Harnessing the Future of Hemp

OSU’s Global Hemp Innovation Center is home to the world’s leading experts in hemp research. The largest of its kind in the nation, it promises to advance the research of hemp and its market potential across multiple diverse industries and research fields to serve the growing international demand for innovative approaches to food, health, and fiber.

Prime Location

Oregon’s location on the 45th parallel is optimal for hemp growth. In fact, a unique hemp germplasm – the material used for breeding – was developed in the state over the past several decades. Oregon authorized hemp cultivation in 2009, but the Oregon Department of Agriculture didn’t license its first hemp grower until 2015. Just three years later, Oregon ranked 3rd in the United States in licensed hemp acres planted behind Montana and Colorado.

As of mid-May 2019, the state has licensed 1,342 growers to plant 46,219 acres this year, according to the Oregon Department of Agriculture. That’s up from 7,808 acres in 2018. Nationally the number of licensed acres devoted to hemp cultivation increased by 204 percent from 2017 to 2018.

As the home to more than 220 agricultural commodities, Oregon farmers and producers have the diversity of innovation expertise to successfully navigate the future development of hemp. In fact, Oregon is projected to be number one in overall profitable production land for hemp, with 20% of all production acres registered as hemp. Further, the state legislature is sponsoring a bill (HB 2740) that would form a commission similar to the existing 23 commodity commissions in the state, to direct funding for hemp research. 

 

Leading Expertise

With the launch of the Global Hemp Innovation Center, OSU restores its original position as the nation’s premier hemp research institution. OSU was the site of the country's only hemp research center from the 1880s to the 1930s. We are the largest comprehensive hemp research center in the nation with 75 faculty across 19 disciplines conducting research in 10 locations across the state and four locations around the world in Asia and Europe. As the only hemp seed certifier in the state, and one of only four in the country, OSU is able to provide growers access to a source of certified seed for planting in the state. 

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Global Reach

OSU’s Hemp research spans the globe with partners in Europe and Asia. We’ve strategically cultivated these partnerships over the past several years in areas that are at the same latitude as Oregon with similar growing conditions and complementary research areas. Most recently, our leadership in hemp was recognized by the National Academies of Sciences which tapped OSU to host the first international hemp symposium as part of the Board on Agriculture and Natural Resources's 75th Anniversary celebration.

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Comprehensive Research

OSU’s hemp research includes the most diverse and comprehensive team of collaborative leaders in critical disciplines that touch hemp, with more than 65 faculty representing more than 19 disciplinary areas across the entire university invested in understanding hemp. Serving as a hub, the Global Hemp Innovation Center at OSU connects plant research, food innovation, pharmacy, public health, public policy, business, and engineering. 

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National Hemp Symposium | National Academies of Sciences

On February 9-10, 2021, on behalf of the National Academies of Sciences Board on Agriculture and Natural Resources (BANR), Oregon State University’s Global Hemp Innovation Center (GHIC)  hosted our inaugural National Hemp Symposium. Follow the link below to see up-to-date information about future symposia.

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OSU Hemp Field Day - Klamath Basin

October 1, 2021 

Klamath Basin Research & Extension Center 

6941 Washburn Way, Klamath Falls, OR

View Agenda  View Recording

Oregon Hemp Field Day

The Global Hemp Innovation Center at Oregon State University hosted the first annual Oregon Hemp Field Day on September 23, 2020. Students, Extension and researchers from across Oregon presented highlights of their work thus far in the 2020 season. We provided a view of hemp being grown in the principal regions south to north, west to east.

Recorded Sessions

 

2022 Virtual Cannabis Research Conference

The 6th annual 2022 Cannabis Research Conference (CRC) was held as an interactive, virtual experience on August 8-10, 2022. This multi-disciplinary, three-day virtual conference attracted attendees both nationally and internationally. The Cannabis Research Conference comprehensively explored the latest in cannabis science and innovation for applications in medicines, foods, materials, and textiles that can improve people’s lives and better society. 

Program Book    Video

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Events

2024

January 16

Science Pub: The Roller Coaster of Hemp in Oregon OSU-Cascades Campus | Gordon Jones Speaker
April 11-13 NoCo Hemp Expo Estes Park, CO | Jeff Steiner-Invited Speaker 
August 7-9 Cannabis Research Conference Ft. Collins, CO | Co-Hosted by GHIC