The Canadian government announced Wednesday that it is investing $24 million to establish the country’s first national research consortium focused specifically on cannabis and brain health. The funding, provided through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), will establish the Canadian Cannabis and Brain Health Consortium, bringing together researchers from across Canada to examine the effects of marijuana throughout different stages of life. The consortium will include 10 multidisciplinary research teams studying subjects ranging from the therapeutic potential of marijuana to its effects on sleep, prenatal exposure and overall brain health. “The Canadian Cannabis and Brain Health Consortium will help researchers build a stronger understanding of how cannabis affects people’s health at every stage of life, generating knowledge that can guide prevention, care and evidence-informed policies for years to come.” The initiative was developed under CIHR’s Integrated Cannabis Research Strategy and follows recommendations made in the 2024 legislative review of Canada’s Cannabis Act, which identified several areas where additional research was needed.