Eastern to host Connecticut's first cannabis research conference
Registration now open for NECREC
Willimantic, CT (06/23/2022) — Eastern Connecticut State University will host the first New England Cannabis Research and Education Conference (NECREC) on October 21-22 - Connecticut's first academic conference on cannabis studies. The conference's inaugural theme is "Growing Plants; Helping People."
NECREC will provide a venue for students and professional academic researchers to display cannabis-related research in poster sessions and oral presentations. Research may cover cannabis studies in higher education, cultivation techniques, cannabis testing and regulations, cannabis supply chains, social equity in the cannabis industry and other topics.
"Because of the regulations, lack of funding and legal challenges, cannabis research in academic institutions is not as prevalent," said Vijay Veerappan, biology professor at Eastern. "Attending NECREC will provide opportunities to learn recent advancements in cannabis research, cultivation and business practices, showcase your research, network with researchers and entrepreneurs, and also meet potential employers."
NECREC registration and submission of abstracts is currently open for researchers and the general public. Registration fees are $50 for academics and the general public; $200 for businesses in the Exhibitor Hall; and free for university students. Businesses may also purchase sponsorships.
The conference follows the launch of Eastern's minor in Cannabis Cultivation and Chemistry, the first such program in the state following the legalization of recreational cannabis in July 2021. "Growing legal CBD cannabis at Eastern Connecticut State University is fun, engaging and challenging while, at the same time, preparing students for jobs after college," said Biology Professor Bryan Connolly, coordinator of the minor.
As a licensed hemp producer in the state of Connecticut, Eastern's program focuses on the cultivation and analysis of non-psychotropic hemp - cannabis with 0.3 percent or lower THC content.
The interdisciplinary Cannabis Cultivation and Chemistry minor has resulted in students from different fields exploring new research areas related to the cannabis industry. Physical Sciences Professor Syed Islam said his students in the Chemical Analysis of Cannabis course could potentially pursue careers or internships in forensics, biotechnology and pharmaceutical fields.
For more information on NECREC, contact Amanda Irwin at irwinama@easternct.edu or (860) 465-5245, or visit the links below:
- NECREC registration: http://easternct.showare.com/NECREC
- Free registration for university students: https://easternct.iad1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4VBe5mZ3ohbitOm
- Upload abstracts: https://easternct.iad1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_887FVWXfZARP5l4
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Eastern Connecticut State University is the state of Connecticut's public liberal arts university, serving more than 4,300 students annually on its Willimantic campus. In addition to attracting students from 163 of Connecticut's 169 towns, Eastern also draws students from 31 states and 10 countries. A residential campus offering 41 majors and 65 minors, Eastern offers students a strong liberal art foundation grounded in a variety of applied learning opportunities. Ranked as the #1 public regional university in New England by U.S. News & World Report in its 2020, 2021 and 2022 Best Colleges ratings, Eastern has also been awarded 'Green Campus' status by the Princeton Review 12 years in a row. For more information, visit www.easternct.edu.
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