NSERC CREATE in Quality Assurance and Quality Control for Cannabis Production, Products and Training (QAQCC)

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The legalization of cannabis in Canada has set the stage for academia, industry and government to work together toward providing the tools for standardization of the cannabis industry based on product quality and safety for consumers and communities. Yet, scientifically validated methods for large-scale cultivation and post-harvest processing of the cannabis plant are lacking, and different approaches have resulted in inconsistent product yield, potency and quality. The proposed industrial stream NSERC CREATE in "Quality Assurance and Quality Control for Cannabis Production, Products and Training" (QAQCC) is a collaborative initiative spanning several Natural Sciences and Engineering disciplines, academic institutions and industrial collaborators across the country. This innovative and research-driven training experience for undergraduate and graduate students has the collaborative support of Health Canada and it forms part of the Agriculture and Plant Science research axis at the McGill Research Centre for Cannabis. During the course of their graduate degrees, trainees participating in the QAQCC CREATE will hold internships with Health Canada and with cannabis license holders. Trainees will also have access to Professional Development/Enrichment courses that promote job readiness. They will perform research and contribute toward the development of researched-based methods and standards of operation for cannabis cultivation, postharvest handling and processing, as well as compound extraction and analyses. Research symposia that disseminate knowledge, facilitate communication and form links between academics and leaders in the cannabis industry are another QAQCC component. In addition, trainees will develop hard and soft professional skills that allow for smooth transition into the workforce, whether in academia or in the public or private sectors.