Loyalist College’s Applied Research Centre for Natural Products and Medical Cannabis Collaborates with Province Brands of Canada

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Loyalist College's Applied Research Centre for Natural Products and Medical Cannabis Collaborates with Province Brands of Canada

April 30, 2018

Belleville, Ontario, April 30, 2018 – Loyalist College’s Applied Research Centre for Natural Products and Medical Cannabis (ARC) has launched a year-long applied research project with Province Brands of Canada, makers of alcohol-free cannabis beers and spirits.

In February 2018, Loyalist was awarded $660,000 in funding for the project through the Government of Ontario’s Colleges Applied Research and Development Fund (CARDF), administered by Ontario Centres of Excellence in partnership with Colleges Ontario. Funding provided through the CARDF program allows Province Brands of Canada to leverage $300,000 from the Ontario Centres of Excellence, with their contribution of $300,000 cash and in-kind towards the research and development efforts.

The research project aims to help Province Brands of Canada further develop and commercially scale-up their patent-pending process for converting cannabis plant components into an aqueous solution as a base for producing fermented beverages, including premium beer products. It is a significant contribution to Province Brands of Canada’s efforts to bring to market the world’s first beers brewed entirely from cannabis plants, instead of barley or grains.

The ARC is Canada’s only College with a laboratory approved to conduct research with cannabis under the Narcotic Control Regulations, as listed on the Government of Canada’s website.

Quotes:

“Our province needs talent to continue to sustain its growing innovation eco-system. Investing in applied research and development is a step towards a brighter and more prosperous future for our province. By bringing together colleges and the R&D sector, we’re creating opportunities for our students and ensuring they are ready for the jobs of tomorrow.” – Reza Moridi, Minister of Research, Innovation and Science

“Loyalist’s ARC is uniquely positioned to collaborate with Province Brands of Canada to conduct the analytical testing and process development they need. This will be the first project of its kind in Canada to utilize the whole cannabis plant, creating an opportunity to eliminate waste streams in cannabis and industrial hemp industries. Our focus on sustainability and entrepreneurship through innovative applied research provides our students with exceptional educational experiences that prepare them for forward-thinking roles.” – Dr. Ann Marie Vaughan, Loyalist College President & CEO

“We are thrilled that Ontario Centres of Excellence sees the value in our groundbreaking research to create a new brewing tradition, which will ultimately create jobs across Ontario and most importantly, introduce consumers to a safer alternative to alcohol.” – Dooma Wendschuh, Co-Founder and CEO of Province Brands of Canada

“We are excited to partner with Province Brands of Canada. This project comes at an important time as Canada is emerging as a leader in the North American hemp industry and in the cultivation of cannabis. It’s an incredible opportunity for our students to work with industry partners on game-changing applied research projects.” – Dr. Kari Kramp, Principal Investigator and Biosciences faculty at Loyalist College

About Loyalist College’s Applied Research and Innovation Department

Through Loyalist’s Applied Research and Innovation Department, the College collaborates with industry partners in various fields on applied research projects, creating amazing learning experiences for students and faculty of all disciplines. The College has had success with funding support through the Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) on a variety of projects. Having access to funding support allows Loyalist to increase capacity to work with local industries and businesses, support faculty who are committed to conducting research and to facilitating student research experiences. It has increased the capacity of Ontario industries to conduct applied research and attract new investors, stimulating innovative product development and job creation in our region. For more information, visit loyalistcollege.com.

About Province Brands of Canada

Province Brands of Canada is an early stage, Toronto-based, highly disruptive premium adult beverage company founded by veteran entrepreneurs with extensive experience in the premium alcohol and legal medical and recreational cannabis industries. Province Brand’s patent-pending process has created the world’s first beer brewed entirely from cannabis. Alcohol-free yet highly intoxicating, and with a dose-response curve similar to that of alcohol, Province Brand’s cannabis-powered beers and spirits will challenge the alcohol industry by offering a safer and healthier alternative that is also low in calories and sugar. For more information, please visit: provincebrands.com or email elad@provincebrands.com. 

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Contact: Kerry Lorimer, Director of Marketing, Communications & Recruitment
Loyalist College, klorimer@loyalistcollege.com, 613-969-1913 ext. 2536

Loyalist College Introduces Canada’s First Cannabis Applied Science Program

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Loyalist College Introduces Canada's First Cannabis Applied Science Program

April 19, 2018

Belleville, Ontario, April 19, 2018 – Loyalist College has launched an eight-month Cannabis Applied Science (CSGS) Ontario College post-graduate certificate program with funding approval by the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development. Created in response to the burgeoning cannabis job market, the new program is the first of its kind in Canada to allow students to build on their degree or Ontario College diploma with the in-depth skills to support cannabis product development, inform process optimization, and address natural product quality, consistency and safety.

“With the impending legalization of cannabis this summer, there is increasing demand among prospective students for post-secondary programs that will ready them for new career opportunities, ranging from roles such as cannabis quality assurance manager and lead processing technician to formulation chemist,” said Dr. Ann Marie Vaughan, Loyalist College President and CEO. “Our Cannabis Applied Science students will learn both inside our state-of-the-art Health Canada licensed facility using advanced extraction technologies and outside the classroom during a field placement with Licensed Producers where they can apply their knowledge to real-world challenges.”

The program will be delivered in collaboration with Loyalist’s Applied Research Centre for Natural Products and Medical Cannabis (ARC), Canada’s only College laboratory approved to conduct research with cannabis under the Narcotic Control Regulations, as listed on the Government of Canada’s website. It will focus on green technologies, including supercritical CO2 extraction, to support industry’s transition away from the use of petrochemical solvents. Students will apply a range of lab techniques for the extraction and analysis of cannabis, developing methods which can provide them and their employers with a competitive advantage.

“This hands-on program was developed based on extensive consultation with Licensed Producers and industry experts across the sector,” said Ann Drennan, Senior Vice-President Academic and Chief Learning Officer. “Our Program Advisory Committee (PAC) is comprised of specialists in the cannabis field and their expertise is reflected in our highly relevant Cannabis Applied Science curriculum. Graduates of this program will be the qualified personnel employers require to fill their growing number of job opportunities.”

Applications for the College’s first intake of the program, starting in September 2018, are currently being accepted through ontariocolleges.ca. Admission requirements include an Ontario College diploma, Ontario College advanced diploma, degree or equivalent in the Sciences, Biology or a related discipline. To comply with Health Canada regulations and to be eligible to work with cannabis, applicants need to provide a recent and valid criminal record check. For more information about Loyalist’s Cannabis Applied Science program, which builds on the strength of the College’s established Biotechnology, Chemical Engineering and Environmental programs, please visit loyalistcollege.com.

About Loyalist College

Located on more than 200 acres in the beautiful Bay of Quinte region, Loyalist College is a close-knit community where students and their success come first. Loyalist provides personalized attention in small classes, rewarding field placements and superior student services. To prepare students for in-demand careers, Loyalist offers more than 65 full-time programs; apprenticeships; and hundreds of online, distance and in-class courses, as well as opportunities for continuing education through more than 70 university transfer agreements. The College’s wide selection of advanced diplomas, diplomas and certificates aligns with market-driven disciplines including applied sciences, biosciences, building sciences, business and management studies, health sciences, human studies, justice studies, media, arts and design, and skills and technology. In Ontario, the College’s new Digital Media Centre and The Bay of Quinte Skills Centre, which is LEED® Silver certified, are training centres of choice for students, as well as College business and industry partners. The College is a key driver of the social and economic health and prosperity of the area and contributes 5.4 percent to the Gross Regional Product. This represents an overall effect on the regional economy of $530 million annually – based on a 2014 Report by Economic Modeling Specialists International (EMSI). For more information on the College’s Belleville and Bancroft campuses and Port Hope satellite location, visit loyalistcollege.com.

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Contact: Kerry Lorimer, Director, Marketing, Communications and Recruitment
Loyalist College, klorimer@loyalistcollege.com, 613-969-1913 ext. 2536