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Langara College receives $3.3M grant for cannabis research

Vancouver-based Langara College has received a huge grant to further cannabis research in British Columbia.

The college’s Applied Science for the Canadian Cannabis Industry (ASCCI) has received $2 million from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) and $1.3 million from the Canadian Foundation for Innovation (CFI).

In a press release on July 13, the college said that the five-year NSERC grant will fund research projects that will span a wide spectrum of investigation – including plant genomics, plant metabolomics, cellular response to cannabinoids, optimization of processing and use of nanoparticles for deliver of bio-active compounds.

“This funding is a testament to the grwoth and expertise in cutting-edge and cross-disciplinary applied research that Langara College has built over the years,” said Provost Margaret Heldman. “It presents a wonderful opportunity for our students to get hands-on, career-ready research experience as they complete their credentials, working under the tutelage of our faculty.”

The research will be supported by industry partners, including Pure Sunfarms, Ascension Sciences and Nextleaf Solutions. Together, these companies have contributed an additional $400,000 towards the college’s research.

NSERC invests more than $1.2 billion each year in natural sciences and engineering research in Canada. It also provides scholarships and hands-on training experience for more than 30,000 post-secondary students and post-doctoral fellows.

The CFI invests in state-of-the art facilities and equipment in Canada’s universities, colleges, research hospitals and non-profit research institutions to encourage world-class innovation in Canadian research.

(Photo: Langara College)

(Photo: Langara College)