Prominent Psychiatrist, Addiction Expert, Joins Cannabis Science Advisory Board; Dr. Arturo Morales Says, "Prohibition Imposed on Medical Cannabis Has No Scientific Foundation"
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Cannabis Science, Inc. (OTCBB:CBIS - News), a pioneering U.S. biotech company developing pharmaceutical cannabis products, is proud to announce that Dr. Arturo Morales of Hartford, Connecticut, has agreed to join its Scientific Advisory Board.
Dr. Robert Melamede PhD., Cannabis Science President and CEO noted, "We are extremely honored to have such a distinguished doctor join our Scientific Advisory Board. Dr. Morales has said that he wishes to become a 'successful advocate in the struggle to remove restrictions on the medical uses of cannabis.' We are delighted to welcome him to our team. Dr. Morales has precisely the experience that we need to develop the best medicines and treatment modalities for patients. He has had an extraordinary career, as his CV indicates."
Dr. Morales is a graduate of the George Washington University and the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine. He trained in Psychiatry at the internationally renowned Institute of Living and at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine. He completed a post-doctoral research fellowship at the University of Connecticut, and was the first psychiatrist in Connecticut to participate in a formal training program in the field of addictions. He had a diverse career, and is a recognized expert in several areas of psychiatry, including addiction psychiatry, post-traumatic disorders, psychopharmacology, and community psychiatry. From 1997-2000, he served as chairman of psychiatry at Hartford's St. Francis Hospital & Medical Center, a large teaching hospital affiliated with the University of Connecticut School of Medicine. He personally supervised all aspects of post-graduate training in addictions, and provided training in psychiatry to all residents of all specialties in various training programs offered by the hospital. He helped Hartford Behavioral Health become a model public mental health agency in Connecticut, and pioneered several innovative programs with children and adolescents in collaboration with the state of Connecticut and private sector providers. He received a public service award from the state of Connecticut in 2005 for his contributions to multiple state commissions and boards, including the 2000 Governor's Blue Ribbon Commission on Mental Health, the Advisory Board at The Whiting forensic Institute, and several regional mental health boards in Connecticut.
In 1998 he was the recipient of a Latino Mental Health Education Award. He was a faculty member in the departments of Psychiatry and Community Medicine of the University of Connecticut Medical School, and has lectured widely to professional audiences for twenty-five years. His lecture on Addictions and the Impaired Physician has been a required core curriculum lecture for all residents of all specialties training at University of Connecticut affiliated programs for several years. Dr. Morales was an editorial reviewer for the second edition of the American Society of Addiction Medicine Textbook of Addiction Medicine. Dr. Morales was the host of a Spanish language AM radio program on mental health issues for two years, and has been interviewed in a number of formats, including NPR. After a lifetime working in the field of addictions, Dr. Morales is convinced that the prohibition imposed on medical cannabis has no scientific foundation and the legal consequences of prohibition have inflicted more damage to individuals and to society than any ill-documented problems associated with actual cannabis use, and have compromised the integrity of free scientific enquiry and medical education. Since his retirement from his practice he has devoted himself to a number of public service causes. His early warnings about the undisclosed toxicity of antipsychotic medications and testimony helped the Connecticut Attorney General recovers tens of millions from pharmaceutical companies.
Dr. Morales has stated that he wishes to become a successful advocate in the struggle to remove restrictions on the medical uses of cannabis.
Richard Cowan, Cannabis Science CFO, added, "Having someone as distinguished as Dr. Morales join our Scientific Advisory Board is further evidence that the scientific community recognizes the value of Dr. Melamede's contribution to advancing medical science."
About Cannabis Science, Inc
Cannabis Science, Inc. is at the forefront of pharmaceutical grade medical marijuana research and development. The Company works with world authorities on phytocannabinoid science targeting critical illnesses, and adheres to scientific methodologies to develop, produce, and commercialize phytocannabinoid-based pharmaceutical products. In sum, we are dedicated to the creation of cannabis-based medicines, both with and without psychoactive properties, to treat disease and the symptoms of disease, as well as for general health maintenance.
Forward Looking Statements
This Press Release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934. A statement containing works such as "anticipate," "seek," intend," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect," "project," "plan," or similar phrases may be deemed "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Some or all of the events or results anticipated by these forward-looking statements may not occur. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include the future U.S. and global economies, the impact of competition, and the Company's reliance on existing regulations regarding the use and development of cannabis-based drugs. Cannabis Science, Inc. does not undertake any duty nor does it intend to update the results of these forward-looking statements.