WEEDMD AND BLOCKSTRAIN COMPLETE INDUSTRY'S FIRST CANNABIS VALIDATION TESTING PROGRAM
WeedMD Inc. and Blockstrain Technology Corp. have completed a first-of-its-kind cannabis strain validation registration program -- a testing and verification process that will confirm cannabis strains are as purchased.
Strain validation will play an important role as cannabis products advance through the medical, retail and pharmaceutical channels. Following the collection, sequencing and registration of plant DNA from its Aylmer, Ontario facility, WeedMD becomes the first licensed producer in the world to incorporate a cannabis strain authenticity and tracking platform into its sales program.
"We congratulate all the teams that worked on this ground-breaking achievement. With the completion of genetic testing, consumers will appreciate the traceability and origin assurance of the WeedMD cannabis that they are purchasing," said Keith Merker, CEO of WeedMD. "We now have a total of 40 active cannabis strains from our genetics bank that hold the {A ‘}BLOCKStrain Certificate of Authenticity' and are able to be cross-referenced as verifiable strains in BLOCKStrain's database - from genome to sale."
"For years, consumers have been purchasing cannabis products with very little information on what exactly is being purchased, but they can now trace strain origin and their CBD and/or THC content, along with other pertinent information," said Robert Galarza, CEO of BLOCKStrain. "With the unique technology of the Master Genome Strain and Clone Registration Program, producers can now guarantee their strains and provide customers with product assuredness."
About BLOCKStrain's Master Genome Strain & Clone Registration Program
Under the program, BLOCKStrain's team collects plant data and performs genomic sequencing in plant batches which are then registered in a blockchain-enabled database for intellectual property protection and strain validation. Known as the Master Genome Strain & Clone Registration Program, all information gathered from the plants, including their molecular and chemical makeup, can be tracked via the program. Going forward, a quick response (QR) barcode specific to each plant batch can reveal how it was cloned and cultivated, its cannabinoid content and more. A video introducing the WeedMD and BLOCKStrain pilot project can be found here