Clarence company to work on medical marijuana
CLARENCE, N.Y. (WIVB) – As new markets open up for medical marijuana, a Clarence-based company is hoping to establish itself in the U.S. and across the globe.
The 22nd Century Group, which for years has been finding ways to control the nicotine content in cigarettes, is now dealing with the genetics of the cannabis plant. Tom James, the company’s Vice President and General Counsel, tells News 4, “We’ll be able to create different strains of marijuana that will have high medical applications.”
The 22nd Century Group is the first and currently only publicly traded company focused on tobacco and cannibis. Its founder, Joseph Pandolfino of Buffalo, sponsored research 15 years ago that developed tobacco with 96 percent less nicotine.
He “cracked the genetic code of the tobacco plant,” said James. “Fast forward today, we have more than 140 patents around the world.”
Now the company will alter four marijuana genes, not only for medical use, but possibly for recreational use as well. The new products, for now, will be produced at a plant in Canada.
“What it means to the world,” said James, “is new medicines, new cures. It doesn’t have to be pharmaceutical based, so we’re very excited about that.”
With the ability to remove or greatly reduce the THC element, which produces the high in cannabis, company president Jerry Sicignano is hoping to also bring back the hemp industry in the United States. Hemp-type of cannabis can be used to produce products including rope, oil, and cloth.
He says the company is hoping to begin commercial sales in about 18 months and says it is developing partnerships in Europe and Asia.