The use of medicinal cannabis is a huge issue on the Far North Coast with many believing that the benefits of cannabis oil and related products are above and beyond those of traditional treatments. Yet, there is a lot of controversy about its use and the debate continues to rage.
In the meantime, Southern Cross University researchers will underpin pioneering research into the medicinal cannabis industry in NSW, analysing the plant’s physiology and biochemistry.
Designing agronomic parameters for cannabis
The research team will design agronomic parameters for cannabis plants to determine the ideal conditions for producing high quality, year-round, consistent medicinal cannabis products.
Associate Professor Bronwyn Barkla, Director of the University’s Southern Cross Plant Science, said the new government and industry research study was a critical step in the delivery of therapeutically-consistent and safe medicinal cannabis products. ‘The research team at Southern Cross University will investigate the compounds the plant produces, in what quantity, and where and how the plant synthesises those compounds,’ said Prof. Barkla.
‘This is important for quality assurance, ensuring the industry is able to deliver a consistent and safe product of high efficacy to patients.’
The research study is a $10 million collaboration between the NSW Department of Primary Industries, Cann Group Ltd, Southern Cross University, Aglive Pty Ltd and the University of Newcastle, with support from the Commonwealth Government.
The Commonwealth Government will co-invest $3 million through its Cooperative Research Centre Program (CRC-P), ‘Growing the medicinal cannabis industry – from precision farming
to pharmaceuticals’. CRC programs support industry-led collaborations between industry, researchers and the community.
Crucial aspects of development include cultivation and processing
Associate Professor of Southern Cross Plant Science Tobias Kretzschmar says the CRC-P covers a range of crucial aspects in the development of a robust medicinal cannabis supply chain for Australia. These include cultivation and processing, as well as product track-and-trace and compound pharmacology,’ he said.
Active cannabis compounds are produced in small highly efficient bio-factories, known astrichomes or leaf hairs, which predominantly sit on female flowers.
‘Trichome productivity depends on a range of factors including genetics, developmental stages and the cultivation environment. Understanding this complex interplay at the molecular level allows for optimization of active compound production,’ said Prof. Kretzschmar.
Both Associate Professors Barkla and Kretzschmar have a background in trichome biology and strong track records in industry partnerships and collaborations, translating basic scientific findings into industry applications.
SCU a leader of medicinal plant research
The University’s Deputy Vice Chancellor of Research Professor Mary Spongberg said Southern Cross was well-credentialed to contribute to this CRC-P. ‘For more than 25 years Southern Cross has been one of the leaders of medicinal plant research in Australia,’ said Prof. Spongberg. ‘We have customised cannabis research infrastructure and more than a decade of experience in cannabis analytical chemistry and cannabis genetics, collectively making Southern Cross one of the most experienced Australian universities in cannabis research.
‘Globally, medicinal cannabis is a growing multi-billion dollar market and we believe these project outcomes will make Australia internationally competitive in the premium market segment, while nationally this project will lay the foundation to meet long-term clientdemand of medicinal cannabis products,’ she said.
Cann Group Ltd is is the first company to be issued an Australian government CannabisResearch License.
