U of G’s Prof. Rene Van Acker appeared on a CBC News panel on June 25 discussing the potential impacts of legal marijuana in the Waterloo region.

A plant science professor and dean of the Ontario Agricultural College, Van Acker said U of G was the first institution in the world to produce peer-reviewed work on the production of cannabis.

He also said U of G will continue to build on its strength and innovation in areas such as advanced horticulture with more focus on graduate programs.

“There’s an interest in research and producing highly qualified people to work in the cannabis industry,” he said.

Van Acker said the cannabis industry is attracting people to agriculture who are looking for an opportunity to do something new and innovative.

He studies genetically engineered crops and biosafety, rural community development and weed management agronomy.