Brock is one of the first universities in the country to receive a cannabis-related research and development license from Health Canada under a new application process since cannabis was legalized last year.<\/p>\n
The University was recently awarded permission to get started on two specific cannabis-related projects that will involve collaborations with local industry partners.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis research license will expand Brock\u2019s remarkable track record of partnerships that enable the agri-food and biomanufacturing sectors to work with leading researchers and access a talent pipeline of highly trained graduates,\u201d said Vice-President, Research Tim Kenyon. \u201cBrock is committed to supporting the rapidly expanding cannabis industry in Niagara and across the country through research and innovation that improves competitiveness while deepening our understanding.\u201d<\/p>\n
Initial research projects will be headed up by Professor of Biochemistry Debbie Inglis and Adjunct Professor of Biological Sciences Sudarsana Poojari. Although it doesn\u2019t fall under Inglis\u2019 work as Director of Brock\u2019s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI), it was because of that institute\u2019s reputation in the agriculture industry that led to one of the two new research projects.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe identified a problem with our plants showing some signs of stress and we instantly knew the researchers at Brock could figure it out,\u201d said Donald Ziraldo, Chairman of Heritage Cannabis Corp., which has partnered with Brock on one of the research projects. \u201cThere was no question where we would go.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ziraldo is well familiar with the University and the benefits of working with its research institutes. Along with business partner Karl Kaiser, Ziraldo launched Inniskillin Wines in 1975 and helped champion and fund the launch of CCOVI in 1996. It has now grown to be the most important research facility in the country for vine health and cold-weather hardiness research.<\/p>\n
In his new role with Heritage Cannabis, Ziraldo will work with Inglis and Poojari to improve the quality and health of cannabis plants being grown primarily for medicinal use through disease diagnostics and testing.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause this was an illegal drug for so long, one of the things that\u2019s missing is research, so we\u2019re very pleased to be partnering with Brock on this,\u201d Ziraldo said. \u201cInitiatives such as this are fundamental to the ongoing success of any business and contributes greatly to the Niagara region and Canada.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis license puts us on the leading edge of being a research provider in this space,\u201d Inglis said. \u201cWe already have tremendous experience on other plant products from the grape and wine industry and there\u2019s a huge opportunity to translate that knowledge over to this new area of cannabis.\u201d<\/p>\n
The second research project will be run in conjunction with industry partner MAVCAN to research cannabis extractables for stability in a variety of products.<\/p>\n
Launched by Maverick Distillery, which has been Canada\u2019s leading craft distillery over the past decade, MAVCAN is a cannabis-infusion drink technology company in the final stage of becoming a Health Canada licensed producer.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe understand the beverage market and controlled substances, and we recognize the immense beverage opportunities that come with the legalization of recreational cannabis,\u201d said Craig Peters, Founder and CEO of Maverick Distillery and MAVCAN. \u201cThrough our partnership with Brock University, MAVCAN is leveraging cutting-edge separation and downstream processing technologies to isolate and refine high-value cannabinoid molecules.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe believe we have developed the best cannabis-infused drink technology in the industry and Brock is vital to keeping MAVCAN at the leading edge,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n