WeedMD Inc. and BLOCKSTRAIN TECHNOLOGY CORP. are pleased to announce that they have completed the ‘first-of-its-kind’ cannabis strain validation registration program – a testing and verification process that will confirm cannabis strains as purchased.
Strain validation will play an important role as cannabis products advance through the medical, pharmaceutical and retail channels. Following the collection and registration of plant DNA from its Aylmer, Ontario facility in October 2018, WeedMD becomes the first licensed producer in the world to incorporate a cannabis strains authenticity and tracking platform into its sales program.
BLOCKStrain’s proprietary genome tracking software houses the DNA data for cross referencing.
“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/THC content, along with all other pertinent information,” said Robert Galarza, CEO of BLOCKStrain. “With the unique technology of our Master Genome Strain and Clone registration program, producers can now guarantee their strains and provide customers with product assuredness.”
“We congratulate all the teams that worked on this groundbreaking achievement. With the completion of the strains genetic testing, consumers will appreciate the traceability and origin assurance of the cannabis strains they are purchasing from WeedMD,” said Keith Merker, CEO of WeedMD. “We now have a total of 40 active cannabis strains from our genetics bank that will be marked with a ‘BLOCKStrain Certificate of Authenticity’ and may be cross-referenced as verifiable strains in BLOCKStrain’s database, all the way from genome to sale.”
BLOCKStrain, which developed a Master Genome Strain Registration and Clone Strain Registration program is focused on providing transparency and actionable quality assurance to cannabis consumers. Licensed producers completing the registration can in turn provide assurance to their own customers that the cannabis strains they purchase are the ones they receive.
BLOCKStrain scientists collect plant data and genomic sequencing in plant batches which are 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 plant genome, including its molecular and chemical makeup, can be tracked via the program. Going forward, a quick response (QR) barcode specific to each plant batch can reveal everything about how it was cloned, cultivated, its cannabinoid content and more.