By: Tucker Wilson
February 3rd – Prairie View A&M University’s College of Agriculture and Human Sciences (CAHS) will soon embark on a new frontier, industrial hemp. This strain of the Cannabis sativa plant species is grown specifically for the industrial uses of its derived products. Experts say hemp is one of the fastest-growing plants and was one of the first plants to be spun into usable fiber and use in traditional medicine systems in China and India 10,000 years ago. Now, everyone is excited about it; farmers see dollar signs, and colleges, especially land-grant institutions, want to lead the scientific charge.
Aruna Weerasooriya, Ph.D.
CAHS Research Scientist Leader, Aruna Weerasooriya, Ph.D., who is an expert in growing Cannabis for research and specializes in medicinal plants and plant systematics, said PVAMU is the ideal breeding ground for hemp research. “We have a 780-acre farm, and we are closer to the Houston Medical Center and business centers than any other agriculture university.” In addition, the CAHS Cooperative Agricultural Research Center has the staff to address various aspects of this new frontier. CAHS Interim Associate Director of Research, Alfred L. Parks, Ph.D., who is also an Agricultural Economist, agrees this new path is an excellent opportunity for all involved. “I’m cautiously optimistically about the economics of the industrial hemp industry. That said, I see a great opportunity for us in the College of Agriculture to provide unbiased research-based information, especially to the clientele that we serve,” Parks said.
According to Dr. Weerasooriya, although hemp products are now legal in Texas, the university still needs to obtain a permit from the Texas Department of Agriculture to start a pilot research project. As a research institute with a diverse group of scientists and the existing state-of-the-art laboratory facilities in the Cooperative Agricultural Research Center (CARC), PVAMU can expand its service to Texans. Since hemp is grown for either Cannabidiol (CBD) extraction, seed production, or fiber production, the pilot project would focus on the priorities and needs of farmers who grow hemp and companies who develop value-added products. We also could collaborate with the Texas Department of Agriculture in their research needs in crop production and management.
“We should be able to identify the specific strains for the purpose and study the needs of the plants to grow successfully in the Texas climate, their propagation, production, harvesting, and post-harvest management. We would also study CBD extraction methods, pest and disease management, marketing needs, and, most importantly, develop good analytical protocols to test the safety and quality of the final products before it reaches the consumer,” Dr. Weerasooriya further asserted.
Although in its infancy, progress is underway to jumpstart the research. “Several private companies are developing their memorandum of understanding with university administration. Once an agreement is reached, we’ll seek system approval; after that, we can move forward,” said Weerasooriya. He added, “We are waiting Texas Department of Agriculture to call for applications which will happen in next few months and then we are ready to go!”
Hemp is completely different from marijuana. The main difference between the two is in its chemical composition, specifically in tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is the chemical responsible for marijuana’s psychological effects. Hemp also differs in its function, cultivation, and application. Although hemp is Cannabis, it doesn’t have any intoxicating properties. Therefore, it won’t grow any strains containing a high level of THC. USDA guidelines stipulate that hemp should have less than 0.3% of THC in dry weight.
“As for the possibilities with hemp,” Dr. Weerasooriya said, “they’re endless. New research avenues, academic programs, especially short courses designed to train farmers, manufacturers, and government regulators, scholarships, patents, etc.” Overall, hemp is known to have more than 25-thousand possible applications. And soon, PVAMU will lead the way to discoveries.
Thursday, February 6, 2020, the Cooperative Extension Program’s Agriculture and Natural Resources Unit, will host a Hemp Education workshop titled, Growing Hemp. The workshop is designed to educate interested landowners and potential producers about the regulations, laws, and information regarding Industrial Hemp production. If you would like additional information about the workshop, please contact Clarence Bunch, Ph.D.
Clarence Bunch, Ph.D.
Program Leader for Agriculture & Natural Resources
Cooperative Extension Program
clbunch@pvamu.edu
(936) 261-5149