CU REACH is pleased to announce that Professor Nolan Kane and Dr. Daniela Vergara, founders of the Cannabis Genomic Research Initiative CGRI have been awarded $3,000 to support the assembly of (piecing together) the Y chromosome for Cannabis sativa. This grant was made possible through REACH Research Excellence Award, which is supported by private donations. Kane and Vergara have been studying the Cannabis genome for almost six years. Even though Cannabis male plants have an X and a Y chromosome, and females have two X chromosomes, both males and females can produce flowers from the other gender. The location of the sex genes in Cannabis is still unknown, and to find them will be a huge development for Cannabis genomics. The improvement of the genomic assembly will also allow to properly understand the location of genes within the genome. This is crucial for marker assisted selection to enhance breeding and cultivation and will ultimately inform the links among Cannabis genomics and human health and disease. CU REACH is thrilled to support this exciting research!