One of the USA’s largest cannabis manufacturing and research facilities is to be established at Grants in the southwestern state of New Mexico.
Up to this point, the National Center for the Development of Natural Products at University of Mississippi has been the only legal source for researchers engaging in federally approved cannabis studies – and the quality of the cannabis it supplies has reportedly been poor at times.
Last week we mentioned that after years of dragging its heels, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) had begun inking agreements that will allow more growers to produce marijuana for research purposes.
Bright Green (BGC) has recently received approval from the DEA to produce, store, pack and distribute marijuana intended for medical research from its company-owned property at Grants.
Among its many features, the facility will boast software control subsystems to strive for autonomous growing, CO2 extraction of cannabis oil, a combined heat and power (CHP) and CO2 recovery area, and a horticultural university. Security and the prevention of diversion will of course have a particularly strong focus at the facility given the DEA endorsement (and monitoring).
New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham is fully on board with Bright Green’s project.
“New Mexico as a state has a legacy of leading in research and science. And Bright Green is an exciting partner that I’m glad has chosen to make an impact here in our state,” the governor stated. “We have the talent, workforce and innovative spirit to make this forthcoming new industry a complete success. Investments like this one make me even more optimistic.”
The project will also create a jobs bonanza, with 170 construction jobs and an initial 200 research and agricultural positions.
“Bright Green will deliver consistent, pure, high quality organic cannabis and cannabis extracts that will provide safe inventory for cannabis researchers around the nation,” said Ed Robinson, chief executive of BGC. “This accomplishment could not have been achieved without the demonstrated commitment of the DEA and the State of New Mexico.”
The DEA has mentioned it has already signed agreements with other companies as well, and no doubt we’ll hear more about those in the weeks ahead.
