NEW RESEARCHERS JOIN CANVASALUS
It is since 1995 that two authoritative Cannabis researchers, then working in two different and prestigious research centers (Wageningen University in Netherlands and ISCI in Bologna formerly Consorzio Produttori Canapa), have been engaged in projects for the relaunching of industrial hemp. The story has not been interrupted. The first has produced a wide range of new cannabinoid chemotypes intended for pharmaceutical use; the second has obtained the two varieties used to produce Cannabis for medicinal use in Italy.
Their names are Etienne de Meijer and Giampaolo Grassi.
Now these two researchers are collaborating with Canvasalus and they will give life to new materials and new development possibilities to the Cannabis sector in Italy. Together with these researchers is working Giovanni Appendino, not by chance born in Carmagnola, who works at DISCAF in Novara and who has characterised new hemp molecules, including many cannabinoids. Giulio Grassi is the administrator of the company and will be the new lever that will give energy and passion to the development of the company that aims to distinguish itself at European and world level.
The story continues…..
ETIENNE DE MEIJER: THE BREEDER WITH PROFOUND KNOWLEDGE OF CANNABIS CHEMOTYPES
Etienne de Meijer is the figure to whom we would like to turn our and your attention now. A graduate (PhD) in Agricultural Sciences, he was born in the Netherlands and has always had a strong interest in plants and their uses.
A LIFE DEVOTED TO CANNABIS
One of his first jobs was at the Dutch germplasm conservation bank, an institute attached to the university. The first research he took part in was focused on identifying alternative industrial crops for Dutch agriculture. Hemp fibre was initially only one of many possibilities, but became a priority when it received government attention for its use in paper production. De Meijer’s research resulted in a thesis entitled ‘Diversity in Cannabis’. The larger project ended with a comprehensive report dealing with hemp as an economically and technically suitable material for the paper industry, but the project unfortunately had no further follow-up due to insufficient interest in the paper industry.
DE MEIJER’S MOST SCIENTIFICALLY RELEVANT WORKS
The well-known researcher has a number on patents on his name and published several scientific articles and papers, including ‘Diversity in Cannabis’.
There are many publications by Etienne de Meijer that deserve attention, but here are some of the most interesting ones that have significantly advanced cannabis research.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE FUTURE OF CANVASALUS
The fusion of two relevant experiences in the field of hemp genetic improvement, that of De Meijer and Grassi, combined with Prof. Appendino’s unique and vast knowledge in the field of phytochemistry, will significantly accelerate the scientific progress of cannabis.
Research will be strongly oriented towards developing genetic materials specifically suited to the numerous supply chains that cannabis can feed. Through collaboration with companies such as ENECTA , the first and most important industrial partner interested in cannabis, it will be possible to make the most of new varieties and innovative discoveries for the phytochemical sector. Finally, farmers will also be able to count on a cutting-edge company that will carry out applied research and that, through close collaboration with the Grassi seed company, will develop specific varieties for different uses and for the numerous hemp sectors.
The strengths of Canvasalus are already the cannabigerol (CBG) varieties that have solved the problem of compliance with the maximum limit of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The varieties are finally certified, stable and adapted to Italian climatic conditions, including those for the South and Islands of our country.