Cannabis extract for study on children with epilepsy

CITIVA, in collaboration with the University of West Indies (UWI), Mona, recently announced the donation of the first cannabis-based medicine extracted from their well-researched, high-CBD cannabis strain for use in a groundbreaking study in Jamaica to examine its effect on children with epilepsy.

The specialised, therapeutic, high-CBD strain, which was bred and cultivated by CITIVA at their horticulture centre on the Mona campus was safely and successfully extracted into oil by Epican, at their 5000 sqare foot., state-of-the-art facility in Kingston.

Epican, a Jamaican-owned and operated company is partnering with the Scientific Research Council with focus on large scale, CO2 extraction of phytocannabinoids and terpenes from the cannabis plant for medicinal purposes.

Cannabis extraction

"As Jamaica moves forward to embrace the cannabis industry, we are pleased and honoured to provide to CITIVA the most advanced technological extraction of phytocannabinoids, to ensure and guarantee that their finished products are of the highest standards of quality and purity, " said Karibe McKenzie, founder and CEO of Epican.

Both companies have been engaged in local collaborative research agreements and are working towards the advancement of science, research, development and marketing of effective cannabis-based products for a wide variety of health conditions. CITIVA's donation of medically indicated products is set to be the first of many of their products that will be used in future studies in collaboration with UWI.

"CITIVA is proud of the development of our facility on the UWI Mona Campus. The concept of medical cannabis has been in Jamaica for centuries. This is the beginning of a partnership that we hope will create hundreds of jobs, crucial medications for the sick and disabled, and a dynamic new industry." said Kim Volman, CEO of CITIVA.

In July, CITIVA launched the world's first university-based facility dedicated to medical marijuana research at UWI. Their focus is on advancing the study of marijuana and its efficacy in the field of medicine. Their first harvest, grown at this facility, is indicated for study in the treatments of Type II diabetes and epilepsy.

"The UWI is proud to announce that our partnership with CITIVA is beginning to bear fruit. CITIVA has begun construction of a world-leading medical cannabis research centre in the medical sciences building on the Mona Campus. UWI plans to work closely with CITIVA on critical research that will benefit both the health-care system and the people and economy of Jamaica." said Professor Archibald McDonald, the principal of the UWI, Mona.