Dr. Jonathan P. Caulkins, Ph.D., & Dr. Jeffrey S. Block, MD
Presentation Title:
Global Perspectives on the Future of Cannabis: A Discussion of Regulated Cannabis Markets
Dr. Jonathan P. Caulkins, Ph.D., Stever Professor of Operations Research and Public Policy, Carnegie Mellon University and Dr. Jeffrey Block, MD, Florida Physician and Founder of Nurturing Nature® Group Consultants
Abstract:
As cannabis legalization expands globally, regulated markets are evolving with diverse models and frameworks. This presentation will examine the current state of regulated cannabis markets worldwide, highlighting key successes, challenges, and lessons learned. Dr. Caulkins and Dr. Block will discuss the research & development, physician education, economic, social, and policy implications of cannabis regulation, providing insights into future trends and opportunities for a sustainable global cannabis industry.
Caulkins Bio:
Dr. Caulkins specializes in systems analysis of problems pertaining to drugs, crime, terror, violence and prevention, work that earned him the David Kershaw Award from the Association of Public Policy Analysis and Management, a Robert Wood Johnson Health Investigator Award and the INFORMS President’s Award. Issues surrounding cannabis legalization have been a focus in recent years, and he recently co-authored the 2nd edition of his book Marijuana Legalization: What Everyone Needs to Know (Oxford University Press). His other interests include optimal control, reputation and brand management, human trafficking, and black markets. He has taught quantitative decision-making on four continents to students from 50 countries at every level from undergraduates to Ph.D. students and executive education. Dr. Caulkins has authored or co-authored more than 140 refereed articles and 10 books. He is a past Co-director of RAND's Drug Policy Research Center, founding Director of RAND’s Pittsburgh office and continues to work through RAND on a variety of projects. Dr. Caulkins received a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in systems science from Washington University, an S.M. in electrical engineering and computer science and doctorate in operations research, both from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Block Bio:
Jeffrey S. Block, MD is a Florida licensed allopathic physician, Board-certified anesthesiologist, and accomplished botanist. “DocBlock” is Fellowship-trained in both pain management & addiction medicine. Professor Block teaches cannabinoid medicine to post-doctoral physicians completing their subspecialty Fellowship training in pain management at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine’s Department of Anesthesiology. Since 2020 he has authored four textbook chapters concerning endocannabinoid receptors and medical Cannabis.
In 2014, Dr. Block authored Florida’s first mandated physician education published by the Dept. of Health; and in 2015 Block was Florida’s only physician selected by the Department to determine the rules supporting Florida’s Cannabis laws.
As a botanist and highly awarded horticulturist, Dr. Block is also a Florida Master Gardener for Miami-Dade County’s Agricultural Extension Offices. He additionally educates on behalf of the University of Florida’s Institute of Food & Agricultural Sciences programming; and advises their agricultural hemp research. Dr. Block is the Founder of Nurturing Nature® Group - an independent, interdisciplinary consultancy using integrative medicine and translational science to advance the safe and effective clinical use of cannabinoids.