Institute of Cannabis Research signs MOU with Kangwon National University

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The Institute of Cannabis Research, housed on the campus of Colorado State University Pueblo, signed a memorandum of understanding with Kangwon National University in Chuncheon, South Korea, to expand international hemp research.

The signing took place Sept. 29 at the university’s industry-academic innovation hub. For southern Colorado, the agreement keeps research at CSU Pueblo connected to hemp science in South Korea. The partners plan to study hemp genetics, cultivation and the medicinal and agricultural uses of the crop.

The MOU gives both institutions a framework for sharing expertise, identifying common research priorities and exploring joint research between the United States and South Korea. It builds on the institute’s long-standing research relationships in South Korea. All four signers put their names on the agreement. Dongha Lee, director of the Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation at Kangwon National University, and Jungdae Lim, a professor at the university, signed alongside Marion McNabb and [CONFIRM NAME].

A central focus is Pink Pepper, a hemp accession developed through research with Kangwon National University. The Pink Pepper reference genome now gives researchers a detailed genetic framework for studying cannabis genetics, gene function, plant traits and responses to environmental conditions. Partners plan to build on that resource in plant breeding, stress physiology, cannabinoid production and other agricultural and industrial uses.

“We are pleased to expand our partnership with Kangwon National University and create new opportunities for international collaboration,” said Marion McNabb, director of the Institute of Cannabis Research at Colorado State University Pueblo. “By bringing together our research expertise and institutional strengths, we can explore new scientific questions, advance our understanding of hemp and identify opportunities for research that benefits both countries.”

The institute’s first South Korean collaboration began in 2019 with the Chuncheon Bioindustry Foundation. That five-year research funding initiative totaled approximately $150,000 and laid the groundwork for the new agreement.

“This MOU represents an important expansion of the ICR’s international collaboration network in South Korea,” said Sanghyuck Park, associate director of research at the Institute of Cannabis Research. The partnership with Kangwon National University gives the institute a way to expand its research network within the same region.

The MOU reflects the institute’s commitment to high-quality, objective and unbiased science. By connecting research institutions, scientific expertise and potential agricultural and industrial partners, the collaboration aims to turn research into practical applications.