UNB researcher gets grant to explore medical potential of cannabis
By CP STAFF
Industry cannabis manufacturing medical Research unbIt's being transformed from an underground species into an industrial crop that awaits development.
FREDERICTON — A biochemist at the University of New Brunswick says the legalization of recreational cannabis has opened the door for scientists to find new medical uses for the plant.
Yang Qu says cannabis is rapidly being transformed from an underground species into an industrial crop that awaits medical and agricultural development.
He began work at the University of New Brunswick in January after being named the first cannabis health research chair in the country.
Qu says until now research has focused on increasing THC and CBD concentrations but has largely neglected the roughly 90 other cannabinoids that could be developed for other uses.
He says there will be a need to grow plants with specific cannabinoids as a medical use for each is identified.
His department has received $150,000 in federal funding to buy some of the needed research equipment.
