As the hemp and cannabis industry blossoms, it’s not uncommon to overhear university administrators caution against working with companies due to regulatory concerns and fears over difficulty obtaining federal research funding. Fortunately, these fears have begun to subside as various agencies have provided clarity on their policies, and the passage of the Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act (HR 8454) now assures access to research materials that were previously difficult to procure or supply.
Universities like Florida State — which partnered with Green Point Research on a university-led CBD study — Oregon State, Tennessee State, and Cornell University just to name a few, have established hemp-focused research centers that encourage interdisciplinary research and corporate partnering. Education, policy awareness, and the rapidly changing cannabis industry are also driving innovation by promoting R&D and investment in sustainable technologies as VCs increasingly seek opportunities in eco-friendly industries. At the same time, medical applications involving cannabinoids are rapidly advancing and gaining research funding as well as investor dollars.
The successful transfer from research labs into practical applications is essential for the industry’s growth and innovation, and corporations and funding agencies are well aware of the need for university partnerships. Case in point: Hemp Alliance of Tennessee — in partnership with Tennessee State University (TSU), the University of Tennessee (UTK), and the Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) — was awarded close to $5M in the second round of the USDA Climate-Smart Commodities Grant.
The industry is growing and opportunities for partnerships abound, but challenges remain…
That’s why we’ve teamed up with Robin Pate, Chief Marketing Officer for Green Point Research, K. Lance Anderson, partner at Dickinson Wright PLLC, and Frederick Cawthon, president of the Hemp Alliance of Tennessee and a Member of the Hemp Roundtable — for this 60-minute distance learning session:
These experts will delve into the unique challenges associated with hemp and cannabis research, including limited funding sources, regulatory compliance issues, variations in state regulations, and the involvement of students in technology transfer projects. They will draw from real-world experiences and explore how university partnerships have, and continue to, contribute to fundable and scalable research results in areas such as:
- Medical treatments
- Instrumentation / Analysis / Data
- Crop steering
- Polyploid species
- Cannabinoid profiles and exotic cannabinoid production
- Cell fermentation and culturing
- Formulations and delivery
Additional areas of discussion include:
- Successful strategies for securing funding
- License agreement and research agreement language meant to foster, not hinder, successful partnerships
- Examples of federal compliance hurdles and pathways to navigate this complex regulatory landscape
- Impact of state-by-state differences and the importance of adaptable compliance strategies.
- Unique opportunities and challenges associated with student involvement, discuss their role in bridging the gap between academia and industry, and highlight the benefits of their participation in these research and commercialization projects
- Case study involving a collaboration with Florida State University and Green Point Research to develop one of the first University-led CBD studies for acute pain after orthopedic surgery.
Registration includes access to the recorded streaming video for future training and education
Plus: Get all of your questions answered during the interactive Q&A
Register today and you’ll gain valuable insights into the practical aspects and potential impact of collaborations with the hemp/cannabis industry.
Meet your faculty
Lance Anderson
Partner
Dickinson Wright PLLC
K. Lance Andersonis a partner at Dickinson Wright PLLC in Austin, Texas. His practice focuses on complex intellectual property (IP) and technology transactions, university technology transfer, and advising businesses in acquisition and disposition of innovation-rich assets. A significant portion of his practice includes plant traits, plant breeders rights (PVPs, plant patents) and plant-derived products and related formulations, particularly within the emerging medicinal and adult use cannabis markets.
Frederick Cawthon, MBA
President – Hemp Alliance of Tennessee
Vice President – US Hemp Roundtable
CEO – Verge Agritech
Frederick Cawthon, MBA, PMP, is a visionary leader with a deep commitment to advancing innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability in the cannabis and hemp industries. With extensive experience in corporate management and the non-profit sector, Frederick is a respected figure in the hemp community.
As President of the Hemp Alliance of Tennessee (HAT) since 2019, Frederick has been instrumental in advocating for responsible hemp cultivation and distribution in the state. He is also a board member of the U.S. Hemp Roundtable (USHR), where he shapes national policy and industry standards, ensuring a prosperous future for the hemp sector.
Frederick’s dedication to diversity and inclusivity is evident in his role as Vice President of the Minority Empowerment Committee (MEC), where he works to create opportunities for underrepresented individuals in the hemp industry.
In addition to his leadership in non-profits, Frederick is the CEO of Verge Agritech, a dynamic company that focuses on consulting, research, product development, and lifestyle brand creation in the cannabis industry, driving innovation and pushing boundaries.
Robin Parton Pate
Chief Marketing Officer
Green Point Research
Robin Parton Pate is currently the Chief Marketing Officer for Green Point Research, a leading vertically integrated biotechnology company focused on the rapidly evolving hemp and cannabis industries. In this role, she spearheads the company’s strategic marketing efforts contributing to the development of innovative distribution channels and revenue-generating opportunities. Her responsibilities encompass brand, research, and product development, strategic partnerships, and supporting the expansion of Green Point’s new brands and product lines within the wellness sector.
Before her current position, Robin served as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) at The Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation (IACMI), a prominent public-private partnership, led by The University of Tennessee Research Foundation and partially funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. During her tenure at IACMI, she led communications, media engagement, government relations, workforce development, board management, and various corporate functions.
Additional Lines
Orders for all live programs will include up to five additional lines at no additional charge for staff within your organization who can attend remotely, and all live programs will include our digital package – the on-demand video and transcript. These will be delivered soon after the live program with no extra fee.
