Medicinal cannabis in Dutch greenhouses

Since the beginning of April 2016 Wageningen UR has been studying the impact of growing conditions on the cannabidiol yield of medicinal cannabis. Cannabidiol (CBD) is used in the treatment of epilepsy. The demand for CBD, which can only be made by plants, is growing rapidly worldwide and with it also the demand for safe, reliable and efficient production methods. With its research Wageningen UR aims to contribute to the knowledge required to achieve this.

Wageningen UR has been researching new revenue models for the Dutch horticultural sector for some time now, looking at how horticulture can provide high-quality plant ingredients to the processing industry. The production of medicine with raw plant materials constitutes the top of the 'value pyramid’ here. Because the growing conditions can be controlled very accurately in Dutch greenhouses, growers can grow crops with optimal levels of valuable ingredients. There's a wide range of possibilities: from naturally enriched products such as tomatoes with extra high levels of vitamin C to the production of high-quality ingredients in crops that are currently not being grown in Dutch greenhouses.

 

Since early April 2016 Wageningen UR has been doing research aimed at optimizing the production of cannabidiol from cannabis as a medicine for epilepsy. Considering the application, the production process must be safe and reliable. With modern high-tech systems and knowledge from Dutch horticulture this can be realized. The first study looks at the best cultivation measures to grow medicinal cannabis plants, with special attention to LED lighting. Because there is still very little known about the cultivation of medicinal cannabis in greenhouses, the Wageningen researchers will also look at other growing conditions such as temperature, humidity, plant nutrition and the risk of occurrence of pests and diseases.

 

The study is being conducted on behalf of Lemnis Oreon, developer and manufacturer of LED lighting concepts. The plant material is derived from Bedrocan, the only producer of standardized medicinal cannabis in the world. The Dutch Ministry of Health has granted the necessary exemption for the study.