COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KBTX) – A group of Texas A&M research students got to share everything they’re working on in Aggieland at a conference of over 200 cannabis industry leaders.
The Texas Cannabis Police Conference happening this week at the Memorial Student Center is tackling everything marijuana, from medical use to policy and farming. This is where the students who focus heavily on studying hemp come in.
The plants they work with maintain very low levels of THC, tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive component of the plant. Their research focuses on alternative uses with the plant like being a nutritious source of food, creating pesticides, and making textiles like paper and plastics plus pharmaceuticals.
Students Clay Moore, Josh Van Dyke, Ian McGrath and Meredith Clay conduct research at Texas A&M and say they see a future where the hemp plant means more.
”We’re trying to pursue anything from pesticides to grain, fiber, medical uses and really trying to make a difference,” McGrath said.
McGrath uses hemp to make products for pest control that are safe for the environment. However, it can do so much more.
“If you take 100 grams of salmon oil and 100 grams of hemp seed oil, you actually get more omega 6 and omega 3 fatty acids and protein content from hemp,” Moore said.
The conference being held on Texas A&M’s campus this week gave the student researchers the chance to learn from other experts in the cannabis and hemp industries. This included doctors, lawyers and policymakers.
“It just kind of inspires us on what more that we can do as researchers and students as well as open it up for other people to kind of come in and learn about the crop,” Clay said.
As research and work on cannabis policy in Texas continues, the students say they’re excited to see where the future goes and be a part of it.
“The biggest thing probably really holding cannabis back is just how uneducated people are on it and so an event like this where so many experts can be in one place is great because it teaches people and educates the public. It’s free to students so tons of young minds can come in and learn about this,” Van Dyke said.
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The conference being held on Texas A&M’s campus this week gave the student researchers the chance to learn from other experts in the cannabis and hemp industries. This included doctors, lawyers and policymakers. Read More