Despite years of stagnation, Canadian cannabis research is finally kicking into high gear.

The University of Alberta announced a partnership on Tuesday with Atlas Biotechnologies. The entities will conduct research relating to medical cannabis and its application in the treatment of a number of neurological illnesses, including Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s disease and multiple sclerosis (MS).

Edmonton-based Atlas, a licensed medical cannabis producer in Canada, will contribute almost $300,000 to foot the bill for three different studies at U of A’s Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry and the Department of Pharmacology.

The studies will be led by Drs. Anna Taylor and Bradley Kerr, who will assess the efficacy of cannabidiol (CBD) and other cannabinoids for the treatment of pain in MS patients; Dr. Simonetta Sipione, who will study the effects of cannabinoids in the treatment of Huntington’s disease and neuroinflammation; and Dr. Elena Posse de Chaves will study the disease-modifying effects of cannabinoids in the treatment of Alzheimer’s.

The U of A research will include the effects of cannabinoids in the treatment of Huntington’s disease and neuroinflammation

“Because cannabis is now more accessible, people are touting it for all kinds of things, but without solid scientific evidence,” Ross T. Tsuyuki, professor and chair of the Department of Pharmacology, said in a statement. “We’re excited about the opportunity to do some real science around it to understand how these compounds work and if they can be used to treat human disease.”

St. Catharines, Ont.’s Brock University is also at the helm of two new cannabis research studies, thanks to receiving Health Canada approval to proceed with the projects.

“This research licence will expand Brock’s remarkable track record of partnerships that enable the agri-food and biomanufacturing sectors to work with leading researchers and access a talent pipeline of highly trained graduates,” Tim Kenyon, the university’s vice president of research, said in a press release.

“Brock is committed to supporting the rapidly expanding cannabis industry in Niagara (Ontario) and across the country through research and innovation that improves competitiveness while deepening our understanding,” Kenyon said.

The initial projects will be led by professor of biochemistry Debbie Inglis and adjunct professor of biological sciences Sudarsana Poojari in partnership with Canadian licensed producer Heritage Cannabis Corp.

“We identified a problem with our plants showing some signs of stress and we instantly knew the researchers at Brock could figure it out,” said Donald Ziraldo, chairman of Heritage Cannabis Corp. “There was no question where we would go.”

Professors Inglis and Poojari will work to study methods to improve the health and quality of cannabis plants cultivated for medical use by means of testing and disease diagnostics.

Maverick Distilleries’ MAVCAN is awaiting Health Canada approval as a licensed producer to study cannabis extractables for stability in a range of infused products

The second project will be run alongside Maverick Distillery’s MAVCAN, which is awaiting Health Canada approval as a licensed producer, to study cannabis extractables for stability in a range of infused products.

“We understand the beverage market and controlled substances, and we recognize the immense beverage opportunities that come with the legalization of recreational cannabis,” Craig Peters, founder and CEO of Maverick Distillery and MAVCAN, noted in a press release.

“Through our partnership with Brock University, MAVCAN is leveraging cutting-edge separation and downstream processing technologies to isolate and refine high-value cannabinoid molecules,” Peters added.