Cannabis & Tech Today -- Summer 2021 by Innovation & Tech Today

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FROM THE PUBLISHER

A Breath of Fresh Air

It’s been a long, strange year since summer 2020. We’ve endured the restrictions of the pandemic and now we’re starting to see signs of change. Faces are emerging from under their masks, bars and restaurants are bustling, and there’s some semblance of normalcy. Not that inhibitive “new normal” that wasn’t normal at all, but the familiar feel of summer’s past.

Charles Warner, Publisher/Editor-in-Chief

“ Safety regulations, tracking, reporting, finances, and so much more goes into ensuring the transparency of the cannabis sector.”

At Cannabis & Tech Today, we’re celebrating the feel-good vibes of the season with an in-depth look at concentrates and compliance. Did you know concentrates are the main ingredient in all the innovative cannabis products on the shelves? Tinctures, vapes, edibles, and lotions wouldn’t be possible without extracted cannabinoids. For industry professionals, maintaining compliance is one of the most stressful parts of the job. But, it’s also what allows this industry to exist. Safety regulations, tracking, reporting, finances, and so much more goes into ensuring the transparency of the cannabis sector. This issue sorts out the complexities of compliance with industry-leading experts so you can keep your business on the right side of the law. Plus, dig into the foundations of extracts with Frenchy Cannoli. He’s the star of our innovator profile, and we’re showcasing all of his work in the world of hashish. Explore the roots of extraction with ArcataX — a couple of Emerald Triangle natives who helped pioneer commercial concentrates in Humboldt County, California. Sniff out the science behind the smell in this issue’s terpene guide and get geeky with tons of new tech in our summer Product Revolution. I’m most excited about this issue’s cover feature, legendary MC Redman. Hip hop artists paved the way for cannabis acceptance. Their defiant endorsement of the herb showcased cannabis as a lifestyle rather than an addiction. Redman’s advocacy over the last thirty years, from his performance in How High to his gold record Muddy Waters, helped bring cannabis to the forefront of pop culture and set the stage for legalization. Now, he’s working to unite the industry with the National Cannabis Party, a political platform for the plant officially licensed by the Federal Election Commission. In our corner of the world at least, the warm summer sun feels like a new start. The air smells sweeter, smiles seem brighter, and we’re all breathing a little easier vaxxed, unmasked, and free to pursue the summer we were denied last year. My wish for our readers is that each of you extract all the joy you can find this season. As we all know too well, change comes in an instant.

Cannabis & Tech Today // Summer 2021

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EMERGING FOR SPRING Since our last issue hit the shelves, we’ve been hard at work virtually uniting the industry with our Spring Emerge Virtual Cannabis Conference. We showcased speakers like Codie Sanchez, Dr. Chanda Macias, and Montel Williams who shared their take on sustainability and cultivation in the cannabiz. These conferences are part of our ongoing commitment to offering a more sustainable solution to in-person events. We’re also passionate about helping our community make the shift to working in a post-pandemic world.

MASTERMINDS IN MARKETING In partnership with Grasslands: A Journalism-Minded Agency, Cannabis & Tech Today hosted the Re-Emerge Cannabis Marketing Workshop to guide industry professionals in the complex world of cannabis marketing. We know just how competitive the cannabis industry can be and how crucial it is to have the insight and tools to set yourself apart from other brands. With speakers such as Grasslands Founder and CEO Ricardo Baca, Veritas Head of Marketing and Sales Jonathan Spadafora, and Head of Community Partnerships for Vangst Kelsea Appelbaum, it was an amazing opportunity to learn all the ins and outs of cannabis marketing from true leaders in the field.

SPECIAL THANKS TO: Laurie Wolf, James Miller, Zoe Wilder, Kristi Dougherty, Damon Jackson

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Cannabis & Tech Today // Summer 2021

// CONTRIBUTORS // Robert Carp has written eight books on cannabis business, taxes, standard operating procedures, and licensing. Carp has lectured at every major cannabis show in the United States, and has participated in over 1,000 commercial cannabis license applications. Rachelle Gordon is a cannabis and psychedelics writer dedicated to educating the masses on the powers of plant medicine. She is especially interested in the potential these compounds have with regard to the treatment of neurological disorders. A graduate of Hamline University in Saint Paul, Rachelle currently splits her time between Minneapolis and Oakland. Her favorite cultivars include Tangie, GMO, and Lemon Haze. Dan Greene, Esq., CIPP/US, CIPP/E leads the CannaPrivacy and Incident Response Teams at Beckage, a nationally recognized technology law firm with a focus in data security and privacy and extensive experience in the multi-state operator and vendor sectors of the cannabis industry. For more information visit beckage.com/ cannaprivacy.

As the President & CEO of the National Association of Cannabis Businesses (NACB), Gina Kranwinkel leads the most trusted, ethical, and socially active cannabis trade association in the United States. Her passion initiative – personally and with the NACB – is to champion cannabis social equity programs at the national, state, and local level.

Dr. Anthony Macherone is a senior scientist with Agilent Technologies and a visiting professor at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. His analytical expertise is LC/MS and GC/MS. For the past 4.5 years, Anthony has been leading a team of scientists for the development of analytical testing methodologies for cannabis and hemp products. Jessica McKeil is a cannabis writer based in British Columbia, Canada. She has a passion for cannabis tech and scientific breakthroughs, which has led her to work with some of the industry’s biggest brands. She is the owner and lead-writer of Sea to Sky Content (https://www.seatoskycontent.com/); a content company focused on improving organic traffic through the power of words.

Alex Rogers is the founder and CEO of the International Cannabis Business Conference, which offers worldclass industry networking as well as investment and capital opportunities. The International Cannabis Business Conference has upcoming events in Berlin and Zurich. Visit https://internationalcbc.com/ to learn more.

Aaron Smith has been waiting his entire adult life for legalization and is thrilled to be writing about America’s hottest commodity for Cannabis & Tech Today. Aaron used to cover the cannabis industry as a staff writer for CNNBusiness, where he also covered the gun industry and interviewed Bernie Madoff. He has written for High Times and is a Forbes contributor. Aaron believes America’s story with cannabis is only just beginning.

Kirsten Trusko is the CEO and co-founder of Emerging Markets Coalition — an organization focused on normalizing financial services for underserved markets, currently focused on cannabis-related industries. She’s spent a career in FinTech and cutting edge financial services.

David Wallach is an award-winning writer, television producer, podcast host, marketing executive, fan of anything outdoors, and bacon lover. To see more of his work, check out www.davidwallach.net. Editor’s Note: Cannabis & Tech Today is seeking writers from all backgrounds and ethnicities. Interested applicants inquire through submit@innotechtoday.com. 6

Cannabis & Tech Today // Summer 2021

SUMMER 2021

contents

Summer Issue Covers

82 Redman’s NCP Revolution By Patricia Miller Photo: Getty Images/Scott Dudelson

46 Fire In, Fire Out By Patricia Miller Photo: Quinn Murdy

Departments 14 Event Wrap Ups 16 By The Numbers 18 Know Before 20 International 22 Compliance 24 NACB

108 Something Edible with Laurie Wolf 110 Product Revolution 118 Events Calendar + Coming Next Issue 120 The Lighter Side

26 Innovator Profile: Frenchy Cannoli 30 Finance Pitch for Your Life! Spring 2021 Emerge Investor Pitch Contest

34 Legislation Checking in to see where the U.S. stands on legalization

38 Sustainability

Aster Farm’s Sustainability Report 2020 40 Fashion Forward 44 Thinking Outside the Box

46 Business Innovations Fire In, Fire Out 50 Scaling Extraction 56 CannaPrivacy 60 America’s Place in Cannabis Tourism 8

Cannabis & Tech Today // Summer 2021

SUMMER 2021

contents

64 Social Equity Moving Forward for All People

66 Tech Zone Seeing Green in the Prairie State 68 Safety, Savings, and Convenience 70 Shop ‘Til You Drop 72 Grow Smarter 74 Lighting the Way 76 Profits and Protection 78 Putting Retailers First 80 Focused on Farming

88 Media + Entertainment Stirring the Pot 92 Sean Paul Talks Germs and Ganja

96 Health + Wellness Extract Safety Check 98 Access for Athletes

102 The Lab High-ly Educated Undergrads 104 Delta-8-THC: What’s the deal? 106 Terpenes and You: What do they do?

Photo: Fernando F Hevia

Cannabis & Tech Today // Summer 2021

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// EVENT WRAP-UPS //

Seventh Annual NoCo Hemp Expo: March 26-27

The Seventh Annual NoCo Hemp Expo took place in Denver, making it one of the first in-person cannabis industry events to take place in Colorado since the pandemic began. Attendees were under strict safety protocols, including mask mandates and social distancing. The two-day event featured a long list of influential speakers, including Dan Herer of the Jack Herer Foundation, Glen Kayll from the Hemp Plastic Company, Nancy Whiteman of Wana Wellness, and our very own Editor-in-Chief Charles Warner.

Spring Emerge Virtual Cannabis Conference & Expo: March 30 - April 1

Spring brings growth, new beginnings, and hope for the future. We celebrated those concepts during this spring’s virtual cannabis conference. As we transitioned from pandemic life into a relative return to normal, we reflected on how far we’ve come and how our industry will persevere in a less restricted future. Our online conference featured a variety of panels and informative speakers to fit the themes of sustainability and cultivation. Our star-studded event, featuring the likes of Montel Williams, Wanda James, Dr. Chanda Macias, and more, helped to create a dialogue on how we can do our part to create a cleaner future.

USA CBD Expo, June 11-13

After being postponed six times due to COVID-19, the biggest CBD and hemp conference in the nation took place in Atlanta, GA from June 11-13, with dates in Columbia and Illinois lined up shortly after. Atlanta is an expansive hub for some of the most creative and innovative minds in cannabis, which makes it the perfect destination for this event. “We really feel like this is the CBD industry event you’ve got to attend. You want to see what your competitors are doing. You want to see what the most innovative products are. We have our award ceremony. There are just so many different things happening,” said Nicole Beiner, Director of Marketing for the USA CBD Expo.

Cannabis & Tech Today // Summer 2021

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A look at the metrics shaping the cannabis business market — and our lives

Living through a pandemic often felt like a constant fever dream, with time blurring from one day into the next. While we experienced great tragedy during the outbreak of the coronavirus, we’ve seen the cannabis industry continue to prosper. Whether it was hemp face masks, cannabis delivery, or states making strides to legalize, the industry has been hard at work providing much-needed relief during these difficult times. With so many changes, let’s take a moment to look at where America stands with cannabis and appreciate how far we’ve come.

Legalization State By State

States That Decriminalized Cannabis:

Number of cannabis cultivation licenses, by state U.S. 2019: Oklahoma: 3,852

Alaska, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maryland, Mississippi, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Vermont, California, Delaware, Illinois, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Oregon, Virginia, Colorado, District of Columbia, Maine, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Rhode Island.

California: 2,681

Source norml.org

Nevada: 5,921

Washington: 1, 205 Colorado: 1,200 Oregon: 1, 156 Alaska: 373 Arizona: 130 New Mexico: 80 Ohio: 30 Illinois: 20

Fully Legal Medical and Decriminalized Medical Decriminalized Fully Illegal

Massachusetts: 16 Florida: 14 Source Statista

Top 10 States with the Most Dispensaries Oklahoma...... 2,129 California........ 1,440 Oregon............ 1,344 Colorado............ 572 Washington....... 448 Montana............ 332 Alaska................ 220 Florida............... 182 Michigan........... 160 New Mexico........ 99

Divide in Cannabis Consumer Gender is Declining: In a 2020 report from Eaze: New Customers by Gender:

38% 62%

2018

Men

Women:

46%

54%

2019

Source getkisi.com

48%

2020 Source flowhub.com

According to Tech Crunch, the legal cannabis market supports

243,700 full-time-equivalent

American jobs, which are set to multiply by 250% between 2018 and 2028.

52%

Cannabis & Tech Today // Summer 2021

Medical Marijuana Patients Percent of State Population: (As of 5/27/21) State:

Percent of population that are MM patients:

Alaska.............................. 0.05% Arizona................................. 4.23 Arkansas............................. 2.54 California............................. 4.86 Colorado.............................. 1.51 Connecticut......................... 1.51 Delaware............................. 1.59 Florida.................................. 2.61 Hawaii.................................. 2.32 Illinois................................... 1.23 Louisiana............................. 0.09 Maine................................... 4.86 Maryland............................. 1.69 Massachusetts................... 1.00 Michigan.............................. 2.51 Minnesota............................ 0.61 Missouri.............................. 2.22 Montana............................... 3.83 Nevada................................. 0.45 New Hampshire................. 0.73 New Jersey......................... 1.18 New Mexico......................... 5.35 New York............................. 0.78 North Dakota...................... 0.71 Ohio...................................... 1.60 Oklahoma........................ 9.31 Oregon................................. 0.54 Pennsylvania....................... 2.68 Rhode Island....................... 1.83 Utah...................................... 0.72 Vermont............................... 0.83 Washington......................... 0.69 Washington, D.C................. 1.31 Puerto Rico.......................... 3.70 Source mpp.org

DEPARTMENTS // KNOW BEFORE

Extracting Answers An Interview with Huber CEO Georg Kiefer By Ebby Stone Isolating and refining cannabinoids is an exact science. There are thermodynamics and a lot of chemistry involved that, frankly, fly outside of this writer’s depth. To understand the role of accurate temperature control in reducing process times, recovering solvents, and improving purity, Cannabis & Tech Today spoke with Georg Kiefer, CEO of Huber. His company pioneered the development of closed loop systems for creating concentrates. These systems prevent solvents from being exposed to the air, allow them to be reused, and reduce the risk of explosions. Huber has been specializing in high precision temperature control solutions for more than fifty years. Cannabis & Tech Today: What are some of the major challenges facing extractors? George Kiefer: Long process times, low solvent recovery, and product impurities are some of the challenges faced by many extractors. Stable, accurate temperature control helps resolve these issues and allows precise, repeatable methods to be developed. C&T Today: Labs and extractors use containers of hot water, known as open baths, to enable certain chemical reactions to occur at high temperatures. Huber created Unistats as an alternative to open baths. How are they unique? GK: We have a saying, no matter where you are in your process, we have a Unistat for that! Unistats are circulation thermostats without a temperature control bath. A much smaller internal tank replaces the conventional bath and an expansion vessel compensates for volume changes occurring due to 18

Cannabis & Tech Today // Summer 2021

thermal changes for externally connected systems. The Unistat is therefore hydraulically sealed and can be located under the table without incurring any level problem. In practice, there are other concrete advantages which arise in your result: tangibly shorter heating up and cooling down times, improved stability and reproducibility of the whole processing chain, more security for expensive glass reactors and the substances contained in them, as well as comfortable operation. They are one of a kind with no alternatives, thermodynamically speaking. C&T Today: Extraction equipment can be expensive and time-consuming to repair. How can processors get the most value from their technology? GK: Be sure providers offer a warranty and responsive customer service. Huber offers a standard three-year warranty. Just this year, we upped it to 4 years on our open baths and circulators purchased after January 1, 2019. Many cannabis companies shuttered in 2020 and we hoped to alleviate some economic burdens some are still facing by adding an additional year to these lines commonly used in the industry. C&T Today: What’s the next big transition that needs to happen for temperature control solutions? GK: Eco-friendly refrigerants. We offer a large part of our product range with environmentallyfriendly refrigerants as standard. The extraction industry is moving towards sustainability and this is an area we have always found key to growth on a global scale. More than anything, we want to help our partners and customers grow into entities that shape the world. ❖

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DEPARTMENTS // INTERNATIONAL

Continental Crisis

A Plea for Consistent Cannabis Regulations in Europe By Alex Rogers Photo iStockphoto.com/Nelson_A_Ishikawa

Cannabis reform is spreading across the European continent faster than ever before, which is great news for cannabis consumers, entrepreneurs, patients, and governments. Many European governments waste a ridiculous amount of money every year enforcing cannabis prohibition. Thankfully, the walls of cannabis prohibition are crumbling, and while no country in Europe has fully legalized cannabis for adult use, several are on a path to fully legalize sooner rather than later. Many are pursuing reform measures, and in the Netherlands, a regulated adult-use industry pilot program is ramping up. Italy’s Supreme Court recently ruled that cannabis prohibition is unconstitutional and tasked lawmakers to craft and approve a cannabis legalization measure. Unfortunately, legislators have dragged their feet thus far. However, full legalization is likely inevitable in Italy, with some legal protections for consumers already being in place via case law. 20

Cannabis & Tech Today // Summer 2021

In Switzerland, low-THC cannabis is already legal and gaining in popularity with every passing year. Cannabis flower that contains less than 1% has been legal in Switzerland since 2017.

and end cannabis prohibition, but they also need to be on the same page when it comes to packaging requirements, advertising requirements, product testing, cannabinoid limits, etc.

Some countries in Europe, such as Germany, now permit robust medical cannabis industries. For certain regions, cannabis is already legal in Europe, and that freedom will continue to spread to the rest of the population.

Cannabis reform will not wait for countries to get on the same page — the reform movement will continue to march across Europe, and the industry will only thrive as much as policies and regulations allow at the continental level.

Unfortunately, Europe’s cannabis laws and regulations have become a patchwork of sorts, much like in the United States at the state level. The discrepancies in policies and regulations are compounded by the fact that at the national level things are constantly evolving as well, which can be very chaotic and stressful for members of the cannabis industry.

If things remain a patchwork, it’s nearly impossible for companies to reach their full potential, for customers to get what they want, for patients to get the safe access that they need, and for government coffers to benefit from a thriving industry.

Clearly, there is a tremendous need for harmonized rules and regulations across the European continent. Not only does every country need to get on the right side of history

Compliance is a two-way street. Cannabis industry rules need to be uniform and reasonable across Europe to help companies strike the right balance between public safety and consumer needs. That needs to happen sooner rather than later. ❖

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DEPARTMENTS // COMPLIANCE

Compliance and Cultivation By Robert H. Carp, CEO, Certified Cannabis Compliance Training, Inc.

Photo iStockphoto.com/porcorex

Of all of the compliance issues surrounding cannabis, cultivation is the least understood. There are three primary concerns for licensees cultivating cannabis. Regulators have a number of critical issues they primarily review to ensure the licensee is in compliance. They include: Employee Health and Safety OSHA, along with its corresponding state agency, is tasked with ensuring workplace safety, and despite cannabis being federally illegal, it is still subject to federal workplace regulation. OSHA offers a free onsite consultation program to review safety hazards. There are four dominant OSHA and related state workplace safety issues: • Proper signage for hazards, fire exits, chemical storage, warning signs • Adequate and tested fire safety plans including exit markings, fire wardens ensuring everyone’s safe exit, contact information, and protocols for fire emergencies • An inadequate hazard communication plan. Who is responsible for: calling the police during an emergency, shutting down the facility and ensuring everyone is out, alerting everyone to a chemical leak or spill? 22

Cannabis & Tech Today // Summer 2021

• Improper or lack of personal protective equipment. Do all employees who need it have the proper personal protective equipment? Is it readily accessible? Security Issues Is the cultivation facility part of the overall security plan? Are there adequate and regularly tested locking systems for access? Does the alarm system have adequate storage and backup, and do all cameras and systems work? Does the camera coverage blanket the entire area? In order to preserve your investment, the security system should be tested quarterly to ensure it can respond successfully to any issues. Cleaning, Contamination, and Sanitation The growing, processing, storage, and packaging of cannabis requires a very clean facility, with proper protocols and operating procedures in place. Are all work surfaces cleaned and sterilized properly, and then documented by the person doing the work? Is all processing equipment taken apart and sterilized according to the manufacturer’s requirement? Are soil, water, and chemicals safely stored to avoid spillage and contamination? What about the actual ventilation system filters?

Inventory Records Does your plant count match what you have in METRC or the other state-mandated inventory system? How often is the plant, seed, or clone, harvested? How often is commercially-packaged inventory audited and counted? Learning how to control inventory through the state’s mandatory system is critical. One of the first tasks regulators will perform is ensuring that none of the product is unaccounted for, untested, or being sold on the illicit market. If there is an inventory mistake, find it. Are there count discrepancies? Trace it to the source. Is the product disappearing? Monitor the camera system closely. How do I avoid compliance issues in cannabis cultivation? Perform your own compliance audit to identify your compliance weaknesses. List every state regulation for cannabis, then honestly appraise your conformity with it. Repeat the procedure with the state’s employee safety regulations, fire regulations, worker safety regulations, etc. From each, develop a worksheet that can be filled out daily and train your employees on your compliance documentation. In compliance, strict consistency is your best friend. ❖

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DEPARTMENTS // NACB

Every Good Relationship Starts With Common Ground By Meggan Hau Recently, the alliance introduced Blazers & Blazers, a new monthly interactive cannabis banking series opening the lines of communication between cannabis professionals and financial services experts.

Unlike chocolate and peanut butter, so far cannabis businesses and the U.S. financial services industry — banks, payments, insurance, retirement services, etc. — haven’t been better together. For years, they have been hesitant to interact. From the cannabis perspective, financial services (FS) haven’t provided access to competitively priced loans, lines of credit, cash management, and other services essential to business management and growth. From the financial services’ perspective, the lack of industry regulation and cash-only business models make cannabis-related businesses (CRBs) high risk, as are other emerging industries. However, with nationwide cannabis legalization on the horizon, there is an opportunity for profitable change. A new alliance by the National Association of Cannabis Businesses (NACB) and Emerging Markets Coalition (EMC) is leveraging this opportunity by forging trusted relationships 24

Cannabis & Tech Today // Summer 2021

between the two industries. There’s already plenty of common ground: NACB is a membership organization shaping the legal cannabis market into a safe, responsible, and ethical industry through education and advocacy; EMC is a member-driven advocacy and educational organization for financial services in highly cash-based and underserved markets. The alliance is catalyzing new connections between CRBs and FS firms; most focused on compliance and transparency across all activities in both businesses. The partnership creates a safe introduction zone where CRBs and FS firms know that those at the table are the cleanest, best-run businesses focused on best practices and high ethics — just the kind of incubator to get healthy relationships started. NACB and EMC members are educating each other to drive toward full access to normalized financial services for the cannabis industry.

In addition, the alliance is a positive, fact-based source of information and action for government, media, consumer advocate groups, and community organizations. “In this industry, there is a flood of information but a desert of facts,” says Kirsten Trusko, CEO and co-founder of EMC. “Our organizations are planting this desert with the seeds of fact from research and real-life business and banking organizations to help fuel a collective good in the lives of the owners, employees, customers, and communities who benefit from this industry.” “If we don’t proactively craft our own narrative and action plan, others will do it for us,” adds Gina Kranwinkel, president and CEO of NACB. “We’re pushing for informed rulemaking by openly educating about our industries and how clean, transparent, compliant businesses operate for a greater good for both industries, for communities, and for society in general. Together, we’ll make our voices heard.” Ironically, CRBs and FS firms share a similar challenge with federal and state regulators and examiners reminding them that a misstep can force devastating consequences for their organizations and themselves personally. The NACB-EMC alliance is an opportunity for CRBs and FS firms to shape standards, ethics, and best practices to prevent missteps and define a better future for both industries. ❖

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OF THE

INNOVATOR PROFILE YEAR

Frenchy Cannoli Where Innovation Meets Tradition By Rachelle Gordon

Frenchy Cannoli wouldn’t consider himself an innovator, but don’t let his humble nature fool you. The master hashishin and creator of Frenchy Cannoli Brand’s Very Special Olde Press has dedicated himself to the ancient art of hand-pressing cannabis resin for decades, playing an instrumental role in placing quality front and center of the California cannabis industry. Whether it’s keeping the time-honored tradition of hash-making alive through his multitude of classes and speaking engagements or his tireless work to designate the Emerald Triangle as the first true cannabis terroir, Frenchy has committed himself to ensuring craftsmanship and compassion for the consumer remain at the forefront. “Hashish has been a source of comfort and happiness all my adult life, a vital part of my wellbeing,” he told Cannabis & Tech Today. But how did Frenchy Cannoli become one of the most revered names in cannabis? And how does hashish fit in with a modern school of smokers obsessed with the “new new?” It all comes back to heritage. Nomadic Life Leads to Lifelong Passion for Hash To understand Frenchy’s devotion to cannabis, it’s important to go back to the beginning. After being introduced to hashish at the age of 17 by a friend in his native France — a moment he’s described as a true revelation — he immediately dove headfirst into the culture. The friend’s family had been secretly producing the rich, flavorful substance, and took the young yet eager new pupil under their wing. Soon after, Frenchy entered into an 18-year adventure traversing the globe, immersing himself in different hash-producing regions including Morocco, Nepal, and Thailand, 26

Cannabis & Tech Today // Summer 2021

observing how the trichomes were carefully removed from the cannabis plant, with the resin heads left intact to manipulate into a sticky, malleable putty fit for smoking. Rarely spending more than three months in one location, he would hand press enough resin to see him through on his journey to his next locale. His exposure to techniques utilized for millennia performed by families who had been pressing hash for generations invoked an intense adoration and respect. From high in the Himalayan mountains to the jungles of Cambodia, Frenchy had witnessed a variety of communities yet one thing always remained clear: it’s all about the plant. “Hashish is a very special and unique cannabis concentrate and hash-making is a very ancient craft with methodologies that have stood the test of time and should be approached with respect and studied to learn the science behind these ancient techniques,” Frenchy said.

Fast-forward two decades to Northern California, where the hashmaker settled in the early 2000s. Despite the years of intensive study learning everything there is to know about producing hash around the world, it was moving to the United States and a newfound understanding of medical marijuana that hoisted Frenchy’s passion for the plant to new heights. “It took another dimension altogether when I learned in my mid-40s, when I came to the U.S., that the cannabis plant was medicinal,” he admits. “I had, up to that point in my life, gone to extreme physical challenges to be able to make the best possible charas or hashish. For most of my life, my passion for hashish had been focused on quality. The knowledge of the medicinal aspect of cannabis resin gave me a deeper thirst for learning all I could about the cannabis plant and the science behind traditional hashish.”

and grown without the use of a structure, and without the use of artificial lighting in the canopy area.” Frenchy feels the bill is a good start in safeguarding not only growers in the Emerald Triangle but also the rich cannabis history that has existed there for decades.

Photos: @realms.manifest

“The Mendocino, Humboldt, and Trinity region, aka the Emerald Triangle, is known worldwide for the quality of its cannabis. The cannabis farming community and the genetics that brought such recognition should be nurtured and protected.”

Emerald Triangle: The Bordeaux of Cannabis Having consumed cannabis around the world, Frenchy maintains that some of the best comes from the Emerald Triangle. He has been a vocal supporter of the need for quality standards in cannabis, specifically the designation of socalled “terroirs.” The concept is borrowed from the wine industry, where French regions such as Champagne are exclusively recognized for their environmental characteristics in relation to the quality of the grapes they produce.

The Taste of Place, was an eye-opener to my own cultural heritage but also to all the ethnic diversity I have experienced during my travels. The concept is universal, and the planet is an abundance of terroir that has been lost to a great extent due to agricultural industrialization and the globalization of the food industry,” he said.

Old School Meets New School While hashish remains a dominant force globally, many cannabis consumers in the booming legal markets across America are constantly in search of the next big trend. The last decade has seen skyrocketing R&D into producing concentrates both at scale and in the artisanal fashion, from the rise of butane hash oil in the early 2010s to the increasing popularity of rosin today. Classically made hashish composes a tiny fraction of the modern concentrates market, begging the question: will the next generation of smokers be able to truly appreciate a product that doesn’t fit into the category of “hype weed?” Frenchy maintains that hand-rolled hash will always be in a league of its own, explaining the compound is similar to wine in its production as opposed to the process for other types of extracts, which would be more comparable to spirits like grain alcohol.

Frenchy and others believe the famed Northern California cannabis country should be the first to achieve a similar classification due to the region’s renowned cultivation conditions.

“A cannabis extract is like the juice extracted from a fruit, a true expression of the fruit but not the same as the full fruit in all its nourishing wholeness and beneficial characteristics.”

“The word ‘terroir’ expresses the uniqueness of a region, the delicate symbiosis between the land, the climate, the plant kingdom, and the farmers who nurture and enhance the characteristics of the land,” Frenchy explained.

Frenchy pointed out the fruit in this instance is the matrix that creates the juice and sugar — much like the cannabis trichome’s head that biosynthesizes unique psychoactive and medicinal compounds within.

“‘When the French take a bite of cheese or a sip of wine, they taste the earth: rock, grass, hillside, valley, plateau. They ingest nature, and this taste signifies pleasure, a desirable good. Gustatory pleasure and evocative possibilities of taste are intertwined in the French fidelity to the taste of place.’ This quote from Amy B. Trubek’s book,

“Rejecting the matrix in a quest for purity is like extracting grape juice to make alcohol instead of crushing and fermenting the whole grapes to produce wine,” he continued. “This is the fundamental difference between hand-rolled [charas] or sieved trichomes glands [hashish] and all other types of extracted resin. While the

California lawmakers agreed, passing a law declaring the establishment of cannabis “appellation of origin” regions. S.B. 67 states products coming from these sectors must derive from “cannabis plants cultivated in the ground,

Summer 2021 // Cannabis & Tech Today

OF THE

INNOVATOR PROFILE YEAR

Photos: @realms.manifest

while simultaneously collaborating on a third with his counterpart, Madame Cannoli, that’s dedicated to the evolution of edibles. He also put the final touches on his full-length documentary film, Frenchy Dreams of Hashish, set to be released soon.

manufacturing of hashish uses heat and pressure, the resin head’s cellular matrix is retained within the final product and for this reason, cannot be considered an extraction in the same sense that wine is not considered a hard liquor.” Frenchy added that while he will always be a proponent of traditional hash, he welcomes all forms of extraction as it only serves to push the proverbial needle forward, broadening the appeal of cannabis to more people than ever before.

Cannabis & Tech Today // Summer 2021

“I am fascinated by the sheer diversity of extracts today. I have the highest respect for the craftsmanship, dedication, and love that created such diversity and literally revolutionized the cannabis concentrate world.” Multiple Books, Feature Documentary on Horizon Despite a global pandemic grinding his travels and demonstrations to a halt, Frenchy has been hard at work. The master hashishin spent his lockdown squirreled away in his Richmond home, penning two books (one on the history of hash, the second on the art of hash making)

“I have lived the life of a hermit for the past year and a half, exactly what I needed to focus fully on writing and studies,” he said. “While the experience has been rewarding beyond my wildest dreams it has been nonetheless challenging so I hope that 2022 will be a year full of travels and workshops around the world, the very opposite of what 2020 and 2021 have been.” And while grateful for the time spent on projects meant to educate the masses on all the wonders of hashish, Frenchy is looking forward to returning to in-person events where he can continue to share the rich history of his craft, ensuring the ancient art lives on even in an age of hype. “Innovation stems from a deep knowledge of traditions. We are the sum of our past. We have been given the tools to do better but we need to acknowledge the importance of our traditions to do so.” ❖

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// FINANCE //

Pitch for Your Life!

Cannabis startups go head to head at the Spring 2021 Emerge Investor Pitch Contest. By Corey Noles

Once again, the Investor Pitch Contest was a high point of Emerge. Four businesses attended the Spring 2021 Emerge Virtual Cannabis Conference hoping to take the win, but this year ended with a twist. For the first time, there was a tie for first place between Hala Hemp and Dama Distributing. Leafwire and Regennabis hosted the Investor Pitch Contest. Each of four businesses gave its best pitch in hopes of gaining access to a $5 million funding pool managed by Regennabis.

Hala Hemp Founder Mahala Herron

Hala Hemp is a sustainable CBD lifestyle brand. While the company currently focuses on CBD products, there are plans to expand into clothing and other lifestyle options. Mahala Herron, the founder of Hala Hemp, has also expressed that the company is devoted to incorporating fair trade practices in its business model. “I feel like something we’re missing in the world is simply brands who care about who they’re endorsing, as much as consumers care about the brands that they themselves are purchasing from,” Herron said. “So, it’s one thing for a consumer to

Tied for first was Dama Distributing. Dama Distributing is a locally owned and operated company based in Colorado. The company is developing sustainable, home compostable, and compliant packaging for the cannabis/hemp industry and a variety of other industries.

with hemp plastic and hemp paper, hemp fabric. We’re trying to be that one-stop shop for anybody in the industry, really looking for truly sustainable packaging solutions.”

“Everything we do is eco-friendly,” said Cole Gibbs, founder and CEO of Dama Distributing. “We don’t use any petroleum plastics. We work

“We just need a little bit of help to make this a reality and so we can actually start eliminating more and more single-use plastic,” Gibbs said.

Cannabis & Tech Today // Summer 2021

purchase from a brand, but who is that brand purchasing from? Who is that brand supporting?” Hala also launched an initiative called Hala Sustainable. It’s a pilot program aiming to set a sustainable standard in cannabis. “All of the practices that I’m urging other brands to implement, we’ve implemented ourselves,” Herron said. “And we’ve put guidelines on the site of certain things you can do. But, we encourage brands to contact us and come to us, so we can inform them on how to be more sustainable and implement these sustainable practices, such as fair trade, water conservation, and so on.”

Dama is seeking between $20-30 million to construct a new facility to produce their products at commercial levels.

Dama Distributing Founder and CEO Cole Gibbs

“Right now, we eliminate about three and a half tons of material a month. We’d like to jump that to 100 tons a month or even 1,000.”

#ecofriendly

Gibbs said Dama’s sustainable plastic is only .10-.25 cents more expensive than traditional plastic, where other options in the past have been dollars more per item. “And what we’ve found is consumers are willing to pay for it if the business is not willing to absorb that price difference,” he said. “NYU’s Stern Center for Sustainable Business did a study to find out if it is worth it to make the switch to sustainable packaging and offer sustainable options to the consumer. And they found, between 2013 and 2018, those businesses that marketed sustainable options saw a 29% increase in their sales.”

BizBoxes Founder Elsbeth Hurry

Coming in third at the investor pitch conference was BizBoxes. BizBoxes is essentially a software service that is developing a hands-off solution to selling marijuana at dispensaries. Think of it like the software to run a cannabis ATM or a Redbox for weed. BizBoxes can retrofit their solution to existing vending machines, lockboxes, and more. “We help cannabis retailers by enabling a more efficient and less capital intensive way to distribute or dispense cannabis to customers,” said Elsbeth Hurry, founder and CEO of BizBoxes. “We also provide more convenient locations and a unique and fast experience in terms of delivery for the end customer as well.”

Hurry said they noticed the increasing demand and overall cost of opening a dispensary, and they decided there might be a better way. The original vision was for a cannabis ATM, and they say it’s still a possibility. “If you look at the numbers between now and seven years from now, the anticipated growth, it just seemed like an opportunity,” Hurry said. “Because there just isn’t going to be enough people, entrepreneurs that can really get in, or enough retailers from a profit perspective that they can grow as fast as they’d like.” The company is currently working to raise $1.8 million to get the product through testing and its pilot program. ❖

thepkgco.com info@thepkgco.com 562-434-5583

// FINANCE //

Brothers in Arms Cannabis and cryptocurrency both came of age in the same decade. Can these sister industries work together to fuel each other’s legitimacy? By Alex Moersen In 2010, the first known commercial transaction using Bitcoin occurred when programmer Laszlo Hanyecz bought two Papa John’s pizzas for 10,000 Bitcoin. Two years later, Colorado and Washington became the first two states to legalize the recreational use of cannabis. Concurrently, The Bitcoin Foundation was founded in September 2012 to promote Bitcoin’s development and uptake. In December 2017, Bitcoin reached nearly $20,000 in value. Just a few months later, Canada officially legalized recreational cannabis nationwide. It’s easy to see how the timelines of success for cannabis and cryptocurrency run parallel. The type of people operating in both spaces tend to be early adopters who can quickly adapt to shifting regulatory environments. Here, we will break down what you need to know about cannabis and cryptocurrency, from cannabis coins to using cryptocurrency to buy and sell products. A Match Made in Financial Heaven As of press time, it is still unclear when the SAFE Act, which would allow federal banks to work with cannabis companies safely, will pass. Until then, the traditional banking system will continue to have massive roadblocks for cannabis due to regulations. Because of this, many dispensaries are forced to work with cash only. Lorenzo Nourafchan, CEO of Northstar Financial Consulting Group, an accounting firm specializing in the cannabis, tech, and entertainment industries, told Benzinga that cannabis clients pay 1-2% on cash deposit and pick-up fees, which adds up when a business does millions of dollars in transactions. This is not to mention the risk of theft when running a cash-only business. In a 2019 NPR Photo: iStockphoto.com/AHPhotoswpg

Cannabis & Tech Today // Summer 2021

#childresistant

Some believe cryptocurrency and cannabis go so well together they have developed cannabis-specific crypto coins, such as PotCoin, HempCoin, DopeCoin, and others.

article titled “Bags Of Cash, Armed Guards And Wary Banks: The Edgy Life Of A Cannabis Company CFO,” Tom DiGiovanni discussed the security steps he has to go through to protect the millions of dollars in cash his company works with, including armed guards and unmarked armored vehicles.

CannabisCoin, DopeCoin, and HempCoin. However, until cryptocurrencies become less volatile and more regulated, it’s unclear what role these coins will play in the cannabis industry. Still, it may be worth keeping an eye out for a cryptocurrency ATM the next time you go to your local dispensary.

In essence, utilizing cryptocurrencies can provide companies with benefits like blockchain transparency and security, the ability to transact online, and a formal banking alternative that isn’t subject to regulatory scrutiny. For many companies, cryptocurrency has allowed them to realize secure, convenient transactions. Cryptocurrency has been the solution to the banking problem.

Here Comes the But… However, cryptocurrency is not the knight in digital armor here to save the cannabis industry. With every seemingly easy solution come several problems. First, and most obviously, it’s no secret how volatile cryptocurrency is. In the first half of 2021 alone, Bitcoin has dropped as low as $30,000 and shot up to over $60,000. Its price is so finicky it can be significantly affected by a simple tweet from Elon Musk.

Cannabis Coins Some believe that cryptocurrency and cannabis go so well together they have developed cannabis-specific crypto coins. One of the earliest cryptocurrencies dedicated to the cannabis industry is PotCoin. Launched in January 2014, it was designed to solve the banking problems discussed. Its creators wanted to capitalize on Colorado’s legalization of cannabis and even installed a PotCoin ATM in a dispensary in the state. However, the currency failed to stand out until June 2017, when a video of former NBA star Dennis Rodman wearing a “potcoin.com” shirt hit the internet, putting PotCoin on the map. Its value shot up 76% in just one day. In May 2021, the value of PotCoin was hovering between 0.01 and 0.02 dollars. The same year PotCoin launched, several other coins went on the market, including

Additionally, there are possible tax concerns. One of the attractions of cryptocurrency is that it is an appreciating asset. For instance, if someone pays for a product with $100 in Bitcoin, it could quickly appreciate (or depreciate). If it does appreciate and turns into, say, $120, that could trigger capital gains taxes. It’s not a foolproof system yet. Because both industries are so new, many things remain unknown. However, those who have found success in cannabis are likely used to navigating the unknown and needing to pivot, two vital skills that apply to cryptocurrency as well. ❖ Editor’s Note: With the world of cryptocurrency and cannabis banking constantly changing, the information presented in this article may have changed since publication. As always, caveat emptor.

thepkgco.com info@thepkgco.com 562-434-5583

// LEGISLATION //

PROGRESS REPORT:

Cannabis Legalization Senator Chuck Schumer has made cannabis legalization a priority. Let’s check in to see where the U.S. stands on legalization. By Alex Moersen Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer (DNY) has made one thing very clear: he’s pro-weed. In a fundraising email to his supporters in March 2021, he was very transparent. “Voters in four more states this election voted to legalize adult recreational use of marijuana, and that proves once again it’s past time to work to undo the harm done by misplaced priorities, particularly in the Black and brown communities,” he wrote. “It’s time to decriminalize marijuana nationally.” Those are bold yet unsurprising words from the senator who has been voicing his opinion on cannabis legislation for years. With summer in full swing, let’s see just how close the U.S. is getting to legalization. The New Road to Legalization The good news for cannabis patients and enthusiasts is that Schumer’s words are being backed up by action. In the spring, Schumer started working with Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) to release a draft bill to end federal marijuana prohibition. As this is written, Schumer has claimed the bill will be on the floor soon but has not indicated how soon that will be. It’s also unclear at this time what specifically this bill will entail; however, there is speculation that it will establish decriminalization before enacting full legalization. It’s expected to remove cannabis from the list of federally controlled 34

Cannabis & Tech Today // Summer 2021

substances as well as promote social equity. Schumer has claimed the bill will specifically seek to restrict the ability of large alcohol and

Nadler (D-NY) said he plans to reintroduce his legalization bill, the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment, and Expungement (MORE) Act, which cleared the House last year but did not advance in the GOP-controlled Senate. With Democrats controlling the majority of both chambers, as well as the White House, there is a sense of optimism that comprehensive reform is achievable. Step by Step, State by State The 2020 election had four wins when it came to state-level legalization of marijuana. Arizona, New Jersey, South Dakota, and Montana all gathered enough votes to legalize recreational cannabis in their respective states, bringing the grand total of recreationally-legal states to fifteen.

Also, during the 2020 election, Mississippi voters approved a statute to legalize medical marijuana, a significant step for conservative states. However, in May 2021, the effort took a step backward when the state’s highest court shot down the referendum, citing the fact that it did not meet a provision in the state’s Constitution requiring that Photo: U.S. Senate Photographic Studio/Jeff McEvoy 20% of signatures come from each of the five congressional districts (an impossible feat given that Mississippi tobacco companies to overtake the industry and went from five to four districts after 2000 and instead prioritize small businesses, particularly has failed to update the language in its those owned by people from communities most Constitution). It’s believed to be the first time a impacted by prohibition. medical marijuana initiative has been overturned after residents approved it at the In the House, Judiciary Chairman Jerrold

Photo: U.S. Senate Photographic Studio

#customizable

Facing page : Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY). Left to right: Sens. Ron Wyden, Cory Booker, Jeff Merkley, Jerry Nadler, and Rand Paul have all been actively legislating for pro-hemp policies.

ballot box. It remains to be seen if the issue will appear once again on 2022 ballots. Minnesota and Nebraska are also expected to hand the issue over to voters in 2022 after their legalization bills failed to make it through their respective legislatures. To end on a positive note, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey signed a medical marijuana legalization bill into law in May 2021, marking another important step forward for conservative states. Giving Hemp a Boost Hemp was legalized under the 2018 Farm Bill, but the Food and Drug Administration has still not finalized the process to allow derivatives such as CBD to be used in consumable products like food, drinks, and dietary supplements. A new Senate bill hopes to change that. Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) (the same Senator working with Schumer on cannabis decriminalization), Rand Paul (R-KY), and Jeff

Merkley (D-OR) have introduced the Hemp Access and Consumer Safety Act, which would exempt “hemp, hemp-derived cannabidiol, or a substance containing any other ingredient from hemp” from certain restrictions that have blocked the emergence of legal consumable hemp products. The bill also states that officials may establish labeling and packaging requirements for hemp-derived products. In a press release, Wyden explained, “CBD products are legally being used and produced across the nation. Yet because the FDA has failed to update its regulations, consumers and producers remain in a regulatory gray zone … It’s long past time for the FDA to get with the program, for the sake of the American consumers and farmers.” As this is written, the Bill has not yet passed. However, if or when it does, it would provide relief to hemp farmers, processors, and merchants all over the U.S. ❖

thepkgco.com info@thepkgco.com 562-434-5583

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// SUSTAINABILITY //

Aster Farm’s Sustainability Report 2020 The First of Its Kind By Jessical McKeil It may be green, but the modern cannabis industry is by no means environmentally friendly. The commercialization of cannabis and the continued expansion into new markets means this supposedly green sector is gobbling up an increasing number of resources. With the release of its Sustainability Report 2020, Aster Farms is one cannabis company choosing to tackle the industry’s sustainability issues head-on. Inspired by the likes of other eco-pioneers Patagonia and All Birds, CEO and Co-Founder Julia Jacobson is seeking to build a transparent, eco-friendly cannabis brand in Northern California. Aster Farms is the first cultivator to publish details on the environmental impact of its cultivation and production activities. Digging into the data on water consumption, energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, and more, Jacobson and the team have learned a lot about their sustainability wins as well as areas for improvement. Sustainability is a Long-Term Project for Aster Farms Building a truly sustainable cannabis brand is an all-encompassing and neverending goal. Every aspect of cannabis cultivation requires careful consideration from the point of view of its environmental impact. Every choice, from soil to transportation to packaging, contributes to the final carbon emissions and waste produced, and the energy consumed. The complexities of sustainability are why Aster Farms started with the basics. They grow the majority of their canopy outdoors under the sun, meaning no grow lights and no HVAC. They currently have 33,000 square feet of outdoor canopy and counting. 38

Cannabis & Tech Today // Summer 2021

According to a 2012 study on the sector’s energy consumption, indoor and mixed-light cannabis cultivation in the US produced a whopping 15,000,000 metric tons of CO2 annually — equal to the output of three million American cars. Aster’s seemingly simple initial choice to grow outdoors has had an immediate impact on the farm’s carbon intensity per pound of flower grown. In 2020, one pound of flower from Aster’s mixed outdoor and greenhouse canopy produced 9kg of CO2 emissions per their report. This is a remarkable feat, especially compared to an industry average of 1,000 kg of CO2 from indoor and 580 kilograms from greenhouse operations. Another factor making Aster Farms a leader in the green cannabis movement is its dedication to living soil, no-till agriculture, and other Aster Farms CEO and Co-Founder Julia Jacobson regenerative farming practices. On the ground, that means planting directly in the field and focusing on living soil, mile radius and is delivered in bulk, not in bags. which requires far fewer amendments than Jacobson hopes to have their own soil traditional potting soil preparations. production and composting up and running As Jacobson details, this isn’t the industry standard for outdoor farms. “A lot of outdoor growers are growing above ground in pots,” he said. “And that means, for the most part, not necessarily developing living soil. Which means they are importing soil, pumping it with amendments, and oftentimes disposing of that soil.” At the moment, compost and potting soil for Aster comes from local facilities within a 40-

soon. However, as “that actually takes years to physically develop” from the organic waste produced by their cultivation, this is a long-term project requiring a bit of patience. A final impressive tidbit gleaned from the Sustainability Report is the farm’s commitment to conserving water. As per the report, indoor cannabis typically uses 198 gallons of water per square foot of cultivation, greenhouse uses 80 gallons, and outdoor, 11 gallons.

// SUSTAINABILITY // When Aster crunched the numbers, their outdoor and greenhouse mixed canopy pulled 22 gallons per square foot of cultivation. In an effort to reduce water consumption, the farm is adapting to the local conditions, which are higher and dryer than similar farms in their region. One such adaptation is a 400,000-gallon agricultural pond, which captures spring rain for use during the dryer months. More Than a Few Surprises on the Sustainability Report Jacobson is the first to admit that the 2020 report captured a few surprises about their approach. One of the biggest shockers was the primary cause of the farm’s carbon footprint. When they started compiling the data, employee commuting mileage became a clear issue. “It accounts for the majority of our greenhouse gas emissions, and I am the biggest offender,” Jacobson said. Roughly 90 percent of the CO2 produced from the farm comes from employee mileage commuting to and from work. Another surprise was the role current regulations now play in the development of solid waste. As highlighted in the report, “The millions of track and trace tags issued to cultivators, the millions of zip ties needed to secure the tags to the plants, and the need for child-resistant packaging are all flagrant offenders when working towards sustainability.” Yet, Jacobson isn’t deterred by these surprises. This report has given Aster the tools they need to learn, adapt, and plan. Jacobson said, “That was one of the things our sustainability report did for us. Helping us to focus on what are our quick wins and what are the bigger things that we want to do in the future.” The farm is planning on making more than a few adjustments in response to the discoveries in their first report. Jacobson has already signed up for a carbon offsetting program, made plans to expand solar energy on the farm, and will begin experimenting with biodegradable zip ties. Sustainability: A New Conversation for the Cannabis Industry Even for a company launched on the premise of eco-friendly cannabis, Aster’s first Sustainability Report was a wake-up call. As Jacobson stated, “It’s the only industry where we are getting a clean slate, and we are building from scratch. We have an opportunity to really address these things from the get-go and build the foundations of the legal industry on a better trajectory.” She wants this report to inspire other companies to dig into their environmental impact. ❖

Aster Farms is the first cultivator to publish details on the environmental impact of its cultivation and production activities. Co-Founders Julia Jacobson and Sam Ludwig hope their sustainability report will inspire other companies to examine their own environmental impact.

Summer 2021 // Cannabis & Tech Today

// SUSTAINABILITY //

Fashion Forward How Hemp Clothing Could Help Save the World By Taylor McLamb “The reality is that there are other products that have recycled hemp, or recycled plastic. These things exist. The access is the hard part, because hemp is expensive,” said West. “You want to look at the labels of your clothes and what’s in them. Look at where they were made, and how the people who made them were treated.”

Hemp Fashion Activist Pamela West

According to a study conducted by NASA, pandemic restrictions reduced global nitrogen dioxide concentrations by nearly 20%. Humanity’s temporary confinement created an immediate decline in air pollution. Stay-athome orders forced many to drastically change daily routines to adjust to the unprecedented new normal. This included less time spent traveling or driving and more time working from home. People are starting to see their impact on the environment and how a small act like driving less can create drastic change. Staying at home eliminated daily distractions that prevented people from reflecting on important issues like sustainability. Many people are now more aware of how to lessen their carbon footprint. For a lot of people, that journey starts at the closet. Airing Out the Fashion Industry’s Dirty Laundry In a study conducted shortly after the pandemic began, 67% of fashion consumers considered the use of sustainable materials to be 40

Cannabis & Tech Today // Summer 2021

an important purchasing factor. When searching for clothing brands, environmentally conscious companies can be a deciding factor on whether consumers purchase from them. While the fashion industry isn’t often brought up in conversations about sustainability, it’s one of the leading culprits of unneeded waste, water pollution, plastic pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. In fact, according to the Secondary Materials and Recycled Textiles Association (SMART), we globally produce a staggering 13 million tons of textile waste each year, 95% of which could be reused or recycled. The most common fabrics found in the clothes we buy — cotton, nylon, and polyester to name a few — are often laden with harmful petrochemicals and pesticides. Plus, they use a lot of water to produce. From cultivation to production, hemp could be the sustainable solution the fashion industry needs to do their part for a better planet. Pamela West, a devoted hemp fashion activist who shared her expertise at the Spring Emerge Virtual Cannabis Conference & Expo, emphasized the importance of being aware of where our clothes are made, as the manufacturing process is extremely dirty from an environmental perspective.

Changing the World One T-Shirt at a Time Due to the negative stigma of the cannabis plant, it’s historically been very difficult to access sustainable hemp clothing. The revolutionary passing of the 2018 Farm Bill, which made it legal to grow hemp in the United States for the first time since it was banned in 1937, finally gave designers access to hemp. For the first time, they could legally change their manufacturing structures and move away from the traditional cotton industry.

Jungmaven Founder Rob Jungmann

Rob Jungmann, owner and founder of popular hemp clothing brand Jungmaven, has been working in the world of hemp fashion since creating his first hemp t-shirt in the 90s. When Jungmann started, he was working out of a tiny surf shop in Central America, back before hemp fashion was even a term.

// SUSTAINABILITY // Fashion Forward

A decade ago, Jungmaven launched HEMP2020 to raise awareness about benefits of hemp farming and to make strides for hemp to be legally grown again in the U.S. Featured is Jungmaven’s one-of-a-kind Moonshadow Tahoe Sweatshirt, naturally dyed with walnut hulls, cutch and homegrown organic indigo, and their psychedelic Slushi Ojai Tee made with hemp and organic cotton.

“I see the market for hemp growing every year. In the 1990s we had to make detailed hangtags explaining all the benefits of industrial hemp — people would kick us out of stores thinking it was weed,” said Jungmann. “The shirts were heavy and stiff, yet people wanted lightweight and burnout tees, so it’s changed considerably in 28 years.” While Jungmaven no longer uses hangtags to describe hemp’s benefits, the company still takes part in hemp advocacy work. They raise awareness about the many uses of hemp and why its regenerative qualities make it such a desirable alternative to resource-intensive fabrics. During the pandemic, protesters have been vocal about environmentalism and Jungmann emphasized that fashion is a form of activism. “What we choose to wear says both who we are and what we stand for. Making beautiful, high-quality hemp clothing is our way of creating a medium through which we can all demand change with our dollars and express 42

Cannabis & Tech Today // Summer 2021

what kind of future we want to live in,” said Jungmann. “Choosing a hemp tee is a small, simple act — but it’s one that can change the world. Hemp’s potential to mitigate climate change is one of the greatest opportunities of our generation.”

contributes up to 10% of the pollution driving the climate crisis. Patagonia believes that what you buy is what the industry will become and informed buyers will force the clothing industry to drop their dirty practices,” said Patagonia spokesperson Corey Simpson.

Hemp is the Future Ethical, informed buyers create better opportunities for more clothing companies to incorporate hemp, supporting American hemp farmers in the process. Transparency with how the clothing is made is an incredibly important factor for consumers. Jungmaven, as well as outdoor clothing company Patagonia, builds trust with their customers by sharing their activism, certifications, and where their fabrics are sourced on their websites. It’s because of this transparency that consumers named Patagonia the company in America with the best reputation, according to the 2021 Axios-Harris Poll 100.

Hemp is an eco-friendly crop that truly gives back to the world in more ways than one. The plant is biodegradable, avoids soil erosion, and absorbs toxic materials from the soil. The only high you’ll get from purchasing hemp clothing is knowing you’re helping to reduce the waste the fashion industry has built over the years.

“The clothing industry is a dirty industry and

Thankfully, hemp clothing is starting to make headway into the mainstream, with clothing lines like Levi Strauss and Nike experimenting with hemp in their products. People are starting to see that we have the power to repair the environmental damage that we’ve inflicted upon the Earth, but we have to act fast. If you’re on a mission to help save the world, it’s best that you dress the part. ❖

// SUSTAINABILITY // BROUGHT TO YOU BY DIAMOND PACKAGING

Thinking Outside the Box How Diamond Packaging’s Designs Are Setting a New Paradigm Packaging is everywhere. It’s used to display, sell, or protect all sorts of goods, from food and beverages to medication, cosmetics, and CBD. Unfortunately, many packages are not manufactured with sustainability in mind and end up in the landfill. According to the EPA, containers and packaging amounted to 82.2 million tons of waste in 2018 — over 28% of total waste generated in the U.S. How do we get around this issue? Design a better box. Diamond Packaging, a WBENC-Certified Women’s Business Enterprise, has operated for more than a century, but in recent years the company has made its mission to utilize better designs, materials, and methods when it comes to packaged goods. Diamond uses state-ofthe-art technologies to design and manufacture paperboard folding cartons for such brands as Bausch + Lomb, Charlotte’s Web, Columbia Care, L’Oréal, Otter Products, Procter & Gamble, and Revlon. Today, the hemp CBD market is a major focus. According to the Brightfield Group, hemp-derived CBD will be a $22 billion industry by 2022. In order to stand out, packaging has become top of mind for many CBD brands. It starts with structural design. “Our design engineers create packaging that is both inventive and more sustainable while considering factors such as product protection, usability, and first moment of truth,” says Dave Rydell, president and COO of Diamond Packaging. Diamond’s cartons are made with recyclable or recycled 44

Cannabis & Tech Today // Summer 2021

paperboards that are sustainably sourced from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified suppliers. In addition, Diamond has been 100% windpowered since 2007 and became Zero Waste to Landfill (ZWL) in 2014. In June 2021, Diamond announced its facility earned Carbon Neutral (Scope 1 and Scope 2) status.

customers but on behalf of our planet.” One of Diamond Packaging’s most meaningful recent collaborations is with Charlotte’s Web, a market-leading producer, and distributor of hemp-derived CBD wellness products. Charlotte’s Web partnered with Diamond Packaging to create dynamic packaging that showcases the most dependable hemp products in the most environmentally beneficial way possible, including using postconsumer waste materials in the folding carton as opposed to virgin paper. “As a Certified B Corporation, Charlotte’s Web considers packaging sustainability to be critical to innovation,” said Reed Damon, vice president of marketing for Charlotte’s Web Inc. “We seek to work with companies that are conscientious about their own practices for the benefit of the environment and society. The woman-owned Diamond Packaging is an excellent partner in Charlotte’s Web’s commitment to being a business that is a true force for good.”

“Our company is committed to innovation, but along with that comes a great responsibility,” says Diamond Packaging owner and CEO, Karla Fichter. “By engineering improved designs and placing greater emphasis on recyclable or recycled materials and efficient production methods, we can stand behind the integrity of our products not only on behalf of our

Through advanced printing and decorative capabilities, combined with a commitment to environmental stewardship, Diamond Packaging is revealing that sustainable packaging can be achieved without skimping on luxury and quality. And for hemp CBD brands like Charlotte’s Web, that checks all the environmentally- and sociallyresponsible boxes. ❖

// BUSINESS INNOVATIONS //

FIRE IN, FIRE OUT

How two industry pioneers are creating a live-resin legacy in Arcata, California. By Patricia Miller

Cannabis & Tech Today // Summer 2021

Photo: Quinn Murdy

If you’ve never been up the North Coast of California into Humboldt County, it’s an unusual paradise. Giant redwoods tower over backyard barbecues, flowering trees sprout gargantuan blossoms, and dense rainforests snuggle shoulder to shoulder with sandy beaches. The Pacific Ocean, violent and unpredictable, beckons visitors to a shoreline littered with fallen trees and rocky islands just out of reach. It harbors a bit of magic and somehow the Kraken and Bigfoot don’t feel like fairy tales in the greatness of Humboldt’s often untamed wilderness. This is the setting in which Case Mandel and Lizandro Salazar V built their bond with cannabis. Before launching the county’s first operationally licensed botanical extraction company, they spent years living out of their trucks in ancient forests, tending secret fields, and learning firsthand why the Emerald Triangle is the world’s finest climate for cannabis cultivation. Mandel has already found success with Cannadips, the nation’s first cannabis and CBD dip. As that brand continues to grow, he and Salazar are building a new kind of extract company. They’re using single-source, flash-frozen, sun-grown buds to form the foundation of their live resin line — Arcata Fire.

// BUSINESS INNOVATIONS //

In this exclusive interview, we speak with Mandel and Salazar to discover their inspiration, their strategy, and what’s next for their awardwinning line of live resin extracts. Cannabis & Tech Today: When did you realize you wanted to launch ArcataX? Case Mandel: I was the first one of us actually involved in hydrocarbon extraction even though Lizandro and I were using bubble bags years before. I bought one of the first closed-loop extraction machines ever built in the early days of hydrocarbon extraction. After working in the traditional extraction market I met my wife. She gave me an ultimatum — if she was going to continue to spend time with me and look to build a family, I needed to stop working in a market that could jeopardize my freedom.

Very shortly after we started, we realized the industry was commoditizing extremely quickly. Within a few months we saw prices start dropping, and as that drop started happening, margins changed, competition went up. That’s truly where the transformation from ArcataX as a crude manufacturer turned into ArcataX as a premium, live resin manufacturer.

material — sometimes the same day. If you’re harvesting 2000 square feet, and it takes you two months to extract, well that’s cool, but we would harvest a couple thousand square feet and extract it the following day. We were able to

Luckily, I had just completed an MBA and California just passed prop 64 for recreational legalization, so I took my skill set to the newly legal market. My first step in creating the business was doing what I do best and connecting people. I went out and found a capital partner as well as a partner for cuttingedge custom extraction equipment. Then I brought in my high school best friend Lizandro [Salazar] to design and manage the project. He took it by the horns and we were able to become the first legal, operational extraction facility in Humboldt County. Lizandro Salazar V: The aha moment was a little different for me. I was working on a cultivation premise, building it from scratch actually. Everyone was cultivating, but no one had a license because many were in the application process — at that time, the application process was as far as you could go. One morning we went down to the house to get our breakfast, and there was a huge convoy of sheriffs, the state water board, natural resources, fish and wildlife… all these people were there. The next thing I know there were shotguns in my face. Long story short, they let us go, but we ended up being the first farm in the application process in Humboldt County to get raided. When I saw that happen, I was like, “Wow, legal cultivation is a little bit sketchy.” We need to look to manufacturing as a potential next step.

C&T Today: What’s unique about what ArcataX is doing in the industry? LS: We’re one of a very few companies that actually go to farms to harvest the crops ourselves. We started doing these harvesting SOPs, which were all about preserving the freshness of these aromas and profiles, to be representative of what that plant smells like while it’s growing.

take these gardens all the way from peak ripeness to almost a finished product in very, very little time.

Because of the scale of our equipment, we were also able to harvest and freeze within a very small amount of time, and also extract that

Then we started seeing the data around these oils being extremely high in terpene content, extremely diverse in types of terpenes, even

Photos: Britton Latham

Summer 2021 // Cannabis & Tech Today

// BUSINESS INNOVATIONS // Fire In, Fire Out

terpenes you wouldn’t ever see at other places. Then we realized this is something really special.

C&T Today: Why did ArcataX choose to pursue live resins, specifically?

C&T Today: The ability to get your products to the shelves faster — was that the result of the specific technology you were using or rather the scale of the technology you were using?

LS: The plant itself has a code, or a recipe, or a certain fingerprint it’s putting out. Every strain and every plant has a different one. Within that code, there are good things and bad things. Through our extraction process, we can pull out what we consider the best parts of that code.

LS: I like to think of it like a perfect storm of knowing the right people, growing the right genetics, at the right time, at the right place. It’s technology alongside SOPs. Then we started really digging into — not only how fast can we extract this material, but how pure can we make it? That’s where our solvent-free process became one of our foundational components. We use certain solvents that were chosen because of the

We don’t want to break that code into little chunks. We want to make sure it’s cohesive because that terpene profile, that certain amount of potency and cannabinoids, types of cannabinoids and flavonoids, and all of these other compounds … those all are part of the musical orchestra that creates the symphony that is the experience that has given us awardwinning results. What live resin does, is it captures that essence at the moment of harvest and preserves it almost in its entirety. When you open a jar or take a hit, you’re basically getting that same experience as if you were walking to that farm, squeezing that flower, and smelling it yourself. C&T Today: ArcataX sources much of its feed material from micro-climates. Why is that important to you?

“ Our win with the judges was a representation of the incredible starting material we’ve been able to source as a result of the relationships we’ve developed over the past twenty years.”

Photo: Quinn Murdy

selectivity they have when attracting these certain special cannabis compounds. Then, recovering all of that solvent out of the finished product to a non-detectable level. 48

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LS: Systems of plants and animals typically work better when there’s a diversity of different species occupying different parts of the threedimensional environment. Our farms are usually surrounded by acres of forest. Our farmers typically plant tons of different types of species around their gardens that bring in predatory insects that eat pests. On the soil side, a lot of our farmers have been building their soil for decades and decades. These soils are native, and they’re extremely nutrient rich. A lot of these soils, because of the water table and the proximity to the river, have an ability to wick up during the night and then down during the day. Our best farmers don’t even have to irrigate. C&T Today: You launched Arcata Fire earlier this year and took first place in the Live Resin Cartridge Category at the Emerald Cup. What do you think made your product stand out to the judges? CM: Our win with the judges was a representation of the incredible starting material

“ It’s all single source, meaning it all comes from the same place. It’s all single batch, meaning that I don’t mix and blend different strains together. It’s all 100% live resin…” Photo: Quinn Murdy we’ve been able to source as a result of the relationships we’ve developed over the past twenty years. That material, coupled with the SOPs we’ve developed over hundreds of thousands of pounds of extraction, gave us the advantage. LS: There’s a sentence you’ll hear around the industry: fire in, fire out. You can’t get a good finished product unless you start with something good. Arcata Fire is from our best of our best, premium crops that we won’t sell to anyone else because it is so coveted by us. It’s all single source, meaning it all comes from the same place. It’s all single batch, meaning that I don’t mix and blend different strains together. It’s all 100% live resin, which means everything that’s in each product is 100% derived from that flash-frozen material. There are all these little things that come together and create a place where the consumer is saying, “Wow, this is the best cannabis product I’ve ever had,” and we see that now almost every day. It’s just taking California by storm and we’re really proud of it. ❖

// BUSINESS INNOVATIONS //

Scaling Extraction Navigating Local Limitations and Looming Certifications By Jessica McKeil

The cannabis extraction market is an exciting one. With the U.S. market predicted to hit $5,940 million by 2026 according to Facts and Factors, and the global market $28.5 billion by 2027 as reported by Grand View Research, everyone is getting in on the action. What these compelling numbers don’t describe are the continued volatility and realworld limitations cannabis extractors face scaling their production. Growing isn’t always easy in the extraction space. Extractors must navigate the ever-changing landscape of new markets, regulations, and consumer demands, all while staying profitable.

across the country, including in California, Nevada, and Oklahoma. In his experience, “most of the multi-state operators spend so much money that by the time they land with the right consultant group, they’ve already spent excessive amounts of money, and they just don’t feel like spending more.”

Backbone Head of Product Erika Tingey

Growing an extraction business is about flexibility and future-proofing investments. Because pivoting as a processor isn’t always possible, planning for growth from the start is the key to success.

there is a patchwork of legislation and regulation covering all things cannabis. Most multi-state extractors face an entirely new set of challenges in every state and often in every county.

So, what can a concentrate maker plan for today to ensure future growth is as smooth as possible?

For example, the local county fire marshal plays a significant role not only in determining how many (if any) cannabis operations exist in their district, but also in what sorts of operations they can run. Not all counties are open to all solvents, with many placing restrictions on volatiles like butane.

Frustrations and Pain Points Common in the Extraction Industry Cannabis processors each navigate unique sets of circumstances depending on the state and even the county in which they operate. Yet, despite the high degree of regional variability, there are several common pain points.

First, is the astronomical start-up cost. Nearly everyone interviewed for this piece mentioned how tight budgets are, not only restricted to the initial build-out, but also to the future potential of a facility. Cutting corners in the early days frequently places significant limitations on future expansion.

If adjustments are needed, Moates has found these operators are tapped out and the capital has dried up. Facilities are forced to make current systems work, often to the detriment of product quality and future growth.

Marcus Moates, owner and founder of Nature’s Lab Extractions, has set up operations

A second common frustration occurs during expansion into new markets. Across the country,

Cannabis & Tech Today // Summer 2021

Moates detailed how Nature Lab Extractions operates under a Type 6 Non Volatile Solvents Extraction License in California because securing a Type 7 Volatile is all but impossible. He is not the only processor to have discovered that facility expansion is largely restricted by the local regulation on the solvents themselves. Plan to Pivot According to Local Limitations What is clear for all extraction facilities is the limitations of the local environment. What are

What is Pick•See? Pick•See is a full-featured Field Service Management (FSM) Tool created from within the Retail Industry to address the particular needs of the Producers, Retailers, and Rep Agencies. Pick•See makes field data reporting simple and allows you to go beyond traditional email, paper forms, and spreadsheets. Pick•See Web and Mobile Reports provide 24/7 access to online field data.

What Data Management and Reporting Solutions does Pick•See Provide? Pick•See Reports and Forms: Create any audit or survey with photos and even signature capture. It can be used for daily Health and Safety checks. Pick•See Geo-Tag Check-In: Provides the ultimate level of accountability for the mobile worker to their employer and the company to their clients. The Geotag IS NOT a tracker but a location/time stamp. It allows companies to KNOW their staff was on location, provides a layer of security and safety, and is invaluable for health contact tracing. Pick•See Mobile: Pushes data reports and images from the field to the Pick•See Cloud and then pulls down any new tasks, lists, or forms – all in Real-Time! Pick•See Portal: This allows you to share information from the field with your team or clients. View reports online or export data to spreadsheets, PDF documents, and even batches files of compressed images. Pick•See Admin Tools: Provide a vast array of administrative, CRM, form, and file management functions built specifically for the retail sales and service industry. Pick•See Financial Tools: Allow you to tie sales and revenues to store visits and service times for a complete ROI analysis. View reports on dashboards or create your own with our custom report builder.

While many other FSM providers can cost tens of thousands to set up, license, manage and train, you can have a Pick•See Solution set up for less than $10k. Monthly user fees max at $40 per person, training is included, and many support options are available. When you sign on with Pick•See, we don’t pass you off to a 3rd party ‘implementation’ company. We’re with you from the initial consultation through the setup, training, and dedicated support. Competitors often have “minimum spends” and do not want your business if your budget is below it. Pick•See is affordable for any sized organization. Even if you have only one rep, you can access the Pick•See Hub and have the same features. Pick•See does all its development and data storage domestically. Nothing is managed or stored offshore. As Pick•See is a Software as a Service (SaaS), when we make something new or make something better, you get something new and better, with nothing to download or install, it just happens. As not all States have yet legalized the recreational use of cannabis, many of the big-name players are afraid to provide their services to the retail cannabis industry. Pick•See is here for you now. All you have to do is call 1.877.705.PICK (7425) or email info@pick-see.com.

Web: pick-see.com FB: Picksee Twitter: @Pick_see LI: Pick-See

// BUSINESS INNOVATIONS // Scaling Extraction

In another example, Moates opened up about another local limitation that forced a dramatic pivot. He strategically adjusted plans for Missouri because of the low quality of the local raw materials. He described how “the city is adamant about helping you get going. The state is adamant about helping you get going. But the problem is, as soon as you do get going, there is no material. And a lot of the material that is available is very, very low quality, we’ll say.” In this new market, Moates plans to focus on distillate, which doesn’t require top-quality inputs for purity of outputs. Although Nature’s Lab Extracts produces premium high-terpene, fullspectrum extract in other markets, cultivation is just getting started in Missouri. In this case, it’s not local regulations dictating his operation but the available product. Future-Proofing Investments in Equipment As the cannabis market explodes, many equipment manufacturing companies have pivoted their marketing to target the sector. There is big money to be made in cannabis, and these manufacturers are eager to get on board.

Backbone is a supply chain and compliance tracking software that integrates directly into the production floor. PIctured here are Backbone’s main production line dashboard and real time winterization dashboard.

regional restrictions on volatile solventhandling? What does the local landscape offer for raw material? Once the parameters are laid out, it’s possible to scale within them. For example, if the plan is to expand a hydrocarbon extraction operation, there are likely regional limitations for on-site capacity. If there isn’t room to increase the physical infrastructure because the local fire marshall is wary of higher concentrations of butane on-site, what other options are there? In this case, increasing production (and 52

Cannabis & Tech Today // Summer 2021

profits) may simply be a numbers game. Instead of new equipment, can new software help improve total system efficiencies across the supply chain? Backbone is one such option: a supply chain and compliance tracking software that integrates directly into the production floor. As Erika Tingey, Head of Product, explained, “Backbone specifically targets manufacturing and the whole supply chain” to reduce the burden of compliance data entry and help extractors make data-based adjustments across the full supply chain.

However, not all extraction equipment will work within a mature cannabis market. Very soon, regulators are expected to double down on specific equipment certifications for extractors. Both Bryan Fields (Co-Founder and CEO) and Kellan Finney (Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer) of Eighth Revolution warn against cutting costs on cheap, non-certified equipment. Eight Revolution approaches the cannabis and hemp industry with an analytical mindset, to provide a quick-witted approach to an industry facing ongoing changes. Already, in their short two years of operation, they’ve helped several

Clean. Fast. Rewarding. CannaCard offers a clean, fast, and secure way for dispensaries to legally accept cashless payments from consumers across the United States. Capable of blazing speeds, the CannaCard platform can run more than 100,000 transactions per second (over both WiFi and Cellular networks), provide in-app offers, and drive consumers to your location.

And with the CannaCard Rewards platform, consumers earn points for every dollar they spend for one-of-a-kind offers – like the CannaCard exclusive swimwear line from award-winning designer Alicia Perrillo. To start driving repeat business to your dispensary, while keeping your financial transactions clean, contact CannaTrac Technology today at (708) 671-8462.

www.cannatrac.com

// BUSINESS INNOVATIONS // Scaling Extraction

Above Eighth Revolution Co-Founder and CSO Kellan Finney using a CannaID HPLC system for measuring cannabinoids. Top right: A PVS Ethanol Extractor. Bottom center: A RotoVap device from Eighth Revolution. Bottom right: Finney with Delta Separations Extraction Equipment. Images courtesy Kellan Finney

large extractors navigate many of these equipment challenges.

be eye-opening to operations currently in the space.”

Fields and Finney expect several layers of certification will be required on every piece of plant-touching equipment, including UI, NRDL, and GMP. Much of the current extraction equipment used across the industry will not cut it.

Any processor looking to scale has to keep the looming certification requirements in mind. It’s often not possible to retroactively certify equipment.

As Finney detailed, “Equipment manufacturers saw [cannabis] as an exciting opportunity to sell equipment in the space.” Still, only experienced equipment manufacturers in food-related industries may understand how critical certain components are for safety standards. For example, certification can cover everything from the metal composition (grade 316 steel) to the welding maps, to clear displays of these features across every piece of equipment. In the very near future, Eighth Revolution predicts that all extraction equipment in mature markets will have high requirements for equipment certifications. As per Fields, “Misunderstanding of what that takes is going to 54

Cannabis & Tech Today // Summer 2021

Bryan elucidated, it’s not “as easy as just putting a sticker on some of them. It will take a substantial amount of R&D in order to get these pieces of equipment ready and certified.” He has already witnessed one extractor find themselves with a costly, uncertified, six-figure paperweight on their hands. Operators will need to plan to have current machines upgraded and ensure all new purchases fall within the expected parameters. Takeaways on Scaling in Extraction from Industry Insiders Whether starting out or preparing for growth, cannabis extractors face a complicated jigsaw puzzle of regulation, limitations, and future variability. There are three critical takeaways from many conversations with industry experts. First, cannabis extraction is a game best played by brands with deep pockets. Cutting corners in

the early stages will not make it easier in the long run. No matter the solvent or process, making smart investments in certified equipment will pay off as the market matures. Second, take the time to understand the local limitations and work within them. Working closely with the local fire marshall is only one example. It’s also critical to understand the local supply of raw materials. Implement a detailed data-analytics tool to scale within the parameters intelligently. Third, plan for a future where cannabis extraction requires intense certifications, including UI, NRDL, and GMP. Purchasing interim and uncertified machines may save money today, but it could result in headaches and nightmare scenarios of the six-figure paperweight in the near future. Scaling in extraction is not as simple as adding more machines and more solvents. There are real, local limitations to navigate and looming regulation from a maturing market. Use all the tools available to operate a tight, efficient operation, and don’t cut corners on equipment investments. ❖

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// BUSINESS INNOVATIONS //

CannaPrivacy The Cannabis Industry’s Growing Threat of Business Email Compromise By Dan Greene

Photo: iStockphoto.com/5./15 WEST

The cannabis industry is still a new one, full of rapid growth that includes building new teams, new vendor relationships, and new protocols. The newness and rapid growth of this budding industry represents an incredible opportunity for threat actors who execute business email compromise (BEC) attacks. Threat actors target the lack of familiarity and policies to trick cannabis industry employees, via phishing emails, into performing actions and/or divulging confidential information, including credentials and passwords. In 2019, the FBI reported over $1.7 billion in losses due to BEC campaigns, and that only represents those incidents that companies reported.

executive, in order to trick other employees or vendors into wiring payments to unknown bank accounts that are quickly drained, leaving the funds difficult to retrieve. It is part phishing, part intra-business social-engineering, utilizing situational awareness of business relationships to manipulate the movement of money.

The Threat A BEC is a specific type of phishing designed to impersonate a genuine employee, often an

Phishing schemes are so sophisticated that some of the most effective phishing tests trick nearly 100% of recipients into clicking a

Cannabis & Tech Today // Summer 2021

What makes BEC uniquely difficult to identify and report is the threat actor is often working within an authentic cannabis industry employee’s email account. Almost all successful BECs start with a phishing campaign wherein an employee is deceived into believing they should provide their username or email and password in response to a seemingly genuine email.

malicious link. Consistent use and reliance on e-mail has lulled many employees into losing sight of how quickly they can be duped. For example, a phishing test offering a free Netflix subscription as an employee perk deceived nearly 100% of its recipients. Beyond alluring phishing emails are the mundane, highly effective tricks that suggest an employee’s Microsoft Outlook account requires updating or an alert about a large number of files deleted from a shared drive. Once an employee has fallen for the initial phishing email and provided their credentials, the threat actor is able to log into that employee’s email account and begin impersonating them. It is much easier to identify a grift when it comes from an unknown individual associated with an unrecognized

Color • Thermal Transfer • Direct Thermal

For 35 years now, Loda Enterprises has specialized in product identiﬁcation, label printing, and everything in-between. For the past decade, we’ve worked with customers in the cannabis industry to assist with everything from tagging their plants to printing their own primary display labels, to making your own labels in nearly any shape from scratch. Nearly every company in the cannabis industry will face the same challenges when it comes to marking their products efficiently and in-compliance with local regulations: at some point in production they are required to provide information about each item that is usually only available at the point of production.

That’s where on-demand printing becomes extremely useful. You can use on-demand machines to print batch, lot, and lab information at the point of production, or even to produce entirely new artwork from scratch when packaging regulations change. This reduces the number of labels you need to buy or throw away as they fall out of compliance while still ensuring your brand has a clean and professional look. While all that sounds great, we know the number of options and potential pitfalls can be overwhelming as well. Loda specializes in this kind of work and we take pride in our consultative approach to helping each of our customers find the best product mix for their individual needs. When you contact us, we take the time to learn about your production environment, your products, and your specific pain points and needs. From there, we look at the wide variety of products and services we offer in order to find the best possible fit to meet your needs and expectations. We don’t push customers into one-size-fits-all solutions; instead, we do our absolute best to provide solutions designed to meet your needs. Give us a call or write to us today to get a free label printing consultation.

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// BUSINESS INNOVATIONS // CannaPrivacy

business, but it is a much tougher feat to discern a colleague or familiar vendor’s accounts payable contact is not who they say they are when one receives a message from their genuine email address. The Redirection Once the phishing attempt is successful and the threat actor is logged in with an authentic email account, the actor begins exploring. This often includes collecting old invoices and researching which employees, vendors, or customers are the best targets for a BEC scheme. A favorite tactic is to identify a new CFO or a new vendor, any party that is unfamiliar with routine practices or unlikely to be sophisticated enough to have appropriate controls in place to prevent redirection of payment to the threat actor’s account. Threat actors then set up rules within the email account, making sent and received emails virtually invisible to the authentic cannabis employee as they continue to use their account. These rules may redirect emails to a third email address or discretely push the email to standard folders found, and often unutilized, in every email account, such as RSS Feeds or Conversation History in Outlook. These steps can allow a threat actor to dwell within an account for weeks, or months, effectively redirecting payments undetected. Often, because of the lag in time between invoice and payment, it can take multiple months and missed payment dates before the redirection of funds is identified. The fall-out is often a finger-pointing affair of determining which side of a redirected payment is at fault. A cannabis industry vendor demands payment for services provided while the dispensary argues that they were only following the updated payment directions they received in an email from the vendor. The vendor argues no such emails exist – because the emails have been deleted by the threat actor, they still expect payment for their service. The dispensary initiates a forensic investigation and brings in breach counsel to determine with certainty that their email account was not subject to unauthorized access by a threat actor. And the situation escalates – in costs, in business disruption, in reputational harm, and in resources. 58

Cannabis & Tech Today // Summer 2021

Photo: iStockphoto.com/PaulPaladin

State Compliance Requirements Built Into BEC Besides the all-too-common battle that results between two parties victimized by a BEC depicted above, there are data breach compliance laws to address after the discovery of a BEC. As if the cannabis industry did not have enough laws to keep track of, it is imperative to consider that when an unauthorized actor is in a cannabis employee’s email account they may be considered under law as accessing or downloading information that qualifies as personal information under applicable data breach notification laws. Every state has a data breach notification law, under which specific responses are required of an impacted cannabis company, including potentially notifying affected individuals, notifying Attorneys General, and offering credit monitoring services to affected individuals. These laws, as well as many contracts, require a vendor to provide notice to their business clients in such a situation. The result is a doubleedged sword — there is a cost to investigating

and responding to a BEC and an even heavier cost to ignoring this legal responsibility only to have that decision result in litigation or a regulatory investigation. What Next? Every day in cannabis there are new, wellpublicized developments. New hires made, new mergers finalized, new relationships forged, and new markets opened. As a result, it is an increasingly fertile ground for BEC attacks. There is a myriad of important steps sophisticated members of the industry can take – from preventative, like multi-factor authentication, to mitigating, such as implementing a strong record retention policy and payment-change protocol. Experienced technical and legal counsel should be retained to assist in the process of navigating the laws and security improvements applicable to businesses in evaluating regulatory requirements and technical safeguards, especially after detecting a business email compromise. ❖

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America is Becoming an International Xanadu for Cannabis Tourism By Aaron Smith As a growing number of states legalize adult use, including New York, New Jersey, and Virginia, they’re turning much of America into a playground for weed-loving tourists. The coronavirus pandemic flattened the tourism industry in 2020. But hoteliers, restaurateurs, and bartenders are hoping for a summer comeback. Legal states like California and Colorado, which have had time to develop fledgling industries in cannabis tourism, are well-poised to cash in on tourists with a taste for something they can’t get at home: legal marijuana. Entrepreneurs in states where legalization is just starting to take hold, like New York, have a lot to learn from the states that pioneered legalization and have had time to set regulations and develop markets. Tourists from prohibition states, like Texas and Idaho, and prohibition countries, like China and Japan, have an ever-widening landscape of cannabis-friendly states to visit. States that are legalizing adult use can expect to attract pot tourists, who flocked to early adopters like Colorado, California, and Nevada, shortly after they legalized recreational cannabis.

that other states could incorporate cannabis into their existing tourist features. “In a place like New York, it’s going to feel different than a tour in California,” said Pinho. “Remember the plant is always the star of the show.” Legalization has led to different sorts of businesses that could cater to tourists. Heidi Keyes, an art teacher in Colorado, was smoking pot with her friend one day when she came up with the idea for Puff, Pass, and Paint: art classes for cannabis-smoking students. “I started a couple of classes as a joke, and they filled up right away,” said Keyes, who has expanded to 13 cities including New York, Boston, and Washington, DC. “It’s going to grow from here on out, which is fantastic.” Cannabis tourism in California and Colorado could serve as a template for New York, according to David Holland, executive and legal director of Empire State NORML, a prolegalization organization, and co-founder of the NYC Cannabis Industry Association. Like with Emerald Farm Tours in California, he said that visitors to New York could go on

Selling cannabis to out-of-staters can be lucrative. John Kagia, chief knowledge officer at New Frontier Data, said that Colorado derives 4% of its cannabis sales from out-of-state visitors, while Nevada derives 25% of its cannabis sales from tourists. Some dispensaries in Las Vegas receive 60% to 70% of their revenue from tourists, he said. What New York Can Learn From California In Colorado, which legalized adult-use in 2014, and California, which legalized in 2016, a myriad of businesses catering to cannabis tourists have popped up. Victor Pinho, founder of Emerald Farm Tours in San Francisco, takes tourists on tours of the cannabis farms of Humboldt County. He said 60

Cannabis & Tech Today // Summer 2021

Executive and Legal Director of Empire State NORML David Holland

farm tours upstate while taking in Niagara Falls, the Finger Lakes, and the Adirondacks. Bong Hits in the Big Apple … But Where? It is easy to picture tourists flooding into New York City because they’re already there. Iconic tourist meccas like Times Square, Broadway, and the Statue of Liberty are coming back to life, and the city’s restaurants and museums are fully open this summer. “The composition of the type of tourist that comes to New York is going to look very

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secure place for consumers to utilize the product that they’ve purchased. If you’re going to permit the use of cannabis for adults, you have to permit a place for them to use it.”

different from the type of traveler that would go to Denver or Portland when those jurisdictions first legalized,” said Kagia. “New York is going to play a much more important ambassadorial role in exposing the uninitiated to the legal market.” But what will the busloads of international visitors do after they’ve visited their first dispensary? Puffing on a street corner or eating edibles in their hotel room might not be the full experience they’re looking for, and it’s a lost opportunity for local businesses. Allan Gandelman, a hemp farmer and president of the New York Cannabis Growers and Processors Association, wants to obtain a cannabis license so he can open a consumption lounge at his business Head & Heal in upstate Cortland. He said that tourists would “enjoy the views, smoke a joint, eat a doughnut, and then go for a walk picking blueberries or hang out by the pond.” In Vegas, Baccarat Trumps Bud But this depends on whether New York lawmakers allow for on-site consumption. Legalization in America has not left a trail of Amsterdam-style coffee houses popping up in its wake. Regulators in California, Colorado, and Nevada have been slow to allow on-site consumption. New York has a lot to learn from Nevada, which legalized adult use in 2016. Las Vegas is one of the few U.S. cities that can compete with New York as an international tourist mecca. Nevada is one of the most permissive states in

Cannabis & Tech Today // Summer 2021

the country, with regard to gambling, guns, cannabis, alcohol, and prostitution. But Nevada, famous for its casinos, has been leaving money on the table when it comes to cannabis. Like its predecessors, California and Colorado, the state was slow to allow on-site consumption. As legalization unfolded, tourists were spending money in dispensaries and then getting high on The Strip, instead of the casinos and restaurants.

Morgan Fox of the National Cannabis Industry Association said that to truly capitalize on cannabis tourism, local businesses will need to offer cannabis consumption lodges and cannabis-friendly lodging. When Nevada legalized cannabis, some hotels were not allowing the on-site usage of cannabis products. Fox said that sort of attitude could be counter-productive to making money in new markets like New York. “Hotels are going to have to address this,” said Fox. “They’re going to have to move on cannabis consumption lounges, very quickly.” ❖

Kellen O’Keefe, president and interim CEO of cannabis producer FlowerOne Holdings in Nevada, said he expects state regulations to evolve over time to allow on-site consumption, but it will be slow. “Launching a billiondollar cannabis market doesn’t happen overnight,” he said. Smoke Lounges Are the Future The rollout has been sluggish, though smoke lounges are coming to Las Vegas, said Jacob Silverstein, co-founder and CEO of the cannabis brand Hunter & Leaf, and the manager who started ReLeaf, the first dispensary in Las Vegas in 2015. “You need to give people a safe environment to consume,” he said. “There’s a missed opportunity when you do not provide a safe,

Heidi Keyes, an art teacher in Colorado, was smoking with her friend one day when she came up with the idea for Puff, Pass, and Paint: art classes for cannabis-smoking students.

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// SOCIAL EQUITY //

Moving Forward for All People Meg Sanders

Roz McCarthy

Erik Williams

Tahir Johnson

Equity and Inclusion in the Cannabis Industry By Chynna Pearson

Cannabis & Tech Today // Summer 2021

// SOCIAL EQUITY //

annabis is one of the newest, most versatile, and job-filled industries in America. It created 77,000 jobs in the last year. Leafly reported that in 2021, the 37 states with legal cannabis offer 321,000 full-time jobs in marijuana — that is more than the number of jobs for electrical engineers. With that many jobs, the issue of social equity has become even more pressing. Thankfully, many companies and organizations are taking legitimate steps to combat this issue.

Equity’s Big Hurdles One major obstacle to entering the cannabis space is the cost associated with licensing. In Massachusetts, for example, the Commonwealth Dispensary Association (CDA) had filed a lawsuit against a rule that allowed only minority business owners to offer delivery for the first several years of the legal industry. This would give minority businesses a clear leg up and help recoup the expense of licensing. The CDA’s lawsuit led to major fallout, even if they’ve since withdrawn it. Cannabis & Tech Today spoke with Meg Sanders and Erik Williams, owners of Canna Provisions in Massachusetts. Sanders said, “The biggest thing that keeps equity out of the cannabis industry is how expensive it is to enter. And the regulations being thousands and thousands and thousands of pages, anything from seed to sale tracking, to the security systems, to a million other things that you have to do in order to get a license, right there create an incredible hurdle.” She continued, “And so if you want to solve the social equity and economic empowerment issue in this industry, you need to readdress the regulations. That’s the number one thing. And then if you go to the next layer of, well, why do these regulations exist? To keep people out. The system is not broken, the system is designed to operate exactly as it is. And that is to make sure that only a certain number of people can participate.” Williams added that one reason it is so difficult for social equity to take hold within the industry is that some people are simply not on board with having a workable, socially equitable,

economic empowerment system. That’s why several new organizations have been created to offer a helping hand to would-be entrepreneurs.

educating the community, and advocating for effective and equitable approaches to marijuana policy and other criminal justice-related issues.

The U.S. Cannabis Council Initiative

This organization was founded by Executive Director Natalie Papillion. The company spearheaded several initiatives to create a more equitable industry and help expunge past cannabis convictions for formerly incarcerated individuals. The hope is that once cannabis is federally legal, there will already be an established, equitable foundation on which to build.

The U.S. Cannabis Council (USCC) is a nonprofit and is one of the largest coalitions of top cannabis businesses, associations, and advocacy organizations. They seek to harness collective expertise to advance social equity, end federal prohibition, update all regulations, and promote legitimately ethical standards within the cannabis industry. Recently, the USCC hired Tahir Johnson, a former DEI Manager at the National Cannabis Industry Association, to act as the Director of Social Equity and Inclusion. Johnson is expected to further the USCC’s mission with his expertise on diversity and inclusion. Johnson says, “We’re on the precipice of federal cannabis legalization, and while there is much opportunity to be had, I am acutely interested in who has access to the opportunity. The USCC shares this passion, and I take this position knowing that cannabis leadership has the power and responsibility to impact real and honest change — and I look forward to playing a part.” In his first 90 days, Johnson plans to engage with key cannabis and non-cannabis stakeholders in the equity community using a state-level strategy, ensure equity efforts are within all (including federal and state) legalization conversations, enforce accountability within the USCC, and create a task force to help members progress toward social equity goals. Roz McCarthy, founder and CEO of Minorities for Medical Marijuana said, “Tahir is a change agent committed to solving industry challenges related to social equity and social justice. I’m counting on Tahir to get in good trouble, necessary trouble in his fight for social equity.”

Organizations Moving Toward Equity The Equity Organization is dedicated to assisting with drug policy and other criminal justice reform policies for the industry,

Equity Organization Executive Director Natalie Papillion

At Good Tree Capital, smaller cannabis companies and entrepreneurs can get assistance with money management and even small loans. The company gave out their first loan in 2017 and since have assisted people with an average return investment of 28.7%. The company uses a proprietary algorithm to assess credit risk. They believe their innovative technology allows them to determine the likelihood of default with more accuracy than traditional banks. By removing opportunities for human bias around race or gender, their techforward approach could help remove barriers to capital for people of color and minorities. Creating an equitable space for all people is a work in progress. However, companies like the USCC, The Equity Organization, and Good Tree Capital are making strides to help all people find a place in the cannabis industry. ❖

Summer 2021 // Cannabis & Tech Today

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Cannabis & Tech Today // Summer 2021

By Patricia Miller Illinois raked in $87 million from adult-use cannabis purchases in December 2020, according to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulations. The state embraced recreational sales in January of last year — earning more than $1 billion in revenue in their first 12 months of adultuse legalization. In addition to revenue, the legalized market is bringing in tourists and new opportunities for existing residents. The decision to legalize was a wise one. Since 2010, Illinois has seen a steady migration of residents leaving the state. More than 168,000 people moved away in the last decade, reported IllinoisPolicy.org. The hemp and cannabis industries should help revitalize the region and spur a surplus of new residents to call the “Land of Lincoln” home. Industrial hemp is ramping up in the Midwest since the 2018 passage of both the Industrial Hemp Act and the Federal Farm Bill. The state was already one of the top corn producers in the nation and is now home to 798 licensed hemp farmers, according to Hemp Industry Daily. Northern and central Illinois have some of the finest soil in the world for agriculture, making it an ideal hub for hemp and cannabis cultivation. In this issue’s Tech Zone, we’ll speak with some of the people and companies who call Illinois home and discover why it’s one of the nation’s most promising markets for marijuana. ❖

Summer 2021 // Cannabis & Tech Today

// ILLINOIS TECH ZONE Presented By

Safety, Savings, and Convenience Why Cash is Far From King in the Cannabis Sector By Ebby Stone

For retailers, prepaid gift cards and mobile apps like the CannaCard (which is technically both) offer a decisively cheaper alternative to paper money.

How often do you swing by the ATM before visiting your favorite dispensary? You pull into the parking lot, your wallet bristling with cash. Everyone knows people going into a dispensary have money in their pocket, and suddenly the walk to the front door feels like a long one. In Chicago alone, the FBI reported more than 15,000 aggravated assaults so far this year. Once inside, you mentally calculate taxes, so you don’t spend more than you brought. Sound familiar? Cash isn’t always king, despite the industry’s struggles with banking. Most would prefer to whip out their credit card at the point of purchase and be done with it — no extra stops, no worries about getting mugged on the way in the door, and less concern about having exactly the right amount for a purchase. And that’s just the customer’s side. For retailers, the struggle is more pronounced. Account for every dollar earned, figure out what was purchased with those dollars, and secure the cash in a vault or warehouse until tax time. Renting an armored suburban to haul cash to an 68

Cannabis & Tech Today // Summer 2021

off-site location can cost between $20-30,000 a month. Did you know there’s a penalty for paying taxes in cash? Penalties vary by state, but they add up quickly. CannaTrac CEO Tom Gavin hears about the struggles of retailers every day. “At one point, this was a while ago, we were talking with an operation in California. Their costs for a year far exceeded a million dollars in taxes — not the taxes they have to pay, but the penalties for paying in cash.” Until cannabis is federally legal, the challenges of working in cash will remain. There are some alternatives, though, for both retailers and customers. Prepaid gift cards are one option for enhancing retailer and customer safety. Customers load up the gift card and use that balance with any retailer who supports the card. Rewards programs give customers bonus points to use on future purchases. It’s a familiar model and safer than a wad of cash. “It creates a safety feature for people waiting in line. It creates a safety feature for people leaving, and it

obviously creates a safety feature for the dispensary itself,” said Gavin. For retailers, prepaid gift cards and mobile apps like the CannaCard (which is technically both) offer a decisively cheaper alternative to paper money. “If you take a look at what a retailer is spending on cash — between transport, storage, accounting, banking, all of that — it’s staggering. We’ve seen anywhere from 18-30% of revenue going to those expenses. Compare that to 2.4-5% and 50 cents per transaction, it’s a significant difference,” said Gavin. Automating the payment process also gives retailers access to oh-so-valuable data about their customers’ spending habits. What are they buying at other stores that they can’t get at this store? How can I inform customers of sales or new products? Depending on the state, CannaCard can answer those questions. Between safety, convenience, and data, cash might be losing its grip on the keys to the kingdom. ❖

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Shop ‘Til You Drop Software Solutions for the Cannabis Delivery Market By Monica Stockbridge Cannabis consumerism has taken off in the past year. In fact, a Leafly analysis revealed that sales of medical and adult-use recreational marijuana grew by 71% over 2019, to a total of $18.3 billion. Online ordering, curbside pickup, and delivery represented growing trends in 2020, particularly as consumers were home-bound and needed safe ways to get their cannabis products. Yet, not all cannabis retailers are equipped to introduce delivery options to their list of customer services. Those that do often deal with challenges such as fragmented software and scattered data, resulting in inefficiencies and missing insights. Founded in 2020, Drop Delivery is on a mission to help cannabis retailers around the country optimize their day-to-day operations and deliveries. The all-in-one software platform — founded by a team of serial entrepreneurs and old high school classmates — offers inventory management, driver dispatch, SMS marketing tools, digital loyalty programs, and a customized eCommerce mobile app. Drop is also focused on providing best-in-class digital experiences for consumers and retailers alike. To make this kind of offering possible, Drop uses a software as a service (SaaS) model, which allows companies to take advantage of cuttingedge tech for a monthly subscription fee. One of the most important pieces for cannabis retailer clients is data consolidation. “Knowing your customers’ preferences and using that to market more efficiently is extremely powerful,” CEO Vanessa Gabriel says. From order data to driver data to inventory insights, such as knowing when to push certain products or offer deals, Drop gives cannabis retailers more visibility into their operations. “We’re making our clients’ data work for them,” says Drop Delivery CTO Marc Lopez,

Cannabis & Tech Today // Summer 2021

referring to the back-end hub that manages all inventory and reporting, revealing important data insights. Drop is also placing more of an emphasis on e-commerce, explains Drop Delivery CPO Jade Gabriel. “Most clients in the cannabis industry are used to basic, static menu types. Our consumer-facing interface is designed to increase conversion and average order size. We offer features such as seamless repurchasing, built-in loyalty, complex deal redemption, quick-add, automatic promotions, and user engagement tools.” One of Drop’s offerings is a progressive web application, or PWA, which feels like a native app but is actually a website. Customers can save the PWA to their home screen for a native app experience or order within the web browser. The pandemic threw a wrench in the gears of many industries. Vanessa says it was amazing to see dispensaries and delivery companies granted permission to stay open as essential services throughout the past year. “We always knew delivery was the future of cannabis purchasing,” she says. It’s been validating for her team and she hopes it signals a catalyst for change in terms of wider legalization. Until then, the Drop Delivery team will continue their mission of enabling cannabis retailers to raise the bar on service. “We’re empowering our clients to offer delivery in a way that is safe, convenient, and a premium customer experience,” Vanessa says, “and this helps give them a leg up on the competition.” ❖

// ILLINOIS TECH ZONE Presented By

Grow Smarter Best Practices for Using Smart Pots By Monica Stockbridge

Ever heard of a Smart Pot? No, it’s not hightech cannabis. Smart Pots are the world’s original fabric plant container, providing an alternative to plastic plant pots.

Here are a few best practices for growing highquality, high-yield plants using fabric containers:

Smart Pots were first manufactured in 1984 by High Caliper Growing, the inventors of rootpruning technology, a practice that increases yields by improving water and nutrient absorption. Smart Pots help professional growers and hobbyist gardeners develop a better root structure and stronger plant.

Not all fabric pots are created equal. In fact, some that come from overseas contain heavy metals that contaminate the end product and leach into waterways. These contaminants can affect the end product, which could fail labtesting and result in waste and financial loss.

Fabric pots are also ideal for growing cannabis. “Cannabis should be grown at the highest standard of quality, free from heavy metals and other harmful chemicals,” says Smart Pots sales manager Dustin Locks. “The growing practices should be environmentally responsible with the least amount of waste and benefit not only people but the planet.” Smart Pots are making a name for themselves all over, including in Illinois’ Cresco Labs. 72

Cannabis & Tech Today // Summer 2021

Avoid contaminants from imported products

Be mindful of waste going into landfills Many cultivators are environmentally conscious and highly aware of waste going into landfills. Aim for maximum yields and minimal waste by choosing fabric pots that can be used over and over again without ripping or fraying.

Choose U.S.-made products Products made overseas may be delayed during shipping, and might not offer custom

designs to fit your needs. Instead, look for products made in the U.S. for faster shipping and easier custom ordering.

Maximize your plants’ yield Fabric plant pots help maximize a plant’s performance and increase yield by allowing the root zone to create a healthy, fibrous, and dense root mass. The plants never get root bound and are able to properly drain, which reduces root rot. Plus, fabric pots release heat from the growing medium and allow oxygen in, which dramatically benefits the plant as well as the living microbes. Made in Oklahoma City with stringent quality control standards, Smart Pots are BPAfree, lead-free, and extremely durable. Plus, you can clean them in a commercial washing machine or pressure wash them. They offer a sustainable solution for an often plasticdependent industry. ❖

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Lighting the Way Finding Lighting Solutions for More Than Just Your Grow By Monica Stockbridge Most of us learned during elementary school science projects that plants need light to grow. Plants also need light in order to sell. You wouldn’t spend thousands of dollars on a wedding ring if the lighting in the showroom were dim. The same goes for cannabis. If someone pulls out flower for you to examine, the lighting matters. Luna Cultivation Consultants specifies and sells lighting for dispensaries and cultivation facilities — from grow rooms to showrooms, as well as offices, hallways, and parking areas. Founder and CEO Dañiel Luna-Fuller retired from her post as an engineer in the military and spent 10 years in the lighting industry before she started her business in 2017. Within a year she was working with cannabis customers.

Luna Cultivation Consultants Founder and CEO Dañiel Luna-Fuller

When thinking about lighting for cannabis customers, most people probably think of light used to grow the actual plants. And while lighting the grow house is critical, it’s so much more than that. Here, Luna-Fuller illuminates the significance of lighting solutions in the world of cannabis.

Why does cannabis lighting matter? Growing cannabis isn’t easy. Proper lighting is just as essential to your plants as getting the proper nutrients they need to grow. In other words, growing cannabis with a $100 light you bought off Amazon probably won’t cut it.

How can a grower find the right lighting system? Finding the right lighting system depends a lot on the grow space, your budget, and your goals. We understand plants, their grow stages, and the type of lighting needed for a successful crop. In addition, we work with electricians familiar with the industry and can assist in sourcing installers.

Why is lighting important for dispensaries? 74

Cannabis & Tech Today // Summer 2021

Lighting for dispensaries is crucial. For one, security is always going to be an issue anytime cannabis is involved. When cannabis became legal in Illinois, many dispensaries saw lines down the block. A well-lit building, including the parking lot and entrance, provides much-needed security. In addition, in the dispensary itself, the right lighting in a showroom lends a sense of cleanliness and class.

How does a “one-stop shop” philosophy benefit growers and dispensary owners? The lighting supply chain and grow supply chain are different beasts. Yet, cannabis

cultivators have to deal with both. Luna Consultants modeled itself after big lighting distributors, and we took the extra step of helping growers and dispensary owners learn what they need and why. That’s because traditional electricians don’t know the intricacies of grow lighting. Does light output change with voltage? Can you daisy-chain lights in a growhouse? We answer those questions. We not only supply the lights, but we coordinate the install, ensuring that our customers have the right type of lights and the best setup for growing, showing, and selling your cannabis products. ❖

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Profits and Protection Why Midwest Farmers are Counting on Crop Insurance By Patricia Miller

Photo: iStockphoto.com/shaunl

In late August 2020, a storm howling with hurricane-force winds swept through the Midwest, damaging nearly 40 million acres of farmland. Illinois farmers watched helplessly as 6.95 million acres of corn endured wind speeds above 100 miles per hour. Unpredictable weather patterns are becoming more frequent, and the agriculture industry is facing more instability as a result. For hemp farmers in the Midwest, the only guarantee against crop loss is insurance. It’s not just storms growers have to prepare for; it’s all varieties of weather. If yields are lower than expected or a heatwave stunted growth, there’s insurance for that. What if the cannabinoid levels aren’t within the desired thresholds? That’s something crop insurance can cover as well. Illinois hemp farmers, more than many other regions, are dealing with largescale production. They’re working with bigger yields and, as such, greater risks. John Read, the founder of Hempsurance, is a 76

Cannabis & Tech Today // Summer 2021

fourth-generation Illinois farmer who understands the state’s unique advantages. “We see large production agriculture being the leader in making hemp a mainstay crop in the U.S. When you farm in the Midwest, as opposed to other areas of the country, we’ve got large equipment and we understand how to farm at scale. We have rich soils which drive large yields quickly over a large scale of acres.” This economy of scale makes the need for insurance even more pronounced, as a loss of even a small portion of one’s harvest could have huge financial implications. Read says the biggest hurdle for farmers is understanding what they need to protect. “We help the grower understand what his true costs are so we can make sure he’s insured to break even or ultimately even insure some type of profit on an annual basis.” Read’s Hempguard program can insure up to $15,000 an acre, a unique advantage of being the nation’s first private outdoor hemp crop insurance program.

Losses endured by the farmer impact more than one person’s livelihood. Each year, agriculture contributes $17 million to the state’s economy. Everyone benefits when farmers are protected. These days, it seems like there’s a lot to insure against. Insects are always a threat. Disease can rear its ugly head at any time. Plus, with hemps’s relatively recent arrival to the domestic agriculture scene, there’s still a lot to learn about how it performs and which threats are most pressing. “As this is a new crop, we simply do not know what is and is not working in the Midwest,” said Philip Alberti, an Illinois Extension commercial agriculture educator. Hempsurance also protects against mold, leaf spot, and other quality concerns. The most important aspect of finding an insurance agency is making sure the company understands the farmer’s needs. “Our company is completely hemp-focused. We understand the market from the grower side all the way through the distribution channels to help ensure farmers are properly protected,” said Read. ❖

// ILLINOIS TECH ZONE Presented By

Putting Retailers First In an online world, how can CBD retailers survive? By Ed Rogers After hemp overproduction matched a lack of demand for CBD due to the FDA’s position on the compound, the hemp industry was in dire straits before some innovative chemists created an industry savior: Delta-8-THC. Delta-8-THC, an isomer created by manipulating CBD isolate, had a slightly intoxicating effect similar to delta-9-THC in consumers. And although the effects are about 30% as potent as delta-9-THC, the industry realized delta-8 would allow them to send THC over state lines. Today, many retailers claim a large percentage of their revenue comes from delta-8 products. “We’ve realized that our customers need some THC with their CBD to encourage the entourage effect, and our customer’s buying habits support that idea. Currently, more than 55% of our sales come from delta-8 products,” says Nick Pione of Trek CBD in North Carolina. However, states have a growing concern that the delta-8 isomer created from CBD is not the same isomer the plant makes (to see why this can be an issue, read up on Thalidomide). States have also realized the processes used to make delta-8 also creates hundreds of unknown isomers making their way into products.

and other isomers are already being banned along with delta-8, so creating more isomers isn’t going to help to get products on shelves,” says Fontes. “Instead of chasing the next hot isomer, we’ve decided to go back to naturally derived delta-9.” Delta-9-THC is the original THC that has made cannabis popular since the dawn of time, and so long as it is hemp-derived and under 0.3% THC, all full-spectrum CBD products on the market today have some amount of “Instead of chasing the next hot isomer, we’ve decided to go back to legal delta-9 in them already (a fullnaturally derived delta-9,” said Chris Fontes, CEO of Trojan Horse Cannabis. spectrum, 25 milligram CBD gummy will have somewhere around 1 milligram in it). The folks at Trojan Horse Cannabis decided to run the numbers. “It turns out you only need 3.34 grams of dry weight to hit 10 milligrams of delta-9 and still be under the 0.3% limit,” says Fontes. “Our gummies have a dry weight of 4.5 grams usually, meaning we can pack 13.5 miligrams of THC into each gummy and be legal.” Erring on the side of caution and citing a lack of standards across testing, Fontes says they try to stay around 0.2% THC by dry weight instead of pushing the limits. This standard keeps distributors, retailers, and consumers alike clear of the limit.

As such, several states have banned the production and/or retail sales of delta-8 consumer products, leaving retailers at the edge of bankruptcy yet again.

“We’re signing up retailers quickly, and in states where delta-8 has been banned, they are reporting our product is literally saving their business,” Fontes said.

Some in the industry feel the solution lies in making more isomers. However, Chris Fontes, CEO of Trojan Horse Cannabis, disagrees. “Delta-10, THCP,

Fontes feels their concept will be “the next big thing.” Time will tell, but going back to basics with delta-9 could be the path forward for retailers. ❖

Cannabis & Tech Today // Summer 2021

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// ILLINOIS TECH ZONE Presented By

Taking the Crop From Soil to Oil By Ebby Stone

How well do you multitask? Dozens of studies have linked multitasking to poor productivity. You read that correctly — the more you try to do at once, the less you actually accomplish. So why are so many in the hemp industry trying to master every aspect from seed to sale? In traditional agriculture, farmers take their product to a processor who organizes its sale to a retailer. It’s a model that’s worked for decades and could easily help streamline production for the hemp sector. Whitefield Hemp Partners Founder John Read explains, “An easy way to think about it for Midwest farmers is we duplicate what a grain elevator does. We let the farmer focus on what he’s good at, which is growing the crop. We focus on what we’re good at, which is processing it and moving the finished goods.” This approach allows farmers to cultivate as much yield as possible, which begins with strong genetics.

Cannabis & Tech Today // Summer 2021

Start with proven seedling varieties with high feminization and germination rates. Next, it may be helpful to seek a consultant or a partner who can help work through problems, create timelines, and offer support with unexpected challenges. Then it’s up to the farmer to ensure a robust crop makes it to the processor. “Entering hemp cultivation, the key is having an extremely strong partner, who is reliable, for taking your biomass,” said Read.

“There are no harmful chemicals or solvents. It’s as close to an organic process as possible. We’re using pharmaceutical food-grade gas for our extraction,” said Read. “We can load wet or dry biomass into our machine. The material is completely unharmed. You’re able to pull your biomass back out of the process. You can take that biomass and reuse it on the fiber side or for whatever other uses there are for the spec materials. It’s not wasted.”

If the farmer is working with a comprehensive solution provider like Whitefield Hemp Partners, that’s the last step in turning a profit. Whitefield takes the biomass and processes it for market using a technology called biogenesis extraction. In a single pass, their system creates finished oil in less than two hours. It’s also a fullspectrum solution that pulls out all the cannabinoids and terpenes, offering a versatile finished product with multiple applications in the marketplace.

Making the most of one’s resources is what helped build the Midwest into such a resilient region. It’s also what’s allowed Read to persevere as a fourth-generation farmer and why he’s passionate about helping local families succeed. “When we started Whitefield Hemp Partners, we were trying to build a company that could help bring an additional sustainable crop to the Midwest to help the Midwest farmer continue to grow,” said Read. ❖

// COVER STORY //

Power to the

Redman will be the first to tell you he’s no

run-of-the-mill rapper. He’s an MC, an artist

Plant

Could Redman’s political party pave a path to federal legalization? By Patricia Miller

Cannabis & Tech Today // Summer 2021

who moves the crowd with his dedication to hip hop. Redman launched his career with Whut? Thee Album in 1992 and hasn’t dropped the mic since. His new record, Muddy Waters 2, is set for release later this year and his radio show of the same name airs monthly on SiriusXM satellite radio. Red’s iconic stoner comedy How High hit screens in 2001 and remains one of the genre’s most beloved movies.

// COVER STORY //

Though his legacy has had an undeniable impact on cannabis culture, it’s his recent work with the National Cannabis Party that could have the biggest implications for the cannabis community. Redman and NCP Co-Founder Damon Jackson built the party to give the American people and the plant a voice in politics. In their “Statement of Organization” filed with the Federal Election Commission, they listed Lady Sativa as their candidate of choice. Redman says the movement is 100 million strong and growing. To find out what this could mean for supporters of federal legalization, Cannabis & Tech Today spoke with the MC from his home studio in New Jersey. Cannabis & Tech Today: Cannabis has been part of your lyrical stylings for nearly 30 years. When did you realize the plant was going to be an important part of your life?

Redman: I knew the plant was going to be a part of my life the first time that I smoked it. Did I know it was going to become a worldwide phenomenon like it is now? No, I didn’t. When I first started smoking I knew I liked it, and then when I got into the hip hop game, I knew I wanted to put it at the forefront of my career. I don’t know why. I just knew what the plant did for me. C&T Today: How has hip hop helped destigmatize the plant and pave the way for legalization? Redman: I can’t say the entire hip hop community ... They talked about it, yes, but I’m very strict on the fabric of hip hop and the cannabis plant. What I mean by that is there’s only a few who would put it on the line — and that’s me, Snoop Dogg, B-Real, Cypress Hill, and Meth in his earlier career.

The reason I say that is because, yes, the hip hop industry supported it, smoked it. A lot of rappers mentioned it. But guys like me, Snoop, and B-Real, we actually put it on a frontline, meaning that we never compromised on our beliefs, on our smoking, on what we thought was the way of the future. That was us. I can honestly say we lost a lot of deals, money, and were unable to work with other brands because of what we believed in. It’s not like we’re doing this because this is the movement. Yes, this is the movement, but this is what we always believed in, because smoking and being a part of this plant is not just a recreational thing for us, or just a medical thing for us, this is a lifestyle. C&T Today: You’re so passionate about it. What is it about the plant that moves you like that?

“ Smoking and being a part of this plant is not just a recreational thing for us, or just a medical thing for us, this is a lifestyle.”

Summer 2021 // Cannabis & Tech Today

// COVER STORY // Power to the Plant

Redman: You know what? It was the first time I hit it and the way it made me feel. Of course, I went through my getting high stages, and recreational use, but then after I started getting more into it … It was like, this is it for me, right here. I’m glad that I did because it kept me away from all these other dumbass drugs, like cocaine and heroin, and all that bullshit. Nothing in the world makes me feel like this plant right here, knowing that it’s natural, knowing that when I smoked it it opened up other doors for me, being creative.

“ The best thing we can have is faith and patience in this world and the love of what we do.”

Then, as I started learning more about it, I even took a crash course at Oaksterdam University in Oakland, California, and I’m a licensed patient consultant right now. I wanted to learn about this plant that I’ve been smoking for years. I wanted to learn how it was helping people now. Overall, I feel I made a great choice in my life by dealing with this cannabis plant, because cannabis brings people together at the end of the day. And through the music, while everyone was talking about being a gangster, we just stuck to the talk of cannabis, what it brings, the funness it brings. C&T Today: What role does it play in the creative process for you? Redman: Writing, doing music. I work very hard in the studio. I run my own studio. I like being creative. I like maybe hitting a blunt and just writing, getting some lyrics, because it doesn’t box me in. Creatively, it’s great if you know how to use it. You have to understand, sativa helps bring that creativity. Indica puts your ass asleep. Hybrid is in between. It allows me to open a door in other channels to music and creativity. C&T Today: How have you seen smoking technology evolve since you started smoking? Redman: Well, the only thing that’s really different is just how you smoke. There’s a lot of vape pens right now. There’s a lot of different pre-rolls, and they’ve got pre-rolls with kief and oil in it, wax wrapped around it. I don’t really indulge in those. I don’t like pre-rolls. I don’t like a blunt wrapped with wax. It’s just not me. I’m old school. I roll me a good blunt and that’s it for me. 84

Cannabis & Tech Today // Summer 2021

C&T Today: You’re notorious for your blunts; have you perfected your blunt rolling skills? Redman: [Laughs] Everyone knows when you roll in the Backwoods, there’s never a perfect Backwoods blunt. You can roll a perfect joint, but when you’re dealing with leaves, there’s never a perfect blunt. The perfect blunt in that category is how it hits. It can look ugly as fuck, but if it hits, then you got you a good blunt. C&T Today: What inspires you when working on new music and your Sirius XM radio show? Redman: With my new album Muddy Waters 2, what inspired me is that it’s almost done. I’ve been working on it for a long time, and that’s because I’ve been off and on with it, paying for samples and shit like that. What inspires me is that I have a good project. I know that I have a good project because I listen to my shit and get excited. When I get excited listening to my songs, I’m like, “I got something different. I got something that people, or the industry, are not tapping into.” That gets me excited when I’m doing something that I know is different. As far as working on other business, like the XM show, I always try to bring something new to the table. At the end of the day, I didn’t know shit about running a radio show. I was thrown into an uncomfortable predicament and I grew. After my third show, I started getting the hang of

it and every time I worked, I would find easier ways to do things. My girl always tried to tell me, “Challenge yourself, challenge yourself.” And I think the radio show was a challenge for me to really figure out things on my own without someone nurturing me. It was just like, you got a radio show. You go do it. And I figured it out. I think that’s what I love about doing these other businesses, because it’s something I’m not used to. I needed to grow. Now, I feel I have grown more, like there’s not a challenge or anything that I cannot do. Just throw me in a fire, and I’m with it, you know? C&T Today: Speaking of your other projects, let’s talk about the National Cannabis Party. How did you become involved with the movement? Redman: Damon [ Jackson] saw one of my interviews on TMZ on how passionate I was

// COVER STORY // Power to the Plant

“ We have our own party where we can actually help regulate our own laws and help communities.”

about helping people with this cannabis plant. TMZ was saying, “Well, Red, I know you want to make a lot of money.” I told them no, it’s not about the money for me. I just want to be able to help people. Damon saw that, and he was looking all around for different artists, but he said this is the guy I want to work with. The National Cannabis Party, the NCP, came through God’s blessing because a lot of people told us that you’re not going to get [Federal Election Commission] approved. But now we are FEC approved, a real National Cannabis Party. I explain to people, listen, you have a Democratic Party. You have a Republican party. You now have a National Cannabis Party. That is very serious, and we are 101 million strong. There’s 101 million registered voters out there, who support cannabis, that we can connect with and tap into. The best thing we can have is faith and patience in this world and the love of what we do, and I think that’s what helped me and Damon the most to get here.

Cannabis & Tech Today // Summer 2021

C&T Today: What is it about the NCP that excites you the most? Redman: NCP is all about the people. It’s all about putting the responsibility back into people’s hands. It’s about helping regulate laws and helping the public learn about licensing and preventing the big suits from coming in and taking control and implementing their own laws and regulations. We have a voice. We have a voice now. We don’t have to wait to see who’s going to be in the presidency. We don’t have to wait to see who’s in the chair to make a decision. We have our own party where we can actually help regulate our own laws and help communities. I’m very proud of the NCP because, like I said, I’m in the business of helping people, and we’re putting this responsibility back into the public’s hands. I think it’s a great thing because we’re allowing this cannabis plant and the people to have a voice and to be heard. C&T Today: Do you see the culture of

cannabis evolving as more states legalize? Redman: Yes, definitely, because at the end of the day, it’s not about just the recreational and medical side of it. It’s also that the states legalizing this plant are helping the economy. They could use it to bring more education to the schools … It’s helping a lot of communities that’ve been affected by poverty, affected by police corruption. You’re able to bring more money into the state for doing different things. If you implement this plant in your state, and you build the right laws that can help you economic-wise, you can pull your state out of debt and actually implement so many programs for people — where you don’t have to just depend on the taxpayer’s money. I want all the states to implement it. Get with the program. No matter how much the government wants to conceal it, it won’t be denied to the people, and that’s what NCP is about. We want to have that voice for the plant itself. ❖

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// MEDIA+ENTERTAINMENT //

Stirring the Pot Streaming Networks Serve Up On-Demand Cannabis Cuisine By Patricia Miller A surprising 43% of Americans live in a place with legal adult-use cannabis, per a 2019 U.S. Census report. With half of America welcoming legal marijuana, media executives are vying to bring cannabis to mainstream programming.

Chopped 420 Special Celebrity Guest Judge Laganja Estranja

Netflix, Amazon, The Food Network, Discovery+, and YouTube are all offering cannabis-focused content. For whatever reason, cooking shows seem to be the most palatable medium for talking about the formerly taboo subject. Cooking on High, Bong Appetit, Cooked with Cannabis, High Cuisine, and now Chopped 420 are just a few of the programs created in recent years to satiate America’s appetite for cannabis content.

A Slow Evolution Some of the early shows leaned too heavily on pothead quips and poorly executed puns. But recent programming seems to be moving past stoner stereotypes and actually offering some insight into cannabis culture. Chopped 420 is one of the latest to hit mainstream media. It’s a spin-off of Food Network’s Chopped, now in it’s 45th season as a cable network hit. The new show is available via Discovery+, an on demand video streaming service offering content from all of Discovery’s media properties. “I think when Discovery puts their name on something like this, it really helps people say, ‘Okay, well this must not be that bad,’” said Laganja Estranja, special celebrity guest judge for Chopped 420’s debut episode. Television content, for better or worse, is educating an audience that’s long been indoctrinated by “Reefer Madness” propaganda. Seeing judges consume cannabis and continue to function as responsible adults could lessen pot’s pervasive stigma.

Vying for Visibility These shows are also giving viewers a peek into a new world. What does cannabis look like, what are its different forms, how is it used in 88

Cannabis & Tech Today // Summer 2021

Photo: Jon Sams

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// MEDIA+ENTERTAINMENT // Stirring the Pot Cannabis Chef Brandon Allen

“ There’s so much more to this plant than the hip hop vibes and other things that come along with pop culture that we know of cannabis.” ~ Laganja Estranja

Jeff “The 420 Chef” Danzer

Photo: Aaron Jay Young Photo courtesy Food Network

cooking? These are questions many people are hesitant to ask. For those entrenched in cannabis culture, it’s easy to forget this plant has been likened to heroin for much of its recent history and federally is still in the same category as cocaine. Cooking is a way to talk about cannabis as something approachable and familiar. Legacy Cannabis Chef and Author Jeff “The 420 Chef ” Danzer has nearly 10k subscribers to his YouTube channel. He’s offering viewers an education in cannabis and helping people avoid unpleasant experiences with the herb. “My mission from the beginning is always to make the cannabis consumption experience simple and easy for everyone,” he said during a panel discussion at the Spring Emerge Virtual Cannabis Conference. Providing insight into potency and dosing can be the first step in helping people create a positive relationship with cannabis. “I started out making super potent edibles that were just too potent for the people I was cooking with … Dosing is definitely an issue for a lot of people,” said Danzer. Cannabis Chef and Educator at the Trichome Institute Brandon Allen agrees that moderation is key. “If you’re giving someone THC, assume there’s nothing you can do to erase it, which is why you have to be preventative and cautious and make sure you’re dosing people accordingly.” As the public learns to accept 90

Cannabis & Tech Today // Summer 2021

cannabis as commonplace, cooking shows remind viewers of the “low and slow” philosophy of consumption. It’s one step in a desperately needed cannabis education for the American public.

Educating the Masses Most people know very little about cannabis and what they do know is often tainted by misinformation. Televised marijuana programs have an opportunity to inform viewers. Ideally, the message would be that this is a safe product for responsible adults; it’s also a valuable medicine. The medicinal value is one area where many programs seem to miss the mark. It’s easy to focus on the fun aspects of the herb, but this overlooks the real reason cannabis was legalized. Cannabis advocates fought to get this plant in the hands of sick and dying people because it provides unmatched therapeutic relief for a wide variety of illnesses. Patients were first able to access medical marijuana thanks to the passage of Proposition 215, the Compassionate Use Act. It was passed largely due to the work of Dennis Peron, a homosexual man who saw his friends suffering from the symptoms of AIDS. It’s a history many cannabis-themed shows don’t dive into, but his advocacy is the basis of all cannabis legalization. Estranja touched on the topic during an interview with Cannabis & Tech Today, “I got my medical license under Proposition 215. When I discovered that [Prop 215] was actually

founded by the LGBTQIA+ community, I felt a real sense of carrying out this legacy as being someone who was queer and someone who was also in the cannabis space.” She continued, “I wish we could get to a place where people realize that it is a medicine … There’s so much more to this plant than the hip hop vibes and other things that come along with pop culture that we know of cannabis.”

First Food, Then Federal Rescheduling As these shows gain traction, they’re bringing visibility to the cannabis industry. “My parents are watching the show, so it’s amazing how many people Chopped 420 is really reaching,” said Estranja. Right now, these programs are somewhat one dimensional. But, they’re setting a foundation for more insightful programming down the road. Perhaps if we start with food and fun, Americans will feel comfortable starting to explore the important complexities of the plant. “I just really think that what needs to happen is we need to be federally recognized. And until that point, I really feel like stigma isn’t going to change. We’re going to need more than the Discovery Channel doing a show like this. We’re going to really need federal recognition,” said Estranja. Until cannabis is rescheduled as a medically useful substance, mainstream television will likely continue to only touch on the superficial aspects of what makes it such an important and powerful plant. ❖

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// MEDIA+ENTERTAINMENT //

Dancehall Superstar Sean Paul on Cannabis and COVID By Sara Brittany Somerset

Jamaican dancehall recording artist and producer Sean Paul is regarded as one of the genre’s most prolific artists. Paul’s singles “Get Busy” and “Temperature” topped the charts in the United States. With seven studio albums and one EP under his belt, most of them were

nominated for the Grammy’s Best Reggae Album, with Dutty Rock winning the prestigious award. Paul is featured in many chart-toppers singles, including “Baby Boy” with Beyoncé, “Rockabye” by Clean Bandit, and “Cheap Thrills” by Sia. Cannabis & Tech Today

chatted with the superstar in his studio in Kingston, Jamaica. We discussed his new album, Live N Livin, COVID-19, and of course, cannabis.

On Music Cannabis & Tech Today: Tell me about your new album. Sean Paul: My new album is called Live N Livin. It’s more of a Dutty Rock production thing, so basically more hardcore dancehall. It features people like Buju Banton, Jr Gong, Busy Signal, a more established zone of what I call successful dancehall, and younger contingent; you know what I mean? People like Govana, Intence, Masicka, Skillibeing, Squash. So, it’s an attempt to kind of show the unity in the dancehall community. It’s an attempt to bring on board more collaborations and clashes. It’s something I’m very proud of. So, yeah. Good vibes! There’s also more feel-good songs that people know me for on this album. There’s also more meaningful songs, songs to combat social issues and the violence in society. There’s a more mature approach to a hardcore dancehall album. C&T Today: Have you found the advent of the pandemic has hindered or helped your creative process?

Photo: Fernando F Hevia

Cannabis & Tech Today // Summer 2021

SP: At first, it threw me off, and I was in hiding for five months. I have Asthma. So, I was like, I’m not going nowhere. I didn’t leave the house for months. And during that time, I was building rhythms at home, and I couldn’t find the words for anything. I went back to the studio, and then the lyrics just started to flow, and different ideas just started to come. I had a few songs here and there that I hadn’t finished, like some collabs with Busy Signal and Govana, and I was like, let me try to complete these. What helped me was

// MEDIA+ENTERTAINMENT // Sean Paul on Cannabis and COVID

to call other people to help to finish them. Suku from Ward 21 and I did a brand-new song. But in general, that just kind of helped to spark up my creativity. And I had had quite a lot of songs done for an album with Island, which will come out sometime over the summer. We’ve dropped the first single for that one, and it’s called SCORCHA, which is the title track of the album. As SCORCHA is a really … I would say it’s a vibes tune, you know, a fire tune that me have. So, there’s two albums, Live N Livin was the first, and it came out on March 12th. And then, the second album is called SCORCHA, and it’s more internationally oriented, I would say, production-wise. People like Sia and Ty Dollar Sign are on the album. Gwen Stefani, Shenseea, are in one song. So, it’s back to what my younger crowd would appreciate and like. But these two projects, I really love. I think that they both reflect parts of me that just want to be heard. So, the hardcore dancehall part, and then I try to keep up with what’s going on internationally. Both have very good feel-good songs and some meaningful songs, too. C&T Today: Well, you’ve always been known for your crossover appeal and for collaborating with a plethora of artists. When you worked on these collaborations, did you have to go into the studio separately or at different times? How did you coordinate the logistics of everyone being on lockdown and making music? SP: People came to the studio, mainly for Live N Livin, or I went to theirs. Like Buju Banton, I went to his studio. I recorded the song with Jr Gong before the pandemic, but we fixed up the rhythm after that. We did a lot production-wise with that. So, he came to Jamaica and did it at the studio with me. Assassin did his verse from his studio and sent it to me. So, you know there’s a little bit of both, but most of the people came to my studio for that album.

On COVID C&T Today: Was there a lot of OCD hand washing and sanitizing of microphones and other gear? SP: Yeah! Crazy. You know me, I’m very, very… kind of like… wayacallit?

Cannabis & Tech Today // Summer 2021

Photos: Fernando F Hevia

What are you doing wearing a mask this whole time?” I wore it for like 22 hours to go from Australia to South Africa, take another plane to England, and then take another plane home. So, I was freaking out and the same thing when we got to the studio. I was like, “No one is allowed to come here!” C&T Today: Germophobic? SP: Yeah! [laughs] Germophobic! Shaggy was laughing at me on the plane coming back from Australia. Both of us were touring over there. And two cases had hit Australia. That was last March. And I was wearing my mask, and I was spraying alcohol everywhere. And he was like, [imitating Shaggy] “Yo! You’re making everywhere smell like a hospital! Hahahaha!” He was laughing at me, and he was, like, “Yo!

We put up hand sanitizers on the wall. We put up posters. Like, “Yo! Anybody coming in here, you’re going to get your temperature checked. You’re going to have to clean your hands,” and whatnot. Those protocols are still in the studio, but I think we’ve become a lot more, I wouldn’t say lax, but a lot more used to the fact. So, yeah, it’s been crazy. My studio is tiny, so I do get panic attacks when a lot of people come there. I like to go outside and sit down, then everybody else is like, “Where you at?” I’m smoking ganja under the tree, don’t worry. ❖

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Concentrating on Safety Solvents, Toxins, and the Perils of Unlicensed Extracts By Ed Rogers

The term “extracts” applies to a huge variety of cannabis products. Concentrates, edibles, vapes, tinctures, and topicals (all of which are created from extracts) accounted for 57% of legal cannabis sales in 2020, according to New Frontier Data. Extracts can be liquid or solid and often contain additives or solvents. While new safety regulations are implemented every day, there are still opportunities for toxic contaminants to find their way into extracts and ultimately into the hands of consumers.

Pine Rosin is a thick, sticky substance derived from the sap of pine trees. It’s aroma blends seamlessly with any cannabis product since pinene is a dominant terpene in marijuana. Again, this additive is most often found in illegal, unlicensed vaping liquid. It would act as a thickener, making the liquid extract appear more dense and pure. It’s linked to occupational asthma, a condition frequently reported by laborers in chemical factories. When inhaled, it causes damage to the respiratory system.

Extract Additives in the Illicit Market Extracts sometimes contain additives which alter the taste or consistency of the oil. Some are harmless; others can be highly toxic. Illicit products are not subject to safety testing and as such can contain ingredients known to be harmful or damaging to human tissues.

Flavor additives developed for the food industry are also sometimes introduced to vaping liquids. These may contain synthetic materials, fillers, and homogenizers which have not been tested for safety when heated or inhaled. These products use “proprietary” or undisclosed ingredients. Thanks to recent consumer safety regulations in many legal jurisdictions, licensed cannabis products can no longer contain undisclosed ingredients.

Vitamin E Acetate is a chemical additive often found in counterfeit or illicit vape liquid. It was linked to the 2019 vaping crisis which killed at least 50 people. This substance is safe to eat, but when heated and inhaled can severely damage lung tissue. 96

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“Oregon cannabis products all contain a full list of ingredients and tracking systems which allow both consumers and regulators to track

quality testing results and view the full product composition,” said Eybna Technologies CoFounder and CEO Nadav Eyal. Nationwide legalization would help reduce the spread of dangerous counterfeit products made with unregulated materials. Residual Solvents Many different solvents can be used to extract oil from a plant. Common solvents include CO2, butane, propane, and pentane. Some solvents, like CO2, dissolve rapidly in the air and are easily purged from the extracted oil. Others require more precise purging to ensure the product is pure before going to shelves. Butane, for instance, is a chemical solvent regulators look for when testing product purity. If the amount of butane falls below a certain threshold, the extract is approved for consumption. But, as STM Canna Technical Support Associate Christopher Mendoza points out, it can still influence the quality of the experience. “When you take that product home and look at the test results to find it barely passed … then

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Photo: iStockphoto.com/Photoboyko

you’re asking yourself, why is it burning so differently? Why is it sizzling? Why does it have a black consistency to it? Or, worst of all, why does it have this burnt tire taste to it?” These could be signs of residual butane, which can harm delicate lung tissue. He explains that some producers ride the line of passing and only send their best product to be tested. “In Washington State, at least, you have to test two grams per extraction lot. Those two grams could be the best out of the whole thing, they could be the golden run that you had and then the rest could be untested. That untested amount is going out to the public to enjoy,” said Mendoza. Toxic Terpenes? Terpenes are a naturally-occuring compound present in most plants, especially cannabis. These compounds enhance the taste and smell of extracts. Sometimes they are added back to the extracted concentrate to make the liquid more viscous and can add to the effectiveness of the product. This mutually-beneficial relationship is called the Entourage Effect.

“The ‘Entourage Effect’ is a widely accepted theory that expresses the existing advantage of combining several compounds in order to produce a synergistic or enhancing effect for the treatment of a specific medical condition,” said Eyal. In the proper amounts, these compounds are safe and even helpful. “The safety is related to dosage and usage pattern, therefore if botanically-derived terpenes are used in the range of those naturally occurring in the plant — not more than 10% by weight — and used in a manner that is traditionally shown to be safe, like combustion or low-temperature vaporization, there should be no safety concerns,” said Eyal. However, if heated to extreme temperatures, some terpenes can become toxic. Myrcene, limonene, and linalool, for instance, can emit methacrolein (MC) and benzene if overheated. MC irritates the throat and lungs, acting as a toxin to the entire respiratory system. Benzene is the bigger concern. It is a well-documented carcinogen that is not safe for human consumption. High-temperature combustion, like a dab torched for too long, can cause the

release of benzene in concentrated amounts. Safe temperatures for dabbing should not exceed 750 degrees Fahrenheit. Lower temperatures cause terpenes to break down more gradually, preventing the production of MC or benzene. Playing Your Part in Safe Consumption Growers, manufacturers, retailers, and consumers all share a responsibility to create a safe cannabis industry. The production and sale of cannabis is closely monitored by regulators to ensure the toxic substances discussed in this article are not present in licensed cannabis products. But, cannabis users must also educate themselves on the products they’re using. Is this product licensed with a certificate of analysis? What’s the proper temperature for consuming this material? A few simple questions could be the difference between a safe, health-enhancing cannabis experience, or a toxic, damaging outcome. Ultimately, the industry’s success depends on everyone working together to create a safer, more transparent cannabis community. ❖ Summer 2021 // Cannabis & Tech Today

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Access for Athletes Cannabis use is gaining traction among pro athletes. But why? By Patricia Miller

Most people don’t think of professional athletes as cannabis enthusiasts. Athletes value motivation, self-discipline, and health. People who use cannabis are often thought to hold a very different set of values. But as the research around cannabis expands, and people become more comfortable discussing their use of the plant, these stereotypes are crumbling. The two worlds of athleticism and cannabis use can coincide and, in fact, often do. But until recently, that was a taboo concept for professional athletes to endorse. In 2004, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) created a list of prohibited substances for professional athletes. WADA banned all forms of cannabinoids until 2018 when cannabidiol (CBD) was removed from the list. WADA noted CBD is being researched for “a variety of medical purposes,” but did not say why they removed the substance from the list. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) remains a banned substance during competition.

where CBD could be a valuable tool. McCartney looked at several CBD studies conducted with rats. Consistently, researchers found mid- to high-doses of CBD encourage the body to create anti-inflammatory cytokines. The cytokines reduce inflammation and therefore reduce pain. It’s worth noting that research on ibuprofen (an anti-inflammatory) has shown it can actually reduce inflammation too much — limiting the effectiveness of exercise in building new muscle. Whether CBD could have this same effect requires further research. Former Detroit Pistons All-Star, Isiah Thomas, feels there is a place for cannabis in professional sports.

more studies with a particular focus on dosing, noting that often a moderate amount of CBD is more helpful than a high or low dose. Certificates of analysis for CBD products are essential for ensuring effective dosing.

As a result, several major sporting institutions have since changed their policies around cannabis. Some say it has therapeutic potential; others say it’s okay because it doesn’t affect athletic performance. But what does the research say? Athletic Recovery Pain is a fact of life for elite athletes, and it’s something trainers spend a lot of time and effort trying to reduce. Fewer aches and pains lead to more training, faster recovery, and better overall performance. Muscle soreness is caused by the breakdown of muscle fibers, which creates an inflammatory response. According to research by Danielle McCartney published in the Journal Sports Medicine – Open, a bit of inflammation actually helps the muscle repair. Still, too much can delay recovery and cause prolonged pain. This is 98

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Danielle McCartney, postdoctoral research associate at the University of Sydney.

McCartney also noted studies with rats have shown CBD can lessen the effects of a concussion. Concussed rats treated with CBD show less aggression, depression, and pain. Human trials have linked CBD to reductions in pain, though to a lesser extent than THC. Cannabinoids can also relieve stress, which could be helpful for athletes with performance anxiety. All of McCartney’s research calls for

Creating Access The growing body of research around cannabis is forcing its way into public knowledge. Policymakers in the world of professional sports are taking notice. The National Basketball League (NBA), the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA), the National Football League (NFL), the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA), and the Ultimate Fighting Championship recently changed their policies to be more forgiving of cannabis use. Scoring Points with the NBA The NBA and NBPA are not conducting randomized tests for cannabis during the 202021 season. NBA spokesperson Mike Bass said in a statement, “Due to the unusual circumstances in conjunction with the pandemic, we have agreed with the NBPA to… focus our random

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The change coincides with the NFL’s announcement that it’s seeking alternatives to opioids. They’ve asked a committee to study the potential therapeutic effects of cannabinoids, including CBD, as possible alternatives for pain management. The league’s Chief Medical Officer Alan Sills said to The Washington Post, “I think it demonstrates the spirit of cooperation we have around our health and safety issues… Both of these committees are about providing the best health care we can to players.”

Reuben Droughns

testing program on performance-enhancing products and drugs of abuse.” Isiah Thomas, former Detroit Pistons All-Star and one of the NBA’s top fifty players of all time, said to Cannabis & Tech Today he feels there is a place for cannabis in professional sports. “How can we reduce inflammation, how can we get better sleep? The plant has scientifically been proven to work in those two areas. From an athlete standpoint, if you can reduce inflammation, reduce pain, and get better sleep, it definitely will help your performance out on the floor,” said Thomas. The UFC Fights Back In January 2021, the UFC stated it would no longer punish athletes who test positive for cannabis, specifically THC. In a statement to MMA Fighting, UFC representatives said they made their decision after reading a report submitted to Congress by the Department of Transportation in 2017. The report states there isn’t a currently accepted standard for determining marijuana impairment. There is no way to know if THC was ingested hours or weeks before the test was conducted. As such, UFC will only punish fighters if they are visibly under the influence of marijuana during a competition. These updates only apply to the USADA and do not influence state athletic commissions. In Nevada, for example, the state athletic commission still has a 150 nanogram limit on THC. 100

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Gaining Ground in the NFL In early 2020, just before the pandemic stole international headlines, the NFL changed its drug testing policy. Players will no longer be suspended for positive marijuana tests, and the drug testing period lasts only the first two weeks of training camp. To earn a positive result, players must have 150 nanograms of THC in their system, rather than the former standard of 35 nanograms. Professional athletes are tested for the presence of drugs using urine, blood, or saliva samples. Until recently, the presence of cannabinoids could result in fines or even suspension from professional leagues such as the NFL, NBA, or UFC.

Photo: iStockphoto.com/Lothar Drechsel

For many current and former players, the policy updates are a welcome change. Former Super Bowl champion Reuben Droughns said to Cannabis & Tech Today, “This medicine is probably actually what kept me sane throughout my football career.” From reducing pain to relieving stress, athletes in nearly every field are finding uses for cannabis. The recurring message from policymakers both in sports and in politics is the demand for research. Before people in positions of power can endorse this substance, they need to feel confident it won’t cause harm and could actually benefit users. Until the research is there, which can’t happen until cannabis is removed from the Schedule I controlled substance list, athletes will have to continue to fight for their right to access. ❖

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High-ly Educated Undergrads Cannabis Courses Join the Roster at Major Universities By Chynna Pearson If you were entering college and heard about a new industry that had grown 46% since 2019, would you pursue a degree in that field? If so, you’d be one of the thousands of students considering an education in cannabis. Forbes reported cannabis sales hit a new record of $17.5 billion in 2020, up nearly double from the year prior. Institutions of higher learning aren’t about to miss out on the boom. According to Leafly, there are now 321,000 full-time American cannabis jobs. There are even some cannabis companies offering scholarships to help their employees expand their expertise. Veriheal and Steadfast Labs, for example, are offering $1,200 scholarships annually to staff pursuing cannabis studies. Institutions Offering Cannabis Education With the industry’s expansion, it’s not surprising many accredited universities are investing time and money into cannabis education. Some universities only offer a few classes while others have full degrees in cannabis. With so many options available, students can choose whichever classes best suit their needs and interests. Northern Michigan University NMU began offering a degree in medicinal plant chemistry in 2017. The program debuted as “the only four-year degree program of its kind to combine experimental horticulture and advanced analytical chemistry with an optional entrepreneurial track,” said NMU’s News Director Kristi Evans. They are now offering a multidisciplinary indoor agriculture associate degree for careers in medicinal plant and 102

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Lab equipment at Lake Superior State University

agricultural food production. Lake Superior State University In 2019, LSSU began offering a degree in cannabis studies with a focus on cannabis chemistry. They’ve since added a degree in cannabis business. The university’s Cannabis Center of Excellence offers courses like cannabis economics, cannabis law and policy, and survey of cannabis business.

Shimadzu Analytical Core Laboratory for Medicinal Plant Sciences at Northern Michigan University

Western Illinois University Western Illinois University offers a cannabis production minor and a cannabis culture minor. Cannabis production is focused on horticulture sciences and plant physiology where students take classes like crop biotechnology. The cannabis culture minor focuses on how

the prohibition of cannabis negatively affected the lives of people of color. Students with this minor would take classes like contemporary moral problems and cannabis & popular culture. Ohio State University Ohio State University’s Moritz College of Law offers a course on marijuana law and policy and

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legalization of marijuana hasn’t arrived just yet, the funds that could possibly go to creating one is more likely to go to established agencies. Additionally, the programs and courses must adhere to federal rules and regulations. According to the ANSI National Accreditation Board’s Cannabis Testing Lab Accreditation Program, accredited laboratories are allowed to perform relevant testing on “cannabinoid testing and content like CBD, THC, and CBG, terpene profiles, pesticides, microbiological contaminants such as mold and bacteria, heavy metal, and residual solvents.” This means that cannabis labs on college campuses must adhere to this set of rules and regulations as well. Seniors Ashley Minyard and Brenda Betancourt conducting Honors research with Senior Biology Instructor Tom Vogel.

a seminar on marijuana law. One popular course is cannabiz: exploring the “legalized” cannabis industry from a corporate transactional perspective. It focuses on a business-first approach to initiatives on decriminalization and legalization. It will also discuss the long history of marijuana and policies already in place. Stockton University In New Jersey, Stockton University students can get a minor in cannabis studies. Every student with this minor is required to take medical marijuana and the cannabis law courses. The university also offers an online cannabis certification course. It is composed of six courses, including cannabis cultivation, introduction to research in medical and adultuse cannabis, and introduction to business. SUNY Morrisville At New York’s SUNY Morrisville, they also offer a cannabis industry minor. The six courses required are based on understanding a variety of production and processing techniques and evaluation of market trends. Some of the course options are hemp production & processing and soil science. University of Denver The University of Denver’s Sturm College of Law offers many classes on marijuana law and policy. One of the courses currently featured is representing the marijuana client. The course

focuses on the challenges of representing a person with cannabis offenses amidst frequently changing rules and regulations. Colorado State University Pueblo The Pueblo division of Colorado State University created the Institute of Cannabis Research in 2016, offering the nation’s first multi-disciplinary cannabis research center at a regional institution. Pueblo’s campus offers a degree in cannabis biology and chemistry and a minor in cannabis studies. University of California – Davis As California is one of the hottest spots for cannabis, it’s no surprise the University of Califonia – Davis offers a course called medicinal cannabis and chronic pain. The Davis section of the University of California is the only area that offers this course.

Is pursuing a degree in cannabis a wise choice? It is looking more and more likely that federal legalization is coming soon. Getting in on the ground floor of any new industry is often profitable, even if it requires some hard work and a lot of patience. Cannabis degrees are legitimate and give students a chance to learn about something they’re passionate about. The cannabis space is full of opportunities in science, engineering, chemistry, math, and technology. People passionate about the plant are not pursuing the study of intoxication, they’re helping expand an industry focused on medical innovations and lucrative business opportunities. ❖

Mortiz College of Law's John Deaver Drinko Hall at Ohio State University

Are Cannabis Degrees Legitimate? Graduating with a degree in cannabis is not as strange as it sounds. Cannabis job openings are growing faster than any other industry. According to a study by Leafly, by 2029 there will be an increase of 161% of cannabis jobs in America alone. Unfortunately, there seem to be no federal accreditation agencies for cannabis-related education. As federal Summer 2021 // Cannabis & Tech Today

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Delta-8-THC: Ugly Duckling or Beautiful Swan? By Anthony Macherone Delta-8-THC, hot or not?

Photo: Agilent Technologies/Used with Permission

The legal environment surrounding cannabis and hemp in the United States, Canada, and many other countries around the globe is rapidly changing. No longer does this plant carry the stigma of the 20th century. Over the past decade, it has become commonly accepted that cannabinoids, flavonoids, and terpenes synthesized by Cannabis spp. can positively affect well-being, but there has been little consideration for potentially adverse phenotypic and sociological outcomes. Nonetheless, the realities of CB1 and CB2 receptors and the endocannabinoid system argue in favor of more research and understanding of phytocannabinoids and their role in physiology. In the U.S., the legal landscape surrounding cannabis is a thickly bordered mosaic between 104

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the states and the federal government. From the DEA perspective, the cannabis plant or cannabinoid products are illegal if they contain more than 0.3 percent by weight of delta-9tetrahydrocannabinol, colloquially referred to as THC. In an article in smithsonianmag.com, Brian Handwerk writes that contemporary marijuana typically contains 18% to as much as 30% THC. Levels of THC this high are an order of magnitude more potent than the marijuana of the 1980s. Hemp is defined in the United States Federal Register as any part or derivative (including seeds) of the plant Cannabis sativa L. with a dry weight concentration of tetrahydrocannabinols not greater than 0.3 percent. In this context, tetrahydrocannabinols include the salts and isomers of THC. The FDA must ensure safe

food, drugs, and dietary supplements synthesized or derived from cannabis or hemp comply with DEA regulations. The USDA must regulate industrial hemp production. In March 2021, the USDA issued a final rule that mandated “maintaining records about the land where hemp is produced, testing the levels of total THC, disposing of non-compliant plants, licensing hemp producers, and ensuring compliance under the new program.” In states that have legalized medicinal or adult recreational use of cannabis products, legislation is defined for product testing. Residual pesticides and solvents, terpenes, mycotoxins, heavy metals, and microbial screening for E. coli and Aspergillus spp. are commonly required tests. Regarding cannabinoids, states require a quantitative assessment of total THC and total cannabidiol, which is a common phytocannabinoid derived from the decarboxylation of cannabidiolic acid. These metrics are a normalized sum of the corresponding acid plus the neutral compound. Total THC and total cannabidiol are determined through Equations 1 and 2. EQUATION 1 Total THC = 0.877 * [Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid] + [THC] EQUATION 2 Total Cannabidiol = 0.877 * [Cannabidiolic Acid] + [Cannabidiol] Recently, delta-8-THC has become the controversial step-kin of THC. In the more chemically processed products, the synthetic potential for THC by-products is high, and often compounds like delta-8-THC are formed. Although not defined in most regulations, quantitative determination of delta-8-THC is critical for total THC accuracy.

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Various samples of cannabis and hemp for THC and total potency testing in the U.S.

exponentially increased. Many delta-8-THC proponents claim the 2018 Farm Bill neglected to explicitly state the legal status of delta-8-THC and it is therefore legal. However, many jurisdictions in the U.S. and the DEA disagree. What is the future of delta-8-THC? In products that contain high concentrations of delta-8-THC, the compound is synthesized and not obtained through natural postharvest processes from plant materials. Furthermore, delta-8-THC is an isomer of THC. Since the DEA considers the synthetic production of delta8-THC illegal and the fact that it is an isomer of THC, these two points cast an uncertain future in the U.S. for delta-8-THC products.

Photo: Agilent Technologies/Used with Permission

What is delta-8-THC and how is it made? Many people don’t realize that cannabis plants do not genetically synthesize THC. In fact, the cannabis genome is encoded to synthesize eight phytocannabinoid acids. From these acids, as many as 66 to 100 cannabinoids (there are claims of hundreds of cannabinoids), including THC, are non-genetically synthesized through processes such as decarboxylation, photoirradiation, photo-oxidation, and other degradation processes. In harvested plants, delta-8-THC is formed over time through a process that transforms THC into a close “relative” chemically referred to as an isomer. It has the same number and configuration of atoms as THC but differs by the position of a carbon-carbon double bond. This subtle difference engenders different biochemical and physical properties in delta-8-THC compared to THC. Although delta-8-THC formation occurs through natural processes over time, its relative concentration is typically low compared to THC and cannabidiol in plant material. delta-8-THC is also easily synthesized from cannabidiol and this is, along with it being a THC isomer, at the heart of the controversy between delta-8-THC advocates, the government, and regional jurisdictions. What’s the appeal of delta-8-THC? Delta-8-THC is sometimes referred to as THC-light. Anecdotally, it is purported to have some psychoactive properties but may not have the intense intoxicating properties of THC.

Certainly, more research must be undertaken to assess claims that have not been evaluated in controlled studies. The contemporary appeal of delta-8-THC is the perceived legal status of the compound and that it somehow skirts federal law. Is delta-8-THC legal? Technically, no. The DEA considers delta-8THC a synthetically derived Schedule I controlled substance. According to Bill Weinberg of Project CBD, the official list of Controlled Substances names THC and delta-8-THC under its entry for tetrahydrocannabinols. Is there a consumer market for delta-8-THC? Since 2020, sales of delta-8-THC products have

Is delta-8-THC the ugly step-kin of THC, or will it become the next best thing in cannabis sales and consumption? It remains to be seen, but rest assured the debate will be hot and heavy over the foreseeable future in the U.S. ❖ Disclaimer. Agilent products and solutions are intended to be used for cannabis quality control and safety testing in laboratories where such use is permitted under state/country law. DE44320.4099189815 Dr. Anthony Macherone is a Senior Scientist with Agilent Technologies and a Visiting Professor at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. His analytical expertise is LC/MS and GC/MS. For the past 4.5 years, Anthony has been leading a team of scientists for the development of analytical testing methodologies for cannabis and hemp products.

Cannabis plant material and oil.

Photo: Agilent Technologies/Used with Permission

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The Science Behind the Smell Common Cannabis Terpenes and Their Therapeutic Effects By Patricia Miller The human nose can detect over a trillion

Compounds called terpenes create the aroma of

unique scents, according to research published in

many plants, particularly cannabis. Terpenes can

the journal Science. The nose is also a primary tool

also protect plants against bacteria, viruses, and

for evaluating the quality of cannabis. As research

fungi. Nadav Eyal specializes in terpene research

around marijuana expands, it seems aroma compounds are responsible for more than just smell — they can also impact the way cannabis affects our bodies.

and formulations as the CEO and co-founder of Eybna Technologies. He says people, just like plants, use terpenes for both smell and protection. “Terpenes are responsible for the unique smells

Photo: iStockphoto.com/Gleti

Myrcene This terpene has citrusy notes like those found in mangoes and lemongrass. It’s also the active sedating principle of hops. The British Journal of Pharmacology published a study titled “Taming THC …” by Ethan B. Russo which explores terpenes and their effects. Russo found myrcene diminishes inflammation and “acted as a muscle relaxant in mice.”

Photo: iStockphoto.com/Gleti

Former budtender and current Technical Support Associate for STM Canna Christopher Mendoza calls it the “terpene of sunshine,” because it makes people feel happy.

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and tastes of cannabis flowers. They’re also substances with antibacterial, antiviral, antiinflammatory, and therapeutic properties,” said Eyal. Inhaling cannabis into the lungs increases the bioavailability of these terpenes, he said, making it an ideal tool for researching the medical potential of these smelly compounds. Below are a few common cannabis terpenes and some expert insight into their effects.

Limonene This compound also has notes of citrus. The study “Neuroprotective Effects of Limonene” published in Issue 3 of Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin said limonene can decrease cell death and brain inflammation. CEO of Ilera Holistic Healthcare Dr. Chanda Macias told Cannabis & Tech Today, “Limonene is a natural antidepressant and a diuretic.” She often suggests limonene-dominant cannabis products to patients dealing with pain and depression, as the two symptoms frequently coincide.

Pinene There are many pinene compounds, such as A Pinene and B Pinene. Overall, Russo says pinene is anti-inflammatory, a bronchodilator, and a broad-spectrum antibiotic. “Perhaps most compelling, however, is its activity as an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor aiding memory … This feature could counteract shortterm memory deficits induced by THC intoxication,” says Russo.

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Linalool This terpene is also found in lavender. Russo’s research found it has sedative effects on mice, as well as some pain-relieving properties. It also acts as an anticonvulsant when used in conjunction with other compounds. “More of the purple strains tend to have this,” said Mendoza. “For me at least, it tends to help with inflammation and headaches.” Photo: iStockphoto.com/valio84sl

Caryophyllene This terpene is also found in black pepper. Russo’s research notes it is an anti-inflammatory agent and can act as a gastric cytoprotective agent. The study “Protective Effects of BetaCaryophyllene in Chronic Inflammation” published in the journal Nutrients said, “Beta-caryophyllene is one of the most studied and promising natural compounds … It has been reported to exert therapeutic effects as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer.” Photo: iStockphoto.com/Eivaisla

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Mango and coconut are two foods that may intensify your high. And they are beautiful together. Finding a good ripe mango can be difficult, kinda like finding a ripe avocado, but persevere, both are well worth the effort. What You’ll Need: 1 ½ cups coconut milk 1 mango, peeled and pitted 1 frozen small banana, peeled and sliced 1 cup cantaloupe, peeled and cut in chunks 2 tablespoons agave or honey 2 teaspoons canna-oil Pinch cinnamon Directions: Combine all the ingredients in a blender and puree. Divide between the two glasses. Laurie Wolf is the author of such cannabis cookbooks as Marijuana Edibles, HERB, The Medical Marijuana Dispensary, and Cooking with Cannabis. Her recipes have been featured in High Times, Dope Magazine, Culture, and more. She is also the founder of Laurie + MaryJane, an edible company offering everything from almond truffle bites to vegan chocolate cookies.

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// PRODUCT REVOLUTION //

NP-P20A Tablet Press by Natoli Engineering Company, Inc. – This single-station hydraulic tablet press is a fan favorite in the cannabis industry for low-volume tablet manufacturing, as well as marginal formulations that require deep-fill dies. The NP-P20A was designed for small scale production and meets the U.S.D.A. requirements for batch reporting and secure data management under the CFR 21 Part 11 compliance. Enjoy consistent pellet and tablet thickness, unique and custom tablet shapes, and consistent weight control. Now available with Natoli AIM Pro Data Acquisition and Analysis Software to plot tableting and formulation characteristics. See website for pricing.

HAMR Cold Start Dab Rig by Myster – With the HAMR Rig’s futuristic, handheld design, one dab of concentrated cannabis will surely take you out of this world. The bundle conveniently includes everything you need to make a perfect dab: a silicone base, a slanted glass pipe, Quartz finger banger, SABR Torch Lighter, stainless steel dabber, a bubble cap, and a secure, zip-up carrying case. $149

Dichloran Rose Bengal Chloramphenicol by Hardy Diagnostics – The pandemic highlighted to the world how the smallest interaction with a contaminated substance can have huge consequences. The same is true in the cannabis industry. Hardy Diagnostics’ Dichloran Rose Bengal Chloramphenicol is an excellent media for the culture and isolation of a broad spectrum of yeast and molds. With more people waking up to the dangers of pathogenic molds, screening tools have never been more important. $37

Biomass Refinement System by Tom’s Tumbler – Thomas Bruggemann invented Tom’s Tumbler to create products that help growers save time and money by making their work easier. Eight years later, Tom’s Tumbler is still creating new, innovative processing solutions. Their Biomass Refinement System transforms biomass into beautiful kief and homogenous trim in a matter of minutes with the multi-vacuumed Refiner. Making edibles is a breeze, as the kief is conveniently extracted into sterile containers for use. For a complete processing system, add the Biomass Refiner to Tom’s Tumbler Python Trimmer and D-LEEFER $35,000

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// PRODUCT REVOLUTION //

Ozark Mountain Medicine Hemp Flower by Bio Gen LLC – These terpene-rich pre-rolls are hand-tended by Bio Gen founder Bill Morgan, who has 40 years of organic growing experience. Each OBK pre-roll contains an enticing blend of CBG, Bubba Kush, and Ozark grown in a proprietary living soil blend. Or try Bill’s Blend of 16 different cultivars, offering an entourage of cannabinoid complexity. No fillers. No flavor additives. All love. 5 pack, 1.5-gram pre-rolls $28 GRAV Gravitron – GRAV revolutionized how we smoke cannabis with their all-glass gravity bong, and now they’re back at it with better-than-ever updates. The new version is improved from the top down. A ground-glass joint and a platinum-cured silicone grommet create a tighter seal and guarantee zero smoke loss. Try the Medium Graviton ($70), 9-inches tall with a 14 mm funnel bowl, or level up to the Large Gravitron ($90) standing at 11-inches in height with a 19 mm funnel bowl.

ZIPPZ CBD – ZIPPZ Inc. acknowledges the unique needs of every individual customer and knows that age, lifestyle choices, health conditions, and gender all play a role in how CBD affects our physiology. Prior to purchasing, customers take an assessment to find the precise CBD and botanical formulas for their sleep and stress needs. ZIPPZ ships a customized trial pack of up to four formulas. Sample the products, find what you love, and buy a bottle specifically tailored to your unique needs. The trial pack with 4 customized products is $39 — but 100% of the cost is deducted from the purchase of a full-size bottle of 60 softgels, which start at $79 for a monthly subscription.

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SentryIQ Grow Room Environment Controls by Surna – To cultivate a product you can be proud of, the needs of your plant must be met. SentrylQ Grow Room Environment Controls make growing a whole lot easier by creating an optimal environment for plants to flourish. Monitor and record temperature, humidity, CO2, VPD, and cooling loop zone performance utilizing sophisticated sequencing with predictive algorithms to control temperature and humidity. You’ll be happy your cannabis is thriving, your customers will be happy with the end result, and, most of all, your plants will be happy, too. That’s a win-win in our book. Inquire at surna.com for pricing.

// PRODUCT REVOLUTION //

Curaleaf Select Squeeze – This fast-acting THC-infused beverage enhancer uses nano-emulsification technology to transform any beverage into a THC drink. Feel the effects in as little as 15-30 minutes. Select Squeeze comes in an assortment of delicious flavors, making it the perfect base to experiment with. Become your own cannabis mixologist, test new flavor concoctions, and find your new favorite go-to summer drink. Each bottle contains 150 mg of THC. $35

Hydrology9 NX from Cloudious9 – This beautifully designed vaporizer works with both cannabis concentrate and flower. The water-filtered vape has six temperature settings and features a switchable concentrate atomizer and convection flower heating chamber. The vaporizer uses an advanced sensor to immediately recognize either the concentrate or flower heating chamber, automatically adjusting temperature to the vaporization profile to either concentrate or flower. You’ll love this versatile vaporizer whether you’re enjoying a night in or showing off to your friends. $300 for both chambers or $270 for either flower or concentrate.

Mode – No need to worry about accidentally overestimating your dose. With Mode, the world’s first smart cannabis dosing device and companion app, you’re in control of your experience. This powerful tool for health and wellness offers an Inhale & Exhale Haptic Guidance feature so users know precisely when to stop inhaling to receive their preferred dose. Simply put your cartridge into the device, set it to the dose you want, and you’re good to go. Mode has universal 510 cannabis cartridge compatibility and is now available for preorder. $100

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The L1T K1T by Goodwood – Beautifully made in the Niagara region of Ontario, Goodwood’s portable joint-rolling L1T K1T is an essential buy for any ecofriendly cannabis enthusiast. The L1T K1T includes a concave area to roll joints, one grinder, one pack of P4PRS, four tins for different strains, one PØKE, one lighter, and one compartment for rolled joints. Enjoy this product knowing that eleven trees are planted for every L1T K1T sold. $130

CANNA BOOT CAMP EXCITING KEYNOTES HUGE EXHIBITION FLOOR CULTIVATION GURUS ANALYTICAL EXPERTS MEDICAL EXPERTS NETWORKING MIXERS

SAVE THE DATE for our West Coast Event!

BALTIMORE, MD September 13-15, 2021 BALTIMORE CONVENTION CENTER

The World’s Largest Scientific & Medical Cannabis Event!

LONG BEACH, CA February 2 - 4, 2022

Sponsorship and exhibition opportunities are available. Please contact Andrea at Andrea@CannabisScienceConference.com

CannabisScienceConference.com

// COMING UP //

Events AUG 3-5 Virtual Cannabis

6-7 CannaCon Midwest Chicago,

Research Conference

Rosemont, IL

25 Global Investment Forum –

26-27 ICBC B2B –

International Cannabis Business Conference, Berlin, Germany

International Cannabis Business Conference – Berlin, Germany

SEPT 2-4 The Southern Hemp Expo 2021, Raleigh, NC

25-26 Indo Expo | Fall Show Chicago

27-29 Women in Cannabis Expo

(Live and In-Person), Chicago, IL

2021 Reno, NV

28-29 HortiCann Light + Tech

30-OCT. 1 CBD Expo WEST 2021

Conference (Virtual)

Los Angeles, CA

Coming Next Issue PACKAGED TO PERFECTION Retail sales in the cannabiz depend on eye-catching packaging to push product. Whether it’s sustainable hemp child-proof pouches, biodegradable pre-roll tubes, or traditional plastic pop tops, the fall issue will shine a spotlight on packaging innovations for every vertical.

SECURING YOUR ASSETS This issue covered compliance to keep our readers out of hot water with regulators. Next issue, we’ll investigate new technologies and strategies for securing your goods. From protecting plants to cloistering cash, we’ll have all the insights you need to keep your assets safe from harm.

RETAIL REDEMPTION While it’s been a tough year for most retailers, the cannabis space is thriving. We’ll take a look at the entrepreneurs dominating the retail space and learn their tips for market saturation. Discover who’s winning, who’s losing, and how to make the most of every dollar during these strange economic times.

SPOTLIGHT ON WASHINGTON As one of the first states to legalize adult-use cannabis, Washington has nearly a decade of experience in the industry. We’ll speak with market leaders to discover what they’ve learned and ask their advice for new entrants to the space. With so many new states joining the legal cannabis club this year, it’s a great time to learn from the experts. Photo: iStockphoto.com/aiisha5

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With deep industry knowledge that spans across the entire cannabis supply chain, COLIN KELLEY has a proven track record of building high-performing teams, capitalizing and launching companies, and connecting people and ideas. As an operating partner for private equity fund Merida Capital Holdings, Kelley oversees cannabis operations in six states throughout the Midwest and East Coast. He also serves as a board member of Minnesota producer LeafLine Labs, its CBD brands Happy PlaceTM and SOARTM, as well as the cannabis software company Brytemap.

Cannabis Conference is where enterprising

industry leaders go to share their stories and experiences with YOU.

August 24-26, 2021 Colin Kelley 2021 Cannabis Conference Advisory Board Member & Speaker

Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino Las Vegas, NV

AIM CAMERA PHONE HERE

CannabisConference.com

RELAX // THE LIGHTER SIDE

Top 10 Celebrity Cannabis Lines We Would Like to See By David Wallach

Images courtesy of Adam Seidman

What do Megan Rapinoe, Snoop, Kristen Bell, Martha Stewart, and Nathaniel Rateliff all have in common? No, they are not collaborating to make Frozen 3: Olaf Gets Some Funk. They all have a cannabis or cannabis-related brand. Because you know, why work for another World Cup when you can hawk CBD? As the cannabis movement continues to become more mainstream, celebrities are looking to add their names to a cannabis deal, so we came up with the top 10 celebrity cannabis lines we would like to see. Kamala’s Kush — A hard-hitting cultivar so uplifting you’ll shatter every glass ceiling from California to Washington D.C. Makes you feel strong and powerful like you can take on the world. Marjorie Taylor’s “Green” — A cheap ditch weed that leaves a bad taste in your mouth. Side effects include delusions, hallucinations, and loss of the ability to make any sense at all. Regé-Jean’s-Edibles — You’ll burn every bridge to get your hands on these sumptuous 120

Cannabis & Tech Today // Summer 2021

candies. Just a little bit will leave you feeling warm inside and happy all over. Greta’s Gummies — Completely organic gummies. A great head high that will open up your creative side. Side effects may include not being able to stop talking, even when nobody is listening. Barack’s Brownies — Gives you a cool mellow high that leaves you inspired to do good things. Fauci’s Flower — An odd little strain that is outstanding for helping you concentrate. Great for anxiety, gives you a sense of calm even when things seem hopeless. Bloomberg’s Bud — Mostly marketing hype behind this bud. Super expensive with the promise of a great high, but burns out quickly and leaves you wanting more. Macchio’s Munchables — An old idea born again. The basic pot brownie from the ’80s re-packaged to look a little different, but very familiar at the same time. Macchio’s Munchables will make you smile and give you a nostalgic feeling without actually doing much at all. Like

an old pair of 501’s, basic but good. Brady’s Baked Goods and Gronk’s Gummies — A limited-run gift bag that will be out of stock soon. An uplifting sativa. It gives you a Deja vu kind of high like you have been someplace several times before. When combined, you get a feeling that anything is possible. Also great for old, tired bones. Billy B’s Pre-Rolls — One hit and that’s it. You feel fabulous! You’re ready to hit the town and strut your stuff. These pre-rolls will make you feel strong, proud, and very loud. Some people have reported seeing a rainbow haze while using, but say it adds to the full experience. Legal Note — You know, so we don’t get in trouble. None of the above-mentioned celebrities had or have anything to do with this list, we made it up as satire. That being said, if they do decide to make any of these, we call dibs! ❖ What celebrity cannabis brands would you like to see? Tell us @cannatechtoday with the hashtag #celebcanna and we’ll share our favorites in the next issue.

Cannabis & Tech Today -- Summer 2021

Articles inside

The Lighter Side

Events Calendar

Something Edible with Laurie Wolf

Access for Athletes

Product Revolution

Delta-8-THC: What’s the deal?

Sean Paul Talks Germs and Ganja

Terpenes and You: What do they do?

Focused on Farming

Putting Retailers First

Profits and Protection

Lighting the Way

America’s Place in Cannabis Tourism

Safety, Savings, and Convenience

Shop ‘Til You Drop

Grow Smarter

CannaPrivacy

Know Before

Event Wrap Ups

Fashion Forward

International

Cannabis & Tech Today // Summer 2021

Thinking Outside the Box

Scaling Extraction

Compliance