New UBC pot professor to research potential of cannabis in treating opioid addiction

The University of British Columbia is getting a new pot professor, thanks to a $2.5 million gift from a major cannabis producer and $500,000 from the B.C. government.

M-J Milloyhas been named the inaugural Canopy Growth Professor of Cannabis Science, a position that will carry the branding of the main benefactorbut will remain arms-length and independent from the company, according to officials at the university.

It's a research position intended to lead clinical trials into the potential of using cannabis to help people getting treatment for opioid use disorder.

"I am thrilled. It is sort of a dream that hasn't sunk in yet," said Milloyon Friday.

"To have the resources and the security and the freedom to investigate this idea and hopefully produce evidence to help address the overdose crisis it's why I became a scientist," he said.

Milloy's office will remain at the B.C. Centre on Substance Use, where he already works as a substance use epidemiologist. His previous research has focused onthe connection between illicit drug use and HIV.

'Arenaissance in cannabis science'

According to Milloy, the type of work he plans to carry out has been made immeasurably easier by the legalization of recreational cannabis.

"Legalization has really touched off, I think, what will be known as a renaissance in cannabis science," he said, adding that ending prohibitionhas helped make it possible for corporations like Canopy Growth but alsothe government to support the research.

For Canopy's director of patient education and advocacy, Hilary Black, the death of a close friend to anopioidoverdose inspired the contribution.

"This project was actually sparked out of the death of my best friend's daughter," said Black. "Right now, this health crisis is screaming for leadership and for investment. And so we decided collectively to step up."

"With the dawning of legalization, we have much more freedom to actually do the research and Canopy Growth has the economic capacity to make significant contributions like this to Canada," she said. "That's exactly what should be happening with the resources from the recreational cannabis industry."

According to Milloy, if the opioidoverdose crises abates, the role of the cannabis science professor can shift to researching how pot can help other substance use disorders, including alcohol and tobacco.

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