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
Health Problems from Emissions of Cannabis Cultivation
Thursday, July 23rd @ 12:00 PM Eastern
This session will explore an often-overlooked public health concern—the release of airborne toxins from cannabis cultivation and their potential impact on surrounding communities. The presentation will examine both immediate respiratory effects and longer-term risks, including carcinogenicity.
Join us as we discuss the broader public health implications of cannabis-related emissions and explore potential pathways to better understand and address these emerging environmental and health challenges.
Speakers: Deborah A. Eppstein, PhD, Alan H. Cohen, MD, and Craig S. Harrison, JD
About the Speakers:
Deborah A. Eppstein has a doctorate in biochemistry with postdoctoral work in virology and cell biology. She worked in the pharmaceutical/biotechnology industry for 37 years, directing research in cancer, vaccines, stem cells and drug delivery. She has over 50 scientific publications, book chapters and 25 patents. Dr. Eppstein honed her legal expertise with teams at major law firms and pharmaceutical companies. After she retired, she moved to Sonoma County where she became involved in environmental and public safety issues.
Craig S. Harrison is a retired environmental attorney and holds a BA in biochemistry (U.C. Berkeley). For decades he represented industrial companies in EPA Clean Air Act rule makings, compliance, and enforcement litigation. He has participated in the regulation of cannabis cultivation in Sonoma County, California, for a decade and has served as president of his local community association for 12 years. He has lived in Santa Rosa since 2002.
Alan H. Cohen, MD is a board-certified Pediatric Pulmonologist with a longstanding interest in respiratory infectious diseases (eg RSV, influenza, hMPV), as well as a Lung Transplant and Cystic Fibrosis physician. He has worked at many highly regarded Pulmonary Centers of Excellence, including those at the University of Colorado/National Jewish Center for Immunology & Respiratory Diseases, Washington University School of Medicine, Emory University, Johns Hopkins and most recently on the clinical faculty at Stanford University School of Medicine.
Register here!
The Lung Health Implications of Cannabis Smoking
Thursday, August 19th @ 1:00 PM Eastern
This session will highlight emerging evidence on the respiratory impacts of cannabis use, featuring newly released Canadian data examining the effects of cannabis smoking on lung health. As cannabis use continues to rise globally, understanding its implications for respiratory function and long-term health outcomes is increasingly critical.
Join us as we examine the evolving evidence base and discuss the implications for prevention, clinical practice, and public awareness.
Speakers: Janice Leung, MD
About the Speaker:
Dr. Janice Leung is a respirologist at St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, Canada, and an Assistant Professor at the University of British Columbia. She is the Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Translational Airway Biology and the GlaxoSmithKline Chair in COPD. Her research interests are in novel exposures leading to accelerated airways disease, including HIV, vaping, and cannabis smoking. She is supported by grant funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Canadian Cancer Society, and the Heart and Stroke Foundation.