IASIC Speaker Series
The International Academy on the Science and Impact of Cannabis (IASIC) is excited to present the IASIC Speaker Series. Presented free of charge, this ongoing educational seminar series will focus on the science, data, and peer-reviewed research surrounding marijuana and will be led by international medical experts. This non-partisan and non-political series is continually developed, organized, and guided by doctors.
Past Seminars
Upcoming Seminars
High Stakes: Cannabis and Tobacco Co-Use and Psychosis Risk
Monday, October 19th @ 12:00 PM Eastern
The IASIC Speaker Series welcomes Dr. Heather Burrell Ward, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, for a presentation titled "High Stakes: Cannabis and Tobacco Co-Use and Psychosis Risk." Dr. Ward will examine the growing evidence on the co-use of cannabis and tobacco, its association with psychosis risk, and its impact on cognitive performance. This evidence-based discussion will provide valuable insights for clinicians, researchers, policymakers, and prevention professionals seeking to better understand the mental health implications of concurrent cannabis and tobacco use.
Speakers: Heather Burrell Ward, MD
About the Speaker:
Dr. Heather Burrell Ward is an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Director of Neuromodulation Research. After earning her medical degree from Duke University School of Medicine, she completed psychiatry residency training at Brigham & Women's Hospital–Harvard Medical School and fellowship training in behavioral neurology and noninvasive brain stimulation at Harvard Medical School. Her research focuses on using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and neuroimaging to better understand and treat psychotic and substance use disorders, with current studies examining nicotine, cannabis, and opioid use disorders. A nationally recognized investigator, Dr. Ward has received numerous early career awards and was named a 2021 STAT News Wunderkind in recognition of her contributions to neuroscience and addiction research.
Register here!
Beyond Marijuana: The Changing THC Marketplace, Retail Access, and Gaps in Policy and Enforcement
Monday, January 11th @ 1:00 PM Eastern
The IASIC Speaker Series welcomes Dr. Matthew Rossheim, a nationally recognized researcher, for Beyond Marijuana: The Changing THC Marketplace, Retail Access, and Gaps in Policy and Enforcement. Explore the expanding market for intoxicating THC and hemp-derived products, their availability in everyday retail settings, and what gaps in policy and enforcement mean for prevention and public health.
Speakers: Matthew E. Rossheim, PhD, MPH, CPH, FAAHB
About the Speaker: Matthew E. Rossheim, PhD, MPH, CPH, FAAHB, is a tenured Associate Professor at the University of North Texas Health Science Center. His research examines how laws, regulatory systems, retail markets, product design, marketing, and industry practices shape the availability, use, and harms of intoxicating consumer products. He is nationally recognized for his research on intoxicating hemp-derived cannabis products and other rapidly evolving substance markets including alcohol, kratom, and nitrous oxide. Dr. Rossheim has published more than 120 peer-reviewed research manuscripts, and his research has helped inform state and federal policy, including federal legislation. He has provided invited scientific testimony and briefings on intoxicating cannabis products to the Texas Senate, congressional staff, and the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. His research has also been cited by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and World Health Organization. He was named CADCA’s 2025 Advocate of the Year for his contributions to substance use prevention policy.