Dr. L. Cinnamon Bidwell has recently been named by Governor Jared Polis and with consent of the senate as the Chair for the Institute of Cannabis Research Governing Board, established by HB19-1311 and housed within Colorado State University, Pueblo. The Governing Board guides the role and mission of the Institute, which is to conduct or fund research related to cannabis and publicly disseminate the results of the research. In addition to overseeing and approving the annual budget of the Institute, the Board also advises any Colorado institutions of higher education on the development of cannabis related curriculum, including recommendations to the Colorado Commission on Higher Education on approval of any cannabis related certifications or degrees.Dr. Bidwell’s primary research focus is translational studies investigating the effects of abused drugs and how these effects impact psychological and physical health acutely and chronically. Dr. Bidwell has published over 55 scientific publications and two book chapters on the neurobiology of substance abuse and its overlap with psychiatric disorders. She has received Early Career awards from premier professional societies including the American Psychological Association and the College on Problems of Drug Dependence and is regularly invited to speak at national and international scientific meetings. Dr. Bidwell’s research is funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, and the state of Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
Dr. Bidwell is joined on the board by two other scientists from relevant fields and four members associated with cannabis related industries in Colorado.