Dr. Arno Hazekamp (1976) has worked within the Dutch medicinal cannabis program since 2001. I hold a MSc degree in molecular biology, and a PhD in pharmaceutical research on medicinal cannabis. My main understanding of the cannabis plant is from a biochemical point of view: what compounds are present in the many cannabis varieties, and how can they be developed into modern medicines that are acceptable to patients. I have worked within academic settings, as independent consultant, and as head of Research and Education at Bedrocan International. Since early 2016 I am mainly focused on independent consulting.My specialties include:Research: I strongly believe in patient-inspired research. The topics that I choose to research are always inspired by actual problems of cannabis patients. My studies have been published in peer-reviewed journals so they contribute to a more science-based discussion on the uses of the cannabis plant. I am a skilled research coordinator and have worked with international teams.Product development: I have been involved in the development and validation of many different products, such as the Volcano Medic (Storz & Bickel), cannabinoid tablets (Echo Pharmaceuticals), placebo cannabis (Proxy labs), cannabis chewing gum (Axim Biotechnologies), cannabis oil (Transvaal Pharmacy, the Netherlands) and purified cannabinoid standards. I have good experience with planning, execution and overseeing clinical studies and with GLP and GMP regulations.Education: A complex topic like cannabis can only become more accepted when people know something real about it. I find education of patients and activists as important as physicians and regulators. We all have a stake in this topic. I present my work at all major cannabis conferences (e.g. IAMC, ICRS) and give courses and presentations in many settings. My main event each year is the Masterclass Medicinal Cannabis, that i organize in the Netherlands (www.cannabis-masterclass.com).