In April, the city of General Roca (Río Negro) will host a Binational Conference on Medicinal Cannabis and Industrial Hemp, bringing together scientific institutions, public and private organizations, as well as productive leaders from Argentina and Brazil.
The aim is to exchange experiences in genetics, crop management, traceability, and the development of products with medicinal potential, consolidating Northern Patagonia as a strategic territory for innovation.
Institutional and Productive Participation
The event will feature specialists from the Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuaria (EMBRAPA), the Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), the Universidad Nacional del Comahue (UNCo), as well as actors from the socio-productive sector such as the Asociación Civil Ciencia Sativa and the company Pasedati SAS.
The conference aims to strengthen binational cooperation and promote the development of an emerging chain that combines research, production, and regulation.
Research and Advances in the Region
From INTA, one of the main work axes has been the evaluation of genetic materials under local conditions, including the development and registration of cultivars adapted to the region.
Researcher Gabriela Calzolari explained that since 2021 work has been done on the adaptation of varieties such as “Cannawine INTA-ACCS”, Ciro, and Surtangie, with different cannabinoid profiles: the first ones with high CBD content and the last one with a predominance of THC.
Studies have also explored plant management methods, fertilization plans, and strategies to tackle diseases during harvest time when humidity favors the appearance of fungi.
Production and Processing
The collaboration with the civil association Ciencia Sativa and the company Pasedati SAS has enabled progress in the processing of cannabis raw material.
In their laboratory, cold alcoholic extraction is carried out, obtaining a concentrated “full spectrum” resin, the base for various medicinal products.
This development is complemented by analytical capabilities for the determination of cannabinoids, ensuring quality and traceability in the value chain.
Innovation and Sustainability
In addition to quality protocols, trials are being conducted to improve water use efficiency, a critical resource in Northern Patagonia due to its arid conditions.
The integration of agronomic research, quality analysis, and the development of medicinal products reflects a comprehensive approach that combines science, production, and sustainability.
One of the central aspects has been the synergy between public institutions, civil organizations, and the private sector, which has allowed progress in research and the generation of productive capacities.
The binational meeting seeks to consolidate these links and open new opportunities for collaboration with Brazil, expanding the scale and impact of the cannabis chain.
Perspectives and Challenges
The development of medicinal cannabis and industrial hemp represents an opportunity to diversify the regional productive matrix, generate employment, and promote innovation. However, its consolidation requires solid scientific foundations, clear regulatory frameworks, and traceability systems that ensure the quality and safety of products.
The conference will also include spaces dedicated to traceability and international standards, key aspects for insertion into formal markets, as well as proposals for academic training and education to develop specialized human resources.
