(Houston, TX) – Two founding doctors in a new Houston biotech firm will participate in a medical marijuana Q&A session at the University of Houston on November 19. Dr. Elias Jackson, co-founder and president of Vyripharm Biopharmaceuticals, and Dr. David J. Yang, former Chief of Radiotheranostic at the Department of Cancer Systems Imaging at the MD Anderson Cancer Center, are developing the biotech to provide natural product regulatory testing, pharmaceutical development, integrated monitoring technology, and radio imaging agents.

One natural product high on their list is cannabis, and they see huge potential in the plant.

“Cannabis has been shown to have positive outcomes in treating diseases such as epilepsy, cancer, PTSD, brain injury and chronic pain,” Dr. Elias Jackson said. “Of course, more intense independent research, study trials, and testing need to be carried out. However, if the research confirms the preliminary studies on the use of cannabis as medicine, then that data would represent the next breakthrough in pharmacology.”

The doctors will present their goals for Vyripharm and their path to testing, including legal requirements to be approved for cannabis research in Texas. The forum will then open to audience questions with R. Hobart Evans III, a legal advisor to the medical marijuana industry, included on the panel.

The event will be co-hosted by Republicans Against Marijuana Prohibition (RAMP) and Young Americans for Liberty at the University of Houston on Wednesday, November 19. Tickets are free of charge.

Date: Wednesday, November 19, 2014
Time: 7:00pm-8:30pm
Event location: University of Houston, Graduate School of Social Work, Room SW 102. Closest parking in Stadium Parking Garage.
Event website

About the Speakers:

Dr. Elias Jackson was previously a professor and research faculty member at the Cardiovascular Research Center at the Yale University School of Medicine, and is a graduate of The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. He is the co-founder and president of Vyripharm Biopharmaceuticals.

Dr. David Yang is currently a tenured professor and chemist in the Department of Cancer Systems Imaging at University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Previously, Dr. Yang was Chief of Radiotheranostic at the Department of Cancer Systems Imaging at the MD Anderson Cancer Center. Dr. Yang’s research is involved in image-guided personalized treatment and prevention in cancers.

Republicans Against Marijuana Prohibition (RAMP) is a nonprofit organization and political caucus within the GOP working to educate and connect with lawmakers, party leadership, and grassroots activists. We support efforts to bring marijuana out of the black-market and into safe, legal, and regulated use by doctors for compassionate medical care and for adult recreational use. RAMP was founded in 2012 by Bob and Ann Lee. Learn more at www.RAMPGOP.org.