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Following the passage of the US Farm Bill last year, new avenues have opened for both industrial hemp grow operations as well as development of additional hemp-based products and cultivation methods. Taking advantage of those loosened restrictions, Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. (CSE: CURA; OTCQX: CURLF) today announced a partnership with the University of Connecticut for hemp growth research. 

Researchers from the university’s Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture will receive funding through Curaleaf to develop advanced cultivation processes towards increasing current production levels. 

Led by Dr. Jessica Lubell and Dr. Mark Brand, the results of this partnership’s research are expected to be officially released within the next year and will potentially be utilized by Curaleaf towards hemp and medical cannabis growth. 

Discussing the impending tissue culture and seed breeding study initiatives, Dr. Lubell commented: 

We are very excited to expand our research efforts on industrial hemp with funding support from Curaleaf. Curaleaf-funded research at UConn will not only bring advancements to our understanding of industrial hemp culture and genetics, but it will also train graduate students in this emerging crop.

Dr. Lubell and Dr. Brand have previously authored a series of papers together on topics such as hemp growth and developing native plant species over importing invasive plants for decorative purposes. Acquiring her PhD from the University of Connecticut in 2008, Dr. Lubell currently serves as an associate professor at the institution.  

This Curaleaf-funded project follows a flurry of research partnerships announced in recent months with  institutes of higher learning as well as more unexpected organizations. Last week, Canadian licensed producer Aurora Cannabis (NYSE: ACB; TSX: ACB) inked a deal with mixed martial arts promotion company UFC to study the use of hemp-based CBD products for athletes in recovery. 

On the marijuana side of the industry, which remains prohibited at the federal level in the US despite being legalized in 10 states, a Manhattan investor just pumped $9 million into Harvard University towards researching the effects of cannabis on the human brain. 

In other recent Curaleaf news, earlier this month the company announced a $948 million deal to acquire the cannabis product lines and manufacturing processes from Portland-based company Select. 

About Author

Ty Arthur

Ty Arthur

Ty Arthur has spent the last decade of his journalism career covering everything from cutting-edge tech to local news through outlets such as the Houston Chronicle. He has focused on the counterculture aspects of society, from marijuana legalization to underground music through Metalunderground.com and rapidly changing trends in the entertainment industry. He lives in the cold, dark north with his wife and son.

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