Cannabis industry jobs, like many others, are in a constant state of flux as the nation struggles with inflation and economic uncertainty. Plenty of headlines coined the legal cannabis industry as “pandemic-proof.” However, as inflation continues to slow down spending, it has become painfully evident that the industry is not recession-proof, and many cannabis companies are taking a hard look at their bottom line.

Mold in marijuana is more than a business faux pas; it is a potential health hazard for consumers.

Mold on cannabis isn’t a new problem, but commercial production and over-crowded grow rooms are creating the perfect storm for pathogens. The birth of the marijuana industry has given rise to a deeper awareness of production pitfalls and potential health risks – not from the cannabis itself, but from unintentional microbial contamination.

Entheogens, including cannabis, faced one of their most restrictive environments in the 20th century. Now, as attitudes shift, several countries are investing in research using psilocybin mushrooms, MDMA, Ketamine, and other substances previously listed as some of the most dangerous materials in the country. With this shift comes a new wave of technological opportunity, and companies are poised to offer these substances to the public.

Original post: https://www.cannabistech.com/articles/vr-and-entheogens-beyond-third-eye-insights/

Advocates for cannabis and hemp legalization started their mission decades ago. Since then, hundreds have led the charge to change the stigmas and stereotypes associated with cannabis consumption and open the necessary pathways for the legal cultivation and production of these highly functional plants.

Recently the major enantiomer, or paired molecule, of THC was found in samples of low-THC fiber hemp from Europe. Such a report isn't surprising considering how biochemical processes work. However, this finding could cause a legal ripple capable of sending the hemp industry back to 2019.

Your opportunity to discover the latest eCommerce, CBD/hemp, and wholesale tools, solutions and expertise has returned!  

Sonication, or ultrasonication, is a soundwave technology widely used in biofuels, pharmaceuticals, wastewater processing, and other major industries. It's also necessary for nanoemulsions and other nanoparticle production — which might sound familiar as it's now widely used within the cannabidiol (CBD) sector too.

If I could narrow down how technology can help cannabis businesses the most, it would have to be the unique ability of technology to expose what you don’t know. Technology is uniquely capable of taking data and turning it into valuable information that can be used to make decisions.

Cannabis cultivators are tasked with two monumental challenges: eradicate pathogens that threaten their yield, and implement crop management and antimicrobial solutions that are safe, effective, and compliant with state regulations.

Sonication, or ultrasonication, is a soundwave technology widely used in biofuels, pharmaceuticals, wastewater processing, and other major industries. It's also necessary for nanoemulsions and other nanoparticle production — which might sound familiar as it's now widely used within the cannabidiol (CBD) sector too.

The audio version of this article is sponsored by The Cultivation System.

In traditional models, hiring a consulting firm to help improve your cannabis operation meant signing a contract and paying a fee for advice specific to your operation. The process often starts with bringing in experts who evaluate the existing processes and equipment, design the best recipe for the facility to flourish, and then they walk away, leaving it up to the grower to follow the plan.

When an industry is taxed the most and helped the least, it takes a community to help when disaster strikes.

Well-known cannabis expert is donating $500,000 to cannabis farmers who were devastated by the 2020 wildfires. Giving back to those from which he has built his success is not only good business but also an excellent overall philosophy.

“Big Mike” Straumietis is the co-founder and CEO of industry giant Advanced Nutrients and cannabis tycoon. Combining decades of expertise in horticulture and marketing with an unrelenting passion for growing cannabis, he built an empire. At the heart of it, all is an activist with a willingness to step forward, offering help when other resources fail to be of service.

Watch the video interview here: https://www.cannabistech.com/webcasts/a-tech-moment/fighting-fires-help-for-west-coast-cannabis-farmers/

Validation of natural health products is taking place for the first time in history. Radicle Science is reinventing the norm in pharmaceutical and academic research models, providing stringent health outcome data at a fraction of the time and cost. Female-led supplement brand Rae Wellness has partnered with them to prove the science behind CBD, focusing on women's health. Both companies see the benefit of more comprehensive and data derived from this virtual, direct-to-consumer approach to research.

Dr. Jeff Chen is the CEO and Co-Founder of Radicle Science. He was the Founder and former Director of the UCLA Cannabis Research Initiative and has an expansive range of experience as a board member, investor, advisor to companies, venture firms, and not-for-profits. Dr. Chen is a member of several communities such as TED, Summit Series, and Nexus and has been featured in Rolling Stone, WSJ, CNN, and VICE, just to name a few.

Angie Tebbe is the Co-Founder and CEO of Rae Wellness. Tebbe's holistic upbringing is at the root of a life mission into well-being. She left a successful corporate career to launch a values-led company that champions innovation in wellness, and she is driven by the vision to make well-being attainable for all.

Finish reading on Cannabis Tech: https://www.cannabistech.com/webcasts/a-tech-moment/partners-in-cannabis-research/

Growing a clean, green crop starts with a successful Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program. We asked cannabis industry expert, Ellis Smith, from American Cannabis Consulting to discuss the challenges and importance of keeping your cannabis facility free of bacteria, molds, viruses, and fungi.  

Ron Romano from SafetyNet joins us to discuss how they offer a technology originally designed for hospitals and government biosecurity to help cannabis operators ensure the cleanest environment possible for the health of their plants - and it may even help increase yields!  

This webcast is sponsored by SafetyNet America.

https://www.cannabistech.com/webcasts/a-tech-moment/bio-security-ipm-protecting-your-crop-from-invisible-invaders/

In this episode of A Tech Moment, Matt Carr, Chief Trends Strategist at the Oxford Club discusses his recent article on Profit Trends, regarding the top 3 obstacles still plaguing the cannabis industry - all of which will virtually disappear with federal legalization. Watch the video on YouTube or read the summary at CannabisTech.com.

Seth Boone, Vice President of Business Development with PanXchange, sheds light on incomplete, unfocused data on planted hemp acreages, increased efficiency creating higher yields, and if the potential for producers is best in distillates, smokable flower, or Delta-8 products.   

Read Article: https://www.cannabistech.com/webcasts/a-tech-moment/panxchange-hemp-market-report-april-2021/

Josh Swider, CEO and Co-Founder of Infinite CAL tested over 2,000 samples of Delta-8 THC products in 2020 - the results were concerning. Like the early days of CBD with mislabeling, or the early days of cannabis concentrates littered with poor chemistry - new kid on the block, lab-made Delta-8 THC has some growing pains to overcome, too. From high levels of Delta-9 THC to completely unidentified contaminants - some of the most respected labs in the nation are reminding consumers about due diligence and cautioning producers about potential hazards with their processes.   

View Article: https://www.cannabistech.com/webcasts/a-tech-moment/waving-the-caution-flag-on-the-race-for-delta-8-thc/

Stillwater Brands, Keith Woelfel, and Caliper Foods', Drew Hathaway, talk about the development of Ripple dissolvables and gummies, nanoemulsion, and the science behind proving the efficiency of nano-cannabinoid formulation and precision dosing.   

View Article: https://www.cannabistech.com/webcasts/a-tech-moment/blending-science-into-cannabis-edibles/

Maintaining a consistent environment is the key to growing quality, high-cannabinoid cannabis. Pitfalls with HVAC solutions can spell disaster for legally licensed commercial cannabis. In this March 2021 podcast, Cannabis Tech spoke with Justin Barnes and Marshall Kauffman, Account Executives from Trane® about the considerations.  Learn how Trane is stepping into the cannabis industry to help bring more than 100 years of expertise to growers all across the nation.

Will Kleidon, Founder and CEO of Ojai Energetics, cannabis IP, and the first Public Benefits Corporation in the cannabis space, understands that a triple bottom line is good for the planet and beyond.

Known as an award-winning pioneer responsible for the innovative and sustainable commercialization of cannabis, Will Kleidon founded Ojai Energetics back in 2014. Since that time, this futurist of cannabis technology has successfully cracked the code of CBD, leading to the development of a robust IP catalog including the antidote to THC intoxication, generating supercapacitors from hemp, and 30-second acting edibles.

Watch the video on Cannabis Tech: https://www.cannabistech.com/webcasts/a-tech-moment/the-potential-for-hemp-is-out-of-this-world/

Cypress Hill's lead-man, B-Real, discusses how the cannabis industry and its technology have evolved, collaborating with G-Pen for consumer electronics and Dr. Greenthumb becoming an MSO.

B-Real has lyrically promoted the cannabis culture for three decades as one of the frontmen for hip-hop group Cypress Hill. Taking his love of cultivation from the backyard to full-scale cannabis grow operation with multiple retail locations, now including a line of consumer electronics, certainly hasn't come without its challenges. That's not stopping Dr. Greenthumb from looking towards the future and across state lines.

Watch the video on Cannabis Tech here: https://www.cannabistech.com/webcasts/a-tech-moment/4-real-b-real-talks-tech-on-cannabis-tech/

Continuing our theme for International Women's Day, Kim Kovacs from Arcview joins us to discuss the need to support one another, the importance of maintaining diversity, and where opportunities in the cannabis sector are for women.

Having been an active angel investor for years, involved with Golden Seeds, Kim Kovacs also co-founded several companies, as well as being the Founder and former CEO of MyJane, a wellness technology platform for women. Bringing over twenty years of executive leadership and experience from investment companies and across technology services, Kovacs took the reins at Arcview in January of 2020.

The Arcview Group is the leading investment and market research firm focused on connecting high-net-worth individuals, institutional investors, and money managers with investment opportunities, key players, and indispensable insights to realize their goals in the cannabis sector.

Watch the video podcast here: https://www.cannabistech.com/webcasts/a-tech-moment/supporting-women-in-cannabis

March is International Women's Month. As we contemplated women working in the cannabis sector, the very first person we wanted to connect with was Shanel Lindsay, Founder & CEO of Ardent Cannabis.

Ardent Cannabis is a Boston-based biotech and medical cannabis device company, most famous for developing a laboratory-grade precision decarboxylator for medical cannabis patients. The Ardent Nova (and now the FX) helps consumers perfect and refine the decarboxylation process to deliver consistent results every time.

In the latest episode of the Cannabis Tech podcast, Lindsay shares her journey as the female founder of a cannabis company. She shares the challenges of navigating such an explosive sector with us and the opportunities for women in this space today.

Watch the full video interview here: https://www.cannabistech.com/webcasts/a-tech-moment/celebrating-international-womens-day-with-shanel-lindsay-of-ardent-cannabis/

With over 150 years of combined experience between the three equipment providers, their new hemp drying and processing equipment offer the integrated solution producers require for safe, efficient operation.

Watch the podcast to:

• Learn more about how the system works
• Watch a video explanation of the system from start to finish, as well as
• Discover other commercial processing equipment like,
  bud-sorters
  food-grade ice hash systems
  the new TXM series, Terp Xtract Master – for pure, solvent-free terpene extraction.
  

Join us for this round-table discussion featuring the different industry perspectives from multiple segments of cannabis.  In this episode: Cannabis may have skirted the economic woes of the pandemic, however, no one has been unscathed by the effects of inflation. 

We asked 4 industry experts from different cannabis sectors to join us to talk about how inflation has impacted their businesses and their thoughts on the recent moves in Washington.  

Our panel includes:   

• Laura Bianchi, Partner at Bianchi & Brandt 
• Kai Kirk - Chief Product Officer at Blaze 
• Eddie Franco - Director of Policy at Nabis 
• Greta Brandt - President at The Flower Shop

https://www.cannabistech.com/webcasts/a-tech-moment/panel-inflation-pandemic-and-politics/

In this podcast, PanXchange CEO, Julie Lerner, discusses the last Hemp Market report of 2020, where she maintains a conservative perspective on the price of CBD and hemp extracts. She says, “We wouldn’t price wheat based on bags of flour on the shelves at Safeway,” likewise CBD extracts need a better gauge for the market.

Lerner discusses three scenarios they use at PanXchange to analyze the markets today, as well as her predictions for the coming year.

Matt Carr, Chief Trends Strategist at the Oxford Club joins host, Kristina Etter for a first of the year outlook on investing in cannabis. With 5 new states voting to legalize, there's definitely one clear winner in the 2020 election - cannabis. And the future looks bright for the cannabis industry. 

Graham Farrar at the Glass House Group talks about greenhouse technology and his mission to blend his technology mindset into a sustainable cannabis operation.

From Cannabis to Mycology, Damon Michaels of Mydecine talks about his transition with Genifer Murray on Inside the Industry.

If the 2020 US election demonstrated anything, it's the growing appetite for natural medicines like cannabis and fungi. The fact that Oregon's legalization of psychedelic mushrooms received more positive media attention than most other than any other state ballot measures voted on during the election says a lot about the direction Americans want to go in the coming years.

Riding this wave of excitement, Gennifer Murray sat down with Damon Michaels, Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Mydecine, to discuss a new approach to nature-sourced medicines through a pharmaceutical lens.

Act now, these programs won't last forever!

With cannabis science finally getting daytime acceptance, incentives for energy efficiency are coming into play. While it may be intimidating to reveal sensitive information about operations, doing so saves cultivators across the country hundreds of thousands of dollars in new programs meant to improve efficiency in the cannabis industry.

In this month’s PanXchange episode, Tom Dermody, Senior Market Analyst at PanXchange, steps in for RJ Hopp to discuss developments in the hemp markets.

Tom brings a wealth of experience in the hemp industry and currently responsible for hemp grain and the true hemp market – stalks, fiber, or hurd that will be processed into products. He helps determine what the value is in a particular hemp-based product.

Banks Require Transparency in Cannabis
Banking options have always been sort of a "pipe dream" for businesses operating in the legal cannabis industry. However, in this interview, Genifer Murray discusses banking and cannabis with the pros. Tyler Beuerlein, CEO of Hypur, walks through the nuances, challenges, and requirements for banking in the cannabis industry. 

In this month’s podcast with PanXchange, join RJ Hopp, Director of Hemp Markets and host, Kristina Etter for a discussion regarding the state of hemp markets across the United States. In this episode, Hopp touches base on a variety of hemp topics including:

• In what areas of hemp production are you seeing the most promise? Is the market growing more for smokeable hemp products? CBD? Seed? Textiles?
• Have there been any significant developments with USDA regulations and hemp consumables?
• We also talk about the 2019/2020 hemp acreage contrast. What a difference a year can make.
• How are the fires impacting the hemp market in the west/northwest? Climate change and Mother Nature have been challenging this year.
• Finally, we’ll discuss the development of the international hemp market.

Matt Carr from the Oxford Club joins host, Kristina Etter, to discuss the fine line an industry must walk when it resides somewhere between federally illegal and state essential during a pandemic.  

The economic potential for the cannabis industry moving forward is limitless... but what role will the election play for the cannabis industry? Can voters make a difference this year? With five states adding marijuana legalization to the ballot, Carr thinks it's only a matter of time, but that the Senate election carries most of the weight.

Listen now to learn more about the future of the cannabis industry and the safest investments in a time of turmoil.

Join Jeffrey Raber and Genifer Murray for a discussion about testing standardization, vape formulations, and the rise of Delta-8 THC.

Although testing was not always a requirement for cannabis, it has always been a benefit. Revealing and reliable information benefits customers and producers alike as it leads to better products and safer customers.

Thousands of people come to Cripple Creek for its gold mining history, hoping to strike it rich in one of its 13 casinos. And now, entrepreneurs and tourists may be rushing to Cripple Creek for another reason.

https://www.cannabistech.com/articles/tiny-mountain-town-eyes-new-gold-rush/

With little question, 2020 has been a challenging year for nearly everyone, and the hemp markets are no exception. From extreme weather to unstable legal status, this year’s tumultuous environment brings many unknowns to hemp producers.

In this episode of A Tech Moment, we talk about the wild weather changes across the nation. From fires to hurricanes, derechos to summer snow, hemp cultivators all across the US are seeing the impacts of climate change. Hopp shares his insight into how these severe weather conditions could indicate a significant drop in harvested hemp for the year. Factor in a decline in acreage and this could spell higher prices for hemp in the future.

Hopp provides an update on the status of hemp in the European Union and statements made by the WHO. As regulatory bodies start to shift their stance, the ambiguity and lack of data become a hindrance to the progress made towards global legalization and acceptance. All across the world, the legal status of hemp and cannabis is fluctuating.

With the Interim Final Ruling released, everyone in the industry is anxious as they anticipate what the statement could mean in the long run for cannabis and hemp. Hopp shares his perspectives and reviews what the IFR means for producers.

Additionally, Hopp talks about the synthesizing of cannabinoids and what the IFR references regarding creating cannabinoids from hemp cannabinoids. Delta-8 THC is one such cannabinoid that is being produced through lab processes from hemp cannabinoids.

With acres and acres of hemp, many farmers probably wish they could get a bird's eye view of their crops. In this episode of Cultivate, Genifer Murray speaks with Ramin Azar from Planetary Remote Sensing about the options available for hemp farmers and the incredible technology offered through satellite imagery. 

Chris Kanik, CEO of Smart Cups and Rob Hickman, CEO of Tyson Ranch, talk about joining forces to introduce innovations in cannabis beverages with incredible, 3D printing technology!

Kanik reminds us that innovative ideas can pop up anywhere - even at a Taco Tuesday. Meanwhile, Hickman knows the value of a celebrity platform. Together these two companies promise a forthcoming product lineup with a one, two knock-out punch of celebrity endorsements. 

Don't forget to watch Tyson's return to the ring next month, too! 

With the majority of hemp crops grown outdoors, hemp farmers must contend with the whims of Mother Nature. From the humidity in the South causing blight to the hailstorms across Colorado, RJ Hopp, Director of Hemp Markets at PanXchange, reminds us in this podcast that weather conditions play a significant role in hemp cultivation.

Additionally, as legalization continues to press forward, policies and regulations are starting to inch ahead as well. In PanXchange’s Hemp Market Report, Hopp discusses the advances and changes being made by the FDA regarding hemp-derived cannabinoid products.

What about hemp-derived THC, where does it fall on the spectrum? With hemp oils, THC can be concentrated and may test higher than the .3% from the original biomass. With advanced extraction solutions, THC can be isolated from the hemp – but then where does it go? Can it be used?

Finally, Hopp also discusses the limitations of hempcrete and why it’s essential to take note of critical requirements such as building codes, load-bearing weights, and the like.

Listen to this podcast now and then sign up for PanXchange’s Monthly Hemp Market Report to get these insights delivered to your inbox!

Genifer Murray sits down with John Garrison, Co-Founder of Mountain High Suckers to discuss their journey in the Colorado edible market.

Regardless of what segment of the cannabis industry, achieving success comes with a myriad of roadblocks, challenges, and hurdles. John Garrison, CEO & Co-Founder of Mountain High Suckers knows just what a struggle that journey can be. Although all industries have their nuances, the cannabis industry can be especially difficult to navigate. From maintaining solid partnerships to adhering to quality standards and the muddy waters of cannabis compliance, Garrison knows a thing or two about the complexities of achieving success in a volatile industry.

In this episode of Cultivate, Genifer Murray discusses the lessons learned on the road to the top with Garrison. As one of the first (and most successful) edible companies in Colorado, and the first to include CBD, he shares a wealth of experience, valuable advice, and even tales of sleeping with a sword to guard their grow after a break-in!

Mountain High Suckers is crossing industry barriers, inviting musicians, comedians, and more expand their product line, as well as taking on the new Hemp CBD Market with their new line of Mountain High Select CBD suckers - a broad spectrum, high quality edible that is shippable to all 50 states!

Although Garrison admits, after a decade in the industry, he is ready to look for an exit plan, Mountain High Suckers is expanding into other cannabis states and even eyeing the global cannabis market.

Listen to the latest Cultivate podcast to glean a plethora of advice from an industry leader!

In this episode of A Tech Moment, Kristina Etter discusses investing in cannabis with Matt Carr, Chief Trends Strategist at the Oxford Club, about how cannabis is emerging as a legitimate and lucrative investment option.

Like many of us in the cannabis industry, Carr once knew someone who used cannabis as an alternative therapy for a debilitating disease. Although that was years ago, he explains this was his “a-ha moment” that there were valid medicinal properties to this misunderstood herb.

Carr discusses the irony of what can change in a decade, as ten years ago, we wouldn’t have dreamt cannabis companies would be publicly traded. Yet, today, as legalization sweeps across the nation, and cannabis becomes an essential industry in many states, investing in cannabis is much more enticing.

Although the safer investment still lies in the ancillary segments of the industry, Carr provides optimistic perspectives for the future of plant-touching opportunities, as well as his insights on the technology companies to watch closely.

While investing in cannabis still poses some risk, he predicts substantial market growth in the coming years. Listen to this podcast to learn more about Matt’s insights for successfully investing cannabis.

RJ Hopp from PanXchange talks about Hemp Market fluctuations, as well as, market expansion with a rise in smokable hemp, Delta-8-THC, and animal feedstock.

In this month’s discussion with PanXchange, RJ Hopp, Director of Hemp Markets talks about the natural state of commodities as it relates to the hemp market. He reassures listeners that a summer lull is relatively common in all commodities, and then talks about market expansion opportunities he’s seeing on the rise.

Smokable hemp has had a rough road in many states, but is gaining ground and popularity as more companies are starting to market the products where it is legal. Common across Europe, hemp cigarettes and raw flower are starting to crop up all across the nation and online.

Another interesting development in hemp, comes from the extraction and isolation of Delta-8-THC, the other psychoactive form of THC, which is produced by hemp. A number of companies are looking at the potential of this up and coming cannabinoid.

Finally, RJ discusses hemp as a feedstock. There are multiple ways hemp producers can take advantage of this potential revenue stream.

Genifer Murray hosts Joe Hodas of Wana Brands to discuss industry progress, the Last Prisoner Project, and what the future holds for legal cannabis.

Genifer Murray recently spoke with Courtney Wu, CEO, and co-founder of AMNESIA, an influencer marketing platform powered by Compliance AI explicitly for the CBD and cannabis sectors. For anyone in the industry who has written off influencers as a marketing tactic or have so many questions they don’t know where to start, their conversation is illuminating. It highlights precisely how thoughtful and effective strategies can produce real returns and ultimately build powerful brand loyalty.

Kristina Etter, Editorial Director for Cannabis Tech, spoke with Len May, CEO & Founder of EndoCanna Health, for A Tech Moment, following her own endocannabinoid genetic testing. May and the team at EndoCanna are using DNA technology to make cannabis a truly personalized medicine.

Read the full article on CannabisTech Media & Marketplace

After making nearly 1 million deliveries, this cannabis delivery company is changing the game.

"You want to control your own data, you want to control your own SEO, and you want to have the technology be nimble enough to launch new segments - to customize." At least, that's what Jessie May wants from any technology that supports cannabis delivery.

Jessie and her partner, Robert Spearin, are co-founders of Mountain Remedy, a cannabis delivery company in the Bay Area. Throughout making nearly a million deliveries, they experienced more than a few frustrations with the status quo.

Now at the helm of Greenrush, a technology platform for delivery companies, Jessie and Robert are working to put control over the delivery experience back into the hands of the businesses and brands serving cannabis consumers.

RJ Hopp, Director of Hemp Markets at PanXchange returns for our monthly segment covering the wild, wild west of the modern hemp market. 

In this episode of Cultivate, Genifer Murray talks cannabinoid supplements, delivery, and toxic metals with Dr. Shade, CEO of QuickSilver Scientific.

In this episode of Cultivate, our podcast host, Genifer Murray speaks with Gail Rand of grand consulting about her transformation from a frustrated mom trying to find help for her son to cannabis business advisor and advocate.