Dr. Jahan Marcu has over 15 years of experience in research, policy, and operations. He is also among a select group of professionals globally that has earned a PhD focused on the endocannabinoid system (with research on the structure and function of cannabinoid receptors, molecular pharmacology of the endocannabinoid system). He has been a passionate advocate focused on consumer safety. Furthermore, his efforts include the development of international certification and training programs, co-authoring American Herbal Pharmacopeia’s Cannabis Monograph. He is credited for assisting in the creation of the first nationally adopted standards for the cannabis and hemp industry as the laboratory committee chairman of the cannabis committee for the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA). His dedication to consumer safety is further evident in his work to co-develop a biotech application to predict drug-drug interactions between cannabis and commonly prescribed pharmaceutical drugs. Additionally, Dr. Marcu co-authored one of the first product safety studies on CBD products. Dr. Marcu also provides advising services to government offices in the United States.

Dr. Marcu’s work has been instrumental to facilitating and supporting fact-based, scientific approaches vital to industry and patients. This has included research focused on solving the structure and function of cannabinoid receptors, the anti-cancer properties of cannabis compounds, as well as method development and validation for analyzing complex formulations. He is also a court-qualified expert witness on cannabis and cannabinoids. Dr. Marcu has published basic and clinical research and is also trained in psilocybin-assisted therapy.

He is also the founding Editor-In-Chief of the American Journal of Endocannabinoid Medicine. He is Adjunct Faculty at the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, PA and teaches on the pharmacology of cannabis, regulation and finance for the cannabis industry, and other related subjects for pharmacists, health professionals and business majors. He is also founder and past-chair of the Cannabis Chemistry Sub-division of the American Chemical Society, the world’s largest and oldest professional scientific society. Further illustrating the recognition earned through his efforts, he has been asked to serve on multiple expert government advisory and trade association committees, as well as scientific organizations including ASTM (D37 Subcommittee chair), AHPA Cannabis committee (past-chair of laboratory sub-committee), ACS Cannabis Chemistry Subdivision (CANN), AOCS, AOAC, IACM (past BOD), and IMCPC (co-founder). He is also host and producer of the podcast, How to Launch an Industry, which covers scientific and regulatory issues around drug products. Dr. Marcu is a founding partner at the consulting firm of Marcu & Arora, which provides life science consulting to the cannabis and psychedelics fields.

Reflecting his dedication to the field, Dr. Marcu has received numerous awards including the Mahmoud Elsohly award for excellence in cannabis chemistry and the Billy Martin research achievement award from the International Cannabinoid Research Society for his work on THC and CBD synergy in aggressive brain cancers. He is also a court-qualified synthetic cannabinoid and cannabis expert. His work has been published and covered in publications such as Rolling Stone, Science, Nature, JAMA, the Washington Post, CNN, and many other media outlets.

3 “Super Powers”

1. “Live to Learn” -- passionate ‘perpetual student’ of the endocannabinoid system

   • Expert on cannabis pharmacology and the endocannabinoid system committed to constantly enhancing that expertise in a field that will generate countless new findings in the years to come

2. “Love to Teach” -- dedication to consumer safety and industry education

   • Depth of experience developing regulatory standards for and conducting research on Public Health and safety issues related to the cannabis industry

   • Significant focus and experience on training and education

3. “Beyond the Bench” – fully appreciates the need to complement science w/high touch interactions (science / research alone are not enough to keep moving the industry forward)

   • Industry Networking: a scientist highly adept and comfortable with continuous engagement with leaders and participants across industry

     • Academia/Research, Private Sector, Government

     • From fellow scientists/researchers/subject matter experts, to industry operators (large and small) and their professionals, to regulators (state and federal)

     • Media Savvy: years of experience “in front of the camera” -- numerous television, internet productions, training videos, podcasts, newspapers, magazines, and scientific publications