The International Cannabinoid Research Society (ICRS) chose to hold its Annual conference in June 2021 at ICC Jerusalem

Held in collaboration with the Hebrew University and the Jerusalem Conventions and Visitors Bureau, the conference is expected to attract 800 researchers, physicians, and scientists from across the globe.

The ICRS conference is considered as the leading global forum of cannabinoid research with renowned scientists and the most up to date researches

The International Congress Center (ICC) Jerusalem, in collaboration with the Multidisciplinary Center for Cannabinoid Research (MCCR), the Jerusalem Development Authority and the Jerusalem Conventions and Visitors Bureau (JCVB) will host, for the first time, a global cannabinoid research conference organized by the International Cannabinoid Research Society (ICRS). The meeting will take place in Israel's capital in June 2021 and is expected to attract some 800 researchers, physicians and scientists.

The conference will take place with a multi-participant audience in ICC’s Jerusalem venue, assuming the Coronavirus crisis will end by then. If the Health Ministry restrictions prevent having the conference in the physical venue, the conference will take place virtually on ICC Jerusalem’s online platform.

The ICRS conference is considered the most important professional forum of cannabinoid research. It comprises the leading researchers of the global scientific community and presents the most up to date cannabinoid research. The conference will include oral and poster presentations on a broad range of cannabinoid-related topics, including autoimmune disease, epilepsy, pain management, post-trauma, drug development, metabolism, obesity, cancer, and many more.

The conference is hosted by the MCCR of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, which is the leading research center in Israel focused on cannabinoids, endocannabinoids, and medicinal cannabis.

Over the past 50 years, research held at the Hebrew University achieved several breakthroughs in cannabinoid science. The 2021 ICRS conference will mark the 90th birthday of Prof. Raphael Mechoulam, who is considered the forefather of cannabinoid research. Prof. Mechoulam and his team isolated the active ingredients of the cannabis plant, described their structure, and synthesizes them. Last December, Prof. Mechoulam was awarded the Harvey Prize for 2019-2020 for breakthroughs in Science in Technology for discovering the endocannabinoid system and the study of its implications on human health.

ICRS is a non-profit US organization formed to offer a safe space for cannabinoid science discussions. The Society dedicates the lion share of its membership fee and donations for the annual conference, including the funding of young researchers’ participation.

Prof. Joseph Tam, Head, Obesity and Metabolism Laboratory, the Director of the MCCR, and ICRS President, commented, "ICRS’ board is excited to host the Society’s 31st conference in Jerusalem, as some of the pivotal cannabinoid research currently takes place in Israel. I am confident that hosting a conference of this caliber will further reinforce Israel's status as a global leader in cannabinoid and cannabis research and development.”

Rakefet Eliaz-Iluz, VP of marketing and business development at ICC Jerusalem, commented, “I am excited to announce that following a five-year-long process, Prof. Joseph Tam and ICC Jerusalem succeeded in bringing the world’s most important cannabinoid conference to Israel and Jerusalem. ICC Jerusalem was chosen as the conference venue after a careful tender procedure that included a visit of ICRS’ management at ICC. I am proud of ICC and its vision of being selected to host the conference in June.

Eliaz-Iluz added, “We hope to be able to host the conference physically in the presence of hundreds of distinguished guests. However, in case the Coronavirus restrictions will continue to apply in June, we have the necessary amenities to hold the conference in a hybrid or completely virtual manner. ICC Jerusalem dedicated the past year to developing state of the art conference platforms, including a professional studio and a stage fitted with sophisticated equipment that together provides a virtual conference center.”