Completely transparent with
the faculty in order for them
to understand, if
they so choose,
how to create potential
curriculum or other structures
within the school to help
train future students.
So really in
conclusion here, we're
looking at long term growth.
We're just one of
many, many companies
have entered into this
and keeping our eyes
on this industry.
We want to set the precedent
and really establish
a working model for other
companies and other businesses,
and industry leaders
to engage with IVC.
We want this to be not only
an approach around hemp,
but to build a foundation to
have the agricultural community
and the industrial
community that
exists here to engage with IVC.
This just happens to be a
unique opportunity that is
getting the dialogue started.
So we hope that others
will follow suit
and that something of
work out that brings
most benefit of both directions
and a synergistic future.
Thank you.
Yes.
Yeah and because Ryan and
Kelly couldn't make it today,
I'll speak a little
bit about what--
a little more about the
economic development
that this industry can bring
to the Imperial Valley.
I brushed over but really with
this many applications we have
for this plant, it's
diversity, and the fact
that as an
agricultural community
we can produce it and
produce it competitively,
we have the opportunity
to branch out and really
establish a foundation and
integration around the hemp
industry as a whole.
And CBD is, like I
said, a buzzword now
and it has its
place in the world
and it's a substantial product.
But there's so many
other applications,
industrial applications
for the crop.
And the ability to be integrated
as an industry from crop
production, to processing,
to sales and marketing,
and beyond of
those crops I think
is a very real opportunity
here for the Imperial Valley.
This really equates
to the tune to match
if not superseding the total
economic value in agriculture
as a whole has now.
Some of the studies
I mentioned earlier,
indicate in the tens of billions
of dollars just in two years
without a fully
sophisticated market.
These 30,000 acres that
we projected three years
in production of hemp alone
on a cost basis alone,
I believe that's
about $500 million
worth of economic activity
just on a cost basis.
And that's just the
short term outlook
and primarily focused
on CBD production.
So you can imagine
what that looks
like when you think of other
applications of the crop.
When you think of
ancillary economic activity
that comes along with it
so it's quite substantial.
And there's a unique opportunity
to establish infrastructure
through industry leaders,
through community support
working with all the
county departments
from economic development,
to acquisition, and even
private interests to
help build this out.
So I encourage some questions.
We encourage any discussion
moving forward as a group
ourselves, me personally.
To discuss these opportunities,
we're very transparent,
we want to work with
other farmers who
want to work with
other industry leaders
to make sure that they
establish a foothold,
and understand that
we'll be providing,
monetizing like anything else.
So, you know, time's short to
make sure that Imperial Valley
and really establish
a foothold early on.
Thank you.
So in closing, I would like to--
If it wasn't clearly conveyed
to you all that in order
for a company like
Primordia to conduct
this agronomic research,
under the farm deal of 2018,
they must partner
with an institution
of higher education.
If approved, we would be the
institution of higher education
that they would partner in.
And as a result,
obviously, we're
contributing collectively
to preparing our students
for an emerging industry that
requires high skills that
will pay more than the minimum
wage that would obviously
lead to self-sufficiency.
And as I stated during
my introduction,
I am committed to be
responsive to the community.
I am committed to
increase our partnerships
with our community,
and not only stated,
but obviously reflect
the direction.
And as they are
mentioned, we are
trying to be responsive
to our community needs.
This is potentially
an industry that
will lead to a large number
of employment opportunities
which ultimately impact social
and economic development.
So I thank you all for being
here with us this afternoon.
For your interest, we will
now answer any questions
that you have.
We're trying to be very
transparent with this process.
We also welcome your concerns.
Thank you very much.
And thank you to
[? Saifa ?] and Sutton.
Thank you.
Any questions?
Please raise your hand.
Yes.
Over here, Kim.
Thank you.
My name is Michael Kanyi.
I teach agriculture here
at IVC, and for the purpose
of the students, maybe in
their [INAUDIBLE] that you just
mentioned THC and CBD--
Just for the purpose of students
to understand two types.
Because people talk
about THC and CBD.
Thank you.
Yeah.
I'll give it a run.
But, disclaimer,
I'm not an expert
but I've done enough research
I think I can speak to it.
THC is one of over
100 cannabinoids
found in the cannabis plant
that has psychoactive qualities.
It is what's known as the drug.
It's the one that gets you high.
And is what is regulated under
the Controlled Substances Act.
And essentially due
to the production
of the crop, part of the plant.
CBD, short for cannabidiol, is
another cannabinoid molecule
very similar to THC
except it does not
have the psychoactive
effects that CBD does.
I mean, that THC
does, excuse me.
CBD it's found in just recently
through pharmaceutical trials
to unequivocally hinder
epileptic seizures to,
stop epileptic seizures.
It also has been known
anecdotally to treat anxiety,
depression issues,
muscular issues,
even claims for pain
and inflammation.
Now a lot of the
claims, to be clear,
are not substantiated
necessarily with science.
FDA is now injects itself
back to the past argument
regulating CBD as
a consumable good.
Any claims that are
made that are not
substantiated by the
standards will be evaluated.
The bottom line is
that both the effects
of the cannabinoid
system lie in your brain.
One creates
psychoactive effects,
and the other treats
misuse and that
has effects on issues that are
more therapeutic in nature.
Oh, let me add one
more thing too.
Hemp has other
cannabinoids available.
And there's research
now coming out,
not just recently--
there's experts
have been doing this for
years around the world,
but there's other
cannabinoids that
are found in industrial hemp.
CBD is the hot ticket
topic right now.
And it's mainly because of
some of the science found
and what it can actually
treat to be used to treat.
But there's a long list
of other cannabinoids
that many argue
really need to be
considered as part
of the therapeutics
best that CBD offers.
What's called an
entourage of backdoor--
and basically a
system of cannabinoids
that work together to
achieve a desired result.
So as we explore this industry
and find other marketing
potentials, other uses for
these other rare cannabinoids,
as they're called, and
that to be developed,
bred and extracted from.
Yes?
Do you have any idea of the
potential for irrigation
with a hand plant?
Yeah, so and just like any
other agricultural commodity
there's potential for
irrigation innovation.
You know, I understand
you mentioned this.
It's treated like any other
agricultural commodity
the farm would pass.
Obviously, transitioning
it into clear regulation
from that of USDA and CDFA.
One of the great
qualities of hemp
is that it's not
a huge water user.
So yes, we talk about
water conservation
and what our irrigation practice
is just like any other crop.
There's different methodologies
that can be applied.
Yes?
Are there any water quality
effects with growing practices
of having as far as
future jurisdiction
is on the water system?
Is it going to be
treated as I guess
any other agricultural product?
Just like any other
agricultural product,
if I understand
you correctly, it
will have implications
of leaching,
I guess you would
call it, which really
depend on your
irrigation methodology--
what kind of
nutrients or materials
you're using in the soil.
I can tell you that
our approach primarily
is to produce the crop
organically, evaluate,
conduct research, and see if
that's feasible and viable.
When you talk about certain
applications of the crop
through extraction of oils that
contain these cannabinoids,
you have issues
of concentrations
of certain materials,
chemicals, hard metals,
even through uptake
of the plant.
And just being, by nature
of the product itself,
is generally more of a health--
