Curriculum Vitate
Jahan Marcu, PhD
Jersey City, NJ 07302
718-404-8206
E X P E R T I S E
Cannabinoid receptor pharmacology, endocannabinoid system, education, cannabis research, teaching, writing, editing, regulations, standards, public relations, public speaking
E D U C A T I O N
Ph.D. Cell Biology
Temple University, Philadelphia PA | 2013
Bachelor of Sciences Molecular Cell Biology, Minors in Chemistry & Communications
San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA | 2007
Profile
A cannabis and psychedelics researcher with 20 years of experience and passionate about analyzing, interpreting, and writing about data that impacts consumers, product safety, regulatory policy, and emerging industries. Excels at public speaking and educating by translating complex subject matter for lay audiences including regulators, C-suite executives, investors, and politicians.
Overview of Experience
Marcu Enterprises, Current Owner, Jahan Marcu, PhD
Advise companies and regulators on health/safety issues, authors/edits manuscripts for organizations, reviews and drafts regulatory documents, review product safety and risks, facilitate academic and business partnerships. Full capabilities available upon request.
Court Qualified Cannabis and Synthetic Cannabinoid Expert, Judge Renee Young (2011)
Chief Cannabinoid Science Officer, Physicians Research Center Plus (2020 – present)
Advisor, Medical Marijuana Act Oversight Committee, State of Delaware (2017-present)
PAX Health Advisory Board Member (2019-present)
Educator and Advisor, NJ Canna Certification (2021- present)
Adjunct Faculty and university affiliations
Cannabis Research and Science Advisor, PA Options For Wellness/Medical Marijuana Academic Clinical Research Center at Penn State (2017-present)
Trained in Psilocybin Assisted Therapy (2021)
Player Advisory Council, Research Committee, Athletes for Care (2020-Present)
DETAILED EXPERIENCE:
Advisor, Medical Marijuana Act Oversight Committee, State of Delaware (October 2017-Present)
Overview: Marcu holds a government contract for providing advising to the State of Delaware’s medical cannabis program. The Medical Marijuana Act Oversight Committee was established to evaluate and make recommendations regarding the implementation of Title 16, Ch 49A of the Delaware Code. The members of the Medical Marijuana Oversight Committee shall serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority. A quorum shall consist of 51 percent of the membership of the Oversight Committee. The Oversight Committee shall select a chair and vice chair from among its members. Staff support for the Oversight Committee shall be provided by DHSS. The Oversight Committee shall meet at least two times per year for the purpose of evaluating and making recommendations to the governor, the general assembly, and DHSS regarding the following:
The ability of qualifying patients in all areas of the state to obtain timely access to high-quality medical marijuana.
The effectiveness of the registered compassion centers, individually and together, in serving the needs of qualifying patients, including the provision of educational and support services, the reasonableness of their fees, whether they are generating any complaints or security problems, and the sufficiency of the number operating to serve the registered qualifying patients of Delaware.
The effectiveness of the registered safety compliance facility or facilities, including whether a sufficient number are operating.
The sufficiency of the regulatory and security safeguards contained in this chapter and adopted by the department to ensure that access to and use of marijuana cultivated is provided only to cardholders authorized for such purposes.
Any recommended additions or revisions to the department regulations or this chapter, including relating to security, safe handling, labeling, and nomenclature.
Any research studies regarding health effects of medical marijuana for patients.
Chief Cannabis Advisor/Chief Scientific Officer, Physicians Research Center, LLC/ Physician Research Center + (2020 - Present). CEO Teresa Simon prctrials.info@gmail.com.
Physicians Research Center, LLC provides consulting services in addition to being a clinical research center. PRC’s network of healthcare providers, clinical research and epidemiology experts are available to provide support in the development or implementation of Benefit Risk assessments, post marketing risk management strategy, regulatory interactions on safety issues, advisory boards and due diligence assessments for business development opportunities on pharmaceutical products and devices.
For clinical research projects – www.prctrials.com
PRC plus (Cerium education program) is a science-based, research-driven education portal for healthcare providers and a school-based program.
For Healthcare provider cannabis education - https://www.prc-trials-plus.com/education
Consultant/Adjunct Faculty, Northeastern University (2022 – Present). Responsibilities include teaching cannabis related courses and advising on new course development for the medical cannabis and therapeutics program.
Cannabis Laws, Rules, and Regulations, course description: This course provides an interdisciplinary look at the global changes observed in the laws, standards and politics around the cannabis plant and its products. The course provides an overview of the history of medical and adult use cannabis laws, federal cannabis laws, and the conflict between state and federal laws. Also includes discussions about how current cannabis research is conducted, product safety standards, the different varieties of cannabis and cannabinoids, and various cannabis-based pharmaceuticals currently available.
Adjunct Faculty, University of the Sciences, (2021-2022). www.uscienes.edu (Note that USciences merged with St. Joseph University in Philadelphia and ended MC course curriculum.)
MC 702: Finance and Regulation in the Cannabis Industry, course description: This course provides a basic understanding of the regulations and financing framework currently shaping the cannabis industry. Topics include federal and state laws affecting the growing, processing, and sale of cannabis with a focus on taxation, banking, and financing methods, such as venture capital, relevant to operating a cannabis business.
Other courses included: MC 711: Pharmacognosy of Cannabis and MC340: Supply Chain Management in the Cannabis Industry
Founding Partner, Marcu and Arora, (2020 – Present), www.marcu-arora.com
Marcu & Arora have partnered to bring listeners and clients the best of their combined experiences. Clients are offered a suite of services designed to support cannabis and psychedelic companies. Their podcast, How to Launch an Industry, provides a place for the most knowledgeable voices to share their thoughts.
Co-Founding Editor in Chief, American Journal of Endocannabinoid Medicine (AJEM), (2018 – Present)https://ajendomed.com
Overview: AJEM is committed to the scientific study of the ECS, and to the evidence-based practice of Endocannabinoid Medicine. The objective of the American Journal of Endocannabinoid Medicine is to help educate medical professionals on the role of the endocannabinoid system in homeostasis, and as a therapeutic target for cannabis and cannabinoid prescription and non-prescription products.
AJEM aims to present and interpret the currently available authoritative research, while stimulating questions regarding the role of medical cannabis in all forms, as a growing methodology in the field of treatment and patient care. The intent of AJEM is to be utilized as a clinical resource and contribute to the examination and overall scientific discussion of the endocannabinoid system. AJEM was recently acquired by Haymarket media.
Co-Founder, Chief Science Officer, the International Research Center on Cannabis and Health (IRCCH)(July 2018 to June 2020)
Overview: Building on years of expertise in working with cannabis and health, IRCCH was created to bridge a gap between research and clinical practice. The first research project affiliating IRCCH and NYU was launched in April of 2018. Two additional projects are currently planned for Summer 2020 with plans for continued expansion. IRCCH was created by a center grant from NYU, and is also funded privately.
Current Focus: Helping research partners run clinical studies, creating accredited education for clinicians, conducting clinical and social research, participating in standards development, providing advising to government programs and to industry.
Director, Patient Focused Certification (PFC), May 2013-July 2018. (www.patientfocusedcertification.org)
Overview: PFC is a third-party international certification (assessment and compliance) program for the medical cannabis industry based on the new quality standards for medical cannabis products and businesses issued by the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) and the American Herbal Pharmacopeia (AHP) Cannabis monograph. PFC Certification and professional training is available in all medical cannabis states and the District of Columbia. The program provides components for operators, legislators and regulators to promote the adoption of safe and reasonable industry standards and regulations from seed to consumption. Created and taught several course and training series internationally.
Chief Science Officer, Americans for Safe Access (ASA) 2005-July 2018 (www.safeaccessnow.org)
Overview: Dr. Marcu was volunteered for ASA and eventually served as their CSO. Jahan helped ASA organize a series of educational seminars and conferences on medical cannabis, cannabinoids, and endocannabinoids. He was a leading author and editor on international documents analyzing research materials.
Focus: Publishing critical reviews and other regulatory documents regarding cannabis and cannabinoids. Working with regulators on implementing product safety standards for medical cannabis products.
Director of Research and Development, Green Standard Diagnostics, May 2013-2016
Overview : Medical cannabis research and herbal supplement regulation, advising, and consulting. Other services include method development and validation of quantitative analysis (Contamination, potency, and genetics) of medicinal plants. Research is presently focused on studying disease markers of the endocannabinoid system in spinal fluid of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, in collaboration with Washington State University and University of Mississippi.
Graduate Student, Temple University School of Medicine, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Center for Substance Abuse, Dr. Mary Abood. September 2008- May 2013.
Research Focus: Presently involved in two research projects: 1) mutational analysis of the CB1 receptor and 2) investigating cannabinoid receptor signaling mechanisms in bone cells via CB1 and CB2 receptors.
Techniques Used: PCR for generating plasmids with specific mutations, cell culture methods to create and maintain stable CB1 mutant cell lines, immunocytochemistry, radio-ligand binding assays, western blot analysis, isolation of stem cells from animals, and assays for determining the metabolic Inactivity of bone.
Training: Introduction to the Art and Science of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy (CME), New York, NYDecember 2021
William A. Richards, PhD. and Brian D. Richards, PsyD.
at the New York Academy of Medicine
Training: ExperChem Laboratories, Toronto, Canada May 2015.
Certification received for completing training entitled Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations for Canada’s national medical cannabis program.
Training: American Chemical Society, Denver, CO March 2015. Title: Method Development, Validation Procedures, and Regulatory Compliance Issues.
A professional education and training course instructed by Dr.Shib Mookherjea of ValQual international, Inc.
Training: National Science Foundation International, March 2014. Title: SOPs and Record Keeping for Compliance to 21 CFR 111.
Training course on recording keeping for regulatory compliance regarding botanical products.
Training: Grace Discovery Sciences, Deerfield, IL, April 2014. Title: The role of Automated Flash Chromatography in Botanical Identity and Good Manufacturing Practices Compliance.
Training: Alkemist Labs, Costa Mesa, CA September 7-8, 2013 High-Performance Thin Layer Chromatography:
Alkemist laboratory is an independent contract laboratory specializing in natural product analysis. With more than 850 species of botanicals analyzed and an internal herbarium containing 6,000 specimens enabling multiple species cross referencing, we are your natural choice for 3rd party analysis and partners in quality control. Key services include botanical microscopy for ID and detection of adulterants, HPTLC fingerprint and marker identity analysis, UV/VIS and HPLC quantitative analysis.
Lab Manager & Technician, California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute, Dr. Dieter Gruenert May 2007-August 2008
Research Focus: studying the cystic fibrosis transmembrane receptor and maintaining Dr. Dieter Gruenert’s research program. This involved processing of material transfer agreements & reimbursement payments for cell lines, providing cell culture protocols & cell culture troubleshooting for laboratories, maintaining cell lines in culture for international shipping, maintaining an extensive cell line inventory, and routine characterization of the cell lines.
Techniques used: Advanced and specialized cell culture techniques for human airway epithelial cells, basic culture techniques for stem and hematopoietic cells, qRT-PCR, and Mycoplasma detection.
Technician, California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute, Dr. Charles Cobbs April 2008-August 2008
Research Focus: Investigating the role of HCMV in neural stem cell oncogenesis, contributing critical information towards understanding the roles of this virus in glioma biology and a basis for the design of novel therapeutics targeting these tumors.
Techniques used: Receiving and culturing primary brain tissue samples. Cell sorting for stem cell populations from primary brain tumors. DNA, RNA, and protein extraction from human brain tissue. Protein quantification and western blot analysis.
Technician, California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute. Mentor, Dr. Sean McAllister. July 2005-April 2008
Research Focus: Investigating anticancer activity of synthetic and natural cannabinoids in brain cancer cell lines. Determining if synergistic inhibitory effects of cannabinoids, on cancer cells, are present using combinations of plant constituents.
Techniques Used: Basic cell culture, MTT assay for analysis of cell proliferation, cell flow cytometry, Boyden Invasion Chamber Assay, and western blot.
Staff Research Associate II, Department of Diabetes and Endocrine Research, University of California San Francisco, Mt. Zion Campus. Principle Investigator Dr. Ira Goldfine. March 2005-August 2008.
Research Focus: Maintaining a mouse colony. Investigating breast cancer pathology from the over expression of the human fetal insulin receptor in transgenic mice.
Techniques Used: Plasmid Transformation, Polymerase Chain Reaction, DNA extraction, Harvesting organs from transgenic mice for whole mounts, paraffin embedding, and protein analysis.
International Research Internship, University of Leiden, Holland. Principle Investigator: Dr. Arno Hazekamp. Summer 2006.
Research Focus: Extraction, isolation, and molecular structure determination of plant compounds.
Techniques used: Centrifugal Partition Chromatography, High-Performance Liquid Chromatography, Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry, Thin Layer Chromatography, and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance.
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS/ACADEMIC SERVICE:
Committee founder and Subcommittee chair of Training, Assessment and Credentialing, ASTM D37 Cannabis Committee (2017-Present).
Scientific Board Member, International Cannabis and Cannabinoid Institute (www.icci.science), 2015-2019.
Co-Founder, Chair, Historian CANN, the Cannabis Subdivision of the American Chemical Society, 2015-Present.
Board of Directors, International Association for Cannabinoids as a Medicine, Member 2004-2016.
Member, International Cannabinoid Research Society, 2006-Present.
Faculty, Master Class on Cannabis, University of Wageningen, Netherlands, Dr. Arno Hazekamp. Sept 2011-Current.
President, Graduate Student Association, Temple University. August 2009-August 2011.
AWARDS/GRANTS RECEIVED:
● Court Qualified Cannabis and Synthetic Cannabinoid Expert, Judge Renee Young, 2011
● 2005 Scholarship for Community Service from San Francisco State University
● 2005 and 2006 Americans for Safe Access travel grants to attend research conferences in Europe and California.
● 2008 Temple University School of Medicine, Research Achievement Award
● 2009 Travel and research presentation award from the International Cannabinoid Research Society
● 2010 Travel award from the International Cannabinoid Research Society
● 2011 Travel award from the International Cannabinoid Research Society
● 2012 Travel award from the International Cannabinoid Research Society
● SFY10 (Abood, Mary) The Anabolic Role of Cannabinoid Receptors in Bone. 7/1/2010 – 6/30/2011. Commonwealth Universal Research Enhancement (CURE) Program. Under this Pennsylvania Department of Health established research program, research grants are awarded for clinical, health services, and biomedical research.
● 2013 Americans for Safe Access Researcher of the Year Award
● 2017 Por Grace award (for medical cannabis education efforts in Mexico)
● 2018 Mahmoud Elsohly award for Excellence in the field of Cannabis Chemistry
● 2018 Grant from NYU to start research center
OTHER TEACHING and RELATED EXPERIENCE:
National Institute of Pediatrics of Mexico (Mexico City, MX 5/24/17) Title: CME for Clinicians that work with Cannabis
Department of Public Health of Mexico City (Mexico City, MX 5/25/17) Title: Health and Safety of Cannabis Products
Yale University Oncology Educational Lecture (9/29/14): Title: How Cannabis works: Cannabis and Cannabinoid Pharmacology.
Society of Cannabis Clinicians Educational lecture (12/15/14): Title: Cannabinoids and Cancer: Optimism and Healthy Skepticism.
CME (Continuing Medical Education for Clinicians) experience. Dr. Marcu has created and taught CME and accredited educational content for a number of organization, including but not limited to the following organizations:
● https://www.cannabisclinicians.org
● http://aacmsite.org/Default.aspx?tabid=104
● ATECAM Holistic Nursing Conferences
● Temple University
● Kings County Hospital
● Delaware Medical Society