Argentina’s Government Launches Public Company To Provide Cannabis Seeds, Testing, And Training
Earlier this month Argentina’s government issued its first-ever license for domestic cannabis production. It was a big milestone for Argentina’s domestic cannabis industry. Another significant announcement was made this month by Argentina’s government which could have international implications.
Days ago Argentina’s government announced the launch of a new national company dedicated to pushing the nation’s cannabis industry forward. The company, called ‘Cannabis Conicet,’ will focus on providing the nation’s emerging cannabis industry with genetics, testing, and training. Per excerpts from InfoBae:
The legal cannabis universe is expanding rapidly. The Argentine State presented this Tuesday “Cannabis Conicet”, a national technology-based company dedicated to the marijuana plant industry, made up and directed by scientists from the organization, with the idea of ”allowing the democratization of production, distribution and access to cannabis and the hemp industry”, as announced by the Minister of Science and Technology, Daniel Filmus, during the premiere day.
The public company will be made up of professionals from the National Council for Scientific and Technical Research (Conicet), the Arturo Jauretche National University (UNAJ) and the El Cruce Dr. Néstor Kirchner Hospital, but its authorities project that it will be a collective and federal work.
The new company seems to be primarily focused on the domestic industry in Argentina, with the ultimate goal right now appearing to be reducing Argentina’s reliance on the international cannabis community. For example, the term ‘scientific sovereignty’ was used by Ana Franchi, president of the Conicet, as part of the company’s announcement.
The development of tailored cannabis genetics, products, and other forms of intellectual property are going to play a very prominent role in the emerging cannabis industry going forward, and from that perspective, what Argentina is doing is a smart move.
Countries that solely rely on importing medical cannabis products from afar, which some nations currently do, will put those countries at a huge disadvantage once lawmakers finally decide to get on the right side of history.
While lawmakers that fit that description continue to drag their feet on cannabis reform and embracing the emerging cannabis industry domestically, countries like Argentina are stepping up their research and other scientific efforts. An opportunity cost clearly exists, and countries that are sitting on their hands need to get with the program as soon as possible.