The first plants generated through tissue culture have now moved into their environmentally controlled cannabis grow pod.
BATON ROUGE, La., Aug. 21, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- GB Sciences, Inc. (OTCQB: GBLX) and the LSU Agricultural Center (LSU AgCenter), have now commenced operation in the environmentally controlled grow pod. The first plants in production were developed through tissue culture propagation to ensure genetic consistency. Once operating at full capacity, the facility will have plants at staggered stages of growth, enabling a continuous harvesting cycle that will provide the raw material for Louisiana's therapeutic cannabis program. Final formulations are expected to be available in November of this year.
Representatives from nine Louisiana pharmacies authorized to dispense medical cannabis toured our high-tech 36,000-sq ft GB Sciences facility in Baton Rouge, LA.
"I got so excited when this was being brought to legislation, and we're just really excited to be part of it," said Randy Mire, a pharmacist who will serve patients in and around Baton Rouge. "It's going to help so many patients. They won't need to travel out of state anymore; they'll be able to stay local."
Mr. Mire refers to 2015, when Louisiana legislators paved the way for medical cannabis to be administered to patients suffering from a range of conditions. In 2017, GB Sciences won a competitive bid process in order to partner with the LSU AgCenter for one of two licenses that were granted statewide and the only commercialized license in the state at this time.
"As a pharmacist, it's personally gratifying that you are able to help people," said Ruston Henry, a second-generation pharmacist in New Orleans. "And with this new industry that's in place you have an opportunity to help a lot of people that are definitely underserved."
Once construction of the production facility is complete, the facility will house a 5,000 square foot, state of the art laboratory operated by LSU AgCenter researchers. Researchers will investigate all aspects of cannabis from individual compounds to plant genetics.
This research is at the heart of the GB Sciences and LSU AgCenter partnership, according to LSU AgCenter Research Associate Professor Ted Gauthier.
"The research in this facility will be cutting edge in the field of cannabis studies, and our partnership with GB will allow us to push the edge of that envelope and take a look at the plant like it's never been looked at before," Gauthier said.
"We're very excited to be working with the LSU AgCenter here in Baton Rouge, because their scientists are doing the exact same things with other agricultural products, like sweet potatoes, rice, and sugar cane," said John Davis, President of GB Sciences Louisiana. "And we're excited about what can come from that research partnership: the inventions, the new strains, and a genetics databank."
About Louisiana State University Agricultural Center
The Louisiana State University Agricultural Center ("LSU AgCenter" or "AgCenter") is an institution under the supervision and management of the Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College (the "LSU Board of Supervisors"). The AgCenter's mission is to provide the people of Louisiana with research-based educational information that will improve their lives and economic well-being. The LSU AgCenter includes the Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station, which conducts Agricultural and Renewable Natural Resource-based research, and the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service, which extends the knowledge derived from research to the people of the state. The LSU AgCenter plays an integral role in supporting agricultural industries, enhancing the environment, and improving the quality of life through its 4-H youth, family and consumer sciences, and community development programs.
About GB Sciences, Inc.
GB Sciences, Inc. (OTCQB: GBLX) is a diverse cannabis company, focused on standardized cultivation and production methods; as well as biopharmaceutical research and development. The Company's goal is creating safe, standardized, pharmaceutical-grade, cannabinoid therapies that target a variety of medical conditions. To learn more about GB Sciences, Inc., go to: http://gbsciences.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
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Note: Although the Company's research and development activities are not illegal, the production and sale of cannabis products violate federal laws as they presently exist.
Contact Information
Corporate:
GB Sciences, Inc., 3550 West Teco Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89118 866-721-0297, or Tom Arcuragi, EVP, [email protected]
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