<I haven't looked into the subject too much but I was wondering how far off (potentially) a artificial gravity system for a space vehicle is?

Wouldn’t mind knowing that myself.

If and when we go to mars is it possible for the human body to effectively withstand basically zero gravity for the trip and time on the planet (2 years?) or will an anti-gravity system have to be developed?

It is possible, but you would then be expected to make landfall, to a gravity 1/3 that of Earth’s -- for another extended period of time. Having an artificial gravity (AG) chamber on the planet surface would be useful, perhaps a centrifuge device that could simulate a heavier gravity.

I don't know if you've seen it but British Airways has a wonderful television ad parodying this topic. It shows a U.S. and Russian astronaut floating (zero gravity) inside a space station and eating dehydrated slop on a cold metal tray. The next shot is of two Brits sitting while their surroundings rotate (which creates artificial gravity) inside a craft watching cricket and eating fresh strawberries.

Yeah, they’re so far ahead of us it’s frightening.

Haven’t seen it, but don’t sell NASA short of the smarts department. It’s no longer necessary for astronauts to eat goo from a tube. In micro-G, the gravy will hold your Salisbury steak to your plate just fine (but be careful while cutting it...).

How far away is this artificial gravity scenario (not the cricket and strawberries part)?

It might be cheaper, easier, and more efficient to alter the tool (astronaut), rather than trying to modify the Universe (mostly micro-G). Shoring up human frailties is the way to go, I say.

Dan