The meeting titled "The Status and Future of Hemp in Our Country," organized by the Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMU) Rectorate and hosted by the Hemp Research Institute, in compliance with pandemic precautions, was well-attended by Samsun officials.
The meeting, held at the OMU Coastal Facilities, was attended by Samsun Governor Dr. Zülkif Dağlı; Samsun deputies Fuat Köktaş, Dr. Ahmet Demircan, and Orhan Kırcalı; OMU Rector Prof. Dr. Yavuz Ünal; Samsun University Rector Prof. Dr. Mahmut Aydın; OMU Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Fehmi Yazıcı; Samsun Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Salih Zeki Murzioğlu; OMU Hemp Research Institute Director Prof. Dr. Selim Aytaç; Black Sea Agricultural Research Institute Deputy Director Şahin Gizlenci, an agricultural engineer with a master's degree; representatives from public institutions, NGOs, and academics.
"We have released two cannabis candidate varieties, Narlı and Vezir."
Prof. Dr. Selim Aytaç, Director of the OMU Hemp Research Institute, delivered the opening remarks at the meeting, which began after breakfast. He emphasized that the cannabis plant has been gaining importance since 2013. He said, "OMU, in collaboration with the Black Sea Agricultural Research Institute, has begun researching cannabis this year. In 2017, we implemented a project with TÜBİTAK to develop lower THC-containing varieties by breeding hemp populations collected from various provinces over many years. One reason we are gathered here today is to discuss the current state of cannabis in our country and to provide you with information about this project, which is nearing completion. We have released two cannabis candidate varieties, Narlı and Vezir, that are in the final stages of registration. With the approval of the registration committee, which will meet in March, we will have released our first registered variety. We have two more candidate varieties, which we will submit to the registration committee in 2021."
Institute Director Aytaç noted that the perspective on hemp in our country had changed after President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's speech in 2019, which shattered the negative perception of the hemp plant, and thanked those who contributed to the project.
"Samsun has developed Turkey's first domestic and national hemp variety."
Şahin Gizlenci, Deputy Director of the Black Sea Agricultural Research Institute and a certified agricultural engineer, introduced the hemp plant and the cannabis variety candidates Narlı and Vezir, which were developed as a result of a joint project with OMU. Gizlenci explained that they are also working on flax with OMU, saying, "Our fiber flax variety will be registered soon. Furthermore, Samsun has also developed Turkey's first domestic and national hemp variety. The structures and institutions that shape the country's agriculture in hemp are located in Samsun. We are continuing our R&D and agricultural work with OMU, but industry also needs to enter the hemp sector. I believe we can achieve very positive results that will contribute to the national economy." "We aim to produce more high-quality work in a shorter time by bringing together different institutes and universities."
Rector Prof. Dr. Yavuz Ünal expressed his honor at the meeting, saying, "We organized this meeting to assess the current state of OMU and Samsun's knowledge and experience in the field of hemp and to provide a preliminary assessment of the future of this plant globally. More importantly, we want to develop a roadmap for what we can do as an institution in this area, which will contribute to both the regional and national economies and strengthen our international competitiveness. Therefore, we see hemp as a significant opportunity for our region and our country. Past work on this topic has been extremely valuable and has enabled the project to reach this point and achieve more positive results than expected. Going forward, we aim to produce more high-quality work in a shorter time by bringing together different institutes and universities in a collaborative partnership under Samsun's leadership."
Rector Ünal stated that they viewed Samsun University as a stakeholder, not a separate institution, saying, “Therefore, we desire Samsun University to participate in this process and for the process to be carried out together.”
“We have held discussions and initiatives to ensure that hemp is embraced by Samsun.”
Samsun AK Party MP Fuat Köktaş also provided information about the government's efforts regarding hemp, saying: “Following our President's speech about making Samsun the center of hemp, we conducted speeches and initiatives to ensure Samsun embraced this issue. Following my presentation to the President and the report I prepared, a process began on this issue. Subsequently, due to the pandemic, we held another meeting with our Minister of Agriculture and Industry via teleconference. This issue doesn't just concern the Ministry of Agriculture; it's a multifaceted issue involving the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Industry, and even the Ministry of Justice. Significant progress is being made in this direction. Hemp isn't just a product to be used as thread in textiles; we can benefit from every aspect of it, from its meat and milk.” "We must develop a roadmap that will make the product more economical."
Fuat Köktaş, noting that they are continuing their efforts to actively introduce hemp into the market in areas such as paper and textiles, said, "In addition to hemp, we must also utilize its oil. For example, research centers in Canada have expressed interest in hemp varieties with cannabidiol content around 2 percent. However, here at the Hemp Research Institute, under the leadership of our professor Selim Aytaç, we are able to obtain hemp plants with an 8 percent cannabidiol content. We need to obtain products with higher yields, more durable fibers, and higher oil content. This responsibility falls to us and other stakeholders. We must strive to implement the products and knowledge we have acquired, centered in Samsun, without squandering them. I believe that we can make the product more economical not only with its fiber and stem, but also by enabling sectors like the automotive, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and food sectors to benefit from this product, and I urge that we should develop our roadmap accordingly."
"Hemp revenue is projected to reach $270 billion by 2035."
Fuat Köktaş emphasized that, according to research, hemp has a global revenue of $60 billion, saying, "This revenue is projected to reach $270 billion by 2035. We are now in a period where the world is turning to natural products and away from chemical products. In short, hemp contributes significantly to both the national economy and health."
Fuat Köktaş noted that R&D work on the fiber sorting tool is ongoing, adding that the prototype is ready.
"We must serve Samsun in the best possible way."
Samsun AK Party MP Ahmet Demircan, reminding us that Samsun possesses many beautiful geographical features, said, "We must serve Samsun in the best possible way to be grateful for such beauty. Samsun is such a beautiful place that if you give it one, it will give you ten back. In this regard, the collaboration of institutions is invaluable. Universities will assume the roles of guiding, project creators, and developers. Therefore, this collaboration makes us very proud and honored. Our esteemed governor's support in this regard is also very encouraging." "Samsun University Faculty of Medicine is being established with the President's approval."
Ahmet Demircan, who also announced the establishment of a second medical faculty in Samsun with the President's approval, said, "If a decision is reached to establish the Samsun University Faculty of Medicine, in addition to the city hospital currently in the tender phase, Samsun will become a city surrounded by OMU to the west and Samsun University Faculty of Medicine and research hospitals to the east."
"If we work together, we can make Samsun a major locomotive."
Samsun Governor Dr. In his speech, Zülkif Dağlı said, “Today, we are discussing a crucial issue for our province and our country. We are discussing the hemp plant, which perhaps has the highest added value. We have come together to discuss how we can develop hemp in our province and what we can do as stakeholders in this province. We know there is a national action plan here. We believe that further activating this will be possible by triggering it locally. Our esteemed members of parliament, our universities, our Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and our businesspeople have significant responsibilities. If we work together, we can make Samsun a major engine.”
“The establishment of a Hemp Institute in our province is a significant advantage”
Governor Dr. Zülkif Dağlı emphasized the special importance of agriculture in Samsun, saying, “Every agricultural product is important, but our priority is to ensure development by combining high-value-added agricultural products with agriculture-based industries. The establishment of the Hemp Institute in our province is also a significant advantage. We know that hemp has a significant history in Samsun's history. Given these circumstances, we are starting with a 2-0 lead. We must evaluate this together. Hopefully, we will achieve this together with you. We will strive to bring our province to the forefront. I believe the results of this meeting will be positive, and I offer my love and respect to all of you.”
Following the speeches, the protocol members examined the hemp products on display at the stand prepared by the OMÜ Hemp Research Institute.
The meeting concluded after a commemorative group photo.