Integrity
Our treatment of data, confidentiality, and commitment to the scientific community is unassailable
Scientific Rigor
We follow the highest standards of scientific research, statistical analysis, and disclosure practices.
Patient Focus
The care and well being of patients who will benefit through pain relief and improved quality of life are the focus of our research and educational programs.
Board of Directors
Joanna Zeiger, MS, PhD
Founder & CEO. President of the Board of DirectorsJoanna Zeiger, MS, PhD, Founder & CEO. President of the Board of Directors. Dr. Zeiger is an epidemiologist with a strong background in study design and biostatistics, particularly questionnaire-based outcomes studies. Joanna\’s studies took her to Brown University (BA) and Northwestern University (MS). She did her doctoral and post-doctoral work at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health with a focus on gene-environment interactions in the etiology of birth defects. Upon moving to Colorado in 2003, Dr. Zeiger spent eight years at the Institute for Behavioral Genetics at the University of Colorado Boulder studying drug use and abuse in adolescents; her particular interest was on initial subjective effects to drugs and how they affect long term usage. In 2016, Dr. Joanna was the PI of The Sisu Study which examined mental toughness latent classes in 1250 athletes. The Athlete PEACE Survey, a study for which Dr. Joanna Zeiger was the PI, was completed in late 2018. This study examined cannabis use in athletes. In 2017, The Champion Mindset: An Athlete\’s Guide to Mental Toughness was published by St. Martin\’s Press. A 2009 bike accident left Dr. Joanna Zeiger, an Olympian and former World Champion in triathlon, with severe chronic pain for which she started using cannabis to mitigate symptoms and to aid with sleep. Learning more about cannabis and its medicinal possibilities, particularly in the climate of the opioid crisis, has driven Dr. Joanna Zeiger’s interest to study the plant; her emphasis is on patient outcomes and finding ways to improve the lives of those who suffer with pain.
Robert Zeiger, MD, PhD
Chief Medical OfficerRobert S. Zeiger, MD, PhD, Secretary of the Board of Directors. Dr. Zeiger has been Senior Physician Investigator and Director of Allergy Research for Kaiser Permanente Southern California (KPSC), San Diego, California, Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at the University of California San Diego (UCSD) School of Medicine in La Jolla, California, and Deputy Editor for the Journal of Allergy Clinical Immunology: In Practice. He is Board Certified in Pediatrics and Allergy. Dr. Robert Zeiger was Principal Investigator (PI) for the UCSD/KPSC Clinical Center for the multicenter National Health Lung Blood Institute (NHLB)I sponsored Childhood Asthma Management Program (CAMP) and Childhood Asthma Research and Education (CARE) Network. He is presently PI for the KPSC Clinical Center for the NHLBI funded Vitamin D Antenatal Asthma Reduction Trial (VDAART). He has recently explored the power of administrative data obtained from large computerized electronic pharmacy and healthcare databases to perform outcome studies on severe asthma, the clinical and cost burden of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic cough, and to conduct innovative clinical trials. “Given the disastrous and troubling opioid epidemic, the high prevalence of unrelenting chronic pain, and the lack of highly effective and safe treatments for chronic pain, there is a major public health need for novel effective medications. More definitive research needs to better understand the current use of cannabis for pain in the United States and to provide future evidence through rigorous clinical trials on the role of cannabis in the treatment of chronic pain, inflammatory conditions, and other chronic conditions.”
William Silvers, MD
Chief Scientific OfficerWilliam S. Silvers, M.D. Chief Scientific Officer. Board of Directors, Director. Clinical Professor of Medicine at University of Colorado School of Medicine, Division of Allergy Clinical Immunology. Faculty affiliate of the CU Center for Bioethics and Humanities. MD at Indiana University School of Medicine. Internship and residency at Emory University/Grady Memorial Hospital, Atlanta. Dr. Silvers did his Fellowship at the National Jewish Medical and Research Center, Denver, then spent the next year doing research and starting an allergy clinic at the Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem. He was past president of the Colorado Allergy & Asthma Society, and past medical director of the Colorado Children’s Asthma “Champ Camp” and Medical Director for Asthma Ski Day. Chaired the Sports Medicine committee of the ACAAI and the World Allergy Organization, and helped found the Integrative Medicine committees of the ACAAI and AAAAI. Listed in 5280 “Denver’s Top Doctors” for multiple years. Dr. Silvers retired from private practice after 35 years. Scientific interests include Integrative Approaches to allergies and asthma, exercise induced allergies, and “The Skier’s Nose” – cold induced rhinitis. Since the legalization of medical and recreational marijuana in Colorado, he has published and spoken on its allergic immunologic correlates.
Jonathan Bernstein, MD
Chief Innovation OfficerJonathan Bernstein is Professor of Clinical Medicine in the Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center and a partner of the Bernstein Allergy Group and Clinical Research Center. He received his MD from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine (1981-1985), completed his residency in Internal Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic Hospital (1985–1988) and Allergy/Clinical Immunology training at Northwestern University (1988–1990). His has a spectrum of research interests including allergic skin diseases notably chronic urticaria, angioedema and atopic dermatitis. He is President-Elect of the AAAAI, a member of the AAAAI foundation, the Joint Task Force Guideline committee, a member of the WAO and Interasma board of directors, GINA advocacy council, and HAEA organization medical advisory board. Dr. Bernstein is the recipient of Distinguished Clinician Awards from the AAAAI and WAO (2019). He has authored over 400 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters and is the editor of five books pertaining to asthma, rhinitis and immunodeficiency.
Will Murray,
Secretary of the Board of DirectorsWill Murray has more than 24 years of experience as a management consultant to non-profit organizations, mission-driven companies and government agencies. Will has worked with more than 600 organizations in 48 states & around the world. Will worked with The Nature Conservancy for 16 years, where he developed experience in volunteer program development, membership development, financial management conservation planning, training, land stewardship, community relations, public education and fund raising. Will served as interim executive director for Island Conservation for 1.5 years. Will has a bachelor’s degree in general biology and a teaching credential. Will serves as the training director for the Research and Recognition Project to train and certify licensed mental health professionals in the Reconsolidation of Traumatic Memories Protocol, which results in elimination of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in more than 92% of clients.
Will is an eight-time Ironman finisher and is co-author, with Craig Howie, of The Four Pillars of Triathlon: Vital Mental Conditioning for Endurance Athletes and is the author of Uncle! The Definitive Guide for Becoming the World’s Greatest Aunt or Uncle. He has served on many non-profit boards and one corporate board. For a publications list and client list, please see http://willmurraycompany.com/
Legal Counsel
Andrew D. Morton, MPP, JD
Legal CounselAndrew Morton, Legal Counsel for CRF, is a Partner at Handler Thayer LLP and Chair of the firm’s Sports & Entertainment Law Group, serving a client base of professional athletes, Olympians, artists, entertainers and other public figures who wish to maximize their social impact.
Operating at the intersection of celebrity and philanthropy, Andrew’s innovative practice encompasses all aspects of high profile philanthropic engagement and branding – from the initial formation of a tax-exempt organization, to ongoing
oversight, compliance, governance and reporting consistent with legal requirements and best practices. With a deep
understanding of nonprofit legal structures, Andrew often recommends alternative solutions when appropriate, such as
establishing a fiscal sponsorship or donor advised fund (DAF).
Advisory Council
Ed Fleegler, MD
Edward M. Fleegler, MD, FACP, is a Board Certified-Internist who had dual certification in Geriatrics. He worked with the Mariott Corporation’s Senior Living Division as the Medical Director of The Quadrangle (Mariott flagship CCRC) located in Haverford, Pennsylvania. He was a member of the clinical faculty of The University of Pennsylvania Healthcare system until 2000. Dr. Fleegler left clinical practice in 2000, after 25+ years. He was a member of the founding group of Carekinesis which is now a part of Tabula Rasa Healthcare. Dr. Fleegler remains interested in geriatric syndromes and end-of-life medical care issues. He feels that outcomes research with cannabis as part of a multimodal intervention for pain syndromes among the elderly is important given that 25-50% of community-dwelling older adults and 45-80% of nursing-home residents have substantial pain on a daily basis., FACP, is a Board Certified-Internist who also had dual certification in Geriatrics when a clinically practicing Internist/Geriatrician. He worked with the Mariott Corporation’s Senior Living Division as the Medical Director of The Quadrangle (Mariott flagship CCRC) located in Haverford, Pennsylvania. During his clinical years in medical practice, he was a member of the clinical faculty of The University of Pennsylvania Healthcare system until 2000. He was a member of the founding group of Carekinesis which is now a part of Tabula Rasa Healthcare. Dr. Fleegler feels that outcomes research with cannabis as part of a multimodal intervention for pain syndromes among the elderly is important given that older adults and nursing-home residents have substantial pain on a daily basis.
Kaleb Michaud, MS, PhD
Dr. Kaleb Michaud serves as co-director of Forward, The National Databank for Rheumatic Diseases, the largest long-term open-cohort observational study of its kind with over 40,000 patients enrolled. Since 2007 he has been the principal investigator of the RAIN database composed of several rheumatology clinics in the Rheumatology and Arthritis Investigator’s Network. As an active volunteer in the American College of Rheumatology and Association for Rheumatology Professionals, he has served 8 years in developing the Rheumatology Informatics System for Effectiveness (RISE) national registry. He also works closely with Dr. Ted Mikuls on the Veteran Affairs Rheumatoid Arthritis (VARA) registry. His primary research interests revolve around pharmacoepidemiology, health outcomes, medical informatics, quality of life, and cost-effectiveness in rheumatology. Some of his current projects include: mortality in rheumatic diseases, cost-effectiveness of rheumatoid arthritis treatments, and impact of collecting patient reported outcomes via smartphones. He has received research funding from AHRQ, NIH, Arthritis Foundation, and the Rheumatology Research Foundation, and is the director of the UNMC Rheumatology fellowship research program.
Matthew B. Wiener, PharmD
Matt, was founder and CEO of Pharmatech, Inc. a research management company. For the past twenty years Pharmatech’s focus has been adding efficiency in the development of oncology drugs. Pharmatech pioneered the Just-In-Time method of project start-up which allowed for the identification of patients and enrolling subjects within a two-week period. In May of 2019 Pharmatech was acquired by Caris LS to further the vision of rapidly enrolling patients in oncology trials. He is currently functioning as a consultant in product development.
Matt has served on the faculties of University of Colorado School of Pharmacy and Columbia College of Pharmaceutical Sciences. He has written two textbooks, numerous scientific publications and has spoken extensively about improving the process of how to add efficiency of drug development.
Craig Alexander, 5x triathlon World Champion
Craig “Crowie” Alexander (born 22nd June, 1973), 5x triathlon World Champion. Craig was married to Nerida (“Neri”) in 1999 and they have three children, Lucy, Austin and Lani. Growing up, Alexander played a range of sports soccer, cricket, water polo, golf and tennis, although soccer was his main game, which he played for 15 years. Crowie didn’t compete in a triathlon until the age of 20, although he had watched the sport on TV, most notably the Ironman in Hawaii. Crowie won several of the Olympic Distance, Big City “Majors” in the US, including Chicago (twice), Los Angeles, Boston (twice), Philadelphia, taking the prestigious single season “Triple Crown” in 2004 (Chicago, Los Angeles and The US Pro Championships). In 2005, he won the Lifetime Fitness “Battle of the Sexes” Triathlon in Minnesota (which at that time, had the highest prize purse in the history of the sport). Alexander also won the iconic St. Croix Half Ironman 4 times. After a long, unbeaten streak at the Half Ironman distance, Crowie won the inaugural Ironman 70.3 (Half Ironman) World Championship in 2006. This win qualified him for the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii the following year (2007), where he finished 2nd in his debut race in the lava fields. In 2008 and 2009, Alexander went on to win the Ironman World Championships, becoming only the 4th male athlete in history to defend the title.
Stuart Kassan, MD
Stuart S. Kassan, MD, FACP, MACR, ACR Master, Clinical Professor of MedicineUniversity of Colorado, Denver School of Medicine, Practicing Rheumatologist. Stuart S. Kassan, MD, was born in White Plains, New York. He received a B.A. at Case Western Reserve University and received his medical degree from The George Washington University School of Medicine. He did his internship and residency training at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. He was a Clinical Associate in the Clinical Immunology Section at the National Institutes of Health where he began research in the field of Sjögren’s syndrome. He received fellowship training in rheumatology at the Hospital for Special Surgery, Cornell Medical Center, in New York City. He is presently a Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of Colorado, Denver, School of Medicine. Dr. Kassan is the president of the Medical Alumni Association at The George Washington University School of Medicine and is a member of the Board of Trustees of the George Washington University. He currently serves as president of the Colorado Rheumatology Association. He is an immediate past president of the Arthritis Foundation, Rocky Mountain Chapter, and is a member of the National Board of Directors of the Arthritis Foundation. He is a member of the board of directors of the Lupus Research Institute in New York City and is a co-author of the recently published book on systemic lupus erythematosus entitled Lupus, My Doctor and Me. Dr. Kassan is also chair of the Mental Health America Colorado. Dr. Kassan is presently in the private practice of rheumatology in Denver, Colorado, and is the Chief Medical Officer of the Infusion Center of Denver and RV Infusion Partners. He now serves on the REF board of directors and is a member of the Affiliated Societies Council representing the State of Colorado. Dr. Kassan resides in Denver, Colorado, with his wife, Gail.
Bethany Semeiks
B-Train, aka Bethany Semeiks, is a former college ice hockey player who spent multiple years as a Jammer for Angel City Derby. While playing roller derby, she founded Wicked Skatewear and helped turn it into a million-dollar, multifaceted roller derby brand in just three short years. During her time at Wicked Skatewear she developed and ran all marketing operations, including managing a network of more than 30,000 engaged followers on social media. She also managed three retail stores across the West Coast, examined monthly finances and led all employee hiring and training initiatives. As a Canna Research Foundation Advisory Council member she brings her knowledge and networking skills to connect brands with the organization.
Matt Nordgren
Matthew Jason Nordgren is an ambitious executive, dedicated philanthropist, and accomplished athlete who brings a unique passion for creating strategic alliances. He encompasses a depth of experience in finance, corporate development, and capital sourcing, as well as in building highly motivated teams of skilled professionals. In 2005, Mr. Nordgren received his education at the University of Texas at Austin, while playing football for the Texas Longhorns Football Team. As a quarterback on a National Championship winning team, he developed skills that would be carried through his lifetime and core business philosophies. While playing football on scholarship for The University of Texas, he graduated with two degrees in less than four years and was accepted into and pursued a master’s degree program at the University of Texas. After playing professionally briefly with the Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles, Mr. Nordgren went on to earn a dual master’s degree in both business administration and sports management from the University of Dallas. He was subsequently featured on the Bravo TV show “Most Eligible Dallas,” while becoming a partner in a family business, NORDCO, Inc., a Dallas-based energy firm. This is also when he helped to develop, manage and build his first private equity/family office business with a sports and media focus which lead to a career in running various investment vehicles across a broad spectrum of strategies. Mr. Nordgren is currently CEO and Founder of ARCADIAN Fund and ARCADIAN Capital Management, a venture fund/private equity strategy focused on the ancillary service providing companies in and around the cannabis and hemp industries. He was recently named one of the “Top 100 Most Influential People in the Cannabis Industry” by High Times Magazine and ranked number 3 globally by Business Insider in terms of investment firms focused on the emerging cannabis and hemp sectors
Bryon Adinoff, MD
Bryon Adinoff, MD is an addiction psychiatrist and academician. He was appointed Clinical Professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine following his retirement as Distinguished Professor of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Research in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and as a psychiatrist for 30 years with the Department of Veterans Affairs. He has published over 200 papers and book chapters on the neurobiology and treatment of addiction, and is Editor-in-Chief of The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse. Dr. Adinoff has been recognized as a Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, Distinguished Fellow of the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry, and Fellow of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology. In his semi-retired status, he advocates for a regulatory system that protects both the individual and society from the harms incurred from the drug war. In this capacity, he is the president of Doctors for Cannabis Regulation, an organization that serves as a global voice for physicians and other health professional who support legalization and science-based regulation.