BC Business
The school is taking in almost $4 million in new funding.
Langara College‘s slogan seems especially fitting today.
The “college of higher learning” has received two sizable grants totalling $3.3 million toward cannabis education through its Applied Science for the Canadian Cannabis Industry (ASCCI) research project.
The money is coming in from two different federal institutions, with the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) giving $2 million and the Canadian Foundation for Innovation (CFI) throwing in another $1.3 million.
According to the school, the research project will “span a wide spectrum of investigation, with applications to plant genomics, plant metabolomics, cellular response to cannabinoids, optimization of processing, and use of nanoparticles for delivery of bio-active compounds.”
Funding will also give Langara students the opportunity to use advanced research equipment and build their expertise.
“This funding is a testament to the growth and expertise in cutting-edge and cross-disciplinary applied research that Langara College has built over the years,” said Langara College provost Margaret Heldman in a release. “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.”
Local industry partners will also be involved: companies like Pure Sunfarms, Ascension Sciences, and Nextleaf Solutions will support the research and inject contributions to the tune of $400,000.
“We’re excited about working with our industry partners, leaders themselves in the various aspects of cannabinoid extraction, production, and processing,” said Kelly Sveinson, chair of the Applied Research Centre. “Their expertise will be an invaluable contribution throughout the research ahead, and we look forward to collaborating.”