WP-Marijuana

Our Strategic Goals and Objectives

Goal 1: Advance High-Quality Cannabis Research

Objectives:

  • Support innovative faculty-led projects through pilot grants awarded every 1–2 years (depending on available funds).
  • Encourage interdisciplinary research that addresses the biological, psychological, agricultural, social, and policy dimensions of cannabis.
  • Foster collaborations across WSU campuses and with external partners, including the University of Washington, and state agencies (e.g., the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board [LCB]).

Outcomes: Expanded research portfolio, increased publications and grant activity, and collaborative efforts.

Goal 2: Cultivate the Next Generation of Cannabis Researchers

Objectives:

  • Provide annual graduate student summer research awards to support cannabis-focused projects.
  • Offer graduate student travel awards to enable dissemination of research findings at national and international cannabis science conferences (e.g., Cannabis Research Conference, Research Society for Marijuana, International Cannabinoid Research Society, Gordon Cannabinoids in the CNS Meeting)

Outcomes: Enhanced reputation and expanded research partnerships.

Goal 3: Foster Knowledge Exchange and Collaboration

Objectives:

  • Host seminar series featuring WSU researchers to share ongoing projects and spark collaboration.
  • Hold a biennial joint WSU/UW Cannabis Research Symposium to showcase statewide research progress, facilitate partnerships, and identify future research priorities.
  • Further develop and maintain a website highlighting WSU cannabis research, upcoming events, and funding opportunities.

Outcomes: Enhanced reputation and expanded research partnerships.

Goal 4: Disseminate Research Findings to Broader Audiences

Objectives:

  • Produce annual reports summarizing key outcomes from CRC-supported research for distribution to the Office of Research and the LCB.
  • Encourage open-access publication and public-friendly summaries of funded research.

Outcomes: Increase public understanding and elevate reputation for WSU in cannabis research.

Goal 5: Ensure Financial Sustainability and Operational Excellence

Objectives:

  • Strategically allocate LCB Initiative 502 funds to maximize impact.
  • Maintain transparent evaluation criteria for all CRC programs and awards.
  • Implement annual program assessments to track outcomes and guide continuous improvement

Outcomes: Transparent operations, accountability, and long-term institutional sustainability.