The University of Kentucky Cannabis Center is sponsoring a series of seminars featuring national and international experts on cannabis science. This series will give UK students, faculty and the general public the chance to hear cutting-edge cannabinoid science across a wide variety of specialties (medicine, pharmacology, public health, impaired driving science, agriculture, legal and social justice). 

The center, based in the UK College of Medicine’s Center on Drug and Alcohol Research, conducts research on the health effects of cannabis, including its risks and benefits when used to treat certain medical conditions.

The next seminar will highlight the work of Tom Arkell, Ph.D., a psychopharmacologist and research fellow at in the School of Health Sciences at Swinburne University of Technology in Australia.

Arkell’s work focuses on understanding how medicinal cannabis impacts driving performance and cognitive function as well as health outcomes such as quality of life. His research has been published in top-tier journals including Psychopharmacology and The Lancet Psychiatry.

“We are excited to host Dr. Arkell’s seminar presentation. His high-quality research has made great contributions to cannabis science, specifically his work on the effects of cannabinoids on attention and driving ability. This work will help us better understand the risks involved and begin to improve safety,” said Center Director Shanna Babalonis, Ph.D. “This type of high-impact research is central to UK Cannabis Center’s mission to help improve the health and well-being of our communities.”

Arkell will present “Effects of Cannabis on Driving and Cognition: From Healthy Volunteers to Patient Populations.”

The seminar will be held via Zoom 9 a.m. EDT. Anyone is welcome to attend. Register online here.

To receive information on upcoming events, contact the UK Cannabis Center at cannabiscenter@uky.edu.