A state-of-the-art laboratory dedicated to medical cannabis research is being set up in Malta as a result of a memorandum of understanding between Malta Enterprise and the La Sapienza University of Rome.

“This agreement is a step in the right direction for the creation of a local medical cannabis ecosystem and the necessary enabling infrastructure for the companies that have been granted a letter of intent from Malta Enterprise – for them to set up their activity, start operations, and affirm Malta’s position as a European leader in the medical cannabis sector”, Economy Minister Chris Cardona said.

La Sapienza University is one of the world's oldest universities and one of the largest in Europe, with more than 100,000 enrolled students.

Through the newly-signed MOU, its department of chemistry and pharmacological technologies will be given space for a lab that will carry out tests, validations and verifications to enable the further development of the medical cannabis industry in accordance with Maltese legislation.

Read: Malta Enterprise approves five medical cannabis investments

Parliamentary secretary for consumer rights Deo Debattista said he was confident that Malta’s reputation and expertise would be also shown in the production of medical cannabis with hard work and dedication making Malta a centre of excellence even in this sector.

The Education Ministry is also exploring possible collaborations between the University of Malta and La Sapienza in research and development in this medical field. The focus will be wide-ranging but shall include product development and process improvement.

The agreement was signed between Malta Enterprise CEO Mario Galea and Profe Bruno Botta for La Sapienza’s Dipartimento di Chimica e Tecnologie del Farmaco.