October 31, 2014 – Dauphin, Manitoba – Agriculture and Agri-food Canada
New research focused on the medicinal properties of hemp as well as its use in the biofibre industry will receive more than $198,000 under Growing Forward 2 as part of governments' commitment to research, innovation and regional development. The funding was announced today by Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Development Minister Ron Kostyshyn and Member of Parliament for Dauphin-Swan River - Marquette Robert Sopuck, on behalf of Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz.
The project, led by Parkland Industrial Hemp Growers (PIHG), will test existing varieties of hemp for levels of cannabidol, a compound believed to have a number of positive health effects. Once the level of cannabidol in current hemp varieties is known, work will begin to develop a new variety with higher levels. The ability to market hemp as a functional food and for its health benefits would create additional value for growers and the industry.
PIHG notes this is the first time cannabidol levels will be studied in Canadian hemp varieties. While additional medical research is needed to verify their health benefits, cannabidols may help people with a range of conditions, including schizophrenia, anxiety, convulsions and nausea.
The research project will also measure fibre content in existing hemp varieties. Hemp fibre is used in biomass products and the industry has identified the need to develop varieties with higher and more consistent fibre content as a priority.
This project is one of 32 funded this year through Growing Innovation – Agri-Food Research and Development Initiative (GI-ARDI) under Growing Forward 2. In total, more than $3.2 million will be invested in industry-led research for the crops, livestock, agri-environment and food sectors. For more information about GI-ARDI, visit www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture under Growing Forward 2.
The federal and provincial governments are investing $176 million in Manitoba under Growing Forward 2, a five-year, federal-provincial-territorial policy framework to advance the agriculture industry, helping producers and processors become more innovative and competitive in world markets.
Hemp and marijuana are two different strains of the Cannabis sativa plant. Hemp has low, government-regulated levels of the psychoactive compound called THC and currently has no approved medical use. Its seeds, fibre and oil are used in a variety of products, including food, rope, paper products, cosmetics and biofuel. Marijuana is federally regulated for medicinal purposes. More information about industrial hemp production in Manitoba is available at: http://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/crops/production/hemp.html.
PIHG has run a plant breeding program to develop industrial hemp varieties suited to growing conditions in Manitoba and the rest of Canada since 2002. For more information about PIHG, go to www.pihg.net.
Emily Hogeveen
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Gerry Ritz
613-773-1059
Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
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Caedmon Malowany
Press Secretary
Office of Minister Ron Kostyshyn
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