Facebook
X
LinkedIn
ForwardUW-Madison Cannibis Research Conference 2026
Overview
The second annual UW–Madison Cannabis Conference, From Seed to Society: Cultivating Connections, is presented by the UW College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, the School of Human Ecology, the School of Pharmacy, the School of Medicine & Public Health, Center for Tobacco Research & Prevention and the Global Health Institute. This dynamic, multidisciplinary event is designed to expand awareness, foster knowledge exchange, and bridge gaps across cannabis research, education, and policy.
The conference will convene leaders from academia—including researchers and graduate students from across UW–Madison—alongside key industry and public-sector stakeholders to share emerging insights, strengthen collaboration, and examine the evolving landscape of cannabis science, industry, and regulation through engaging discussions and networking opportunities.
Learning Objectives
Evaluate current evidence across cannabis science—including cultivation and agricultural practices, dosing and safety, clinical applications, public health impacts, and impairment research—to inform policy, medical practice, and public safety decision-making.
Identify emerging research, innovations, and workforce pathways across cannabis agriculture, medicine, and industry, with attention to sustainability, harm reduction, and patient-centered outcomes.
Strengthen cross-sector collaboration among academia, industry, and public partners by sharing best practices, fostering translational research, and advancing partnerships that support education, external funding, and long-term impact.
Agenda
| Session Time | Topics/Highlights |
| 8:00-8:30 AM | Check in and Coffee |
| 8:30 – 9:15 AM | Welcome and Overview Lucas Richert, Conference Chair and Morning Moderator, Professor (CHS), University of WI-Madison School of Pharmacy |
9:15 – 10: 00 AM | Keynote Speaker |
| 10:00-11:30 AM | Panel 1: Policy and Regulatory Moderator: |
| 11:30 AM-12:15 PM | Lunch |
| 12:15-1:45 PM | Panel 2: Agriculture |
| 1:45-3:15 PM | Panel 3: Medicinal |
| 3:15-3:30 PM | Break |
| 3:30 – 5:00 PM | Panel 4: Policy and Regulatory |
| 5:00 PM | Closing Remarks |
| 5:05 PM | Reception and Poster Session |
Program Changes
Emergency situations occasionally occur and may necessitate topic or speaker changes. The University of Wisconsin-Madison ICEP reserve the right to alter or substitute a topic or speaker without prior notification.
Parking is available in campus ramps or limited spaces by the Pyle Center.
Planning Team
Phillip Alberti
Research Program Manager, Department of Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Heather Barkholtz, PhD
Assistant Professor
School of Pharmacy & Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene
Ritu Bhatnagar, MD, MPH, FASAM, DFAPA
Clinical Associate Professor, UW School of Medicine and Public Health Department of Psychiatry
Associate Director of Psychiatric Services, University Health Services, UW-Madison
Jesse Kaye, PhD
Scientist, Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention
Member, Cancer Prevention and Control Program, UW Carbone Cancer Center
UW School of Medicine and Public Health
Marianne Fairbanks
Audrey Rothermel Bascom Professor
Associate Professor of Design Studies
Kohl’s Center Innovation Faculty Fellow
Founder of Hello Loom
Pam French
Continuing Education Program Manager
School of Pharmacy
Shelby Ellison, PhD
Assistant Professor, Department of Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Calyn Ostrowski
Associate Director, Strategic Partnerships & Development
Global Health Institute
Lucas Richert, PhD
Professor and George Urdang Chair in the History of Pharmacy
School of Pharmacy
There is no CE credits offered for this conference.
Available Credit
- 6.75 University of Wisconsin–Madison Continuing Education Hours