Loyalist College has received its first funding awards in connection with an applied research project with Apollogreen, a global cannabis starter plant supplier.
This is first of two Mitacs Accelerate funding awards totalling $30,000.
Kandace Parks. a post-graduate student, is the candidate for the 12-month research-assistant position.
The project is about medical and recreational cannabis use.
Parks says, “This is a very innovative and research-intensive project. We don’t know exactly what is going to happen. We have an idea, but it is nerve-racking until proven. Everything about this experience is exciting and I am very thankful to Mitacs, Apollogreen and Loyalist College for the opportunity to make industry connections while strengthening my research skills.”
She explained to Quinte News, “One of really neat things about cannabis is that it’s not just about a bunch people who smoke weed. I also work at a dispensary in Picton. Sure there are recreational users but also some using it to help treat such things as a muscle issue or insomnia.”
“Whether you’re a recreational user or you’re using it to help mitigate a symptom. The key is your product is always consistent no matter what you’re using it for. So It’s very important for the licensed… producer to be able to produce the same canaveroidal profiles.”
Loyalist College President Dr. Ann Marie Vaughan also comments, “To enhance plant uniformity, the project aims to optimize cannabis cloning and streamline micropropagation procedures, which rapidly multiply stock plant material. For our students, these types of real world projects offer exceptional opportunities to expand their understanding of advanced tissue culture research, testing and analysis. Through applied research in various disciplines, Loyalist College is driving economic development, innovation, and entrepreneurship in the Bay of Quinte region. We encourage small and medium-sized enterprises to get in touch with us to collaborate in bringing their ideas to market.”
