Pointe-Claire, QC — March 10, 2025 — Cielo Verde, a leading producer in cannabis cultivation, is proud to announce a new academic-industry partnership with researchers from McGill University’s Macdonald Campus and the Quality Assurance and Quality Control of Cannabis (QAQCC) initiative. This collaboration is supported by the Mitacs Accelerate program, a national not-for-profit organization that fosters growth through strategic research and training.
The partnership brings together Cielo Verde’s state-of-the-art cultivation practices with research performed by MSc intern Oluwafemi Adaramola and postdoctoral fellow Dr. Philip Wiredu Addo, under the Direction of Dr. Mark Lefsrud, Associate Professor in the Department of Bioresource Engineering, whose expertise lies in lower energy inputs for biomass production in controlled environment agriculture (CEA). The researchers are regularly embedded within Cielo Verde’s facilities, gathering critical environmental and production data.
Optimizing Biomass and Energy Efficiency
The collaborative research aims to enhance cannabis biomass production while modeling and reducing energy consumption across controlled environment agriculture systems. This initiative not only contributes to improved sustainability in cannabis cultivation but also supports the broader goals of eco-responsible innovation in agri-tech.
Bridging Academia and Industry
Cielo Verde’s involvement reflects its commitment to fostering scientific discovery and leading with evidence-based cultivation strategies. “We are thrilled to collaborate with McGill researchers and QAQCC in advancing the knowledge frontier of cannabis production,” said Barry Laxer, CEO and founder of Cielo Verde. “This partnership symbolizes the power of aligning academic expertise with real-world industry challenges.”
“This collaboration presents a fantastic opportunity to examine how heating from LEDs contribute to temperature control in indoor plant production, while presenting a tangible platform for modeling energy savings. Given our expertise in LED applications for CEA and highly valued food crops, McGill University’s Biomass Production Lab is well positioned train skilled student interns in an academic-industrial R & D collaboration with Cielo Verde Inc. through our program.” Mark Lefsrud (Associate Professor and QAQCC Director).
About the QAQCC
The QAQC for Cannabis Production, Products and Training Program (or QAQCC) is a pan-Canadian multidisciplinary research initiative partially funded by NSERC. The program addresses the pressing needs of quality assurance and quality control for legal and safe cannabis-derived product supply, through education and research. It is playing a pivotal role in training the next generation of cannabis scientists while delivering actionable insights to industry partners.
About Mitacs
Mitacs empowers Canadian innovation through unique research collaborations between academia and industry. With support from federal and provincial governments, Mitacs enables research that drives economic growth and builds future-ready talent.
About Cielo Verde
Founded in 2021, Cielo Verde Québec Inc. is a privately held licensed producer of high-quality medical and recreational cannabis. With over 100,000 square feet of indoor cultivation space across two cutting-edge facilities, the company is among the largest indoor producers in Quebec. Cielo Verde holds licenses for cultivation, processing, sales, and cannabis 2.0 products, and is GACP-certified for international medical exports. The company is also at the forefront of research and innovation in CEA, driving advancements in sustainable cannabis production and environmental efficiency.