Michael Backes specializes in cannabis science and policy issues at a southern California consultancy, which maintains clients throughout the United States. He previously founded the first evidence-based medical cannabis dispensary. Backes is active with Project CBD, a non-profit educational service dedicated to promoting research into the medical utility of cannabidiol (a non-psychoactive cannabis molecule), the International Association for Cannabinoid Medicines, and is a member of the American Herbal Products Association's Cannabis Committee. He lives in Southern California.