KEMPTVILLE, Ont. – Cannabis
Orchards Inc. is excited to announce the receipt of two prestigious grants,
totaling $600,305, from the AgriScience Program by the Minister of Agriculture
and Agri-Food and the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research
Assistance Program (NRC IRAP). These significant funds will support Cannabis
Orchards’ innovative projects aimed at the genetic improvement of industrial
hemp and the advancement of minor cannabinoid research.
The first grant of $404,305 from the AgriScience Program supports
the project titled “Minor Cannabinoids, Major Advancements: Polyploidization
and Enrichment of Cannabinoid Hemp,” with a total project cost of $808,610.
This project aims to develop seedless triploid hemp lines for cannabidiol (CBD)
and minor cannabinoids such as cannabigerol (CBG) and cannabichromene (CBC).
Despite their therapeutic potential, minor cannabinoids remain rare in the
market. By developing novel triploid hemp lines, Cannabis Orchards seeks to
create new markets and maximize yields and profits for hemp farmers, providing
them with enhanced minor cannabinoid hemp varieties capable of delivering novel
cannabinoid profiles. These advancements will support the cannabinoid industry,
enabling the production and supply of minor cannabinoids to both extractors and
researchers, fueling commercialization opportunities in the recreational and
medical markets, as well as research into therapeutic development.
Dr. Jamie Ghossein, CEO of Cannabis Orchards, commented, “The
potential of minor cannabinoids in therapeutic applications is vast, yet they
remain underutilized due to their scarcity. Our research and development
efforts are dedicated to unlocking this potential, ultimately providing more
effective treatment options for a variety of conditions and opening new
commercialization opportunities for farmers and the Canadian cannabinoid
industry.”
The second grant of $196,000 from NRC IRAP supports the project
titled “Polyploidization for the Genetic Improvement of Industrial Hemp,” with
a total project cost of $392,000. This project focuses on developing triploid
hemp varieties through polyploidization, a process that creates plants with
multiple sets of chromosomes. The primary objectives are to produce triploid
hemp varieties and characterize their fertility and growth parameters. These
advancements aim to enhance desirable traits in industrial hemp, such as
increased biomass yield and cannabinoid content, while reducing the risk of
unwanted cross-pollination by rendering plants infertile.
Dr. Ghossein added, “This grant from NRC IRAP is a significant
endorsement of our cutting-edge research in polyploidy and hemp trait
development. Our project will enable the development of seedless triploid hemp
varieties, ensuring higher yields and more consistent quality for farmers and
cannabinoid processors. By preventing unwanted pollination and enhancing
desirable traits, we are paving the way for the next generation of industrial
hemp genetics by maximizing yields for farmers and providing high-quality
cannabinoid inputs to processors.”
Both projects commenced in early 2024 and will conclude by 2026,
involving key activities such as minor cannabinoid hemp breeding, polyploidy
experiments, fertility assessment, and field studies for characterization of
physical traits and cannabinoid yields.
About Cannabis Orchards
Cannabis Orchards Inc. is an inventive, research-driven, and
proudly Canadian company focused on furthering the development and
commercialization of novel cannabinoids and therapeutics. The company leads
research into the development of new hemp varieties with minor cannabinoid
content and their applications in clinical settings. Cannabis Orchards’
products are highly sought after by Licensed Processors, research institutes,
and pharmaceutical companies.
