Cannabis Research Review Board Information

The Cannabis Research Review Board (CRRB) is the result of the Cannabinoid Research Act, (H.B. 130) that was passed and was signed into law during the 2017 Utah General Legislative Session. During the 2018 Utah General Legislative Session, amendments (H.B. 25) were made to Cannabinoid Research Act as follows:

1. The composition of the CRRB was modified from three board members being members of the Controlled Substance Advisory Committee to one; and
2. The duties of the CRRB were broadened to include review of research regarding “expanded cannabinoid products” which includes cannabinoid products with significant tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content.

The Cannabinoid Research Act directs the Utah Department of Health (UDOH) to form and facilitate the CRRB. As stated in the legislation, the purpose of the CRRB is to review available research related to the human use of cannabinoid products. Specifically, the CRRB evaluates the safety and efficacy of cannabinoid products and expanded cannabinoid products in terms of: 1) medical conditions that respond to cannabinoid products; 2) dosage amounts and their medical forms; and 3) interactions between cannabinoid products, expanded cannabinoid products, and other treatments. The CRRB may only review research that has been approved by an Institutional Review Board, or approved/conducted by the federal government.

From this research, the CRRB is directed to develop prescribing guidelines that may potentially be used by qualified medical providers recommending cannabinoid products to their patients. The CRRB is directed to report the findings of their evaluation in writing to the Health and Human Services Interim Committee before November 1^st of each year.