UTech, Jamaica Signs Agreement with Timeless Herbal Care for Development of the Medical Cannabis Industry
Dr Ellen Campbell-Grizzle (at podium), Associate Professor and former Dean, College of Health Sciences provides an overview of the MOA signed between the University of Technology, Jamaica and Timeless Herbal Care, for the development of the medical cannabis industry, during a special briefing ceremony held at the Technology Innovation Centre, UTech, Ja. Papine campus on Thursday, January 12, 2017. Seated at the head table (from left) are Mr. Hector Wheeler, AVP, Advancement, who chaired the ceremony, Dr. Janet Campbell-Shelly, Dean (Acting), College of Health Sciences, Mr. Courtney Betty, President/CEO, Timeless Herbal Care Ltd. and Mr. Richard Crawford, Communications Consultant, Timeless Herbal Care Ltd.
The University of Technology, Jamaica’s long track record of research into the medicinal properties of indigenous herbal plants has been further strengthened with the brokering of a Memorandum of Agreement with Timeless Herbal Care – an international, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical company. The agreement between UTech, Jamaica and Timeless Herbal Care for the development of research in medical marijuana was formally announced at a special briefing held at the University’s Papine campus on Thursday, January 12, 2017.
Under the MoA agreement UTech, Jamaica will provide technical training of stakeholders through expertise in its School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, as well as research and testing of cannabis strains for product formulation.
Dr. Janet Campbell-Shelly, Acting Dean, College of Health Sciences in her welcome, noted that the University has developed productive partnerships with several groups and partners since UTech, Jamaica received its first medical marijuana research licence on May 13, 2015 from then Minister Hon. Phillip Paulwell and a renewed licence in May 2016 from current Minister of Science, Energy and Technology, Dr. the Hon. Andrew Wheatley, MP. She expressed confidence that these partnerships will continue to advance opportunities for faculty and student research for the benefit of Jamaica and by extension, the world.
Dr. Ellen Campbell Grizzle, Associate Professor and former Dean of the College of Health Sciences, who since 2012, has been leading the University’s research thrust into Cannabis as well as contributing to the building of a medical marijuana industry in Jamaica, welcomed the collaboration with Timeless Herbal Care. She noted that the signing of the MoA marks a milestone of a longstanding relationship with the company and underscored that UTech, Jamaica’s focus will continue to be on medicinal cannabis with a balanced approach in fostering public education, community involvement and substance abuse prevention.
Adjunct Professor in plant based medicine, Dr.Lawrence Williams, who has been appointed by the University to advance research work in herbal plants, in his remarks, said that his current research work is focused on looking at the anti-inflammatory properties and compounds of cannabis and the anti-diabetic properties of guinea hen weed. His research is also investigating the compound devenzil trisulphide to determine whether compounds from cannabis can synergise the activities of that anti-cancer compound. “They have now synthesised a derivative of devenzil trisulphide which is now at stage 2 of technical trials in China, so that work is going very well.” Dr. Williams said.
Guinea Hen Weed pharmaceutical products: Dr. Lawrence Williams, (right) Adjunct Professor in plant based research, College of Health Sciences, explains the therapeutic and healing properties of two of his Guinea Hen Weed pharmaceutical products developed in collaboration and retailed under the Timeless Herbal Care brand – the Guinea Hen Weed Tonic and Restorative and the Guinea Hen Weed Magic Relief pain ointment, to Mrs. Michelle Beckford (left) Corporate Communications Manager, UTech, Ja. and Dr. Janet Campbell-Shelly, Acting Dean, COHS. Looking on is Dr. Sean Moncrieffe, Acting Vice Dean and Dr. Andrea Daley, Acting Head of School of Pharmacy, COHS.
President and CEO of Timeless Herbal Care, Mr. Courtney Betty, a Jamaican attorney-at-law, based in Canada, in his remarks explained that he retired from law three years ago to help the government of Jamaica to create a legal framework for a medical marijuana industry. Affirming his commitment to the development of the industry in Jamaica, Mr. Betty told the gathering that “from the very beginning we were not about selling ganja, we are not about smoking marijuana; from the very beginning we were about bringing forth medical products to market, ” he said. In this regard, Mr. Betty expressed confidence in the anticipated fruitful partnership with UTech, Jamaica in carrying out research towards product development in medicinal cannabis.
Timeless Announces Scholarships for UTech, Jamaica students
During the briefing ceremony, Timeless Herbal Care announced the provision of two scholarships to UTech, Jamaica students enrolled in science based courses of study. The scholarships valued at J$ 1 million dollars are named in memory of Myrtle Clementine Betty and Lilly Rose Clarke, mothers of the two principal partners of the company and will commence in the next academic year, 2017/2018.
Scholarship Presentation: Mr. Courtney Betty (left), President and CEO, Timeless Herbal Care Ltd. presents his company’s scholarship commitment document to happy recipients (from left) Dr. Ellen Campbell-Grizzle, Associate Professor and former Dean of the College of Health Sciences (COHS), Dr. Janet Campbell-Shelly, Acting Dean, COHS, Dr. Andrea Daley, Programme Director, School of Pharmacy, COHS. Sharing in the happy occasion is Mr. Leroy Sibblies, investor, Timeless Herbal Care Ltd. The presentation was made during a briefing ceremony held at UTech, Jamaica’s Papine campus on Thursday, January 12, 2017 to announce the Memorandum of Agreement signed between the two entities to support the development of Jamaica’s medical marijuana industry.
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Contact:
Michelle Beckford (Mrs.)
Corporate Communications Manager
University of Technology, Jamaica
Telephone: 970-5299
Email: mbeckford@utech.edu.jm