Healthy Aging and the Future of Cannabis Research

Dr. Kent Hutchison is a Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of Colorado Boulder and the Founder of the Center for Research and Education Addressing Cannabis and Health (CU REACH). With over 20 years of experience as an NIH-funded scientist, Dr. Hutchison has made significant contributions to the study of substance use, particularly cannabis. He was a member of the National Academy of Sciences committee that published a comprehensive report on the health effects of cannabis in 2016 and has provided congressional briefings on the topic.Dr. Hutchison is currently leading several NIH-funded studies that investigate the effects of various cannabis products, including flowers, edibles, and concentrates, on cognitive outcomes, anxiety, and pain. These studies utilize a mobile pharmacology lab to assess blood levels of THC and CBD, aiming to determine how these levels correlate with patient outcomes such as pain reduction and opioid use cessation. His research focuses on diverse patient populations, including pain patients, veterans, and the elderly. Additionally, Dr. Hutchison is developing an online educational program at CU Boulder centered on cannabis and health, furthering public understanding of this evolving field. He teaches courses such as "Cannabis, Chronic Pain, and Related Disorders" and "Cannabis, Mental Health, and Brain Disorders," equipping students with critical knowledge about cannabis's impact on health.