Exclusive tour of the only federal weed farm in America | CNN

Rare tour of the only federal weed farm in America

By Kristen Aaron, CNN
1 minute read
Updated 9:34 AM EDT, Mon April 20, 2015
The once barren fields at the University of Mississippi are now bursting with research-grade cannabis. Scientists with the Marijuana Project have bred the plants to create different strains, each with varying levels of THC, the ingredient in marijuana that makes users high, and CBD, which has medicinal properties.
The once barren fields at the University of Mississippi are now bursting with research-grade cannabis. Scientists with the Marijuana Project have bred the plants to create different strains, each with varying levels of THC, the ingredient in marijuana that makes users high, and CBD, which has medicinal properties.
Rich Brooks, CNN
Today, with more studies anticipated, the farm has ramped up production and the marijuana plants are a towering 5 to 6 feet tall.
Today, with more studies anticipated, the farm has ramped up production and the marijuana plants are a towering 5 to 6 feet tall.
Rich Brooks, CNN
The University of Mississippi was selected in 1968 to exclusively provide the marijuana needed for government-approved studies. At first, it tested marijuana seized by the government. It wasn't until the 1970s that the farm started producing its own research-grade cannabis.
The University of Mississippi was selected in 1968 to exclusively provide the marijuana needed for government-approved studies. At first, it tested marijuana seized by the government. It wasn't until the 1970s that the farm started producing its own research-grade cannabis.
Rich Brooks, CNN
Before 2014, the last time marijuana was grown at the University of Mississippi was 2007.
Before 2014, the last time marijuana was grown at the University of Mississippi was 2007.
Rich Brooks, CNN
The marijuana plants at Ole Miss start off in this extremely controlled and monitored grow room before they are planted in the fields outside. The plants require water, light and temperatures between 75 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit (24 and 30 degrees Celsius).
The marijuana plants at Ole Miss start off in this extremely controlled and monitored grow room before they are planted in the fields outside. The plants require water, light and temperatures between 75 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit (24 and 30 degrees Celsius).
Rich Brooks, CNN
Over the past year, production at the farm has increased by 30 times, from 46 pounds (21 kilograms) of harvested marijuana to 1,400 pounds (635 kilograms).
Over the past year, production at the farm has increased by 30 times, from 46 pounds (21 kilograms) of harvested marijuana to 1,400 pounds (635 kilograms).
Rich Brooks, CNN
After being harvested, the marijuana is placed on racks in a dark, climate-controlled vault to be dried.
After being harvested, the marijuana is placed on racks in a dark, climate-controlled vault to be dried.
Rich Brooks, CNN
The marijuana at the lab is dried on screens, which allows airflow from all directions.
The marijuana at the lab is dried on screens, which allows airflow from all directions.
Rich Brooks, CNN
After the plants have been thoroughly dried, they are processed to ensure that the marijuana is completely clean and devoid of seeds, stems, stalks and debris.
After the plants have been thoroughly dried, they are processed to ensure that the marijuana is completely clean and devoid of seeds, stems, stalks and debris.
Rich Brooks, CNN
The final product is this processed marijuana, which accounts for 14% to 16% of the weight of the whole plant.
The final product is this processed marijuana, which accounts for 14% to 16% of the weight of the whole plant.
Rich Brooks, CNN
The marijuana produced at the University of Mississippi is then stored in a DEA-approved vault, ready to be used in federally approved studies.
The marijuana produced at the University of Mississippi is then stored in a DEA-approved vault, ready to be used in federally approved studies.
Rich Brooks, CNN
Sanjay Gupta, CNN chief medical correspondent, and Dr. Mahmoud ElSohly, the director of the Marijuana Project, tour the marijuana fields at Ole Miss. ElSohly has been in charge since 1981.
Sanjay Gupta, CNN chief medical correspondent, and Dr. Mahmoud ElSohly, the director of the Marijuana Project, tour the marijuana fields at Ole Miss. ElSohly has been in charge since 1981.
Rich Brooks, CNN
Mississippi school program grows marijuana for the government

Dr. Sanjay Gupta puts medical marijuana under the microscope again with “Weed 3: The Marijuana Revolution” at 9 p.m. ET Monday on CNN, followed by “High Profits” at 10 p.m., a CNN Original Series exploring the business of legal, recreational cannabis in Breckenridge, Colorado.

CNN  — 

Since the 1970s, the Marijuana Project at the University of Mississippi, known as Ole Miss, has been the sole provider of marijuana for federally approved research in the United States. The farm is strictly controlled by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).

Between its inception and 2007, the farm supported only a small amount of research because there was little to no demand by scientists. In Spring 2013, when Dr. Sanjay Gupta first visited the Marijuana Project, there was nothing growing in the fields because of this lack of demand. But when he returned a year and a half later, it was a much different story. Acres of the farm were teeming with research-grade medical cannabis in anticipation of a renewed interest in government-approved research.

Photography by Rich Brooks, CNN