Enhancing Investments in Research and Innovation in the Cannabis Sector
In order to enhance the impact of regional investments in research and innovation, to valorise the scientific and technological potential of the territory, to promote the development of new entrepreneurial activities and of new products with a high technological content, favouring the creation of innovative networks (clusters, technological and productive districts, etc.), the Apulia Region supports the development of scientific research activities in various fields. Article 14 of Regional Law no. 51 2021 indicates the opportunity to promote the advancement of knowledge in the field of cannabis, both medicinal cannabis, for its applications in the therapeutic field, and industrial hemp, in view of its high potential for development and technology transfer for the creation of new supply chains.
In the implementation of this Article, the Region promotes a pilot action to support scientific research on the medical uses of cannabis and cannabinoids, for the chemical-pharmaceutical characterisation of industrial hemp varieties and for the support of the related research, training and technology transfer activities by promoting the signing of agreements with public and private actors.
With DGR n.888 of 20/06/2022 the Regional Strategic Agency for Health and Social Affairs (AReSS) Puglia has been identified as the Implementing Party of the Public Investment Project "Enhancement of investments in research and innovation in the Cannabis sector" in order to provide technical, organisational and operational support to the Department of Economic Development, Research and International Relations Section of the Region.
In implementation of the provisions of Regional Law no. 51 of 2021, the Project envisages: the conduction of the preliminary and implementation activities of a Pilot Action to support scientific research on the medical uses of cannabis and cannabinoids, for the chemical-pharmaceutical characterisation of the varieties of industrial hemp and for the support of the related research, training and technology transfer activities.
The ultimate aim of the AReSS action will be to return a detailed analysis scenario analysis on the basis of which an Operational Development Plan of the Regional Project Lines will be formulated with a Call for Proposals addressed to local research organisations, which will have to be consistent with the needs and/or potentialities that emerged from the scenario analysis.
The action of AReSS Puglia consists in fully investigating the state of the art in the Region as regards:
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the ongoing basic and clinical research lines conducted by regional research bodies on Cannabis for medical use;
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the current organisational model for the supply and dispensation of medical Cannabis in the context of normal clinical practice at the charge of the SSR or the citizen;
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the possible presence on the regional territory of Subjects eligible, or aspiring to be eligible, under Presidential Decree no. 309/1990 for the cultivation of plants of varieties suitable for processing into medicinal products of plant origin, capable of operating according to the GACP and collaborating with the SCFM in Florence to increase the quantities and varieties of medical Cannabis directly available on the Italian territory;
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Ongoing research lines on the productive and environmental uses of Industrial Hemp;
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Local growers of Industrial Hemp (varieties of Cannabis Sativa registered in the Common Catalogue of Varieties of Agricultural Plant Species, according to Article 17 of Council Directive 2002/53/EC of 13 June 2002).
Research and International Relations Section of the Economic Development Department of the Apulia Region.
