About GCRC
A research center
A research center
for plant medicine.
The Global Cannabinoid Research Center (GCRC) is a cannabinoid research, formulation, education and brand development organization founded in 2018 in Santa Barbara, California by Mike Robinson.
Our mission
Education first, then products.
GCRC exists to give consumers and the healthcare industry the education they need about the use, safety and potential of cannabinoid medicine.
Research into cannabis has long been held back by prohibition, limited access to research grade material and a complicated approval process. That leaves patients, professionals and brands short of reliable information. GCRC closes that gap by connecting research, formulation and education in one place, so what we learn shapes the products we develop and the programs we teach.
Our work spans the endocannabinoid system, cannabinoid variety, plant nutrition and pharmaceutical prototype concepts, always with a clear line between what is being researched and what has been shown.
"As much as the healer of the past is still necessary, so is the education of the healers of today."
Mike Robinson, Founder
Traditional healers remain the main source of care in many regions of the world. Modern plant medicine adds clinical trials, university study and independent research. GCRC respects both.
How GCRC is structured
Five connected areas, one organization.
GCRC holds the brand portfolio, the formulation work, the research initiatives, the education programs and the pharmaceutical trademarks. Each area has one clear purpose.
01
Consumer Brands
Researcher® leads a portfolio built on ECS education and cannabinoid variety.
View brands 02Formulation Services
New formulations and reformulations for cannabis and plant medicine businesses.
See services 03Research Initiatives
The Phytofood and Get Balanced® initiatives and research collaboration.
Explore research 04Education
Programs in development for consumers, industry, brands and healthcare professionals.
Learn more 05Pharmaceutical Development
Five trademarks for prototype concepts created for preclinical research.
View trademarksResearch partner
Nanobles
GCRC and Nanobles work together on the Get Balanced® Research Initiative.
Visit Nanobles
Research platform
Plant Chat®
The research, education and survey platform used for Get Balanced® survey studies.
Visit Plant Chat
Plant Chat® Partners
Creaeza
Plant Chat® partners and GCRC's technology team, behind the Plant Chat® platform and GCRC's digital systems.
Visit Creaeza
Mike RobinsonFounder
The founder
Mike Robinson, Founder.
Mike Robinson founded GCRC in 2018 after serving as Director of Consumer Affairs at the American Academy of Cannabinoid Medicine.
He brings deep knowledge of cannabinoid formulations and technologies, and hands on experience supporting tens of thousands of patients as a cannabis compassion provider. As the owner of multiple brands, provisional patents and trademarks, he leads GCRC's investigative and product development work.
His research reaches beyond what the plant can do for patients. It also focuses on plant health itself, so that plant based materials are the best they can be for nutraceutical and pharmaceutical use, and for cruelty free food and beverage flavoring and preservation.
Founded GCRC
2018, Santa Barbara, California
Previously
Director of Consumer Affairs, American Academy of Cannabinoid Medicine
Experience
Cannabis compassion provider to tens of thousands of patients
Portfolio
Multiple brands, provisional patents and registered trademarks
Leadership
The team behind GCRC.
Chief of Staff
Brian Caine
Leads operations and coordinates GCRC's teams and partners.
IP and Trademark Management
David Uhalley
Manages GCRC's intellectual property and trademark portfolio.
Plant Chat® Partners
Creaeza
Plant Chat® partners and the technology team behind GCRC's digital systems and the Plant Chat® platform.
Our approach
Community over competition, worldwide.
As a unified group of plant medicine experts, we need to collaborate, cooperate and work together. These principles guide every GCRC project.
Evidence before claims
Concepts are labelled as concepts, research plans as plans, and findings only when a study supports them.
Education with structure
People learn how the endocannabinoid system works before they are asked to choose a product.
Variety over single molecules
Our formulation work looks at the whole plant, including minor and acidic cannabinoids.
Collaboration
Universities, brands, manufacturers and researchers move further together than alone.
Timeline
From patient care to a research center.
GCRC grew out of years of direct patient experience and a belief that cannabinoid medicine needs better education.
- Before 2018
Patient care and consumer affairs
Mike Robinson works as a cannabis compassion provider and serves as Director of Consumer Affairs at the American Academy of Cannabinoid Medicine.
- 2018
GCRC founded
The Global Cannabinoid Research Center is established in Santa Barbara, California.
- Research
Phytofood Research Initiative
GCRC sets out a research direction on hemp nutrition and phyto foods for prevention.
- 2026
Brand portfolio organized
GCRC brings its brands, formulation work, education, research and pharmaceutical trademarks under one structure, led by Researcher®.
Who founded the Global Cannabinoid Research Center?
GCRC was founded in 2018 by Mike Robinson, a former Director of Consumer Affairs at the American Academy of Cannabinoid Medicine.
Where is GCRC based?
GCRC is based in Santa Barbara, California, and works with partners in the United States and internationally.
Is GCRC a medical provider?
No. GCRC is a research, formulation and education organization. It does not diagnose, treat or provide medical care, and its content is educational.
How is GCRC related to Nanobles and Plant Chat?
GCRC works with Nanobles on the Get Balanced® Research Initiative. Survey studies for that initiative run on Plant Chat®, a research, education and survey platform.
Work with GCRC
Bring your project to the research table.
Partners, clients and research collaborators, tell us what you are building.