Ways a New Research-Based Coalition Will Benefit Cannabis and Hemp Growers
January 6, 2022 
The Hemp Mine, a vertically integrated, family-owned-and-operated hemp company based in South Carolina, is partnering with Clemson University to create the Cannabis Research Coalition (CRC), a not-for-profit organization that focuses on cannabis horticultural research.
The Cannabis Research Coalition is a professional group dedicated to cannabis research. Dr. Allison Justice and The Hemp Mine LLC, an industry leader in cannabis genetics and production, have partnered with Dr. Jim Faust’s Flowering Physiology Laboratory at Clemson University to address the cultivation and postharvest issues that challenge today’s cannabis industry.
“This is an exciting time for the cannabis industry. As most states now have cannabis production, as hemp or marijuana, the time to come together to push this industry forward with solid research and science,” says Allison Justice, PhD., Founder & CEO of The Hemp Mine.
The mission of the CRC mission is to partner with cannabis-industry stakeholders to advance the exploration of the cannabis plant and implement science-based research to develop the techniques required to create a sustainable, efficient, and profitable industry. Its approach is to combine the resources of stakeholders — individuals and businesses — to fund research that provides practical answers to the questions that limit success as an industry.
The cooperative research model, whereby members benefit from the pooled resources of an entire group, has driven horticulture and greenhouse research for decades. Cooperative research allows the industry to be at the cutting edge of science-based research for a fraction of the actual cost.
“We are at an unprecedented time in the history of plant science where we have an incredibly valuable plant for which there is almost zero scientific research,” says Jim Faust, PhD., Clemson University Flowering Physiology Laboratory. “The opportunities to improve production methods with solid data are vast. It is truly a unique and exciting time to be a horticultural scientist.”
Member Benefits
- Members prioritize and provide direction to the production and postharvest research projects undertaken by the CRC based on industry needs.
- Members meet virtually with The Hemp Mine and Clemson University teams monthly for research updates and discussions.
- Members gather at an annual conference for in-depth discussions of research results and to set priorities and goals for the next year.
- Members receive SOPs for production and postharvest methods.
- Allied trade members (vendors to the cannabis industry) provide members with exclusive offers.
Coalition Kickoff
The CRC is hosting its first virtual meeting on January 7, 2022 to discuss membership, answer questions, and give a sneak peak of projects already underway. For questions or to join the mailing list, send an email to [email protected].
Dr. Jim Faust has conducted research for the floriculture industry for more 30 years. His research has focused on identifying practical solutions for the most important production and postharvest challenges facing greenhouse growers. He is a founding member of the Floriculture Research Alliance, which is the prototype for the CRC and which has successfully generated cutting-edge research to greenhouse growers for the last 17 years. Dr. Faust’s research ranges from environmental (temperature, light, and humidity) management, plant nutrition, cultural practices, plant growth regulation, and postharvest performance. He has worked extensively with U.S. growers, unrooted-cutting suppliers in Central America, and cut-flower growers in South America. Two years ago, he initiated a cannabis research program at Clemson University focused on mother plant management, propagation methodology, flowering (photoperiod responses), and postharvest drying and curing.
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