The North American cannabis industry took in approximately $9 billion in sales in 2017, according to Tom Adams, managing director of BDS Analytics.

This figure—calculated before California opened its huge retail market—is equivalent to the entire snack bar industry. Looking ahead, analysts predict the North American market to grow to $47.3 billion within a decade.

The takeaway here is pretty clear. Private investors, businesses and select state legislatures are all-in on legal cannabis. But where does philanthropy fit in?

It's an important question to ask after UC San Diego received $4.7 million for medical cannabis research from the Ray and Tye Noorda Foundation. The funding will support the "first-of-its-kind, multi-disciplinary research on autism spectrum disorders" at the Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research at UC San Diego School of Medicine (UCSD).

Established in 2000, the center's first study looked at the potential benefits of cannabis for easing certain types of chronic pain, as well as severe muscle spasticity. Ongoing studies are examining cannabinoids in pain management as well as their effects on bipolar disorder. The Noorda Foundation grant was given in partnership with and based on recommendations from the La Jolla, California-based Wholistic Research and Education Foundation…