10.79°C Vancouver
connect fm logo

Aug 12, 2026 2:44 PM - Connect Newsroom - Ramandeep Kaur with files from The Canadian Press

Canadian Government Invests $24 Million in Cannabis and Brain Health Research

Share On
canadian-government-invests-24-million-in-cannabis-and-brain-health-research
Conrod said cannabis research in Canada expanded significantly after the drug was legalized in 2018, but important gaps in knowledge remain. (Photo: The Canadian Press)

Canada’s federal government is investing $24 million to establish the Canadian Cannabis and Brain Health Consortium, aimed at better understanding how cannabis affects the brain and overall health.

Federal Health Minister Marjorie Michel announced the funding Wednesday. Supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the consortium will bring together 10 research teams from across Canada to study the potential benefits and risks of cannabis use among people of different ages.

Researchers will examine cannabis’s effects on conditions and areas including epilepsy, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), sleep, mental health, and brain development among youth and during pregnancy.

Dr. Patricia Conrod, scientific director at CIHR’s Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction, said researchers will recruit more than 3,000 people of all ages. They will collect information on brain function, mental health and substance use throughout participants’ lives.

The data will also be made available to other Canadian researchers for future studies on cannabis and its health effects.

Conrod said cannabis research in Canada expanded significantly after the drug was legalized in 2018, but important gaps in knowledge remain.

The 10 research teams are being led by researchers affiliated with Université de Sherbrooke, Université de Montréal, McGill University, Dalhousie University, McMaster University, the University of Waterloo and the University of Calgary.

Latest news

See All
AlbertaOct 09, 2026

Calgary Massage Therapist Faces Four More Sexual Assault Charges

A Calgary massage therapist is facing four additional sexual assault charges after four more alleged victims came forward. Police arrested 53-year-old Yuriy Zhivov in July in connection with an alleged incident during an appointment at Kinesio Massage Therapy, located on 17 Avenue SW, in August 2025. Following the release of information about the investigation, four additional victims contacted police, alleging that Zhivov had also committed criminal acts against them. As a result of the investigation, officers executed a search warrant at Kinesio Massage Therapy on October 1, 2026, and arrest
poilievre-pushes-back-against-musks-call-for-canadian-provinces-to-separate
BCOct 09, 2026

Poilievre Pushes Back Against Musk’s Call for Canadian Provinces to Separate

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has strongly criticized Elon Musk’s suggestion that Quebec, Alberta and Saskatchewan should separate from Canada, saying Canadians make their own decisions and should not waste time on foolish social media posts from people with no connection to the country. Speaking to reporters at a press conference in Burlington, Ontario, on Friday, Poilievre said the focus should remain on the real challenges facing Canadians, including rising grocery prices, the housing shortage and the future of the economy. He said Canada would not be affected by someone’s tweets
gaurav-yadav-appointed-permanent-punjab-dgp
IndiaOct 09, 2026

Gaurav Yadav Appointed Permanent Punjab DGP

The Punjab government has appointed IPS officer Gaurav Yadav as the permanent Director General of Police (DGP). He had been serving as the acting DGP since July 2022. With the appointment, Punjab Police will now have a permanent chief after operating under an acting DGP for nearly four years. The Punjab government had submitted a list of 14 IPS officers to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for the selection of a permanent DGP.
poilievre-to-visit-alberta-to-deliver-speech-on-canadian-unity
AlbertaOct 09, 2026

Poilievre to Visit Alberta to Deliver Speech on Canadian Unity

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has announced that he will visit Alberta next week to deliver a speech on Canadian unity, just ahead of a referendum on Alberta separating from Canada. Speaking at a news conference in Ontario, Poilievre said he would also conduct more grassroots campaigning in the province. Asked about tech billionaire Elon Musk’s comments suggesting that Alberta, Saskatchewan and Quebec should separate from Canada, Poilievre said Canadians decide their own future. The premiers of Alberta and Saskatchewan have dismissed Musk’s remarks.
CanadaOct 09, 2026

RCMP Union Raises Concerns Over Proposed Financial Crimes Agency

The RCMP union is raising concerns over Bill C-29, proposed legislation by the Canadian government to establish a new financial crimes agency to combat money laundering, online fraud and other financial crimes. Rob Farrer, president of the National Police Federation, told a parliamentary committee on Thursday that creating the new agency could further weaken the RCMP, which is already struggling with significant staffing and resource shortages. Under the government’s plan, 150 experienced RCMP investigators would initially be assigned to the new agency. Farrer objected to the proposal, argui

Related News

Poilievre Pushes Back Against Musk’s Call for Canadian Provinces to Separate

Poilievre Pushes Back Against Musk’s Call for Canadian Provinces to Separate

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has strongly criticized Elon Musk’s suggestion that Quebec, Alberta and Saskatchewan should separate from Canada, saying Canadians make their own decisions and should not waste time on foolish social media posts from people with no connection to the country. Speaking to reporters at a press conference in Burlington, Ontario, on Friday, Poilievre said the focus should remain on the real challenges facing Canadians, including rising grocery prices, the housing shortage and the future of the economy. He said Canada would not be affected by someone’s tweets
RCMP Union Raises Concerns Over Proposed Financial Crimes Agency

RCMP Union Raises Concerns Over Proposed Financial Crimes Agency

The RCMP union is raising concerns over Bill C-29, proposed legislation by the Canadian government to establish a new financial crimes agency to combat money laundering, online fraud and other financial crimes. Rob Farrer, president of the National Police Federation, told a parliamentary committee on Thursday that creating the new agency could further weaken the RCMP, which is already struggling with significant staffing and resource shortages. Under the government’s plan, 150 experienced RCMP investigators would initially be assigned to the new agency. Farrer objected to the proposal, argui
Canada Loses 68,000 Jobs in September as Unemployment Rate Rises to 6.5%

Canada Loses 68,000 Jobs in September as Unemployment Rate Rises to 6.5%

Canada’s job market lost 68,000 jobs in September, pushing the unemployment rate up slightly from 6.4 per cent to 6.5 per cent, according to Statistics Canada. The decline marks the second consecutive month of job losses. Canada lost approximately 42,000 jobs in August, wiping out all employment gains recorded so far this year. According to the report, the largest employment declines were recorded in educational services, health care and social assistance. Statistics Canada said the declining number of international students coming to Canada is one of the key factors contributing to job loss
connect fm logo

Legals

Privacy policy
Journalism code of ethics
© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.
MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

About
Advertisers
Careers
Contact
Feedback
Accessibility Plan
Broadcasting Notice of Consultation
BC Children's Hospital
Android app linkApple app link