MAPS Partners with Changemark to Advance $12.9 Million Cannabis PTSD Study for Veterans

On Wednesday, MAPS announced it has selected Changemark Research + Evaluation as the contract research organization for its Phase 2 trial, known as MJP2, which will test inhaled cannabis for PTSD. The study is backed by a $12.9 million grant from the Michigan Veteran Marijuana Research Grant Program. Site selection and recruitment are expected to begin soon, with the first participants projected to start treatment in early 2026.

Changemark, a women-owned and women-led firm, specializes in substance use and mental health research, with prior experience in trials involving cannabis, MDMA, psilocybin, ibogaine, and ketamine. Under the agreement, the company will handle site and data management, safety reporting, and regulatory compliance.

Rick Doblin, founder and president of MAPS, said the partnership marks a turning point after years of disputes with the Food and Drug Administration over study design. “We spent years challenging the FDA, and now have the right partner to carry it forward,” Doblin said. “Changemark’s background ensures the study will be conducted with the highest scientific standards to deliver the evidence that Veterans and their healthcare providers need.”

Changemark CEO Jill Fikowski echoed that message, calling the trial a “pivotal opportunity” to bring scientific rigor to an issue deeply affecting veterans and their families. “MAPS has long stood at the forefront of research and advocacy to dismantle outdated barriers to care. The choice to partner with Changemark on this trial signals trust in both our capabilities and our values,” Fikowski said.

Both MAPS and Changemark emphasized their shared commitment to evidence-based mental health research and justice-oriented approaches to care. The trial is expected to provide some of the clearest real-world data to date on how inhaled cannabis may affect PTSD symptoms.