York College chemists may have a new career path to explore: the mystery and wonders of the hemp and medical cannabis industry.
A new cannabinoid chemistry program, in partnership with York County entrepreneur Steve Groff, will provide students with an opportunity to explore natural production, extraction, purification and analysis, according to the college.
Groff is also the founder, chair and chief medical officer of Groff North America, a cannabis cultivation, extraction and formulation company based in Red Lion.
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As part of the partnership, GNA also will provide York College with access to hemp samples and connections for students to find internships in the cannabinoid chemistry and hemp science industries, according to a York College news release.
“York College’s Cannabinoid Chemistry major is addressing the growing demand for trained chemists in this field,” the news release states. “The bachelor of science program is the first of its kind in Pennsylvania and within the mid-Atlantic region.”
Groff North America cultivates, processes and refines both cannabis and hemp for businesses and researchers who are registered to handle Schedule 1 drugs — which are drugs with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
The Red Lion company is one of three commercially focused companies with a Schedule 1 registration from the DEA for bulk cultivation of marijuana, as well as the only company to possess a registration for patient dose manufacturing, according to the news release.
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GNA sells its cannabis products for federally authorized research, drug development, drug manufacturing and export, according to its website.
In recent years, medical marijuana has been proven in studies to completely resolve nausea and vomiting symptoms caused by chemotherapy, The New York Times reported in 2015.
Additionally, it was shown to reduce pain ratings and reduce spasticity in multiple sclerosis or paraplegia cases, according to the NYT.
Medical marijuana has been legal in Pennsylvania since 2016, and state lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have supported making recreational marijuana legal.
— Reach Tina Locurto at tlocurto@yorkdispatch.com or on Twitter at @tina_locurto.
