Cannabis Legalization in Michigan

Researcher working in a lab

The Cannabis Legalization in Michigan (CALM) research group studies the health effects of cannabis use. Scientific research lags behind the rapid changes in cannabis policy and the increasing prevalence of its use. We use pre-clinical rodent models and human epidemiological studies to a) identify and minimize harms associated with cannabis use, and b) identify the therapeutic benefits of cannabis and develop effective cannabinoid-based drugs.

Current members

Omayma Alshaarawy, M.B.B.S, Ph.D., Principal Investigator 
Andrew Cole, Research Assistant, CALM-CVD study 
Blake Reynolds, Research Assistant, CALM-CVD study 
Gabriel Radgens, Student Research Assistant, Pre-clinical models

Past members

Ahmed Ahmed, MD, student at Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine 
David Connolly, DO, student at Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine 
Patrik Konomi, BS 
Emily Kurjan, MS, Genetic Counselor 
Valerie Nguyen, BS 
Katie Patterson, MS 
Morgan Sotzen, PhD, student at Penn State, Integrative and Biomedical Physiology. 
Alyssa Vanderziel, PhD, MS, Assistant Scientist at Henry Ford Health System

Short Description
The Cannabis Legalization in Michigan (CALM) research group studies the health effects of cannabis use.

Research Projects

Pregnant belly

Cannabis use during pregnancy and maternal and in-utero inflammation

The aim of this project is to evaluate the relationship between cannabis use and inflammation in pregnant women recruited for the Michigan Archive for Research on Child Health (MARCH) study which plans to recruit over 1000 participants from 11 sites across the state of Michigan.
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Cardiovascular Health (CVH) study

The goal of this study funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse is to study the cardiovascular health effects of cannabis use among patients with high blood pressure.

Maternal and Infant Health (MIH) study

The goal of this study is to assess the feasibility of recruiting cannabis-using pregnant and postpartum women to study patterns, trajectories, and consequences of cannabis use.
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Using pre-clinical biomarkers and epidemiological models to assess the effects of cannabinoids on disease

The goal of this project funded by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health is to study the intriguing possibility that cannabis use might be protective against the development of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus.