Key dates

Call for abstracts opens 1November2011

Call for abstracts closes 2March2012

Registrations open 2March2012

Notification of presentations 23–29April2012

Early bird closes 17August2012

Conference registrations close 14September2012

Workshops start 19September2012

Conference starts 20September2012

Click here to submit an abstract or register online

FromGeneticstoPractice

Wednesday 19 September – Friday 21 September 2012

BrisbaneConventionandExhibitionCentreGreySt,Brisbane,QLD,Australia

2ndNational Cannabis

Conference

InvitationThisisthesecondNationalCannabisConference,followingtheinauguralconferenceinSydneyin2009.

Thetopicareashavebeenchosentorespondtothedevelopingevidence-baseonissuessuchascannabisandmentalhealth.TheemergingareastobefeaturedwillincludecannabisuseandinterventionapproachesamongAboriginalandTorresStraitIslandercommunities,school-basedapproachestopreventingandreducingcannabisuse,theroleofgeneticsincannabisuseanddependence,therelationshipbetweencannabisandtobacco,syntheticcannabinoids,andpromisingapproachestocannabisandcomorbidmentalhealthconditions.Theconferencewillincludeperspectivesfromthehealth,education,youthservicesandcriminaljustice sectors.

TherewillbeworkshopsonWednesdayfollowedbythe2-dayconferenceonThursdayandFridaywhichincludesnationalandinternationalkeynotespeakers,freepapers,datablitz,postersandsocialandnetworkingopportunities.

TheconferencewillbeheldattheBrisbaneConventionandExhibitionCentre.

WelookforwardtowelcomingyoutoBrisbane!

prof Jan Copeland Chair,ConferenceCommittee

Call for abstractssubmissions opeN on 1 November 2011submissions CLose on 2 march 2012Notification of acceptance will be made between 23-29 april 2012Thescientificcommitteeiscallingforsubmissionsonissuessuch as:

• cannabisandmentalhealth

• cannabisuseandinterventionapproachesparticularlyamongAboriginalandTorresStraitIslandercommunities

• school-basedapproachestopreventingandreducingcannabis use

• theroleofgeneticsincannabisuseanddependence

• therelationshipbetweencannabisandtobacco

• syntheticcannabinoids

• cannabisandcomorbidmentalhealthconditions.

Theconferencewillincludeavarietyofperspectivesincludinghealth,education,youthservicesandthecriminaljusticesector.Abstractscanincludeempiricalresearch(groupandsinglecasestudies),topicreviews,clinicalissuesandinitiatives.

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Allpaperswillbeindependentlyreviewedbythescientificcommitteepriortoacceptance.ConferencepresentationswillbeineithertheformofaPLATFORMpresentation,aDATABLITZ(5minutes,3PowerPointslidesandaposter)oraPOSTER.Prospectivepresentersareinvitedtoindicatetheirpreferredpresentationformat,althoughthefinaldecisionwillbemadebythescientificcommittee.

Submissionsmustbeformattedaccordingtothefollowingguidelines:

• AbstractstobeinCalibri,fontsize12,maximum250words

• Abstractsshouldbestructuredasfollows:Title,Author(s),Affiliations,Abstract,Formatpreference(PlatformorPoster),emailaddressofcorrespondingauthor.Please underline the person who will be giving the presentation.

• Theabstractshouldconsistof:

– Title:sentencecaseandbold

– Authors:sentencecase-surname,firstname,superscriptforaffiliations

– Affiliations:sentencecase-department,institution,city,country

– Abstract:structuredabstractwiththefollowingheadingsinsentencecaseandbold:Backgroundandaims,Method,Results,Conclusionsoravariantofthatappropriatetothenatureofthepaper

– Correspondence:Correspondingauthorandemailaddress

– Preference for method of presentation:Oralpresentation,Posterplus5minoralpresentation(‘datablitz’),Posteronly

– Foranexampleofhowtolayouttheabstractgotohttp://mers.vpweb.com.au/NCPIC-Conference.html

• PleaseSUBMITtheabstractto:MargaretatMEResearchSolutions(MERS),email:m.eagers@unsw.edu.auwithyournameandconferenceinthetitleofthefilee.g.Eagers.NCPIC.Abstract.AllenquiriesregardingtheconferenceshouldbereferredtoMargaret.UPDATEDinformationcanbefoundattheNCPICwebsitewww.ncpic.org.au–registrationandconferenceorganisationinformationathttp://mers.vpweb.com.au/NCPIC-Conference.html

Submissiondeadline:5pm 2 March 2012

SubmissionEnquiries:MargaretEagers-Rickitm.eagers@unsw.edu.au

abstracts received after the 2 march deadline will not be considered.

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Keynote Speakers and Workshop/Symposia PresentersMichael LynskeyDr.LynskeyisanAssociateProfessorintheDeptofPsychiatryatWashingtonUniversity,SchoolofMedicine.Hehaspublishedextensivelyinthefieldoflongitudinalstudiesanddevelopmentalpsychopathology,withaparticularemphasisonthedevelopmentofalcoholandothersubstanceuseandsubstanceusedisorders.HetrainedwithDavidFergussonattheChristchurchHealthandDevelopmentStudy,alongitudinalStudyofabirthcohortof1265NewZealandbornchildrenwhohavebeenstudiedtotheageof25years.HesubsequentlyheldafacultypositionattheAustralianNationalDrugandAlcoholResearchCentre(NDARC)whereheworkedonavarietyofprojects,includinganongoinglongitudinalstudyofsubstanceuseandrelatedpsychopathologyinaMelbourne-basedcohortofyoungpeople.MichaelwillbecontributingtoaSymposiumandgivingaKeynote Address.

Paul MorrisonPaulMorrisonstudiedmedicineandpharmacologyinGlasgowandChicago,andpsychiatryandneuroscienceinLondon.Heiscurrentlystudyingtheeffectsofpurifiedcannabinoidmolecules(THC,CBDandTHCV)inhumans.MethodsincludeEEGandcomputer-generatedvirtual-reality.PaulwillbecontributingtoaSymposiumandgivinga Keynote Address.

Ryan VandreyDr.VandreyisanAssistantProfessorintheDepartmentofPsychiatryandBehavioralSciencesattheJohnsHopkinsUniversitySchoolofMedicine.Heisanexpertinthebehavioralpharmacologyofcannabisandtobacco(nicotine).Hisresearchhasfocusedprimarilyoncharacterizingthewithdrawaleffectsthatfrequentlyoccurfollowingheavyuseofthesesubstancesinbothoutpatientandresidentiallaboratorysettings.Morerecently,hehasengagedinresearchtargetingmedicationsthatcanbeusedtohelpreducewithdrawalandratesofrelapseforpeopletryingtoquitproblematicuseofcannabisandtobacco.Atthe2012NationalCannabisConference,Dr.Vandreywilldeliver2presentations:“CannabisDependence,Withdrawal,andTreatment”,and“RecentResearchonPharmacotherapiesforManagingCannabisWithdrawal”.RyanwillbecontributingtoaSymposiumandgivingaKeynote Address.

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Nadia SolowijNadiaSolowij,PhD,isaSeniorLecturerandResearcherintheSchoolofPsychology,UniversityofWollongong.Nadiaspent15yearsattheNationalDrugandAlcoholResearchCentre,UniversityofNewSouthWales,Sydney,establishingherprimaryareaofexpertiseonthelong-termcognitiveeffectsofcannabis.Shehasusedpsychophysiological,neuropsychological,andbrainimagingtechniquesinherinvestigationsandhasover70scientificpublicationsincludingherbookCannabis and Cognitive Functioning(CambridgeUniversityPress).Herrecentresearchhasfocusedonmemory,cognitionandbrainstructureandfunctioninadultandadolescentcannabisusersandpeoplewithschizophreniaandcomorbidcannabisuse.Hercurrentresearchexaminestheeffectsofcannabisuseanddifferentcannabinoidsongenetic,brainandothervulnerabilitymarkersforpsychosis.NadiawillbecontributingtoaSymposiumandgivingaKeynote Address.

Iain McGregorIainS.McGregorisARCProfessorialFellow,ProfessorofPsychopharmacologyandDirectorofthePsychopharmacologyLaboratoryattheUniversityofSydney.IaincompletedhisundergraduatedegreeinExperimentalPsychologyattheUniversityofOxfordandhisPhDinPsychologyattheUniversityofSydney.IainisoneofAustralia’sforemostresearchersinthefieldsofpsychopharmacologyandneurosciencewithmorethan120peerreviewedpublicationstohisname.HisresearchiscurrentlyfundedbytheAustralianResearchCouncilandtheNationalHealthandMedicalResearchCouncilandfocusesontheeffectsofdrugssuchasecstasy,cannabis,methamphetamineandantidepressantsonbrainandbehaviour.Thisresearchencompassesstudiesinbothhumansubjectsandlaboratoryanimalsandspansbehavioural,geneticandneurallevelsofanalysis.Iainisamuchsoughtafterspeakerandhasgivennumerousinvitedkeynoteaddressesandpresentationsaroundtheworld.Healsolecturesextensivelytopsychologyundergraduatesandtraineeclinicalpsychologists.IainrecentlyreceivedanNHMRCAchievementAwardfromtheHealthMinisterNicolaRoxonforhisoutstandingcontributionstobiomedicalresearch.IainwillbecontributingtoaSymposiumandgivingaKeynote Address.

Michael J. ZvolenskyDr.MichaelJ.ZvolenskyreceivedhisdoctoraldegreeinclinicalpsychologyfromWestVirginiaUniversityin2001.Currently,heistheHughRoyandLillieCranzCullenDistinguishedUniversityProfessorandDirectoroftheAnxietyandHealthResearchLaboratoryattheUniversityofHouston.Dr. Zvolensky’sresearchprogramcutsacrossbasicandappliedworkintheareaofanxietyandsubstanceusedisorders.Inpursuitofthisknowledge,heusestwointerrelatedand

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convergentresearchapproaches:oneisbasicresearchonemotionalvulnerabilityprocessesandthesecondisclinicalextensionsofthatbasicresearchintheformoftheoretically-drivenpsychosocialinterventionsstrategies.He hasbeenespeciallyinvolvedinbetterunderstandingtheroleofcigarettesmokingintermsoftheetiologyandmaintenanceofpanicpsychopathology,andatthesametime,therolepanicvulnerabilityfactorsmayplayinsmokingcessation.Hismostrecentworkhasbeenfocusedontheroleofcannabisinanxietyandhealth-relatedconditions.Dr.Zvolenskyhaspublishedover300scientificarticlesandreceivedavarietyofearlycontributiontothefieldawardsfromprofessionalorganisations.HisresearchhasbeencontinuouslyfundedbyNIHsincereceivinghisdoctoraldegree.MichaelwillbegivingafulldayWorkshop and a Keynote Address.

Tom CalmaTomCalmaisAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderSocialJusticeCommissionerandChairofthetenpersonIndigenousSteeringCommitteechargedwithestablishingthenewnationalrepresentativebodyforAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderpeoples.

MrCalmaisanAboriginalelderfromtheKungarakantribalgroupandamemberoftheIwaidjatribalgroupwhosetraditionallandsaresouthwestofDarwinandontheCoburgPeninsulainNorthernTerritory,respectively.HehasbeeninvolvedinIndigenousaffairsatlocal,community,state,nationalandinternationallevelsandworkedinthepublicsectorforover30years.TomwillbegivinganOpening Address.

Wendy SwiftWendySwiftisemployedpart-timeasaSeniorLectureratNDARC,UNSW.Sincecompletingherdoctorateoncannabisdependenceshehasbeeninvolvedinanoriginalanddiverseprogramofresearchinvestigatingtheepidemiologyofcannabisuse,dependenceandharmsaswellascannabistreatment.ShehasrecentlycompletedworkonlongitudinalanalysesofcannabisusefromadolescencetoyoungadulthoodincollaborationwiththeVictorianAdolescentHealthCohortStudy,andthefirstmajorAustralianstudyontheassessmentofcannabispotency,usingdatafromNSWcannabiscautioningseizures.WendywillbegivingaKeynote Address.

Other speakers include:Steven J. Allsop, Alan Clough, Jan Copeland, Paul Dillon, John Howard and Coralie Ober.

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RegistrationRegister online at: www.mers.vpweb.com.auOnlineregistrationiseasy,simpleandtheonlymethodofregisteringfortheconference.However,ifyouhavedifficultywithonlineregistrationcontactMargareton0425220622forassistance.

Registrationmustbereceivedandfullypaidbefore14September2012.

All registration fees are quoted in Australian Dollars and include 10% GST.

Registration costPre-conferencefull-dayworkshop$220

Pre-conferencehalf-dayworkshop/symposium$130ortwofor$220

Workshop1: Full-daySymposium1: Half-daySymposium2: Half-dayWorkshop2: Half-daySymposium3: Half-day

Early BirdAfter

17/08/2012

General Attendee $499 $559

Student (fax proof) $250 $310

Day Registration $380 $380

Day Registration (student) $175 $175

Welcome Reception Freeforconferenceattendees

Welcome Reception for half-day workshop delegates and guests $75 $75

Paymentcanbemade:

• onlineusingVisaorMasterCardcreditcards;MERSdoesNOTtakeAMEX

• bycheque(forAustraliandelegates)• byInternationalDraftmadepayableinAUDtoanAustralian

bank(forinternationaldelegates)• bypayingdirectlyintoMERS’bankaccountpleaseemail

m.eagers@unsw.edu.aufordetails

Social programThursday 6:30pm – 9.30pm – Welcome ReceptionAllconferencedelegatesareinvitedtotheWelcomeReceptionwhichwillbeheldintheSkyLoungeattheBrisbaneConventionandExhibitionCentre.TheWelcomeReceptionincludescanapésanddrinksaswellasentertainmentbySeanChoolburra.Ifyouareonlyattendingoneworkshop/symposia(butnottheconference)youmayattendthisfunctionbypaying$75.Accompanyingpersonsareinvitedalsoatacostof$75.

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1 x Half-Day Workshop/Symposium Registration includes:• Entryintoonehalf-dayworkshop/symposium• MorningORafternoontea• Aconferencebag• Abookcontainingtheprogram,abstractsandprofilesofthe

speakers• TheoptionofattendingtheWelcomeReceptiononThursday

eveningatacostof$75

Full-Day Workshop Registration or 2 x Half-Day Workshop/Symposium Registrations include:• Entryintothefull-dayworkshopor2xhalf-dayworkshops/

symposia• Morningtea,lunchandafternoontea• Aconferencebag• Abookcontainingtheprogram,abstractsandprofilesofthe

speakers• WelcomeReceptiononThursdayevening

Full Conference Registration includes:• Aninterestingandvariedprogramofkeynotespeakersandfree

paperpresentations• Morningtea,lunchandafternoonteaonThursdayandFriday• Aconferencebag• Abookcontainingtheprogram,abstractsandprofilesofthe

speakers• WelcomeReceptiononThursdayevening

Numbers for the workshops are limited so register early to avoid disappointment. Participants will be accepted in order of receipt of workshop fees.

Conference venueBrisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre Grey Street, Brisbane, QLD, Australia www.bcec.com.auBrisbaneConventionandExhibitionCentreisaworld-classvenueoverthreelevelsofferingacomprehensiverangeoffullyintegratedin-houseservices.

AccommodationWehavenegotiatedaconferenceratewithtwohotelsinthevicinityofthevenue:

Rydges South Bank, Brisbane,GlenelgSt,SouthBank,QueenRoomcosts$279,withbreakfastatacostof$25(reducedfrom$29.50)

Hilton Brisbane,190ElizabethSt,Brisbane,KingHiltonGuestRoomcosts$245(Single)and$265(Double);KingHiltonDeluxeRoomcosts$285(Single)and$305(Double),withbreakfastatacostof$25(reducedfrom$38.00iforderedattimeofbooking)

Informationonthesehotelsandalinktobookcanbefoundatwww.mers.vpweb.com.au.

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Important informationCancellation Policy Applies to ALL delegates

• Ifyoucancelpriorto14September2012youwillberefundedallbutAU$60administrationcosts.

• Ifyoucancelafter14September2012youwillreceivenorefund.

• Pleasenotethatverbalandpostalregistrationswillnotbeaccepted.

• Whenyouregisteryouwillreceiveaconfirmationemail–itwillbeexpectedthatyouwillattendtheconferenceandpaytheinvoice,ifyoudecidenottoattendyoumustCANCELyourregistrationingoodtimeorpaythefullfee.

• IfyoudonotreceiveaconfirmationbyreturnemailitmeansyouhaveNOTregistered,emailm.eagers@unsw.edu.auforassistance.

• IfyouhavedifficultyregisteringringMargareton0425220622oremailm.eagers@unsw.edu.au.

• Ifyourorganisationispayingbychequeandrequiresaninvoice,registeronlineandtickthechequeoptiononthescreenthenFinish.Aninvoicewillbemadeavailableforyoutoeitherdownloadoremailtoyourorganisation’sAccountsPayabledepartment.

• PLEASE DO NOT expectyouraccountssectiontoregisteryou.RegisterfirstthenpasstheinvoicetothemforpaymentoryoumightarriveinBrisbaneunregistered.

Closing Date for RegistrationsYourregistrationmustbecompletedonlineby14September2012.AfterthisdatepleasecontactMERS.On-siteregistrationwillbeaccepted,dependinguponspaceavailability,butmustbeaccompaniedbythetotalfeedue.Earlybirdregistrationfeesmustbereceivedby17August2012.IfyouareregisteringasastudentacopyofyourstudentIDshouldbeeitheremailedtom.eagers@unsw.edu.auorfaxedto+61293850222.

Privacy Statement Yournameandcontactdetailswillbeusedtonotifyyouoffutureeventsandwillbeplacedonalistofdelegates(withemailaddress)whichwillbemadeavailabletoconferencedelegates.Ifyoudonotwishtohaveyourdetailsincludedonthislist,pleaseindicatethisattimeofregistration.

Insurance Itisstronglyrecommendedthatdelegatestakeoutadequatemedical,travelandpersonalinsurancepriortothecommencementoftraveltocoveranylossoffees,accommodationorairfares,shouldyoubeunabletoparticipateintheconferenceforanyreason.

Disclaimer• Theinformationgivenbypresentersattheconferencedoes

notrepresenttheviewsofNCPIC,anddoesnotconstitutetherapeuticadvice.

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• Westronglyadviseconferencepresenterstotakeouttheirownprofessionalindemnityinsurance.

• Intheeventofindustrialaction,forcemajeureorotherunforeseendisruption,theconferenceorganisersdonottakeresponsibilityforanylossofmoniesincurredbyconferencedelegates.Westronglyadviseconferencedelegatestoarrangetheirownpersonalinsurance.

• Theconferencewillnotbeliableforanyparticipantfailingtotakeouttheirowninsurance.

• Theeventmanagerswillnotbeliableforanyparticipantfailingto READ THIS DISCLAIMER.

• DelegatesandotherinviteesmustobservetherequestsordirectionsofNCPICorMERSstaffandBrisbaneConventionandExhibitionCentrestaff.

Register early to take advantage of the discount prices Further InformationIfyourequireANYinformationabouttheconferencedonothesitatetocontactMERS:

Email m.eagers@unsw.edu.auTel: 0425220622Fax: 0293850222MERSwebsite: www.mers.vpweb.com.auNCPICwebsite: www.ncpic.org.au

We look forward to seeing you in Brisbane!

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Thursday 20 sepTember

8:00–8:45 Registration

8:45 – 10:30 SESSION 1

8:45–9:30 IndigenousWelcometoCountryWelcome–NCpIC Chair (hon) John della boscaOfficialOpening

9:30–10:15 NationalKeynoteSpeakermr Tom Calma Topic: Closing the cannabis gap?

10:15–10:30 FocussedDatablitz

10:30 – 11:00 morNINg Tea & posTers

11:00 – 13:00 SESSION 2

11:00–11:40 InternationalKeynoteSpeakerprof michael Lynskey Topic:Cannabis & genetics of use/dependence

11:40–12:20 InternationalKeynoteSpeakerdr paul morrisonTopic: Cannabis & psychosis

12:20–13:00 NationalKeynoteSpeakerdr Nadia solowij Topic: Cannabis & cognitive function

13:00 – 14:00 LuNCh aNd posTers

14:00 – 15:30 CONCURRENT SESSIONS 3–5

15:30 – 16:00 aFTerNooN Tea aNd posTers

16:00 – 17:30 CONCURRENT SESSIONS 6–8

18:30–21:30 WelcomeReceptionwithsean Choolburra

WedNesday 19 sepTember

8.00–9.00am Registration

9.00–4.00pm Full-dayworkshop

9.00–12.00pm Morningsymposia

1.00–4.00pm Afternoonworkshopandsymposium

Provisional conference program

Pre-conference workshops/seminars tbc

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FrIday 21 sepTember

8:00–8:50 Registration

8:50 – 11:00 SESSION 9

8:50–9:00 Welcome–NCpIC director prof Jan Copeland9:00–9:40 InternationalKeynoteSpeaker

dr ryan VandreyTopic:Cannabis treatment

9:40–10:20 InternationalKeynoteSpeakerdr michael J. Zvolensky Topic:Cannabis & anxiety

10:20–11:00 NationalKeynoteSpeakera/prof alan CloughTopic:Indigenous issues

11:00 – 11:30 morNINg Tea & posTers

11:30 – 13:00 CONCURRENT SESSIONS 10–12

11:30–13:00 FreePapers

11:30–13:00 FreePapers

11:30–13:00 FreePapers

13:00 – 14:00 LuNCh & posTers

14:00 – 16:00 SESSION 13

14:00–14:30 NationalKeynoteSpeakerprof Iain mcgregorTopic: Cannabis & cannabinoids

14:30–15:00 NationalKeynoteSpeakermr paul dillonTopic:Cannabis & the media & Synthetic cannabinoids

15:00–15:30 NationalKeynoteSpeakerdr Wendy swift Topic: Cannabis potency

15:30–16:00 ClosingPanelprof steve allsop and ms Coralie ober

SupportedbytheAustralianGovernment

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