GP Mendie and Dr. Mandip S. Sachdeva

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FAMU MMERI: Cannabis Trends and Opportunities informing Education and Research Outcomes

GP Mendie, Assistant Vice President for Research (Interim)/Executive Director, Medical Marijuana Education and Research Initiative (MMERI), Florida A&M University and Dr. Mandip S. Sachdeva, Professor, Florida A&M University College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences 

The Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) Medical Marijuana Education and Research Initiative (MMERI) plays a critical role in educating Floridians about the complexities of both the medical and illegal uses of marijuana. A core pillar of MMERI’s successful education campaign is using evidence-based research to develop our education content. Some of FAMU MMERI’s research interests include the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids, such as cannabichromene, cannabidiol, tetrahydrocannabivarin, and cannabigerol, in treating conditions like cancer and neuropathic pain, among other disease burdens and conditions. In collaboration with our partners, we seek to explore how these compounds interact with cardiovascular medications, as well as the health risks associated with contaminants in widely available unregulated cannabis products.

Building on these findings, our study introduces a pedagogical framework to support interdisciplinary education focusing on cannabis pharmacology, patient safety, and clinical applications. High-performance liquid chromatography will be utilized to assess product potency and stability, while tests for contaminants, including pesticides, heavy metals, and microbial agents, will also be conducted. 

Using a mixed-methods approach, the study will incorporate surveys and interviews with healthcare students, providers, and cannabis consumers to identify knowledge gaps, usage patterns, and evolving educational needs. The findings will inform the creation of an interdisciplinary, evidence-based framework that will guide curricula in medicine, pharmacy, and public health programs. This framework will emphasize cannabis pharmacology, product safety, and effective communication among relevant stakeholders.

Ultimately, this approach aims to improve health literacy, enhance clinical preparedness, support patient-centered care, and equip healthcare professionals and communities with resources to make informed decisions about cannabis use. In doing so, the research advances a core aspect of FAMU MMERI by contributing to the scientific understanding of both the medical and illegal uses of marijuana.

GP Mendie – is the Assistant Vice President for Research (Interim) and MMERI’s Executive Director at Florida A&M University

In this leadership role, GP collaborates with an incredibly talented broad spectrum of internal and external stakeholders, partners, and teams to successfully execute and achieve desired short and long-term strategic goals and outcomes.

GP is honored to oversee MMERI’s highly critical mission of educating Florida’s rural, urban, and suburban populations about the medical and unlawful use of marijuana. In addition to MMERI, GP is responsible for the finance and operations of the FAMU Research Foundation apparatus and operational infrastructure. This includes but is not limited to, directing the growth of collaborative partnerships, securing and growing sustainable funding sources (such as private-public partnerships) for the Research Foundation operations and supporting the University’s expanding innovative research enterprises and undertakings, patent development, to benefit students, faculty, staff, the community and state of Florida at large.

In implementing these executive leadership responsibilities, GP leverages an extensive and richly diverse decades of government and private sector experience and interests in Finance and Operations; Health Outcomes; Public Education Campaigns; Pharmacoepidemiology; Pharmacovigilance; Pharmacoeconomics, Markets, Monetary and Fiscal Policies, Strategic Planning & Development; Implementation and Logistics; Technology Systems Applications, Design and Utilization; Public-Private Partnerships and Economic Mobility.

Knowing the immense power and importance of education, GP is proud of the growing leadership role Florida A&M University holds in the research and cannabis education space, especially the privilege of educating Floridians on this crucial public health matter that continues to have a profound socioeconomic impact on our communities, state, and nation. GP believes in FAMU’s unique place and expertise in overseeing, implementing, and managing politically and culturally sensitive programs.