University of Illinois System President Tim Killeen.

The governor’s office said the CRI will provide research and data on the scientific and socioeconomic impacts of cannabis production and usage.

Pritzker said the CRI will also help change the conversation about cannabis. Though Illinois officially legalized recreational marijuana use at the start of 2020, it remains illegal in 26 states and under federal law.

“We need to change the public perception around cannabis, fight back against misinformation, bring more scientific study into the industry and have honest, productive conversations about the opportunities associated with legalization,” Pritzker said.

He said the CRI will use research and data collection to help shape the future of cannabis policy particularly with consumer protection, economic and community development, and equity.

The state is spending $7 million to launch the CRI. The money is coming from taxes it collected on legal cannabis sales according to Pritzker.