Dabney: My journey with cannabis

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My name is Clemon, but many people call me “Dr. Dabs.” Throughout my career, I have worked to demystify cannabis and pushed for research, education and policy that reflect the plant’s potential for both scientific discovery and societal benefit. As I begin writing a monthly opinion column about all things cannabis for the Minnesota Star Tribune, I want to start by sharing a little bit about my background and my unique path with cannabis.

My journey started in an unlikely place: my grandmother’s backyard garden in Bloomington. She was a devout Catholic known for her strong moral compass, love for the land and dedication to her faith. She not only taught me the values of hard work and patience, but also sparked my curiosity for plant life through cultivating everything from tomatoes to flowers.

It wasn’t long before this fascination with growing plants evolved into something much more specific — a deep love for cannabis. My grandmother enrolled me in confirmation classes at St. Bonaventure Catholic Church, where I was first exposed to weed by my classmates. Curious to know more, I began researching cannabis on sites like ICMag.com, and soon, I was ordering seeds from Europe through the Nirvana Seed Company and growing it in clandestine patches along Minnesota River bike trails. This early hands-on experimentation allowed me to witness firsthand the transformation of cannabis from seed to mature plant — an experience that was nothing short of magical for me. I watched a relatively unassuming plant grow into a large plant with shimmering resin-covered flowers whose unique odors could be smelled a fair distance away.

In college, I continued to experiment with growing cannabis while also studying behavioral neuroscience, including the interactions between substances and the human mind, at the University of St. Thomas. Courses on sensation and perception, as well as on alcohol, drugs and behavior, were instrumental in shaping my understanding of how cannabis influences our sensory experiences and behaviors.

After graduation, I initially was uncertain of my next step. But after working at the biology learning center at Normandale Community College where an instructor allowed me to use a scanning electron microscope to explore and document plant life, I realized the cannabis plant was my calling. So I went back to school, enrolling at the University of Minnesota where I earned a master’s degree in plant breeding and molecular genetics. I continued on to pursue a Ph.D. from the U in molecular genetics and genomics. I became the first student to study the science of cannabis at the U. I began conducting cannabis-related research with George Weiblen, a leading expert in the field at the U. Our collaboration was born out of mutual respect and a shared vision for cannabis as a model organism for scientific study.

Doing research for my doctorate in the mid-2010s — before hemp was legal in Minnesota — was often a challenge. The stigma surrounding the plant made research difficult. Everything had to be built from the ground up. We faced pushback in shared spaces for seed drying, seed cleaning and seed storage from the more established programs. It became so bad we just started going in after hours. Federal funding was also non-existent. So our lab faced hurdles not only securing small amounts of funding, but also navigating regulatory frameworks and dealing with societal misconceptions about the plant.

Our lab worked under a memorandum of understanding with the Drug Enforcement Administration that allowed us to grow cannabis for research, but the restrictions were cumbersome. It sometimes felt like we were operating a minimum-security prison. I would have to type my keycode into a security system within 60 seconds to avoid the police being alerted. There were cameras and multiple locked doors, and all plant material and seeds needed to be stored in an old bank safe. We could only grow 40 plants at a time, and had an extremely limited number of cannabis varieties on hand. When we accumulated too much plant material, we would have to send it to an approved third-party incineration facility for disposal. But our team persevered and contributed significant research to the field, including collaborating with Sunrise Genetics to create a groundbreaking genome assembly for a specific cannabis strain, which is used as a model by researchers globally.

During my graduate studies, I also had the privilege of working on various projects with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, studying hemp grain variety trials across Minnesota, as well as collaborating with the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Nation on a feasibility study for integrating hemp fibers into blown plastic bags. Those experiences gave me a deep appreciation for the diverse applications of the cannabis plant — from industrial uses to medicinal and recreational potential. And I worked as the director of medical cannabis at Red Lake Nation, responsible for establishing the first medical cannabis program for a sovereign nation in Minnesota. I did everything from creating a business plan, coordinating with government officials, and developing policies to ensure a safe and consistent program.

After finishing my Ph.D. in 2020, I launched Doctor Dabs, a Minnesota-based hemp-derived edible manufacturing company. In the last few years, Doctor Dabs has received various awards from the regional Legacy Cup competition including most innovative THC for our maple candies and maple syrup as well as most innovative CBD for our lavender chamomile nighttime tea.

Currently, I also serve as the chief science officer at Uniflora Holistics where I oversee research and development for new cannabis products with a focus on improving production processes, ensuring product safety and fostering innovation. We’ve created everything from vegan THC gummies to a CBD sore muscle gel, and we’ve worked to create new products for notable brands like Jesse Ventura Farms.

I have also worked to shape cannabis policy in Minnesota. During my Ph.D., I experienced firsthand the lack of funding for cannabis research, which drove me to advocate for better support. I’ve testified before state legislators advocating for the importance of cannabis research, cannabis-specific extension positions, and industry-supported grant funding to help establish the University of Minnesota as a leader in cannabis science. One of my key aims is ensuring that the state’s cannabis industry evolves in a sustainable, environmentally conscious manner.

While there’s still some stigma around the plant, it’s been decreasing every year especially as more states have legalized its use for recreational purposes. Minnesota, of course, joined the growing list last year, becoming the 23rd state to do so, with retail sales expected to rollout next year.

In addition to my advocacy work, I also try educate the public about cannabis through various avenues. I teach classes through the Minnesota Cannabis College on growing cannabis at home and on the biology of cannabis propagation and cloning. I also do a “Cooking with Clem” segment on YouTube with the Northern Lights Podcast in which I share THC-infused recipes.

This column is an extension of my lifelong journey with cannabis. I look forward to sharing my insights, research and experiences with readers. Whether you’re a cannabis enthusiast, a curious bystander or someone new to the topic, I hope to shed light on the plant’s potential, its challenges, and its future in our state. Minnesota’s cannabis landscape is evolving rapidly, and I’m here to help guide you through it.