July 5, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. – Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University; Prof. Monchai Duangchinda, Ph.D., Vice President for Research and Graduate Study; Prof. Phewphan Maleewong, Ph.D., M.D., Assistant to the President for Research and Graduate Study had a meeting with Khun Julaphas (Tom) Khrua-sopon to discuss research and academic collaboration related to hemp extraction in order to develop hemp products. The meeting took place at Kalphruek Room 4, 2nd Floor, Sirikunakorn Building, Khon Kaen University.
Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University explained that Khon Kaen University has experts and researchers working at the Cannabis Research Institute of the University. The main mission of the institute is to conduct research on hemp and cannabis for benefits in medical and related industrial purposes. The institute is conducting research on hemp and cannabis on a complete-term basis. The implementation, from upstream towards downstream, begins with a team from the Faculty of Agriculture carrying out research on planting, improving and developing the varieties and the Faculty of Science studying on how to extract hemp and cannabis oil, analyzing the plants’ major contents. Next, a team from the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science has been performing research studies with an aim to develop the format and size of medical items, which will be sent to a team from the Faculty of Medicine, who is in turn conducting clinical research in patients with specific diseases. Khon Kaen University is pleased to enter agreement for using hemp extracts in more products.
The plantation is on an area under the Faculty of Agriculture’s responsibility. It is a closed system, in containers, which has been scored 100 points by the Food and Drug Organization. The produce from the plantation is enough for industrial manufacturing and is able to meet the requirements of researchers, academics, and business people who wish to enter legitimate agreement with KKU to use the products for medical and some daily purposes.
The meeting went on smoothly with participants exchanging opinions on Khun Tom’s management of a cannabis farm in the US and the management of cannabis and hemp plantation for research purposes of Khon Kaen University.
