Explore every episode of the podcast CannMed Coffee Talk
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
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| Investigating Terpenes for Chronic Pain Management with John Stretcher, PhD | 04 Sep 2024 | 00:33:21 | |
Dr. John Streicher is a Professor in the Department of Pharmacology in the College of Medicine at the University of Arizona. He has built a long-term research program focused on finding improved treatments for pain. This has encompassed multiple approaches over the years, including testing cannabinoid and non-cannabinoid constituents of Cannabis sativa, identifying new ways to target opioid receptor signaling, and identifying new receptor targets in the body for pain relief. His lab works on both the basic science knowledge of how these systems work and also works to create new drugs for human therapy. During our conversation, we discussed:
Thanks to This Episode’s Sponsor: Healer Healer is a trusted, physician-developed medicinal cannabis brand founded to address the challenges of helping people and health providers get the best results with safe, reliably dosable products and education on how to best use them. Healer Hemp products are available nationwide and include a step-by-step usage guide and response tracker. Healer’s distinctive product formulations and education are based on the latest research and work of leading cannabis clinician, Dr. Dustin Sulak, D.O. Visit Healer.com or HealerCbd.com Additional Resources: | |||
| Preserving Cannabis Beverage Potency with Harold Han, PhD | 21 Aug 2024 | 00:45:49 | |
Dr. Harold Han is Chief Science Officer and co-founder of Vertosa, and the pioneer in water compatible cannabinoid ingredients for infused products. Harold designed the industrial leading cannabis emulsions that are widely applied in the cannabis beverage brands. Harold holds 16 patents in emulsion applications, and prior to founding Vertosa, he led a team that developed the emulsification oil for Bio Rad’s Digital Droplet PCR system. Harold also publishes a regular series explaining the science of cannabis for product makers under the monicker “The Happy Chemist” — a nickname you’ll understand after you watch the interview. One of his recent articles describes the different factors that contribute to cannabis beverage potency loss, which is a challenge for beverage brands. In fact, in regulated markets it’s common to see a 10-15% variation in potency compared to the label claim. In unregulated hemp-derived beverages, it can be even higher. During the conversation we discuss
Thanks to This Episode’s Sponsor: Vertosa Vertosa creates industry-leading active ingredients for infused product makers. Their patent-pending nano- and micro-emulsions are carefully designed for the specific needs of each customer, and their pre-suspended aqueous solutions empower them to create incredibly homogenous and stable products while maximizing bioavailability, clarity, and taste. Learn more at Vertosa.com Additional Resources | |||
| Analyzing Fruity and Savory Cannabis Aromas with TJ Martin | 20 Mar 2024 | 00:41:30 | |
TJ Martin is the VP of R&D at Abstrax, a company that specializes in the research, development, and production of botanically derived and cannabis-inspired terpenes. TJ and his team recently published a paper that identified several non-terpenoid compounds that are responsible for the unique aromas associated with exotic cannabis varieties, including the berry, tropical, candy, and fruity notes found in Zkittlez and Gelato as well as the rich, intense, chemical scents found in GMO. This research opens up a new world of aromatic compounds and challenges the idea of classifying cultivars based on terpenes alone. We discuss:
Thanks to This Episode’s Sponsor: Agilent Technologies Whether you manufacture or test cannabis, you face the challenge of delivering high-quality products, increasing sample volume, and meeting emerging regulations. Agilent offers best-in-class cannabis and hemp analysis solutions featuring robust instruments, software, services, and consumables. Their team of experts can develop, implement, and optimize methods to get you up and running quickly. Learn more at agilent.com Additional Resources
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| Evaluating Cannabis Testing Methods with Brianna Cassidy, PhD | 24 Jun 2020 | ||
On the latest episode of CannMed Coffee Talk, we welcome Brianna Cassidy, Chief Science Officer of CDX Analytics. Brianna and the team at CDX perform safety testing on all types of cannabis samples, including potency, pesticides, heavy metals, residual solvents, and microbial contamination. As you will hear in the podcast, Brianna takes a creative and analytical approach to solving problems that come with testing cannabis products. At CannMed 2020, Brianna will share her process for evaluating new analytical methods and technologies for her lab. As you can imagine, there are a number of vendors looking to install their systems in cannabis testing labs, so it helps to have a thorough and objective process to choose the best option. Our team knows first hand that Brianna is thorough when evaluating new technologies. She and the team at CDX provided data that is an important part of the Medicinal Genomics Manufacturer Validation Document. Brianna and I also discussed the issue of consistency when it comes to potency testing. I was surprised to learn that Cannabis flowers from the same batch are often 50% more or less potent than what’s reported on the package. She also explained how water content can make a big difference in potency results. If you aren’t familiar with what exactly goes on at a cannabis testing lab, you are likely in the majority. But hopefully, by the end of this episode, you will have a much better appreciation for cannabis testing labs! Click the player below to listen, and thanks to our sponsor, The Cannabis Scientist SIGN UP FOR PODCAST UPDATES AND ENTER TO WIN 2 VIP DINNER TICKETS! Additional Resources: | |||
| Breeding Better Hemp Plants with Seth Crawford, PhD | 10 Jun 2020 | ||
We are excited to announce CannMed 2020’s Keynote Presenter in the Cultivation Focus Area, and our guest on the latest Coffee Talk Podcast, is Seth Crawford, PhD. Dr. Crawford is the owner and co-founder of Oregon CBD, along with his brother, Eric. Together (and with the help of some 41 scientists, geneticists and breeders) they specialize in turning out new, exciting and unique strains of industrial hemp varieties designed for maximum yield in large-scale production. Their early adoption of disruptive testing technology allowed Oregon CBD to produce a number of industry firsts—the first high cannabinoid content auto-flowering CBD plant, and the first pure CBG,CBC, CBDV, CBGV and CBCV field-ready varieties. Their growing library is now full of novel phenotype, chemotypes and genotypes and they lead the country in the production and purity of feminized seed. Even though he’s been growing cannabis since 2003 and hemp since 2015, Dr. Crawford also found time to earn advanced degrees from Oregon State University (MPP, public policy) and the University of Oregon (MS, Ph.D., sociology) and enjoyed a decade-long teaching career at OSU. His published work on the political economy of cannabis provided the first structural analysis of Oregon’s decentralized, pre-legalization production and distribution networks. In 2015, he grew his hobby-level breeding operation into industrial-scale field production of novel, non-psychoactive cannabis. His company’s most recent invention is 100:1 CBD to THC ratio varieties. And their ultimate goal is to develop a library of unique varieties that will allow farmers to succeed in any environment and produce any cannabinoid. In addition to their private projects, Dr. Crawford’s Oregon CBD is engaged in public research programs on feminized seed, flowering sensitivity, ratio inheritance, and non-destructive testing. Needless to say, we delighted to have Seth Crawford with us on our Coffee Talk Podcast, and heading up the vitally important Cultivation Focus Area at CannMed 2020. Additional Resources | |||
| Testing Cannabis Products with Ini Afia | 27 May 2020 | ||
In this episode we get the chance to talk with our first representative from the Safety Focus Area. Ini Afia is the Scientific Director at CannaSafe Labs, one of the largest cannabis testing labs in California. If you aren’t familiar with what exactly goes on at a cannabis testing lab, you are likely in the majority. The cannabis testing labs are sort of like unsung heroes in the cannabis industry. They serve a very important role in ensuring consumer and patient safety, but they rarely get recognized for it. During the conversation, Ini discussed the types of tests labs perform in California, what challenges they face being in a regulated market, and how they balance keeping customers happy while also keeping consumers safe. So by the end of this episode, you will likely have a much better appreciation for cannabis testing labs! Ini also describes the research he has performed on analyzing the ingredients in vaporizer cartridges, in the wake of last year’s vaping crisis. Click the player below to listen, and thanks to our sponsor, CannaSafe Labs! SIGN UP FOR PODCAST UPDATES AND ENTER TO WIN 2 VIP DINNER TICKETS! Additional Resources: | |||
| Cannabis Medicine for Children with Bonni Goldstein, MD | 13 May 2020 | ||
We are excited to announce Bonni S. Goldstein, MD as the CannMed 2020’s Keynote Presenter in the Medicine Focus Area. The title of Dr. Goldstein’s presentation is “Cannabis Medicine for Children.” She will be sharing her latest clinical findings, including promising results from her clinical practice focusing on the use of phytocannabinoid medicines to treat serious pediatric medical condition, including epilepsy, autism, and cancer. You can hear Dr. Goldstein talk about her work on the latest episode of the CannMed Coffee Talk Podcast where she joins us as our guest. (Use the player at the bottom at the post to listen.) As one of the most respected and experienced medical practitioners in this field, we are honored to have Dr. Goldstein once again take a major role at CannMed 2020. She has been a member of CannMed’s Advisory Board for three years and developed the CannMed Medical Practicum, a day-long workshop where healthcare providers, clinicians, caregivers, and patients learn the science of medical cannabis as well as practical advice about how to use various cannabinoids to treat a range of medical conditions. A native of New Jersey, Dr. Goldstein received her undergraduate degree at Rutgers University, and her medical degree at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. She did her internship, residency, and chief residency at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA). Dr. Goldstein was a Clinical Instructor in Pediatrics at USC School of Medicine, Emergency Transport Attending Physician at CHLA, and Emergency Medicine Attending Physician in the Pediatric Emergency Department at LA County – USC Medical Center. Her interest in the science of medicinal cannabis was kindled more than ten years ago after witnessing its beneficial effects in a friend who was seriously ill. Since then, she has been evaluating and treating both adult and pediatric patients for the use of medicinal cannabis. Dr. Goldstein is a sought-after lecturer to many patient support programs, including the Cancer Support Community in Southern California. She has been a featured speaker at CannMed since our first conference at Harvard University in 2016. She has also presented at the Medical Cannabis for Autism conference at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and the International Congress on Clinical Trials in Cannabis in London, as well as many other cannabis conferences. She is currently the Medical Director of Canna-Centers, a Los Angeles-based medical practice devoted to helping patients use cannabis medicine for serious and chronic medical conditions. She is also Medical Advisor to WeedMaps.com, a board member of the International Association of Cannabis as Medicine, and a member of the International Cannabinoid Research Society and the Society of Cannabis Clinicians. She is the author of Cannabis Revealed and her second book, Cannabis is Medicine, will be published by Little, Brown Spark in September 2020. We are thrilled to have Dr. Goldstein as one of our Keynote Speakers and look forward to her participation in the CannMed Medical Practicum! Additional Resources:
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| Cannabis and COVID-19 with Martin A. Lee | 29 Apr 2020 | ||
In this episode of CannMed Coffee Talk we talk with Martin A. Lee, the co-founder and director of Project CBD. In addition to creating content for the Project CBD website and speaking at conferences around the globe, Martin has authored several books, including Smoke Signals: A Social History of Marijuana–Medical, Recreational and Scientific. In fact, we have a copy in our Medicinal Genomics office. Martin and I discussed the topic everyone is talking about, COVID-19. Martin has reviewed the scientific literature to find out whether CBD can calm the cytokine storm that the COVID virus can set off, whether CBD has anti-viral properties, and if cannabis is an immune system booster, suppressant, or both. As you can imagine, with a virus as new and novel as COVID-19 and a federal ban on cannabis, the research is far from conclusive. But I think you will see there is some potential and some areas that merit future research. Who knows, maybe we will see some compelling data at a future CannMed event. Click the player below to listen, and thanks to our sponsor, Project CBD! SIGN UP FOR PODCAST UPDATES AND ENTER TO WIN 2 VIP DINNER TICKETS! Additional Resources: | |||
| The Endocannabinoid System 101 with Ethan Russo, MD | 15 Apr 2020 | 00:36:08 | |
We are excited to announce CannMed 2020’s Keynote Presenter in the Science Focus Area is Dr. Ethan Russo. The title of Dr. Russo’s presentation is “Cannabis and Psychiatry: The Final Frontier”, and it will explore basic science and clinical trial data to assess the role of cannabis psychopharmacology with respect to issues of impairment, depression, insomnia, PTSD, schizophrenia, anxiety and addiction. You can hear about this fascinating topic and more in our latest episode of the CannMed Coffee Talk Podcast, where Dr. Russo joins us as a guest. This is a great episode for listeners who are new to cannabis medicine because Dr. Russo covers some of the basics, like “what is the endocannabinoid system?” Having said that, there is still plenty of meat on the bone for more advanced listeners. Use the player at the bottom at the post to listen. Dr. Russo began his career as a physician, board-certified in Neurology with a Special Qualification in Child Neurology, but he has always held a strong interest in medicinal plants, which he gradually incorporated into his practice and research endeavors, with the intention of bringing cannabis-based and other botanical agents back into the mainstream of medicine. He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania (Psychology) and the University of Massachusetts Medical School, before residencies in Pediatrics in Phoenix, Arizona and in Child/Adult Neurology at the University of Washington, and was a clinical neurologist in Missoula, Montana for 20 years. After his clinical experience, he began dedicating his career to developing innovative approaches targeting the human endocannabinoid system to produce dramatic results for patients suffering from a range of neuro- and immuno-based diseases and disorders. From 2003 to 2014, Dr. Russo was instrumental in developing both Sativex® for pain and MS, and Epidiolex® for intractable epilepsy while at GW Pharmaceuticals. In 2015, he became Medical Director of PHYTECS, a company devoted to the research and development of medicines, supplements and lifestyle approaches to optimizing the function of the endocannabinoid system (ECS), the critical homeostatic regulatory mechanism of human physiology. From 2015-2017, he was Director of Research and Development for the International Cannabis and Cannabinoids Institute. Dr. Russo has also held faculty appointments in Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Montana, in Medicine at the University of Washington, and as visiting professor, the Chinese Academy of Sciences. He is a Past-President of the International Cannabinoid Research Society, and former Chairman of the International Association for Cannabinoid Medicines. He serves on the Scientific Advisory Board for the American Botanical Council and has published several books, numerous book chapters, and over forty articles in neurology, pain management, cannabis, and ethnobotany, and he has consulted or lectured on these topics in more than 30 US states and 30 countries. His current venture, called CReDO Science, aims to advance cannabis-based and botanical therapeutics via the development of optimized chemovars and extracts, as well as pursuing novel formulations and diagnostics related to the endocannabinoid system. More information can be found by visiting https://credo-science.com. Needless to say, we are delighted to have him as such an important part of CannMed 2020. SIGN UP FOR PODCAST UPDATES AND ENTER TO WIN 2 VIP DINNER TICKETS! Related Links: | |||
| Assembling a Better Cannabis Reference Genome with Kevin McKernan | 01 Apr 2020 | 00:41:56 | |
We have a great episode for you today featuring Medicinal Genomics Chief Scientific Officer Kevin McKernan. Kevin is a legend in the genomic sequencing space going back to his days working on the human genome project. He has applied his experience and knowledge to trying to better understand the cannabis genome, which as he mentions in the episode is one of the hardest genomes to figure out. So much so that many of the top names in genetic sequencing have collaborated to try and solve the problem. If you aren’t familiar with sequencing terminology you may not understand all of the information Kevin drops, and it’s a lot, but safe to say his efforts and those of his collaborators will benefit everyone in the community. With a solid understanding of the cannabis genome, cannabis and hemp breeders can create plants that can better produce the compounds needed to treat patients in need. In time, they may also find markers for better yield and pathogen resistance that can drive down the cost of cannabis so it is more accessible. This is just another example of how cannabis scientists, clinicians and cultivators can all learn from one another at CannMed 2020. If you would like to join us at Pasadena this September, now is a great time to get your ticket! SIGN UP FOR PODCAST UPDATES AND ENTER TO WIN 2 VIP DINNER TICKETS! Links to learn more about Kevin and his genetic sequencing work:
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| Welcome to the CannMed Coffee Talk Podcast | 23 Mar 2020 | 00:02:44 | |
Medicinal Genomics invites you to listen to our new CannMed Coffee Talk Podcast. Each episode we talk with the leading minds in cannabis science, medicine, cultivation, and safety testing, discussing topics from the bench to the bedside. Don’t miss this opportunity to get a sneak-peek into the 4 FOCUS AREAS that will be covered at CannMed 2020 in Pasadena, CA on September 20-22, 2020. | |||
| Combining Cannabinoids for Treatment Success with Dustin Sulak, DO | 06 Mar 2024 | 00:37:11 | |
Dr. Dustin Sulak is a traditional osteopathic physician and expert in integrative medicine. His clinical practice in Maine focuses on treating refractory conditions in adults and children. Dr. Sulak is an internationally-renowned expert in medical cannabis, the author of Handbook of Cannabis for Clinicians: Principles and Practice, and co-founder of Healer, a medical cannabis education resource and products company. He serves on the board of directors of The Society of Cannabis Clinicians and is a passionate educator and leader in the medical cannabis field. Dustin is also a true CannMed veteran, having participated in every CannMed event dating back to our first conference at Harvard Medical School. He returns to CannMed 24 this year as one of the medical practicum instructors and an oral presenter, presenting “The Art and Science of Combining Cannabinoids for Treatment Success” * We discuss:
Thanks to This Episode’s Sponsor: Healer Healer is a trusted, physician-developed medical cannabis brand founded to address the challenges of helping patients and health providers get the best results with safe, reliably dosable products and education on how to best use them. Healer’s distinctive product formulations and educational material are based on the work of leading cannabis clinician, Dr. Dustin Sulak, D.O. Learn More at healer.com Additional Resources | |||
| Unraveling Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome with Ethan Russo, MD | 21 Feb 2024 | 00:47:21 | |
Dr. Ethan Russo is a board-certified neurologist, psychopharmacologist, and Founder/CEO of CReDO Science. He is an internationally recognized authority on cannabis medicine. He has authored/edited seven books and has published more than 60 peer-reviewed articles. He also holds director/advisor positions with several cannabis therapeutics companies, and he was instrumental in developing Sativex® for pain and MS, and Epidiolex® for intractable epilepsy while at GW Pharmaceuticals. At CannMed 24, Ethan will present “Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS): Unraveling the Gordian Knot”. CHS is an enigmatic condition where some chronic, heavy users of THC develop a cyclic pattern of vomiting and nausea that is only relieved by hot bathing and topical capsaicin. Ethan and his coinvestigators surveyed more than 500 cannabis users, including 205 diagnosed CHS patients, and investigated genetic mutations in 28 CHS patients and 12 controls to identify behaviors and genetic markers that could indicate CHS risk. During our conversation, we discuss:
Thanks to This Episode’s Sponsor: Cannabis Nurses Network Established in 2015, the Cannabis Nurses Network™ is a professional nursing and professional development organization for nurses around the globe. By educating nurses on the science behind the plant and providing a global nursing network, nurses are supported and empowered to implement their knowledge within their community. Learn more at cannabisnursesnetwork.com Additional Resources
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| Using Cannflavinsto Mitigate Motor Neuron Disease with Akeem Gardner | 07 Feb 2024 | 00:38:55 | |
Akeem Gardner is the Founder and CEO of Canurta. He is an innovative entrepreneur with over five years of experience in industrial hemp enterprises. He has a proven track record in leading high-performance teams that work across multi-channel platforms and strategically aligning profitability with sustainability and economic development in Ontario. At CannMed 24 Akeem will present Effect of Cannflavins on Mitigating a Motor Neuron Disease. During our conversation we discuss:
Thanks to This Episode’s Sponsor: American Cannabis Nurses Association ACNA is a national nursing organization whose mission is to advance excellence in cannabis nursing practice through advocacy, collaboration, education, research, and policy development. Founded in 2010, ACNA continues to work on providing its members with up-to-date cannabis information and resources to care for patients who use cannabis. Join them today at cannabisnurses.org and be a part of the change. Additional Resources
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| Evaluating Endotoxin Levels on Cannabis Flower with Kevin McKernan | 24 Jan 2024 | 00:41:07 | |
Kevin McKernan is the Chief Scientific Officer and Founder of Medicinal Genomics. Kevin has pioneered the genomics of cannabis and hemp to build a stronger scientific environment for the study of cannabis based therapeutics and blockchain technologies for tracking and verifying cannabis genetics. At CannMed 24 he will present “Understanding the Prevalence and Risks Associated with Endotoxins on Cannabis Flower”, which will include novel research he did to measure the level of endotoxins in store-bought cannabis flower. Our conversation covers:
Thanks to This Episode’s Sponsor: Agilent Technologies. Whether you manufacture or test cannabis, you face the challenge of delivering high-quality products, increasing sample volume, and meeting emerging regulations. Agilent offers best-in-class cannabis and hemp analysis solutions featuring robust instruments, software, services, and consumables. Their team of experts can develop, implement, and optimize methods to get you up and running quickly. Learn more at agilent.com Additional Resources | |||
| Funding Innovation in Cannabis with David Traylor | 10 Jan 2024 | 00:37:44 | |
David Traylor is Senior Managing Director at Golden Eagle Partners, and organizer of the CannMed 24 Capital Markets Workshop. After advising on various transactions in the life science sector, David took an interest in the cannabis sector and started advising cannabis companies before eventually re-foundeding Golden Eagle Partners in 2014 to focus on advising companies across the cannabis sector. Before Golden Eagle Partners, David served at leading investment banking firms including Pacific Growth Equities, Caris & Company, and Headwaters MB. During his banking tenures he has advised private and public biotechnology and medical device companies in various transactions including IPOs, public offerings, private offerings, mergers and acquisitions totaling over $500 million in value. David and Golden Eagle Partners will host a Capital Markets Workshop at CannMed 24 which will explore a global perspective of the hurdles, issues, and concepts around funding cannabinoid and cannabis innovation. During our conversation we discuss:
Thanks to This Episode’s Sponsor: Golden Eagle Partners Golden Eagle Partners are transactional experts, specializing in mergers, acquisitions, reverse mergers, financings and incremental transactions such as licensing, joint ventures and co-development arrangements. Their combined experience in the early stages of the cannabis and life science sectors allows them to confidently close strategic and financing transactions that match the near- and long-term goals of their clients. Learn more at goldeneaglepartners.com Additional Resources | |||
| Keeping Up with Cannabinoid Medicine Research with Bonni Goldstein, MD | 27 Dec 2023 | 00:45:17 | |
Bonni Goldstein is one of the country’s most respected and experienced medical cannabis physicians, having treated thousands of patients with medical cannabis. She is the owner and medical director of Canna-Centers Wellness & Education. She is Clinical Advisor to Cannformatics, and she is the author of the book titled “Cannabis is Medicine: How Medical Cannabis and CBD Are Healing Everything from Anxiety to Chronic Pain”. Bonni has participated in every CannMed event since we started in 2016, she is a perennial Advisory Board Member, and she will lead the CannMed Medical practicum again in 2024. During our conversation we talked about:
Thank You to This Episode’s Sponsor: The DENT Institute With more than 300,000 patient visits per year, the DENT Neurologic Institute ranks among the largest neuroscience centers in North America. Its 24 subspecialty clinics often treat the most challenging neurologic conditions including but not limited to Migraine, Chronic pain, ALS, MS, Parkinson’s, Dementia, and Neuro-Oncology. With their mission of advancing neuroscience, the Dent Institute established a cannabis clinic in 2016 to aid in the treatment of these chronic conditions seen throughout the institute. Learn more at dentinstitute.com Additional Resources | |||
| Evaluating THC Cutoff Levels for Impaired Driving with Patricia DiCiano, PhD | 13 Dec 2023 | 00:33:44 | |
Dr. Patricia DiCiano is a scientist with the Institute for Mental Health and Policy Research at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). She is also an assistant professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the University of Toronto. Patricia has a multi-disciplinary background and her general research area is clinical trials and regulated studies into the safety of cannabis and other substances of abuse. Earlier this year, she co-authored a study that evaluated the utility of THC cutoff levels in blood and saliva for the detection of impaired driving. During our conversation, we discussed:
Thanks to this episode’s sponsor: Trusted Canna Nurse Trusted Canna Nurse was founded by Megan Mbengue and Ariane Williams, two nurses who are dedicated to bridging the gap between traditional medicine and the world of cannabis and psychedelics. They specialize in creating evidence-based treatment plans for all ages that address chronic illnesses, treatment-resistant conditions, mental health, autism, and more. Learn more at trustedcannanurse.com Additional Resources | |||
| Weed Control and Outdoor Hemp with Karla Gage, PhD | 29 Nov 2023 | 00:40:07 | |
Dr. Karla Gage is Assistant Professor of Weed Science and Plant Biology at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, where she received her Ph.D. in Plant Biology with a focus in Weed Ecology in 2013. In short, Karla is a weed expert, but not in the weed you smoke, but rather the weeds you pull. Her research focuses on using Integrated Weed Management to control and suppress weeds in midwestern US rotational crops, including corn, soybean, wheat, sorghum, and now hemp. During our conversation we discussed:
Thanks to this Episode’s Sponsor: Rare Earth Genomics Rare Earth Genomics Texas is a partnership formed to accelerate hemp research and produce critical tools for the farmer. REG’s mission is to increase likelihood of a successful harvest through genetic analysis and rigorous environmental testing of vigorous cultivars. Reliable datasets, analytic tools and stable germplasm are core to the program. Success of the farmer is the goal! Learn more at rareearthgenomics.com | |||
| Legitimizing Cannabis Medicine with Laszlo Mechtler, MD | 15 Nov 2023 | 00:52:08 | |
Dr. Laszlo Mechtler is the Chief Medical Officer at the DENT Neurologic Institute, the largest outpatient neuroscience center in the United States. Dr. Mechtler is the Director of the DENT Cannabis Clinic, which has more than 15,000 patients certified through the NYS MMJ program and continues to grow each day. He has published some of the first major retrospective research trials on Medical Marijuana in Headaches and other neurologic disorders and lectures both nationally and internationally and is recognized as a leader in the fields of Neuroimaging, Headache Medicine, Neuro-Oncology, and Medical Cannabis. Dr. Mechtler is also a member for he CannMed 24 Advisory Board. During our conversation we discuss:
Thanks to This Episode’s Sponsor: The DENT Institute With more than 300,000 patient visits per year, the DENT Neurologic Institute ranks among the largest neuroscience centers in North America. Its 24 subspecialty clinics often treat the most challenging neurologic conditions including but not limited to Migraine, Chronic pain, ALS, MS, Parkinson’s, Dementia, and Neuro-Oncology. With their mission of advancing neuroscience, the Dent Institute established a cannabis clinic in 2016 to aid in the treatment of these chronic conditions seen throughout the institute. Learn more at dentinstitute.com Additional Resources | |||
| Treating Restless Leg Syndrome with Cannabis with Debra Kimless, MD | 07 Aug 2024 | 00:44:56 | |
Dr. Deb Kimless has been in the medical cannabis field since 2013 where her diverse involvement spans many areas including cannabis cultivation, processing, formulation, testing, patient care, and conducting research. She consults within the industry as an advisor for companies who are interested in novel formulations specific to medical conditions, develops protocols, obtains IRB approval, conducts clinical trials, and helps to publish the results. At CannMed 24, Deb presented a poster that shared data from an open-label clinical trial investigating using a cannabinoid-enhanced topical cream for alleviating Restless Leg Syndrome. RLS is condition that affects up to 10% of the US population, including Deb. She found relief using a CBDA-based topical cream and is working with the product manufacturer to conduct clinical trials that demonstrate its effectiveness. During our conversation, we discuss:
Thanks to This Episode’s Sponsor: Trusted Canna Nurse Trusted Canna Nurse was founded by Megan Mbengue and Ariane Williams, two nurses who are dedicated to bridging the gap between traditional medicine and the world of cannabis and psychedelics. They specialize in creating evidence-based treatment plans for all ages that address chronic illnesses, treatment-resistant conditions, mental health, autism, and more. Learn more at trustedcannanurse.com Additional Resources
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| Using Tissue Culture to Accelerate Propagation and Combat Pathogens with Bill Graham | 01 Nov 2023 | 00:51:03 | |
Bill Graham is the Founder of Microcline Tissue Culture, a company that provides tissue culture kits, consulting, and training to cannabis cultivators. With hands-on expertise, he retailed and distributed hydroponics supplies, sourced grow lights globally, created Biojuice nutrients, designed Phresh filter air quality systems, and simplified micropropagation cloning – creating the leading Microclone tissue culture kits in 2005. During our conversation we discussed:
Thanks to This Episode’s Sponsor: Cambium Analytica Cambium Analytica, provides analytical, product development, and quality assurance services for the natural foods, botanical products, natural pharmaceutical, and dietary supplement industries. Cambium is a leading research organization that is focused on leveraging its expertise on drug discovery and method development, to be a research partner of choice for new innovative companies in the burgeoning botanical medicines space. Their focus on applying analytical techniques in combination with sensory, product development, and consumer research is driving advancement in natural product quality and innovation. Learn more at cambiumanalytica.com Additional Resources | |||
| The Risk of Pathogenic Aspergillus and Cannabis | 18 Oct 2023 | 00:44:50 | |
Some people in the cannabis industry are questioning whether it is appropriate or necessary to test inhaled cannabis products for pathogenic Aspergillus. Full disclosure, we at Medicinal Genomics sell qPCR testing kits designed to detect pathogenic Aspergillus on cannabis products. We have also published several resources on our website that describe the potential harms that can be caused by inhaling pathogenic Aspergillus spores and cite with more than 2 dozen Aspergilosis cases in cannabis users. We have also recommended that states that are considering cannabis testing regulations adopt pathogenic Aspergillus testing. Not because we sell Aspergillus tests, but because we want to protect patients. By almost any measure, cannabis is one of the most safe and effective medicines available. And in many cases, the potential harms that can come from using cannabis are not caused by the plant, but rather contaminants. And although cases are rare, The documented cases describing Aspergillosis deaths from contaminated cannabis vastly outnumber the published clinical risks for every other contaminant for which the cannabis industry tests. There are no documented deaths for cannabis-derived heavy metals, mycotoxins, pesticides or incorrect cannabinoid labeling. The same cannot be said So that is our position, but of course we acknowledge that we are biased, and we are not experts on pathogenic fungi; however, our guest today is. David W. Denning is a Professor of Infectious Diseases in Global Health at the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom. He was the founding president, executive director, and CEO of Global Action For Fungal Infections, an organization dedicated to reducing the worldwide burden of fungal disease. In 2016, he became the director of the National Aspergillosis Centre in Manchester, which treats patients with chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA), and led the committee that developed the first CPA guidelines. He chairs the editorial board of a website which focusses on aspergillus and he leads an organisation which provides education on fungal diseases. In short, Dr. Denning is the leading authority on all things Aspergillus, and we asked him many of the questions that have been debated on social media recently, including:
Thanks to This Episode’s Sponsor: Modern Canna Modern Canna is regarded as Florida’s first medical cannabis laboratory and one of the most trusted third party testing providers in the United States. The company’s mission is to help set the standard for cannabis testing labs worldwide by providing the most accurate and efficient testing services, delivered with a sense of compassion, integrity, and moral obligation; and to attract and attain clients who value quality data that is verifiable, reproducible, and legally defensible. Modern Canna is the only Leafly Certified laboratory in the eastern United States and adheres to the industry’s strictest SOPs and quality control standards. Modern Canna offers a wide variety of testing, rapid turnaround times, and consulting services to Florida Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers (MMTC’s) and hemp businesses throughout the US. Learn more at moderncanna.com Additional Resources | |||
| Manipulating Environmental Factors to Improve Cannabis Yield with Mitchell Westmoreland | 04 Oct 2023 | 00:48:51 | |
Mitchell Westmoreland is a Ph.D. candidate working with Dr. Bruce Bugbee in the Crop Physiology Laboratory at Utah State University. His Ph.D. research focuses on whole-plant physiology and cultivation of medical Cannabis in controlled environments. He has published his research on photobiology and plant nutrition in high-impact peer-reviewed scientific journals. I spoke with Mitch about the various environmental factors that contribute to cannabis yield, specifically light, temperature, humidity, and CO2. Mitch does a great job explaining the energy cascade, which describes the underlying mechanisms that plants use to convert photons to energy and ultimately biomass. Mitch also explains how those factors can be manipulated to not only increase yield but also make better use of resources. Thanks to This Episode’s Sponsor: Advanced Nutrients. Founded in 1999, Advanced Nutrients was the first to develop a complete nutrient system that unlocks the true genetic potential of the cannabis plant. Since its inception, the brand has introduced more than 50 innovations to the cultivation community, and continues to revolutionize the space through proprietary scientific discoveries. Learn more at advancednutrients.com Additional Resources
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| Reviewing“Next-Day” Effects of THC with Danielle McCartney, PhD | 20 Sep 2023 | 00:36:00 | |
Danielle McCartney is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics at the University of Sydney. Her main role is to coordinate clinical research into the effects of cannabidiol on simulated car driving performance. Danielle and her colleagues recently published a systematic review of 20 studies that examine the next-day effects of THC. As the study states, “The length of time an individual should wait following cannabis use before performing safety-sensitive tasks, is a critical issue.” Some government agencies and experts recommend individuals avoid performing safety-sensitive tasks for at least 24 hours. It should not surprise you to learn that the data suggests a much shorter impairment window. During our conversation, we discuss:
Thank You to This Episode’s Sponsor: Medicine Women Health Medicine Women’s team of specialists includes Medical Doctors, Naturopaths, Medical Cannabis Experts, Nutritionists and Alternative Health Practitioners. These integrative teams evaluate health issues and design targeted protocols to promote personal healing. Medicine Women’s Protocols have successfully alleviated symptoms of Cancer, Auto-Immune Diseases and Neurological Conditions, as well as providing overall Health Rejuvenation. Learn more at www.medicinewomenhealth.com. Additional Resources
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| CannMed Coffee Talk Returns September 20th | 23 Aug 2023 | 00:02:06 | |
The CannMed Coffee Talk is on a bit of a break. We will be back with a brand new episode on Wednesday, September 20th. This hiatus will allow us to upgrade some of our equipment and processes so we can improve our production quality and give us more time between recording the podcast and getting the episodes published. You may have noticed that our last few episodes have included a video element, which adds a whole new layer of complexity to the production. So hang tight, we already have some great guests lined up that I think you will all enjoy. But in the meantime, we invite you to check out any past episodes you may have missed. They are all available on the CannMed Coffee Talk Podcast page. And please also check out the video recordings of all the past CannMed presentations in the CannMed Video Archive. | |||
| Managing Total Yeast and Mold with Zamir Punja, PhD | 02 Aug 2023 | 00:49:38 | |
Zamir Punja, PhD is a Professor of Plant Biotechnology at Simon Fraser University in Canada. His research interests include the etiology and management of plant diseases on vegetable and horticultural crops, and the applications of plant biotechnology for disease management. Since 2018, his work has shifted to researching cannabis, where his group has described a range of previously unreported pathogens affecting the crop and has evaluated various methods for disease management. His team just published the results of a 3-year study that identified several factors related to growing, drying, and trimming cannabis that have a direct effect on Yeast and Mold levels. This is important because when growers fail for microbial testing, yeast and mold is most often the reason. So if you are a grower who has struggled with total yeast and mold, perhaps these findings can help you get back on track. I’ve put a link to the paper in the show description, and if you are watching on YouTube, I have added several figures and images from the paper throughout the conversation. We covered:
Thanks to This Episode’s Sponsor: Agilent Technologies Whether you manufacture or test cannabis, you face the challenge of delivering high-quality products, increasing sample volume, and meeting emerging regulations. Agilent offers best-in-class cannabis and hemp analysis solutions featuring robust instruments, software, services, and consumables. Their team of experts can develop, implement, and optimize methods to get you up and running quickly. Learn more at agilent.com Additional Resources
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| Preventing and Eliminating Hop Latent Viroid from Cannabis with Zamir Punja, PhD | 19 Jul 2023 | 00:54:05 | |
VIDEO VERSION AVAILABLE ON YOUTUBE Dr. Zamir Punja is a Professor of Plant Biotechnology at Simon Fraser University in Canada. His research interests include the etiology and management of plant diseases on vegetable and horticultural crops, and the applications of plant biotechnology for disease management. Since 2018, his work has shifted to researching cannabis, where his group has described a range of previously unreported pathogens affecting the crop and has evaluated various methods for disease management. Zamir’s latest research has been focused on a pathogen that is spreading throughout cannabis cultivation facilities worldwide, Hop Latent Viroid. HLVd is a relatively new pathogen. It was first identified in hops in the late 80s and was detected in cannabis in 2018. It is also quite small, only 40 nanometers in size. Still, in just five years this tiny pathogen has managed to infect as much as 90% of cannabis facilities in California alone. All while reducing yields by as much as 50% and costing the industry $4 billion in losses. Zamir shared his latest research on HLVd at CannMed 23, which is the basis of our conversation today. I have put a link to the video of his presentation in the show description. Our conversation covers:
Thanks to This Episode’s Sponsor: PhenoXpress PhenoXpress offers low-cost genetic testing services to cultivation facilities. Using qPCR technology, PhenoXpress helps cutlivators identify genetic traits, such as plant sex, while plants are still in the seedling tray. They can also identify plant pathogens, such as Hop Latent Viroid, Lettuce Chlorosis Virus, and Powdery Mildew before plants show obvious signs of infection. Contact PhenoXpress today so they can help you predict, prevent, and eliminate major crop problems before they happen. Learn more at phenoxpress.com Additional Resources
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| Improving Longevity with Cannabis Compounds | Hunter Land, PhD | 05 Jul 2023 | 00:34:39 | |
Hunter Land, PhD is the Vice President of Research & Development at Biopharmaceutical Research Company, one of the few DEA Schedule I, FDA compliant cannabinoid research and development companies. He has 20 years of R&D expertise across 25 different indications, as well as 12 years of cannabinoid-focused research. Most notably, he was GW Pharma’s first full-time R&D employee in the US, where he played a critical role in the development of Epidiolex® and Sativex®, and co-authored multiple protocols for the treatment of refractory epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and pain. At CannMed 23, Hunter’s presentation was titled Effect of Cannabinoids and Cannflavins on Neurodegeneration, Lifespan, and Healthspan, which is the basis for our conversation today. You can find a link to that video in the show description. Topics we discussed include:
Thanks to This Episode’s Sponsor – Trulieve Trulieve strives to bring you the relief you need in a product you can trust. Their plants are hand-grown in a facility with a controlled environment specially designed to reduce unwanted chemicals and pests, keeping the process as natural as possible at every turn. Their mission is to provide compassionate care patients can trust when traditional medicine is not enough. Their specially-trained staff works hand-in-hand with YOUR physician to provide the right products and the correct dosage to ensure you get the compassionate care you need. To learn more visit trulieve.com Additional Resources | |||
| Vaping Cannabis Medicine Safely and Effectively with Arnaud Dumas de Rauly | 21 Jun 2023 | 00:38:15 | |
Arnaud Dumas de Rauly is the co-founder and CEO of The Blinc Group, a company that is transforming the cannabis vaping industry with its focus on safety, innovation, and quality. As a leading expert in the science, technology, and supply chain of cannabis vaping merchandise, Arnaud’s assistance and expertise in the vaping sector have been requested by multiple regulatory bodies across North America, Europe, and Asia. He currently works pro-bono as Chairman of the ISO, International Organization of Standardization, TC126/SC3 on Vaping Products, and of the CEN Standards Committee TC437 on Vapor Products. He is also a member of the Marijuana Science and Policy Work Group operated by the Colorado Department of Revenue’s MED and CDPHE and the ASTM D37 Cannabis Committee. At CannMed 23, Arnaud talked about the many variables that affect how well cannabis vape cartridges deliver cannabinoids to the user. During our conversation, we dig deeper into the following topics:
Thanks to This Episode’s Sponsor: The Blinc Group Headquartered in New York City, The Blinc Group designs, manufactures, and provides premium cannabis vaping hardware. The company offers a curated collection of proven cartridges, batteries, ready to use vaporizers and complete bespoke device development to multi-state operators, licensed producers, processors and brands. Blinc completes the value chain by providing its clients access to a suite of services ranging from 5 month financing options, vendor managed inventory (VMI), R&D, production, product testing, standard operating procedures, training and all the way to go-to-market strategy and brand communications consulting. With full control of the supply chain, the company’s unique “Powered by Blinc” process enables clients to provide innovative, safe and quality controlled products to cannabis consumers worldwide. To learn more about Blinc, visit http://www.theblincgroup.com Additional Resources | |||
| Generating Honest Cannabis Data with Jeff Rawson, PhD | 10 May 2023 | 00:40:05 | |
In 2022, Dr. Jeff Rawson founded the Institute of Cannabis Science (ICS), a nonprofit organization that produces Honest Data About Weed. The mission of ICS is to conduct cannabis research that educates consumers, guides regulators to adopt testing regulations that are based on science, and ensures that products are safe for patients and consumers. At CannMed 23 Dr. Rawson will participate in a panel discussion about Challenges with Regulating the Cannabis Industry as part of the CannMed Laboratory Compliance Testing Workshop. In December 2022, he made a presentation entitled Misinformation in Cannabis Markets to the members of the Massachusetts (MA) Cannabis Advisory Board Research Subcommittee. Jeff has presented recommendations for corrective actions to prevent misinformation in the MA cannabis market. The Boston Globe has published his letters about the challenges of cannabis regulatory science. During our conversation, we discuss:
Thanks to This Episode’s Sponsor: Brains Bioceutical Brains Bioceutical is a global leader in EU-GMP-certified production of naturally-sourced active pharmaceutical ingredients for the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries. With a unique suite of licences, Brains Bioceutical is one of the only natural plant-based phytochemical API manufacturers in commercial production today, and is involved in academic and clinical trials across the globe. Brains Bioceutical is the leader in evidence-based Phyto-cannabinoid health solutions to enhance life and treatment options for all. Learn more at brainsbioceutical.com Additional Resources | |||
| Treating Chronic Lyme Disease with Cannabis with David Aronson | 24 Jul 2024 | 00:34:16 | |
David Aronson is a cannabis educator who since 2018 has directly educated more than 5,000 health professionals nationwide on the medical applications of cannabis. He is on the faculty for PESI, one of the nation’s largest providers of professional continuing education, and he independently provides seminars for health professionals nationwide. I learned during our conversation that David also has post-treatment Lyme disease, which is a condition that causes fatigue, neuropathic pain, brain fog, forgetfulness, and other chronic symptoms that he treats with cannabis. His experience made him curious whether others have found success using cannabis to treat persistent Lyme. He shared his findings at CannMed 24 as a poster presentation and with me in the conversation you are about to hear. We covered:
Thank You to This Episode’s Sponsor: McKinney RSA McKinney is made up of regulatory science veterans who apply lessons learned in the nicotine space to help cannabis manufacturers better understand the toxicological and societal implications of their product. They do that by Identifying base compounds, extracts, flavors and terpenes, understanding how they interact, and ensuring effectiveness for the intended use. They also provide dosing recommendations and establish guidelines for product consistency. Learn more at mckinneyrsa.com Additional Resources | |||
| Fighting Costly Plant Pathogens with Michael Straumietis | 26 Apr 2023 | 00:27:59 | |
If you grow or consume cannabis, you’ve benefited from something Michael Straumietis has done. A grower since 1983, Michael’s mission is to make cannabis an acceptable and everyday part of healing humanity. In 1999, he founded Advanced Nutrients and launched the world’s first and only complete cannabis growing system that Hits the Shift and optimizes all phases of the vegetative and bloom cycles to bring cannabis to its true genetic potential. At CannMed 23, Michael is leading the Cultivation Workshop that focuses on fighting profit-robbing plant pathogens, such as hop latent viroid (HLVd), fusarium, botrytis, pythium, powdery mildew, and Phytophthora. The workshop brings together industry-leading experts who will cover both efficient and economically sound practices for pathogen management, so you can maximize ROI in your cultivation facility. Get ready to explore the science behind each major pathogen, vectors through which they infiltrate facilities and plants, and proven methods for pathogen prevention. We’ll also introduce effective strategies for pathogen detection, as well as critical procedures to implement for continued facility success before, during, and after a pathogen occurrence. During our conversation, we discuss:
Thanks to This Episode’s Sponsor: Advanced Nutrients Founded in 1999, Advanced Nutrients was the first to develop a complete nutrient system that unlocks the true genetic potential of the cannabis plant. Since its inception, the brand has introduced more than 50 innovations to the cultivation community, and continues to revolutionize the space through proprietary scientific discoveries. Learn more at advancednutrients.com | |||
| Getting to Know Cannabigerol (CBG) with Bonni Goldstein, MD | 12 Apr 2023 | 00:37:46 | |
Dr. Bonni Goldstein is one of the country’s most respected and experienced medical cannabis physicians, having treated thousands of patients with medical cannabis. She is the owner and medical director of Canna-Centers Wellness & Education. She is Clinical Advisor to Cannformatics. And she is the author of the book titled “Cannabis is Medicine: How Medical Cannabis and CBD Are Healing Everything from Anxiety to Chronic Pain”. Bonni is leading the CannMed Medical practicum this year and also presenting about Minor Cannabinoids during the main session. During this episode we dive into one of those cannabinoids, CBG, and discuss the following:
Thanks to This Episode’s Sponsor: The DENT Institute With more than 300,000 patient visits per year, the DENT Neurologic Institute ranks among the largest neuroscience centers in North America. Its 24 subspecialty clinics often treat the most challenging neurologic conditions including but not limited to Migraine, Chronic pain, ALS, MS, Parkinson’s, Dementia, Neuro-Oncology, etc. With our mission of advancing neuroscience, we established a cannabis clinic in 2016 to aid in the treatment of these chronic conditions seen throughout our institute. Learn more at dentinstitute.com Additional Resources | |||
| Reducing Microbial Contamination Risk with Anthony Repay, M.S. | 29 Mar 2023 | 00:34:42 | |
Anthony Repay is currently serving as Laboratory Director of Method Testing Laboratories in Tampa, FL. Anthony started his career as the head food and environmental microbiologist at a Chicago-based testing laboratory before joining the cannabis science community. Since joining cannabis, Anthony has tried to innovate and push the cannabis microbiology community by publishing peer-reviewed papers, speaking on proper quality control and volunteering in several national wide cannabis groups. During our conversation we discuss:
Thanks to This Episode’s Sponsor: RS BioTherapeutics RS BioTherapeutics’ first investigational compound (RSBT-001) is a nebulized, semi-synthetic, cannabidiolic acid complex in development to address exacerbation and prevent progression of both acute and chronic pulmonary inflammation related to respiratory diseases including COPD, SARS-COV-2, Cystic Fibrosis, Asthma, Bronchitis, and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome. More information on RS BioTherapeutics can be found at www.rsbiotherapeutics.com. Additional Resources | |||
| Field-Portable Testing Solutions for Cannabis with Russell Jessup, PhD | 15 Mar 2023 | 00:33:39 | |
Dr. Russel Jessup is an Associate Professor at Texas A&M University. Russ started his career developing improved perennial grasses as biorefinery platforms for biofuels, turfgrasses, forage, ornamentals, phytoremediators, and renewable bio-based products. He has since transitioned into working on breeding industrial hemp, during which, he and his team identified a need for field-portable testing technologies that could help accelerate their programs. At CannMed 23, he will present on three of those technologies. Doing our conversation we discuss:
Thanks to This Episode’s Sponsor: Rare Earth Genomics Rare Earth Genomics Texas is a partnership formed to accelerate hemp research and produce critical tools for the farmer. REG’s mission is to increase likelihood of a successful harvest through genetic analysis and rigorous environmental testing of vigorous cultivars. Reliable datasets, analytic tools and stable germplasm are core to the program. Success of the farmer is the goal! Additional Resources | |||
| Treating Cancer with Cannabis-Derived Flavonoids with Akeem Gardner | 01 Mar 2023 | 00:35:06 | |
Akeem Gardner is the Founder and CEO of Canurta. In 2018 Akeem acquired an Industrial Hemp License from Health Canada and began to farm hemp as he embarked on his entrepreneurial venture, which allowed him to meet with the University of Guelph professors in the summer of 2019 to begin the cannflavin project. At CannMed 23, he will present “Targeting Glioblastoma Invasion and Survival with Cannabis-Derived Flavonoids”. During our conversation, Akeem provides a preview of that presentation, and insights into the following topics:
Thanks to This Episode’s Sponsor: Canurta Canurta is a preclinical biotechnology company pioneering the discovery and production of novel, polyphenol-rich ingredients to improve chronic disease prevention and recovery. Their research and technology unlocks the significant anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-cancer and neuroprotective potential of plant polyphenols. Canurta aspires to improve health outcomes, promote longevity and pull humans and animals out of the cycle of chronic disease. To learn more visit canurta.com Additional Resources | |||
| What’s Wrong with Cannabis Product Labeling with Markus Roggen, PhD | 15 Feb 2023 | ||
Markus Roggen, PhD is President and Chief Scientific Officer of Delic Labs, a licensed cannabis and psilocybin research laboratory focused on extraction optimization, analytical testing, and process development. Markus has been in the cannabis industry since 2014 and has held several executive positions in analytical and production companies. His research into process optimization and analytical methods has been recognized with a number of awards, and he has become a trusted advisor and mentor to multiple startups, startup accelerators, and organizations, including CannMed. At CannMed 23, Markus will be presenting the topic, “Of Birds, Bees and Buds: How to Talk About Cannabis and How to Label it Correctly” During our conversation, we discuss some of the issues with current cannabis labeling as well as some potential alternative, including:
Thanks to This Episode’s Sponsor: Juva Life Founded by pioneers in the science and business of cannabis and guided by a team of highly-acclaimed medical professionals, Juva Life brings unprecedented depth of knowledge in the science and medicinal effects of cannabis. Their vertically integrated approach allows Juva Life to carefully oversee every aspect of development, from cultivation to consumer, with deep expertise in research, testing and efficacy. It’s an approach that enables not only quality and consistency of product but, most importantly, it assures accuracy and legitimacy of testing and research data. Learn more at juvalife.com Additional Resources
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| Updating Cannabis Microbial Testing Regulations with Sherman Hom, PhD | 01 Feb 2023 | ||
Dr. Sherman Hom is the Director of Regulatory Affairs at Medicinal Genomics where he provides recommendations to regulatory officials that are tasked with drafting or modifying microbial testing regulations for cannabis, hemp, and psychedelic mushrooms to ensure safe products for patients and consumers. Before Medicinal Genomics, he was at the New Jersey Department of Health, where he led teams that started the Cannabis Testing Laboratory, the Cannabis Microbial Testing Unit, and created the “All States Medical Cannabis Program Required Testing Compendium”. At CannMed 23 Sherman will share the latest update to the “All States Cannabis Microbial Required Testing Compendium” to elucidate the present landscape, and identify a consensus set of required tests to lower public health risk. During our conversation we discuss
Thanks to This Episode’s Sponsor: Labware Labware is recognized as the global leader in providing enterprise-scale laboratory automation solutions with over 40 offices across 6 continents. LabWare’s Enterprise Laboratory Platform is a unique and proven suite of product capabilities that encompass LIMS, ELN, LES, method execution, and SDMS in an integrated and enterprise-ready solution. Learn more at labware.com. Additional Resources | |||
| How Hormones Affect Cannabinoid Synthesis with Lauren Sands, MSc. | 18 Jan 2023 | ||
Lauren is a Senior Laboratory Technician at SafeTiva Labs in Westfield, MA. She works in both the biological and chemical side of operations, utilizing PCR and chromatography to test cannabis products. Lauren recently obtained her M.S. in Plant Science with a focus on cannabis molecular biology at the University of Connecticut where she focused on how hormones affect cannabinoid production. During our conversation, we discuss:
Thanks to This Episode’s Sponsor: Farmer Freeman Farmer Freeman is a plant genetic testing laboratory serving homegrowers and commercial cultivators. Farmer Freeman offers plant sex testing, hop latent viroid testing, and more to customers around the world. Founded in 2015 in Washington DC, Farmer Freeman is one of the oldest and most trusted laboratories in the cannabis industry. Use Farmer freeman’s genetic testing services to save time, money, and resources in your grow. Learn more at farmerfreeman.com. Additional Resources
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| Cannabis Aroma Predicts User Experience with Adie Rae, PhD | 04 Jan 2023 | 00:36:51 | |
Dr. Adie Rae is a neuroscientist known for her extensive expertise on cannabis. She is an Assistant Scientist at Legacy Research Institute, and adjunct faculty at Washington State University. Her human and preclinical research is focused on pain management, addiction, and harm reduction. Adie has published in top academic journals under the surname Wilson-Poe, and she is passionate about the interaction between cannabis and opioids. Adie serves as the Vice-Chair of the Oregon Cannabis Commission, and she is a long-standing member of the International Cannabinoid Research Society. Dr. Rae also co-founded the consulting and technology firm Smart Analytics. Follow her on Instagram: @dr.adie Our conversation focused on a paper Adie recently co-authored called, “The Nose Knows: Aroma, but Not THC Mediates the Subjective Effects of Smoked and Vaporized Cannabis Flower”. As the title suggests, the study found that a user’s subjective enjoyment of a cannabis flower’s aroma was correlated with that flower producing a pleasant effect for the user. Or more simply put, if you like the way a cannabis flower smells, you are going to like the way it makes you feel. During our conversation, we discuss,
Thanks to This Episode’s Sponsor: Advanced Nutrients Founded in 1999, Advanced Nutrients was the first to develop a complete nutrient system that unlocks the true genetic potential of the cannabis plant. Since its inception, the brand has introduced more than 50 innovations to the cultivation community, and continues to revolutionize the space through proprietary scientific discoveries. Learn more at advancednutrients.com Additional Resources | |||
| CannMed Coffee Talk Returns January 4th, 2023 | 07 Dec 2022 | ||
The CannMed Coffee Talk Podcast is taking the month of December off. We will be back with new episodes starting January 4th. We are taking this break so that we can focus on processing our CannMed 23 abstract submissions and laying out the program for the summit in May. We received a lot of great submissions, and we expect the CannMed 23 Innovation and Investment Summit will be our best event yet! Thanks again to everyone who sent in an abstract. Our advisors are reviewing each of them now. We plan to make our final decisions later this month and announce our first round of speakers in the new year. Make sure you are signed up for email alerts so you don’t miss that announcement! Also be sure to purchase your CannMed Ticket Package before the Early Bird Deadline, which is January 20th. If you have already received an invitation to CannMed 23, you can register directly using the link that was included. And if you haven’t gotten an invitation yet, you can complete our Request an Invitation form. On behalf of everyone at Medicinal Genomics and CannMed Events, we wish you and yours a safe and happy holiday season. We hope to see you on Marco Island this May for CannMed 23, and we hope you will join us for the next CannMed Coffee Talk! | |||
| Clean Growing and Integrated Pest Management with Zac Ricciardi | 10 Jul 2024 | ||
Zac has been involved in the cannabis industry since 2005. He has had experience with all kinds of growing environments. From outdoor plots in Northern California to warehouses throughout the United States, his journey has taken him to almost every corner of the country. Zac worked at some of the most reputable supply companies and cultivations before landing his job at BioSafe Systems. He is the National Cannabis Specialist for the company, a position that did not exist before Zac was hired. He has comprehensive knowledge of all aspects of cultivation but specializes in integrated pest management (IPM). He has even written the book “Clean Growing: Integrated Pest Management for Cannabis Growers: The Ultimate Guide to Clean Crops & Safe Cultivation Practices That Protect Growers & Consumers” that is available to growers on Amazon. During our conversation we discuss:
Thanks to This Episode’s Sponsor: Advanced Nutrients Founded in 1999, Advanced Nutrients was the first to develop a complete nutrient system that unlocks the true genetic potential of the cannabis plant. Since its inception, the brand has introduced more than 50 innovations to the cultivation community, and continues to revolutionize the space through proprietary scientific discoveries. Learn more at advancednutrients.com Additional Resources | |||
| Sex-Dependent Responses to Cannabinoids with Ziva Cooper, MD | 23 Nov 2022 | ||
Dr. Ziva Cooper is the Director of the UCLA Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoids. She is also an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences and Department of Anesthesiology at the David Geffen School of Medicine. Her current research involves understanding variables that influence both the therapeutic potential and adverse effects of cannabis and cannabinoids through double-blind, placebo-controlled studies. One of the variables Ziva and her team are studying is the differences between men and women in their response to the abuse-related and pain-relieving effects of cannabinoids, and the role that circulating hormones and endocannabinoids contribute to these differences, We discuss:
Thanks to This Episode’s Sponsor: Planetarie Planetarie is the first & only organic-certified water-extracted CBDa. Female founded Planetarie is truly plant based wellness designed to keep you moving and playing. As the only company to use water extraction, Planetarie keeps CBDa in its raw living form, the way it is actually grown in the hemp plant. CBDa is 18x more bioavailable than CBD and is a powerful anti-inflammatory, acting on the same pathway as NSAIDs (like ibuprofen). Certified USDA Organic. Small batch. Vertically Integrated in our cGMP facility. Transparent. Socially responsible. Unique and powerful to give you the better balance and relief you deserve. Additional Resources | |||
| Cannabimimetics and The Pharmacist’s Role in Cannabis Medicine with Swathi Varanasi, PharmD | 09 Nov 2022 | ||
Dr. Swathi Varanasi is a bilingual pharmacist specializing in integrative and preventative health. Dr. Swathi has paved the way for other healthcare professionals to pursue non-traditional career paths through creating postdoctoral training programs, industry internships, and online courses focused on integrative medicine and patient-centered shared decision-making. She co-founded and serves as Chief Scientific Officer of the international award-winning clean beauty and wellness brand, Elēment Apothēc. We discuss:
Thanks to This Episode’s Sponsor: Medicine Women Health Medicine Women’s team of specialists includes Medical Doctors, Naturopaths, Medical Cannabis Experts, Nutritionists and Alternative Health Practitioners. These integrative teams evaluate health issues and design targeted protocols to promote personal healing. Medicine Women’s Protocols have successfully alleviated symptoms of Cancer, Auto-Immune Diseases and Neurological Conditions, as well as providing overall Health Rejuvenation. Learn more at www.medicinewomenhealth.com. Additional Resources
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| Analyzing Photosynthesis in Cannabis Leaves with Allison Justice, PhD | 26 Oct 2022 | ||
Allison Justice is the Founder and CEO of The Hemp Mine, a 30-acre hemp farm in South Carolina that supplies premium hemp genetics bred in-house across the US. The Hemp Mine produces a wide array of consumer products ranging from smokable flowers to topicals to tinctures of different concentrations for humans and animals. Allison also co-founded the Cannabis Research Coalition, a professional group dedicated to addressing the cultivation and postharvest issues that challenge today’s cannabis industry. Allison recently co-authored an article in Cannabis Science and Technology titled “Reading the Leaves: Adventures in the Leaf-level Physiology of Cannabis” which takes a deeper look into how cannabis plants respond to light and CO2. We discuss:
Thanks to This Episode’s Sponsor: Cannabis Science and Technology Cannabis Science and Technology is your educational resource for all things on the legal cannabis industry. It covers the latest developments and trends in analytical testing, quality control/assurance, extraction, cultivation, and processing/manufacturing. The brand furnishes all this information into a monthly print magazine and also on their website that includes webcasts, eBooks, podcasts, and more. You can subscribe for free on CannabisScienceTech.com Additional Resources | |||
| Phenohunting and Breeding Stable Cannabis Seeds with Nathaniel Pennington | 12 Oct 2022 | ||
Nathaniel Pennington is the Founder and CEO of Humboldt Seed Company. He has been supplying high-quality cannabis seeds to growers since 2001. In 2018 they hosted the World’s Largest Phenotype Hunt, teaming with local farmers, industry experts, and top researchers, many of whom are CannMed alumni. We talked about the Mega Phenohunt Project as well as Nat’s process for breeding consistent and reproducible cannabis seeds. Topics include:
Thanks to This Episode’s Sponsor: Advanced Nutrients Founded in 1999, Advanced Nutrients was the first to develop a complete nutrient system that unlocks the true genetic potential of the cannabis plant. Since its inception, the brand has introduced more than 50 innovations to the cultivation community, and continues to revolutionize the space through proprietary scientific discoveries. Learn more at advancednutrients.com Additional Resources | |||
| Cannabinoids’ Affect on Human Microbiomes with Pam Miles and Cindy Orser, PhD | 28 Sep 2022 | ||
Pam Miles is the CEO and founder of Apothercare, a company that partners with scientists performing women’s health research. Cindy Orser, PhD is currently Chief Scientific Officer at CLIP LABS, a cannabis testing laboratory in California, and she has more than 25 years of experience innovating technologies related to cannabis, human diagnostics, and even detecting biothreat agents. Cindy is also a member of the CannMed 23 Advisory Board, and she has been a panelist at several past CannMed events. As you will hear in the interview, Pam and Cindy met at CannMed 2019, which is great example of how attending a CannMed event can lead to important professional partnerships. We talked about the work Pam and Cindy have done to understand how cannabis affects the human microbiome, specifically the vaginal microbiome. Other topics include:
Thanks to This Episode’s Sponsor: Medicine Women Health Medicine Women’s team of specialists includes Medical Doctors, Naturopaths, Medical Cannabis Experts, Nutritionists and Alternative Health Practitioners. These integrative teams evaluate health issues and design targeted protocols to promote personal healing. Medicine Women’s Protocols have successfully alleviated symptoms of Cancer, Auto-Immune Diseases and Neurological Conditions, as well as providing overall Health Rejuvenation. Learn more at www.medicinewomenhealth.com. Additional Resources | |||
| Investing in Cannabis Innovation with David Traylor | 14 Sep 2022 | ||
David Traylor is Senior Managing Director at Golden Eagle Partners, a firm he originally founded in to advise life science companies. After advising on various transactions in the life science sector, he took an interest in the cannabis sector and started advising cannabis companies before eventually re-founding Golden Eagle Partners in 2014 to focus on advising companies across the cannabis sector. Before Golden Eagle Partners, David served at leading investment banking firms including Pacific Growth Equities, Caris & Company, and Headwaters MB. During his banking tenures he has advised private and public biotechnology and medical device companies in various transactions including IPOs, public offerings, private offerings, mergers and acquisitions totaling over $500 million in value. During our conversation we discuss:
Thanks to This Episode’s Sponsor: Golden Eagle Partners Golden Eagle Partners are transactional experts that have combined experience in the early stages of the cannabis and life science sectors, which help them to confidently close strategic and financing transactions that match the near- and long-term goals of their clients. They specialize in mergers, acquisitions, reverse mergers, financings, and incremental transactions such as licensing, joint ventures, and co-development arrangements. Learn more at goldeneaglepartners.com Additional Resources | |||
| Protecting Grows from Pests and Pathogens with Kyle R.L. Baker | 31 Aug 2022 | ||
Kyle R.L. Baker is the CSO and Co-Founder of EcoBuds and CleanTheory. He founded the companies based upon a deep understanding and experience in socio-technical design and econometric modeling and their application to disease mitigation. As a cannabis entrepreneur, Kyle focuses his attention on scientific verification methods and weighted decision-making to ensure the end-to-end delivery of clean and compliant cannabis to consumers, most notably medical patients. Clean cannabis is one of the biggest challenges facing growers. Microbes, viruses, and pests can devastate cannabis and hemp crops, greatly reducing product quality and yield. Growers must also meet state-mandated testing requirements for microbial contamination before the product can be sold in a dispensary. During our conversation we discuss:
Thanks to This Episode’s Sponsor: Medicinal Genomics Medicinal Genomics uses its unmatched knowledge into the cannabis genome and the microbes that impact cannabis plants to create a diverse set of testing solutions that improve crop yield, accelerate breeding, and ensure product safety. MGC’s PathoSEEK® qPCR Detection Assays are trusted by the top cannabis testing labs for microbial compliance testing and growers also trust PathoSEEK to screen crops for harmful pathogens. Learn more at medicinalgenomics.com Additional Resources | |||