b"CANNABISA New World of BreedingSome of the seed sectors most well-known names are popping up in the cannabis realm. Heres why this crop represents new opportunities for these industry stalwarts.CHARLES PICK BEGAN his career in forage seed in 1990.Olympic athlete Perdita Felicien recently called for the plant Serving as vice-president turf operations for the Pickseedto be removed from the Games banned substances list, for Companies Groupa company co-founded by his grandfatherexample), Pick says the story of cannabis is only in its infancy.and run by his father and unclehis interests quickly grewThree years ago, when Canada was preparing to legalize into the biotech space. He worked for BASF for 11 years leadingrecreational cannabis, questions abounded among market their genomics lab DNA LandMarks, eventually spurring him toanalysts regarding access to germplasm and how the market found his own biotech consulting firm and then work in one ofwould shape up as the cannabis economy began to evolve. the countrys newest spacescannabis. Product shortages were the norm as cannabis stores began As senior vice-president science and innovation for Auroraopening their doors in October of 2018.Cannabis, hes now helping lead one of the worlds top cannabisFast-forward to 2020 and Canadian cannabis sales doubled, companies as it rapidly expands and prepares to mark threeaccording to Brightfield Groups latest Canadian Cannabis years since recreational cannabis was legalized in Canada. Market report, which pegged sales at $2.6 billion last year. A friend of mine said, You know, your knowledge wouldFurthermore, the Canadian adult-use cannabis market grew 118 really be applicable to the cannabis industry. It appeals to theper cent in 2020, dominated by flower. You might say cannabis ag science background that I have, because to a certain extentis coming into its own. cannabis has been totally untouched by modern agricultural practices. It's almost like discovering a new species because soBreeding Breakthroughsmany improvements can be made, says Pick.Aurora recently celebrated a portfolio refresh and launched The irony of him starting his career in forage and ending upthree new cultivars.in cannabis is not lost on Pick and his family. Our breeding and genetics program has been a huge success Cannabis is nothing I ever expected to work in. My dad likesfor us. These three cultivars are the first new genetics that stood to tell people that at least Im still in the grass business. out in a couple of years, as weve largely been running with the Dont let the sense of humour fool you, though. Pick is serioussame portfolio products for the last three years, Pick says. about cannabis. Aurora is Canadas top medical cannabisWe also have cultivars that are commercially ready that are platform in terms of revenue. Its also one of the leadingbeing trialed by other companies as well, and were talking to international cannabis platforms. Headquartered in Edmonton,those companies about licensing our genetics. Thats a big piece Alta. it has licensed production facilities across Canada andfor us.Europe and serves patients and consumers worldwide. Auroras cannabis innovation centre in Comox, B.C., is the With recreational cannabis increasingly becoming moreepicentre of the breeding work that led to the three newly socially acceptable in Canada and beyond (retired Canadianreleased cultivars.Canadian plant breeders are working on breeding more cannabis varieties for Canadian farmers.102seed.ab.ca"