Why Patients Out of Time
Patients Out of Time was founded in 1995 as the direct continuation of Robert Randall and Alice O'Leary's Alliance for Cannabis Therapeutics — the organization Randall founded after becoming the first American to legally receive federal cannabis in 1976. Robert Randall's 1976 case established the medical necessity defense for cannabis. He became the only legal medical cannabis patient in the United States, receiving federally grown cannabis through the FDA's Compassionate Investigational New Drug (IND) program. In 1980, Randall and O'Leary founded the Alliance for Cannabis Therapeutics (ACT) to help other patients access the IND program. In the early 1990s, they established the Marijuana AIDS Research Service (MARS) to help AIDS patients apply. Hundreds filed. The government approved dozens — then closed the program in 1992. Only 13 patients remained. In 1995, Randall was diagnosed with AIDS and forced to retire. Al Byrne and Mary Lynn Mathre, RN, founded Patients Out of Time to continue the work. In 2000, POT hosted the first National Clinical Conference on Cannabis Therapeutics. Robert Randall spoke at it. It was his last public appearance. He died June 2, 2001.
Thirty + Years of Work
Since 1995, POT has: Hosted 15 National Clinical Conferences featuring Raphael Mechoulam, Lester Grinspoon, Donald Abrams, Allyn Howlett, Ethan Russo, and other pioneers when universities wouldn't platform them Provided CME/CEU education to 10,000+ healthcare professionals Partnered with UCSF for continuing education when medical schools refused to teach cannabis therapeutics Joined the 2013 lawsuit challenging DEA's Schedule I classification of cannabis Maintained relationships with the surviving federal IND patients — Alice O'Leary-Randall serves on POT's Board; Irvin Rosenfeld (second IND patient) is a founding director POT is the institutional heir to the only people who were legally using cannabis as medicine when everyone else was being arrested for it. That history is why POT has the authority to confer Hall of Fame recognition.
Leadership
Scheril Murray Powell, Esq. — Executive Director and Chairperson (incoming) Cannabis, agriculture, and dietary supplement attorney Mary Lynn Mathre, RN — President (transitioning to President Emeritus) Co-founder, 1995 Under Scheril's leadership, POT is expanding beyond conferences into permanent recognition infrastructure — formalizing the record of who built plant medicine science and policy when institutions refused to support it. The Halls of Fame are the first initiative of this new era.
Dr. Deb Malka and Dr. Tony Ferrari
Leads for the Objective, Independent, Panel of Scientists
Board of Directors
Current Board of Directors MARY LYNN MATHRE (BOARD CHAIR), DR. DEB MALKA, MICHAEL GREEN (TREASURER), ROBBIN LEVIN, DR. TONY FERRARI, RAMI TAHA Medical Director DR. BRIDGET WILLIAMS, MD Advisory Board of Directors Alice O'Leary-Randall, LPN | (Treasurer) | Founding Directors: Irvin Rosenfeld (federal IND patient) | George McMahon (federal IND patient) | Denis Petro, MD | Melanie Dreher, RN, PhD, FAAN In Memory: Robert Randall (1948–2001) | Al Byrne | Elvy Musikka
Nomination and Selection
Researchers are nominated for their rigorous scientific inquiry and contributions to plant medicine therapeutics during eras of institutional risk.
Recognition of Scientific Courage
We honor researchers who advanced cannabis and psychedelic science when federal restrictions and institutional stigma made their work professionally dangerous.
Induction and Formal Recognition
Inducted researchers receive formal recognition through the Cannabis Research Hall of Fame, ensuring their pioneering contributions are permanently documented and celebrated.
Advancing Plant Medicine Understanding
The Hall of Fame preserves the scientific history that transformed neurology, oncology supportive care, and mental health treatment through evidence-based therapeutics.
Preserving Scientific History
By formalizing recognition, the Cannabis Research Hall of Fame ensures the historical record of breakthrough discoveries is protected and accessible to future researchers.
Advancing plant medicine through recognition and research
The Cannabis Research Hall of Fame amplifies the legacy of pioneering scientists whose rigorous work transformed therapeutic understanding during decades of institutional resistance.
0+
Honored researchers
30+
Years of research recognized
5
Medical specialties impacted
100%
Evidence-based recognition