New CSU lab seeks to unlock cannabinoid secrets

FORT COLLINS — In several years since the explosion of hemp-product popularity, many claims have been made about the potential health benefits of CBD and other non-psychoactive cannabinoids.

A new laboratory at Colorado State University, funded by a donation from a graduate, is putting these claims to the test and attempting to discover new applications for these often-misunderstood chemical compounds. 

The new Panacea Life Sciences Cannabinoid Research Center, which is capable of providing contract research services, operates out of CSU’s College of Natural Sciences and was built and equipped with $1.5 million from Leslie Buttorff, CEO of Golden-based CBD company Panacea Life Sciences Inc.

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“There is so much we don’t know about cannabinoids,” lab director Melissa Reyolds said. “There might be 120-plus cannabinoids that we’re still discovering.”

Each of these compounds offers the potential to treat different ailments both in people and animals. 

“There are a lot of claims out there about what CBD does, but do we have any science to back that up?” Reynolds said. “One of the things that the university is an expert in is answering those types of questions.”

The lab, which was about 2½ years in the making and was delayed in opening due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will include studies not only about chemistry, but also disciplines such as agricultural science and psychology, CSU graduate student researcher Madeline Roach said. 

Cannabinoid research is “such a rising field, so it’s a great experience getting to learn about all of these types of [chemical separation] instrumentation and the industrial side of science,” she said. 

The benefits of a strong connection to CSU for Panacea are numerous.

“We needed a way to do research and clinical studies to pull out some of the minor cannabinoids and look at them for creating purposeful medicine for the consumer market,” Panacea senior vice president Nick Cavarra, also a CSU graduate, said. “CSU was a perfect fit for us. We have a big investment here now, and we’re excited to be part of the university.”

Being part of CSU provides Panacea with access to a pipeline of talent during a period when skilled labor is particularly difficult to attract. 

“We love bringing in new talent,” Cavarra said. “I’ve always looked at Colorado as the hub of the cannabis space, so what a perfect place to bring talent in from.”

Buttorff said one of the goals of the lab is to do for cannabinoids what the University of Florida and Gatorade did for the sports-drink industry.

“Colorado is a world leader in cannabis, and we’ve got the best minds studying this unique plant,” Buttorf said. 

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