US (TX): Fluence and Compassionate Cultivation partner up to research sustainable cannabis production

Fluence by OSRAM has partnered with fellow Austin, Texas-based Compassionate Cultivation, Texas’ leading medical cannabis provider.

Under the agreement, Compassionate Cultivation and Fluence will collaborate on research studies using Fluence’s industry-leading LED lighting systems to gather new insights into sustainable cannabis production while delivering high-quality medical cannabis to Texans with qualifying conditions under the Compassionate Use Program.

“Our patients have come to depend on the quality, consistency and purity of our products,” said Morris Denton, CEO of Compassionate Cultivation. “It’s our responsibility to ensure that our patients and their prescribing physicians have access to the best medical cannabis to treat their conditions. Our partnership with Fluence is another example of our commitment to operational excellence and leadership in medical cannabis. Through these R&D projects we will discover lighting strategies that will create new best practices, taking cannabis cultivation to the next level. Increasing efficiencies in our cultivation practices will enable us to better accomplish our goals while helping an industry where research is critical but limited.”

Together, Fluence and Compassionate Cultivation will produce and publish several peer-reviewed, randomized complete block studies over a 12-month period that will explore light intensity, spectra, distribution and scheduling throughout the cannabis crop cycle.

“New research that sheds light on operational best practices, recommended cultivation techniques, breeding and light recipes is the most critical factor in maximizing cannabis’s potential,” said Dave Hawley, Ph.D., Fluence’s senior scientist. “In partnering with Compassionate Cultivation, Fluence can conduct industry-leading research from our own backyard, ultimately empowering both Compassionate Cultivation and the Fluence team with cultivation data that could directly impact global cannabis efficacy.”

The Texas Compassionate Use Program allows patients to legally seek prescriptions for low-THC medical cannabis. In June 2019, the program was expanded to include nearly 150 qualifying conditions, including ALS, Alzheimer’s, autism, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s and terminal cancer. Nearly 2 million Texans are now eligible under the Compassionate Use program.

“Cannabis has massive potential to truly improve and positively impact Texans and consumers around the world,” said David Cohen, CEO of Fluence. “We’re excited to collaborate with Compassionate Cultivation, another Texas brand that shares our vision to explore the interaction between light and life and to cultivate consistent, high-quality cannabis for patients who need it.”