TECH ZONE: THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN REVOLUTION | HOW DOES BLOCKCHAIN FIT INTO THE INDUSTRY?
RICKY
WILLIAMS Halfback Turned Healer
CASSANDRA FARRINGTON On the Business of Cannabis Media
KEVIN O’LEARY Mr. Wonderful Talks Cannabiz
WINDY BORMAN The Modern Day Puffragette
REGGIE WATTS
Silences Stigmas
Summer 2018 | $12.99
TECH ZONE: THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN REVOLUTION | HOW DOES BLOCKCHAIN FIT INTO THE INDUSTRY?
KEVIN O’LEARY Mr. Wonderful Talks Cannabiz
WINDY BORMAN The Modern Day Puffragette
RICKY WILLIAMS Halfback Turned Healer
CASSANDRA FARRINGTON On the Business of Cannabis Media
Summer 2018 | $12.99
TECH ZONE: THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN REVOLUTION | HOW DOES BLOCKCHAIN FIT INTO THE INDUSTRY?
KEVIN O’LEARY Mr. Wonderful Talks Cannabiz
CASSANDRA FARRINGTON On the Business of Cannabis Media
RICKY WILLIAMS
Halfback Turned Healer
WINDY BORMAN The Modern Day Puffragette
REGGIE WATTS
Silences Stigmas Summer 2018 | $12.99
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FROM THE PUBLISHER
Charles Warner, Publisher/Editor-in-Chief
Cannabis tech means business.
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hen we launched our first national publication Innovation & Tech Today over five years ago, we wanted to focus on lifechanging technologies, revolutionary business ideas, and the people that have reshaped the world. And, with our brand new publication Cannabis & Tech Today, we get the opportunity to take this focus and apply it to the ever-growing world of cannabis and hemp. With Cannabis & Tech Today, we have a mission: to take a detailed look at the burgeoning cannabis industry through a lens of science and technology. While there is no shortage of marijuana-related publications on the market, I noticed that most of them focused purely on the lifestyle side, ignoring some of the major business innovations and scientific discoveries taking place. In a true celebration of the rapidly expanding world of cannabis, we are proud to launch our publication at MJBizConNEXT in New Orleans. The event, featuring one of our three cover stars Kevin O’Leary as the keynote speaker, is a perfect fit for our magazine, focusing on the exciting future of the billion-dollar business. With insights into the smarter side of cannabis, interviews with engaging personalities, and a look at revolutionary shake-ups within the world of marijuana, we are proud to present you with the debut issue of Cannabis & Tech Today! Please follow us on social media and spread the word that Innovative Properties Worldwide, makers of award-winning magazines, has just launched the sexiest quarterly magazine in the history of the cannabis business.
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CHECK IT OUT…
PUBLISHER/ EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Charles Warner cwarner@goipw.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR Shane Brisson shane@goipw.com
Cannabis Radio is the premier online podcast radio destination for all things cannabis. If you are an activist, enthusiast, business executive, politician, or policy maker looking to keep your fingers on the pulse of what is important to all the major stakeholders of the legal marijuana industry, then this is the radio network for you.
Cannabis Science Conference is the world’s largest and most technical scientific cannabis event. Grow with us in 2018 at the Oregon Convention Center in downtown Portland, OR, August 27th - 29th! SPECIAL THANKS TO: MJBizCon, Marijuana Business Daily, Cannabis World Congress & Business Expo, The Marijuana Show, The Cannabis Conservancy, Hemp Industries Association, Abby Hoffman, Jordan French, Windy Borman, Josh Blue, Nancy Cheung, Aaron Ray, Emily Backus, Rob Greenwald, Mollie Berg, Makenzie Gee, Sensi Magazine, Ron Kolb, Canna Mexico, Jason Dueweke, Tess Wood, Joshua Crossney, Brandy Babin
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contents SUMMER 2018
PREMIERE ISSUE COVERS 40 Kevin O’Leary Gets Candid on Cannabis By Charles Warner Photo courtesy of Kevin O’Leary
50 Covering the Cannabusiness with Cassandra Farrington By Alex Moersen Cover Photo by Andrew Kowalyshyn
30 Colleen Lanier Gives Hemp a Helping Hand
56 Ricky Williams: From Halfback to Healer By Anthony Elio Photo courtesy Makenzie Gee
Departments 14 By the Numbers 16 Know Before You Go 18 Media 20 J obs of the Future, Jobs of Today
22 Women in Weed 26 I nnovator Profile: Russ Hudson on Consulting Cannabis 76 Product Revolution
28 Sustainability The Triple Bottom Line: People, Planet, and Profit 30 Colleen Lanier Gives Hemp a Helping Hand
36 Security Cannabis Security Gets an Upgrade 38 Data Security in Cannabis
40 Business Innovations Kevin O’Leary Gets Candid on Cannabis
Courtesy of Colleen Lanier
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43 MJBizConNEXT Preview 44 The New Oil Men of Colorado 50 C overing the Cannabusiness with Cassandra Farrington 52 Harvesting the Blockchain
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contents
SUMMER 2018
56 Health & Wellness Ricky Williams: From Halfback to Healer 62 Breaking Free with CBD 64 Sick Pets and the Science of CBD
66 Tech Zone The Rocky Mountain Revolution 68 The Future of Pharmaceuticals 70 Developing Denver’s Sustainable Solutions
72 Entertainment Reggie Watts Silences Stigmas
78 Relax Creative Cannabis with Tony Greenhand 80 Lighter Side with Josh Blue
Photo Robyn Von Swank
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e NUMB RS
by the
A look at the metrics shaping the cannabis business market — and our lives
Cannabis Cash $$$$$$
The profits from cannabis sales are set to more than double in the next two years. One look at the numbers below and you’ll see why this industry is making tremendous returns for those clever enough to invest.
States with Legal Medical
30
States With Nothing
States with CBD Only
States with Legal Recreational
4
16
9
2015 $5.04 billion
National Marijuana Sales
2016 $6.73 billion 2021 $21.6 billion (est.)
Cannabis Industry (Ranges) Cannabis IndustryEconomic EconomicImpact Impact CO Marijuana Sales
$70
$683,523,739 2015 $995,591,255 2016 $1,307,203,473 2017 $1,507,702,219
$60
2014
In Billions
$34-46.4
$50
$40.4-54.8
$26.8-35.2
$40
$20.4-24.4
$30
$16-18
$20 $10
2016
2017
2018*
2019*
Recreational Cannabis Timeline
2012
2014
2016
Colorado Washington
Alaska / Oregon Washington D.C.
California / Maine / Massachusetts / Nevada
Data sources: mjbizdaily.com / colorado.gov / cannabisbusinesstimes.com / CNN | Chart Backgrounds: Vecteezy.com
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DEPARTMENTS // KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
A Guide to Cannabis Tourism By Patricia Miller Are you planning a trip to another state to try some legal cannabis? We at Cannabis & Tech Today understand that cannabis tourism is a fairly new concept and you might have some questions. We are here to help. A recent study by the Pew Research Center found 61 percent of Americans believe marijuana should be legalized. This is encouraging news for the nine states that recently passed legislation permitting the use of recreational cannabis. The surge in approval ratings is causing an onslaught of tourism for pot-friendly states. If you are one of the thousands of visitors hoping to enjoy the cannabis culture available in a nearby state, you may be wondering what to expect during your stay. Hopefully, you are also interested in learning some marijuana etiquette to employ during your travels. This guide should answer some of your pressing concerns and offer a few tips for enjoying responsibly. Can I buy it? Before traveling to another state to partake, make sure they have legalized recreational marijuana consumption. If it is a medical-only state, you would have to obtain a medical license, which is only available to full-time residents. When visiting a place where recreational consumption is legal, you may purchase all variety of cannabis products if you are over 21 years old and have an I.D. to prove it.
How much can I have? Many states with legalized recreational cannabis vary on the amount of flower an out-of-state visitor may purchase in a day. The average legal quantity available for purchase tends to be one ounce or less. For example, a visitor to Colorado may legally obtain up to one quarter ounce of cannabis at a time; whereas in-state residents may purchase up to one full ounce. According to the Official State Web Portal of Colorado, this rule applies to all forms of marijuana, including edibles and concentrates.
Background Vecteezy
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Cash or credit? Federal law still considers marijuana to be a Class 1 substance and prohibits banking institutions from accepting money obtained from the sale or distribution of the product. With this in mind, many dispensaries do not accept credit or debit card payments for marijuana transactions. The purchase of weed is still largely a cash-only enterprise, so stopping by an ATM is a wise decision before visiting the dispensary.
How do I transport my purchase? First and foremost, you cannot legally transport any marijuana products across state borders, even from one legalized state to another. Second, you will need to take the cannabis to a private place to enjoy it. The Colorado Department of Transportation takes the following stance on the issue: “Neither drivers nor passengers are allowed to open any marijuana packaging and use the product while in a vehicle. You can be charged with a traffic offense if the marijuana product seal has been broken, some of the product has been consumed, and there’s evidence that it was used in the car.” Interestingly, RVers may have an advantage in this situation, as open containers are permitted within RV living spaces as long as there are no open containers within the passenger area. So, consuming in the car is illegal, but you still need to get the product from point A to point B. According to Colorado Springs lawyer Steven T. Rodemer, “The best advice I can give on this issue is to place it in a closed trunk. This way, if you are stopped by law enforcement, there’s no question that you weren’t consuming it.”
States with Legalized Recreational and Medical Marijuana: Alaska • California • Colorado Maine • Massachusetts • Nevada Oregon • Vermont • Washington
States with Legalized Medical Marijuana:
Arizona • Arkansas • Connecticut Delaware • Florida • Hawaii • Illinois Maryland • Michigan • Minnesota Montana • New Hampshire • New Jersey • New Mexico • New York North Dakota • Ohio • Pennsylvania Rhode Island • West Virginia
Where can I consume it? Now, brave cannabis tourist, you have your products and are ready to partake. Unfortunately, public consumption of any marijuana product is illegal. You may only ingest cannabis in a private residence, certain private social clubs, or in cannabis-friendly hotels. You are also prohibited from using any weed substances on federal lands, such as National Parks.
What else should I know? When visiting a legal cannabis state, keep these few points of etiquette in mind: consume discreetly and privately; never drive while under the influence; respect the locals and their varied viewpoints on the topic; and ingest your products in low doses and at a slow pace until you are familiar with their potency and subsequent effects. Now that you have a general cannabis travel guide, be sure to do your own research on the area you intend to visit in order to ensure your safety and adherence to local laws.
cannatechtoday.com // Summer 2018 // PREMIERE ISSUE
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DEPARTMENTS // MEDIA
Thinking Outside the Bud By Jordan French
How ad restrictions have spurred creative tactics within the cannabis industry
AltaVie
NETFLIX
Patio Interactive
Restrictions for cannabis companies are nothing new, but growing a business when laws and cultural stigma place strict limits on advertising is a different realm. Facebook and Google — the largest online advertising platforms — have blocked paid social ads, restraining a market that requires education and whose progression is dependent on untapped business. But the result has forced cannabis companies to think outside the box, forming partnerships and deploying experiential marketing techniques that are turning heads.
Association as an Influential Tool
Cannabis Can Be “High Tech”
Changing Public Perception
A California dispensary, Alternative Herbal Health Services, partnered with streaming giant Netflix to produce marijuana product lines inspired by popular shows Orange is the New Black, Arrested Development, and Bojack Horseman. The marijuana is sold in sleek, candle-shaped jars packaged with bright neon labels, making their appearance in pop-up shops wherever legal. The outcome is a beautifully designed product with a connection to mainstream culture through Netflix. A cannabis product most have been unfamiliar with now seems not only approachable, but friendly and familiar. The partnership aims to blend cannabis with popularized new-age entertainment, hinting at a cool new type of leisure.
Using augmented reality technology, NexTech AR solutions is building mobilephone applications that allow people to view more information on a cannabis product when a smartphone is pointed at the label. Given that the Federal Communications Commission — the regulatory body that oversees American advertising — currently limits cannabis labels to a warning sign and a logo, finding creative ways to market information is necessary. Similarly, Patio Interactive, the Toronto-based virtual reality startup, helps society take a deeper look at strains of marijuana through its wearable lenses and virtual reality content that takes the viewer to faraway farms and details cannabis strain properties and origins. Being able to access information is key for an industry that is otherwise blocked from mainstream marketing.
Brands must be present at large-scale public events like their alcohol industry counterparts and actively seek partnerships that breed trust and open minds. In Toronto’s West End, during Art Toronto’s “gallery hop,” people sipped on champagne and listened to panelists discussing mindfulness. While active cannabis use was nowhere to be found, its brand elements were sprinkled throughout the event with drug-free tastings of chocolate-coated toffee called Cannabis Crunch. The company’s aim was to subtly acquaint the crowd with the flavor of popular cannabis strains while discussing facts and drawing feel-good associations within a lively environment.
The best approach is changing perception and educating the masses through design, inspiration, and image; refraining from counterculture and stoner jokes by thinking politically, informatively, and in a manner of advocacy. Companies need to draw the connection between cannabis and our modern day culture. Every marketing decision right now is forming new opinions, bringing light to an industry that was sleeping in darkness. History has taught us that pot was illegal, but its future has no limitations with or without Facebook and Google. Jordan French is a top multimedia tech journalist, former attorney-advisor to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and Fast 50 and Inc. 500-ranked entrepreneur.
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DEPARTMENTS // JOBS OF THE FUTURE, JOBS OF TODAY
Planting the Seeds of STEM By Patricia Miller
Pho tos Get ty I ma ges /iSt ock pho to
How the cannabis job market is ripe for STEM professionals
Legal cannabis is one of the fastest growing industries in North America. New Frontier Data, a cannabis analytics firm, recently reported there will be more than 250,000 jobs for American workers in the cannabis market by 2020. The potential for Canadian job growth will be even larger, as Canada is soon to become the first G20 nation to legalize recreational consumption on a national level. Careers in STEM will see the most growth as cannabis companies scramble to find qualified applicants to fill a diverse array of challenging positions. Professionals with backgrounds in STEM will be entering a high-paying and expanding market. Many employers are willing to pay more than $150,000 a year for applicants with the right skill set. Current listings mention preferred experience in such fields as: plant biology, chemical engineering, analytical chemistry, and robotics software engineering. Many commercial enterprises are studying plants on a cellular level to determine which cannabinoids produce certain physiological effects. In order to market and make sense of that information, companies will require biopharmacologists, 20
phytochemists, and data scientists who can conduct research, interpret data, and utilize their findings in large scale production. Some companies are even seeking to integrate A.I., blockchain, and cryptocurrency into their operations and are recruiting individuals who are well-versed in the tech to join their teams. GreenWave Advisors, another cannabis industry analyst, estimates there are at least 30 million recreational marijuana users in the U.S. alone. As this demographic continues to grow, commercial operations will require more diversity from their applicants, including expertise with cannabinoid extraction, software development for cloud based platforms, robotic process automation, and genomic DNA isolation. Opportunities are available in 29 states across the U.S. and will be widespread throughout Canada once the legislation passes in August or September of this year. The creation of so many new jobs necessitated the development of cannabis-specific career platforms where applicants can search for positions related to their field of study.
PREMIERE ISSUE // Summer 2018 // cannatechtoday.com
Sites such as Vangst, AngelList, and CannabizTeam offer a variety of opportunities within the cannabis field. Many of their postings are high-paying, technically advanced professions focused on filling gaps in STEMrelated aspects of cultivation, harvesting, systems optimization, and product development. CEO of CannabizTeam, Liesl Bernard, started her business to connect applicants with employers in this developing niche market. Bernard notes: “We have seen a huge increase in the demand for highly skilled tech talent in the cannabis industry in the last two years. Our clients are increasingly looking for professionals with experience in programming, web design, creative marketing, database management, [and] IT project and laboratory management. We have been placing highly qualified candidates across the U.S. and Canada at all levels, and we’re also seeing salaries and compensation packages becoming more lucrative. In fact, many of our clients are offering equity in order to attract top talent looking to enter this exciting new industry.” Ä
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DEPARTMENTS // WOMEN IN WEED
Puffragettes with a Purpose By Alex Moersen
Director of Mary Janes Windy Borman shares why female leaders thrive in the cannabis industry Puffragette [puff-ruh-jet]: a woman (or man) who is working for gender parity, social justice, and environmental sustainability in the cannabis industry. Ganja Girls; Green Goddesses; Mary Janes. There are many names for the women in the cannabis industry. However, Windy Borman, director of Mary Janes, never quite felt those names truly captured the work of these leaders. When she began her new project, Borman had noticed a trend in the business of cannabis: female leaders were coming into the space at full force. A brainstorming session with her team would result in an appropriate name for these pioneers: Puffragettes. We had the chance to discuss with Borman her inspiration for the project, how women fit into the space, and the future of gender in the industry. Cannabis & Tech Today: How did you first get into the cannabis industry and where did this idea of a “Puffragette” come from? Windy Borman: I was a cannabis outsider. I’d actually never used the product, but I couldn’t ignore hearing all of these amazing stories of women having success in the
industry. I think that really got my attention. In 2015, they said that 36 percent of senior leadership in the cannabis industry was female. And the national average is 22 percent. There was something about cannabis that was attracting more female leadership. So that intrigued me, you know? I started inter-viewing people over the phone to try and wrap my head around this. I ended up speaking to over 100 people. What I started to see was, not only was cannabis connected to gender parity, but it was also connected to social justice and environmental sustainability. And those three core values had been present in all my other projects. So even if I didn’t understand cannabis, I had access points to try to help have this conversation. And if I could highlight the female leaders who were leading this new industry and building corporate responsibility into the foundation of it, that was really intriguing to me as a filmmaker. As we were putting all these things together, we were trying to figure out, “Well, what do we call these women?” There are a lot of really cute names like “Mary Janes,” “Women of Weed,” u
For her documentary Mary Janes, Windy Borman worked with and interviewed a number of high-profile leaders in the cannabis space, including Wanda James, the first black dispensary owner, and Melissa Etheridge (bottom), famed country music star and medical marijuana advocate. Photos courtesy of Windy Borman
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DEPARTMENTS // WOMEN IN WEED
“Ganjapreneurs,” “Ganja Girls,” “Green Goddesses.”
percent. That means 97 percent of startup funding is going to white men.
But none of that really felt like it was doing their work justice. So it was a brainstorming session with me and my marketing team members and the word “Puffragette” came out of it, and we were like, “It’s perfect.” We define a Puffragette as a woman or man who’s working for gender parity, social justice, and environmental sustainability in the cannabis industry.
So, to be more successful, we need to make sure that we have equity programs in place that are getting these other leaders – the women, the people of color, the LGBTQ community – involved in being the CEOs and the founders of these companies.
C&T Today: How do you feel women’s roles in the cannabis industry, both as leaders and consumers, are unique? WB: I was actually at a cannabis convention filming and a gentleman came up to me and he said, “I’m so glad you’re doing this film because women are going to be what saves the industry.” If we don’t have the female influence on it, cannabis could just end up stoner dudes and Coors Light. That’s the challenge that we run into, right? How do we make sure that doesn’t happen? Well, you do that by making sure you have diverse leadership at the table. We see this across all industries; when we have more diverse boards and more diverse leaders, the companies end up being more successful because we have a more diverse perspective on things. That said, I do see a skill gap between activists and industry. The people that have built the cannabis industry started as activists so they have the passion there. They have the knowledge there. But, they may have never written a business plan before. They may not have put together a pitch deck. They may not have all of these other business skills, but those are things that we can fix, right?
Women entrepreneurs are pioneering the legal cannabis industry. Borman and her team of Puffragettes are working to shed light on the opportunities for women within the sector and encourage even more female leadership within the space. Photos courtesy of Windy Borman
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That really comes down to two key things. It’s access to funding and it’s mentorship. If we look at general startup funding, women get about two percent. People of color get less than one
C&T Today: What makes the cannabis industry attractive to women leaders? WB: I’ll answer that in two ways. First, it was about corporate culture. Women didn’t have to be satisfied being the Senior Vice President of some company and seeing a bunch of men get promoted above them, you know? They could start the company, be the CEO, be the founder, and then also hire the colleagues that they wanted to work with. They get to work with more diverse people, more diverse perspectives, and create more successful companies. So that was the first thing. Then the second opportunity that cannabis provided for women is they get to create the products that fit into their lifestyle. They get to create the odorblocking purses that are going to fit into their briefcases to keep their medicine. Or they can create the solvents that they can put into tea. So, they’re already using their products in their lives and it’s an easy way to get cannabis in. They don’t have to really change what they’re doing. C&T Today: Do you plan to continue to follow the cannabis industry as a filmmaker? WB: Yes. Our hopes have always been to brand this conversation about women in cannabis with a film and then ultimately turn this into a docuseries. The wonderful problem is there are so many women leading cannabis in the U.S. and around the world that we could keep filming and keep telling their stories. I would love to be able to do that. Ä
secure
INNOVATOR PROFILE
Consulting Cannabis with
Russ Hudson By Anthony Elio
Cannabis veteran Russ Hudson shares his advice for those looking to break into this burgeoning industry. With over 27 years in the cannabis industry, Russ Hudson knows a thing or two about the world of marijuana. As a professional cannabis tester, head of consulting firm The CannaBizConsultant, and writer about the industry, Hudson has amassed a robust professional resume in the world of weed. In addition to founding a number of marijuanarelated websites, Hudson’s work as a professional cannabis tester was profiled extensively in a video by Vice. In this exclusive interview, we discuss the most common advice he gives to cannabis businesses, his work writing cannabis-related books, and the future of the ever-changing marijuana industry. Cannabis & Tech Today: What’s your most common advice for cannabis startups? Russ Hudson: Well, it depends on whether or not the startup is a business or an individual. One of the most common questions is, “How do I get involved in the cannabis industry?” Typically, my response to that is you have to have something more to bring to the table. Really loving weed and liking to consume cannabis and maybe even being a longtime consumer just isn’t enough to get involved. You have to have some kind of skill that can be applied to the cannabis industry.
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The big misconception is that people think, “Well, it’s just marijuana. It’s a bunch of hippies, it should be easy to go, ‘Hey brah, can I get a job?’” That’s not the case. You have to have a skill like any other job. You have to bring something to the table. If you’re a person who loves NASCAR, you can’t just call up Dale Earnhardt Jr. and ask them, “I want to be a racecar driver. What do I have to do?” Well, you have to train to be a racecar driver. That’s the same for cannabis. What do you want to do? Do you want to be involved in this? Do you want to be a chemist? Do you want to deal with the genes and varieties? Do you want to work with terpenes? Do you want to work with the public? Do you want to be in an educational role? There are so many different aspects of the cannabis industry like any other really large, complex industry. I have to turn that question around and say, “What can you offer?” C&T Today: I know that you’ve also worked as a cannabis tester for quite some time. What’s your unique testing method? RH: Most of it is done by microscope now. I did strain reviews for awhile before I really started to understand that most of the work that I was doing was bulls*** because the starting materials were really unknown. And people are talking about strains and other things when they just don’t know what they’re
talking about. Essentially, it’s a visual examination first. I’m looking for any contaminant, mostly dirt. Usually if you see dirty weed, right away you know there’s going to be a problem. And then, of course, it’s the smell, the feel. I really like to break open the buds and see what they look like on the inside. And the smell, it tells me a lot as well: how it was cured, what variety it most likely belongs to as far as the terpene profile. And then, of course, I check it out under a microscope at around 100x, that way I can see if there’s any detectable contaminants like mildew, or spider mites, or mite bodies, or caterpillars, or anything like that. And then, if it passes those tests, I will usually smoke the cannabis myself for a period from anywhere from three to seven days, depending on who the client is. And I take notes during that entire time to see what effects it has during different events. I think I’m really moving more towards a terpene profile-based analysis, and that’s going to require a lot of changes in infrastructure and other aspects of the industry in order to be able to get a sample turned around very quickly. I think that’s a direction that the whole industry, in 10 years, is going to go and we won’t be talking about Northern Lights and Liberty Haze. We will be talking more about the concentration of terpenes and the major terpene profiles. If you look at my CannaBastard site, where I blast the cannabis industry for all of its shortcomings, I’ve written about it a bit. Even the strain reviews that I’ve done, they’re mostly just crap because I don’t know that I’m working with OG Kush. I don’t know that I’m working with Girl Scout Cookies. You just don’t have a way to know that at this point. And because the power of branding, and because strain names are just so powerful, people use and abuse it in every possible way. Evaluations are a tough one because they’re really, really changing. And my opinion is that they need to change much more dramatically, very quickly in order to give an accurate representation of what we’re talking about with a particular sample. C&T Today: Where do you see the overall future of the cannabis industry? RH: I think that we’re in for a shakeup over the next couple of years because Trump and Sessions and all their little cronies try to disrupt the industry. I think you’re going to see some disruption there … I have been advising several clients in the United States that now might be the time to wait, and watch, and see what happens. And not invest two million dollars in a huge growth setup in Colorado, or Oregon, or wherever they want to do that. I think some caution would be prudent right now. Ä Photos courtesy of Russ Hudson
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The Triple-Bottom Line:
People, Planet,and Profit By Patricia Miller
President of The Cannabis Conservancy Jacob Policzer shares how the cannabis industry has the potential to become a global leader in sustainability
The cannabis industry isn’t always the “greenest” in terms of environmental impact. Exorbitant energy consumption, excessive water usage, and a reliance on pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers can make cannabis cultivation appear somewhat unsustainable. This realization spurred Jacob Policzer and his team of experts to develop The Cannabis Conservancy, an international organization focused on providing sustainability certifications to cannabis cultivators worldwide. From fostering genetic diversity to nurturing living soils, cannabis growers are changing their approach to agriculture. In this exclusive interview, Policzer tells us why cannabis has the potential to become a leader in global sustainability and why we should care about its genetic heritage.
some friends from grad school and realized all of the environmental impacts of indoor cultivation and how it wasn’t really on anyone’s radar at the time. We had the skills and experience to push the industry in that direction and realized cannabis had an opportunity to be different.
Cannabis & Tech Today: What was your inspiration to start The Cannabis Conservancy? Jacob Policzer: Once cannabis took hold in the legal markets in the U.S. around 2014, I was with 28
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We started doing consulting at first and then came to the decision we wanted to have a certification and a market-driven tool to push the industry in that direction. We felt that cannabis users, both recreational and medical, are ingesting this in one way or the other and they do care what’s in their product, how it’s grown, and its impact on the environment. We figured if we gave them an education and a tool to use, that they would grow with their dollars, with their values. We did a couple years of research to figure out how we wanted the certification to be, and settled on a sustainability model we took from quite a few internationally recognized certifications. We adapted it to be cultivation-specific for cannabis and have been accrediting and certifying the cultivation facilities across North America ever since. C&T Today: Do you feel the cost of obtaining a sustainability certification is prohibitive to cannabis cultivators? JP: For the small growers we try to keep our cost down. We offer Photos courtesy of The Cannabis Conservancy
reduced rates depending on ability to pay. The whole idea behind a sustainability certification… is sufficient resource use, so by using less resources you should be lowering your overhead. The certification should be paying for itself. C&T Today: How is the Cannabis Conservancy preserving the genetic heritage of cannabis? JP: We’re really encouraging growers to save their seeds and share their seeds… We’re trying to support the growers that have been doing this that have local, regional genetics that are suited for their environment. The idea is you don’t really want to fight against nature. You don’t want to fight against the genetics of the plant, so I think at some point technology is going to plateau and then the genetics you’re using are going to really put you over the edge. We’re trying to talk with growers around here, trying to breed and find genetics that work best even under their grow lamps and their specific situation, and really pick the phenotypes that are working well. C&T Today: You have worked with growers all over the world. How have those experiences influenced the way you think about sustainability? JP: I think one of the things that became apparent to me in my travels is that technology is not always the best way of going about things. I think, especially when it comes to farming, there’s a huge virtue in pairing cuttingedge technology with traditional practices. There is a reason why these practices have survived. I think we’re trying to lighten our impact on the environment and really work with the plants to get the highest yields with the least inputs. You need to respect and honor what came before while integrating best practices or current equipment. I think that’s really what the cannabis industry is doing right now, trying to figure out
how to make this cost-effective, lighten their impact, and have the resources to spend on technology while really trying to incorporate the best of both worlds. [Like] doing living soil indoors where you’re really trying to create a microbiome, so you don’t have to add too many inputs and it really takes care of itself. It’s a very resilient way of growing, but then pairing that with cutting-edge lights and cutting-edge HVAC systems, you’re getting the best of both worlds. C&T Today: Why do you believe the cannabis industry has the potential to become a leader in global sustainability? JP: It’s a passion for people. I think because there’s no set way of doing anything and it’s such a new industry, especially on the scale that we’re seeing. There’s so much ingenuity. There’s no one to really tell you that you’re doing it wrong, which is good and bad. We’re still small and we don’t have a lot of corporate industrial influence. We’re able to set boundaries and guidelines and do it consciously. We’re not in the poultry industry or the cotton industry or something like that, where it’s really rigid. Also, the margins in cannabis are a lot bigger than the margins in most other agricultural products. I think it provides us an opportunity to reinvest in the industry, reinvest in the companies, and reinvest in the employees. I think that’s a big aspect that’s probably left out is how this is becoming a pathway to the middle class on some level. This provides farmers and workers an opportunity to make a decent wage as opposed to other agricultural products. They’re not necessarily fieldworkers, but if a grow does distribute their surplus of wealth equitably, it can definitely increase and improve the livelihoods of everyone involved. We really try to take into account the triple-bottom line: people, planet, and profit. Ä
The Cannabis Conservancy provides sustainability certifications throughout North America, offering advice and support for cultivators hoping to limit their environmental impact. Their MyGrow labeling program allows consumers to trace a strain from seed to sale. cannatechtoday.com // Summer 2018 // PREMIERE ISSUE
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Colleen Lanier
Gives Hemp a Helping Hand By Patricia Miller
The Executive Director of the Hemp Industries Association shares her insights on hemp’s potential and how the industry is changing perceptions around the controversial substance. Food, fiber, fuel, renewability, and sustainability. These five components are the foundation of Colleen Lanier’s industrial hemp campaign. For the past five years, Lanier has worked tirelessly to advocate on behalf of the Hemp Industries Association (HIA) and Vote Hemp to build awareness and acceptance for this versatile crop. From her early work with the Tennessee HIA helping to pass the The Agricultural Act of 2014 (a.k.a. the Farm Bill) to her current endeavors to have hemp removed from the Controlled Substance Act, Lanier’s passion has led to some incredible advancements for the industry. In this exclusive interview, Lanier discusses why hemp should be used as a primary commodity for everything from biofuels to housing and how domestic cultivation could change the landscape of American industrial farming. Cannabis & Tech Today: What first spurred your interest in the hemp industry? Colleen Keahey Lanier: It actually just came to me on a dollar bill. In February of 2013, I was having lunch and pulled out a dollar bill; it had a purple stamp on George’s face that said, “I grew hemp.” I loved that someone sat back, took the time, and was Courtesy Colleen Lanier and the Hemp Industries Association
stamping thousands of dollar bills and getting the message out there in a really witty way. I thought that was creative, so I kept it. I actually Instagrammed it and had that moment of, “Why aren’t people talking about hemp more?”
not exciting to them. They don’t feel like it’s really anything that’s going to be an economic driver. Make it the main thing for them and it changes the whole conversation. That was my goal, and that’s what I happen to be pretty successful at, very luckily.
It was a month or two later that Kentucky passed Senate Bill 50, which I didn’t even know was going on. When that hit the news, it started to make sense to me that I might have an opportunity in Tennessee to hop on the coattails of what happened in Kentucky and use my time to advocate for industrial hemp legalization. Hemp is an extreme, wonderful conversation. It’s great for conversations about sustainability, farming, CO2 sequestration, and raw materials and commodities that can come from the plant. It’s incredibly interesting that we’re denying ourselves the opportunity to view it as a feedstock, whether it’s for bioplastics, biofuel, or any number of different things.
C&T Today: How will consumers and farmers be affected if the Hemp Farming Act of 2018 passes?
I had this “aha” moment within myself that, “Hey, maybe that’s what needs to come to the hemp industry, is this fine structure on how to develop strategy that is meaningful, even for legislators and regulatory professionals to digest.” When we have counterculture pushing the movement, it’s
CKL: Consumers will finally be able to access domestically grown hemp products. Right now, that pool is pretty small. We’ve got maybe three to five companies that are utilizing domestic hemp that’s been grown under the very limited provision of what’s in the Farm Bill now, that was enacted in 2014. The passage of the Hemp Farming Act would really allow us to get that up to critical mass and meet the demand. There’s a huge, huge, huge demand for CBD, particularly, but then also for domestic hemp seed, and that being de-hulled and creating a raw material, because hemp seed creates a lot of different food products. There are all these different products that can come from the hemp seed, but we’re only getting all of that from Canada. Most of what’s in the market is a Canadian product. That’s just one way consumers would benefit. u
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Colleen Lanier Gives Hemp a Helping Hand Also, I would say there are probably 100 to 200 million dollars of farming revenue that we’re missing out on right now, and that’s based on the CBD market. Maybe that doesn’t seem like a lot of money, but for an agriculture community, that’s pretty big. C&T Today: You worked on the highly effective, “Hemp Looks Like This” advertising campaign. Why do you think it was so successful? CKL: I knew representing this issue in a conservative state was going to be very difficult. I knew that the number one problem was going to be showing the plant. In the south, and particularly in Tennessee, all of the law enforcement vehicles have the seven fingered hemp leaf with a red “no” symbol over it, almost like a no smoking symbol, but with the marijuana leaf behind it. Instead of showing the plants, I’m showing the product. I’m showing the reality that this is already in the marketplace and that you’re already buying it, or your friend is, or your family is. If they don’t know that product exists, then this is also my opportunity to educate them about it. It was really a campaign to make sure I could keep myself as far away from showing that leaf, which, in the southeast and the mid-south of this country, there’s such a stigma around. And it’s not embraced as a counterculture symbol, but more like a drug and like it’s the “devil’s lettuce,” right? So, I started searching for what are those campaign items going to be and was so pleased at the variety of choices I had at my fingertips. Whether it was showing them a car that had hemp composite plastics as the paneling, or showing a gas pump with the green oil dropping down and talking about biofuels, or showing a raw food product, like hemp hearts, that are already on the market and have been selling millions of dollars worth of hemp seed into the United States for the last five years or longer. It was just showing everyone that this isn’t a scary thing. It’s not the “devil’s lettuce.” These are the products that are in your grocery store right now and these are sustainable plastics and fuel options. Everyone is crying about what’s happening with the environment. Well, you have an option. You’re just going to have to change the laws and choose it.
C&T Today: How is hemp more sustainable to cultivate than other fiber crops? CKL: There are a lot of campaigns out there that say it doesn’t need water, that it’s drought resistant, but that’s actually not really true. It does still need water, and it could very well be drought resistant, but is that going to be the most optimal fiber crop? If it’s gone through a drought, maybe not. When we look at these statements, we have to be really careful about what they’re communicating, because I think a fiber crop that went through a drought wouldn’t have really fantastic fiber quality. But, the truth is, it doesn’t need as much water as a lot of other fiber crops. And then, in terms of a wonderful stat, is the amount of CO2 that acres of hemp are able to sequester from the environment. Now, of course, all organic plant matter is helping our oxygen and our environment in some way, but I think it’s like 10 tons of CO2 sequestered for every two acres, which is really great. What this plant does for the soil is also really fantastic. It helps build back up the soil and has often been used as a phytoremediator, which means that it pulls heavy metals out of the soil, so it’s cleansing the soil and making it new again over time.
powder, and water, and turned into a substance that’s like a concrete. Now, it’s not the kind of concrete you’d want to build a skate park with, necessarily, but it’s the kind of material that can be used in framing walls and building structures. It creates a breathable wall system that is still sequestering CO2 over time. When we talk about hemp, we’re talking about it very generally, but hemp has at least 64 recognized distinct varieties that are approved by the European Commission, and there are probably 300 different varieties of the subspecies itself that are known for their different qualities, whether it’s primarily fiber hemp variety, or a seed yielding variety, or a phytocannabinoid variety that is very high in CBD. A lot of these hemp varieties are really, really quite old, I mean ancient even. It’s neat because hemp is cannabis, but it’s a whole different world of cannabis, and a culture, in a way, too. Ä
There are going to be fields that need to be turned back to organic soil; using hemp will be a keystone in that process. Hemp has the potential to be a really great rotation on a farm that is also producing a lot of other commodities that are of value at the local level. Fiber is great and obviously we can use hemp for more than textiles. The fiber can still be used as a raw material for bioplastics, and also the woody core of the stalks of the plant (the herd) can be mixed up with hydraulic lime,
Colleen Lanier and the Hemp Industries Association work diligently to change the conversation around hemp, promoting the wide variety of uses for the plant to businesses and at events across the country. Courtesy Colleen Lanier and the Hemp Industries Association
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// SUSTAINABILITY //
Cultivating the Right Climate Growing cannabis is becoming increasingly mainstream as more states legalize it for medical and adult use. Cultivators are moving out of the black and gray markets and setting up fully legal, commercial cultivation facilities. The move into legitimacy has also brought competition and regulation, making it more important than ever for cultivators to utilize the best technology and methods possible to ensure high-yielding, consistent, and healthy plants. Associated equipment and material manufacturers have responded by innovating new technologies and offering products improved in quality and capacity. Cultivators are no longer obliged to use outdated, ad hoc technology not specifically intended for cannabis cultivation. The maturation of the industry has resulted in a multitude of options for agricultural technology, which can be hard to navigate during the already complex facility design and set-up process. Selecting the right climate-control system for managing a cannabis cultivation environment is mission critical. With the exception of real estate, a climate-control system is likely to be the largest
Courtesy of Surna
Surna’s climate control systems ensure cultivators can maximize productivity, quality, and volume while minimizing monthly expenses.
capital expenditure associated with construction of a cultivation facility. It is an essential investment in which quality should override expense. With the proper climate-control system operating at optimal efficiency, cultivators can maximize productivity, quality, and volume while simultaneously minimizing monthly expenses. Ideally, the system pays for itself. While all growers have their preferred settings, typically the optimum environment is between 78 and 84 degrees with 40 to 60 percent relative humidity.
However, achieving and maintaining the correct temperature and humidity is complex. Any small change in the climate-control system’s calibration can have disastrous effects on crop yields and profits. And, of course, choosing the wrong equipment at the outset can lead to negative consequences including significant upfront capital costs in the immediate future and longterm production chain shortfalls. Do your research and choose wisely. Ä
Innovating Cannabis Packaging With hundreds of brands quickly emerging in the legal cannabis market, businesses are challenged to create packaging that represents their product in a unique, responsible, and earthfriendly way. Consumers rely on and often make their purchase based on how well the brand message is communicated on the package, especially at the point of purchase. However, the cannabis industry is faced with the challenge of creating packaging that is attractive, childresistant, and environmentally conscious. This has been a major focus of one of the industry leaders in packaging solutions, All Packaging Company, based in Denver, Colorado. All Packaging Company serves hundreds of major brands across North America with 34
premium folding carton packaging across virtually every consumable product category. And, given its geographic location and the fact that Colorado was one of the first states to legalize both medical and recreational use, the company has become one of the largest suppliers of premium sustainable packaging to the cannabis industry. This focus on intuitive design impacts cannabis packaging in a number of ways. For example, while most child-resistant alternatives rely heavily on plastics and other less earthfriendly materials, the company’s Leaf Locker SlideBox consists mostly of paperboard, one of the most easily recyclable and renewable resources used in retail product packaging.
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Courtesy of All Packaging Company
Leaf Locker’s design innovation was even recognized as the 2017 “Package of the Year” by the Paperboard Packaging Council at their 74th annual North American Paperboard Packaging competition. In many cases, this unique locking carton allows cannabis producers to potentially eliminate an entire layer of packaging that was previously required to achieve child-resistance, adding extra safety and sustainability to this advanced design. Ä
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// SECURITY //
Cannabis Security Gets an Upgrade By Allen St. Pierre Security has been a necessity during both the eras of cannabis prohibition and cannabis commerce, but for very different reasons and with vastly different reliances on technology to achieve security goals. Suffice to say that prohibition-era security concerns were largely primitive and non-technological, serving three major functions: avoid getting busted by police, deter product (or cash) theft, and enhance dealer/seller safety. Post-prohibition security, in this new epoch of cannabis commerce at the state level, is decidedly technology-driven and is even more important for owners and managers in the emerging free market for cannabis products. Government compliance, liability, protecting profits, customer and employee safety, and deterring theft are all vital pillars of security within the industry. 36
At the many large cannabis business expos that convene regularly in this new cannabis commerce era (Marijuana Business Daily’s annual Las Vegas convention attracts two thousand vendors and over twenty thousand attendees), it would be nearly impossible not to spy the hundreds of technology-centric businesses in attendance focusing on the need for security in one manner or another.
Cannabis Prohibition-Era Security Measures and Concerns Operating a cannabis-related business before the end of prohibition created a series of unique and low-tech tools for “criminal� operators to employ to avoid getting busted by law enforcement, getting ripped off by other cannabis criminals, and protecting oneself from any prohibition-related violence.
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For example, a plot of commercial cannabis could have had full or part time security personnel onsite (often equipped with guns); on occasion, cultivators of illegal cannabis would set out primitive wire booby traps that could maim or kill if triggered by an intruder. Communications were conducted over walkie-talkie and attack dogs lived at marijuana grow sites. Two functions of technology-driven security during cannabis prohibition that served thenillegal cultivators and sellers well at the advent of these respective technologies in the early 1980s were motion detectors and beepers. The former helped so-called guerilla marijuana growers determine whether or not plant thieves and/or narcotic agents had discovered their illicit gardening. The latter took risky street dealing out of play by having
Photos Getty Images/iStockphoto
// SECURITY //
Advancements in RFID technology and video monitoring have allowed retailers and labs to better secure their inventory against internal and extrenal theft.
customers pre-screened and able to directly communicate with their dealer for a delivery or meeting, notably without having to use a federally regulated phone (where words exchanged between the parties could be monitored by law enforcement).
Cannabis Commerce’s Technology-Driven Security Needs Back in the day, pre-government regulations allowed for the cultivation, transfer, and sale of cannabis products. Such was the case in 2010 when New Mexico, firstly, and Colorado, secondly, became the first two states to establish formal cannabis commerce. Colorado, unlike New Mexico, prior to state government laws legalizing cannabis for medical purposes, had flourishing medical cannabis dispensary commerce occurring in most major cities and towns. Not long after Colorado (and New Mexico) passed medical cannabis laws, literally hundreds of marijuana-related businesses became mainstream, regulated, and tax-paying local businesses, necessitating America’s first explosion in cannabis-related security, readily serviced by ever-emerging technological solutions and processes. Functioning in a manner similar to banks, Wal-Marts, hotel chains, and government office buildings, the nascent legal cannabis industry, in many respects, already has logically adopted numerous technology-driven security measures.
This is to comply with the myriad of strict state laws and regulations regarding access to cannabis facilities by requiring employee ID systems, FOB keys, and maintaining 24/7 video monitoring. Again, some of these security measures postprohibition are generated by the need for company compliance with regulations as much as business efficiency. Whether by legal necessity or good business sense, while most cannabis cultivation and processing businesses rely heavily on video monitoring to deter product and/or cash theft, commercial stores retailing cannabis products will often retain the old school services of an armed guard. Due to federal banking regulations that largely force each cannabis company to operate on a cash basis only, there is an overt need for technology-driven security services and measures to account for and transport tens of millions of dollars each day in cash generated from lawful cannabis-related businesses (for example, vans that transport cannabis-related cash are high tech vehicles, securely-made and tracked by GPS). Staff at some of the earliest medical cannabis dispensaries, notably in California, discovered not long after opening their doors for business that the locks and metal racks that stored cannabis products (worth tens of thousands of dollars) were occasionally subject to employee theft or criminals cutting (or torching) through the metal with relative ease. Today, businesses
employ high-tech locking systems and impenetrable lockers to house their valuable products and cash. In some of the states that legalized medical cannabis, upon discovering a warehouse full of cultivated cannabis or a cashladen business, criminals sometimes, incredibly, would cut through entire walls to pillage businesses. A visitor to a cannabis business expo today can expect to see half a dozen companies specifically providing high-tech security walls to surround an entire building. High tech companies servicing the evergrowing cannabis business sector for their security needs include olfactory mitigation companies, reefer rubbish removal companies (i.e., a cannabis company can’t throw any product into the conventional trash stream), and computer software businesses. Going forward, with many thousands more cannabusinesses getting licensed in America as cannabis prohibition finally concludes, ganjapreneurs can expect to commit upwards of twenty percent of operating expenses in service of technology-driven security measures, procedures, and personnel. Ä Allen St. Pierre is the vice president of communications for Freedom Leaf, a partner in the investment firm Sensible Alternative Investments, and a NORML board member. In 1997, St. Pierre founded the NORML Foundation and was executive director for both NORML and NORML Foundation from 2006-2016.
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Taking a Security-First Approach By Dr. Moe Afaneh, COO of BioTrackTHC
The Importance of Data Security in Cannabis
HIPAA Compliance Cannabis businesses are not currently covered by HIPAA because it’s a federally operated program and cannabis is still a federally illegal, Class I substance. However, you’re still collecting information for medical patients. When the day comes that cannabis businesses are covered by HIPAA, you’ll want to be well ahead of that change. Data security as it relates to HIPAA and patient privacy should not be underestimated. Any compromise of patient information, whether you’re covered by HIPAA or not, can do irreparable damage to your business and brand.
Collecting Personally Identifiable Information (PII) In 2018, it seems like the media is a revolving door of stories surrounding major corporate data breaches where customer information and financial info is put at risk. With hackers continuing to get smarter, it’s crucial to have a technology solution that invests in sound security infrastructure. In most states, if you experience a data breach of a specified magnitude, you’ll be legally required to notify all affected parties, which will devastate your 38
brand and any loyalty that customer’s had for your business.
Data is the Key to Your Future In a new and burgeoning industry, everyone is looking for an added edge. If I’m launching a new cannabis business and have the opportunity to examine an established business’ trends and inventory data, I essentially give my business a huge head start because I can sift through some of the learning curve that they already experienced. Your seed-to-sale cannabis software data holds the key to your future, so you don’t want to give out a spare key. Cannabis businesses are literally gold miners in the sense that their software data will define the future of this industry and their success. There is an enormous incentive for hackers to target our young and immature industry, which is why the last thing you want to do is make it easy for them. Data security experts have specifically covered why the cannabis industry is so appealing to data thieves. First, there is obvious value in data and the financial gains that come with it. Additionally, we’re a growing industry where many businesses have not yet significantly invested in technology infrastructure and security, providing a low barrier to entry. For a dispensary, a data breach or hack can be the end of your business, so it’s worth investing in proper technology and data security to protect your future. Ä
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Getty Images/iStockphoto
When it comes to running a licensed cannabis business, data security may or may not be a top priority among all of the different things licensees need to consider. But when it comes down to it, securing your data is arguably your biggest priority next to selling products. So what exactly makes data security so important in the cannabis industry?
CREATING THE FUTURE OF THE
GLOBAL CANNABIS ECONOMIC ECOSYSTEM
// BUSINESS INNOVATIONS //
Candid About Cannabis y message is, “ M don’t mess with the regulator. It’s just bad business.”
By Charles Warner
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Mr. Wonderful gives his brutally honest take on the modern state of cannabis. Throughout his illustrious career, Kevin O’Leary has invested in a wide array of industries, including fitness, tech, food delivery, and many more. However, one sector that has piqued the interest of “Mr. Wonderful” is the billion-dollar business of marijuana. O’Leary has strong opinions regarding the booming world of cannabis, with a sobering focus on the importance of resolving legislative issues unique to the space. The Shark Tank star, who has invested in companies across multiple continents, will be giving his heavy takes on the business side of marijuana as the keynote speaker for MJBizConNEXT in New Orleans in May. In this exclusive interview, O’Leary gives his patented honest opinions on the unique nature of the cannabis industry, if blockchain could play a role in its growth, and the potential for cannabis products to appear on Shark Tank. Cannabis & Tech Today: From an investor’s point of view, what’s the biggest difference between the cannabis industry and others? Kevin O’Leary: Well, I think investors are starting to figure out that environments where the regulation is accelerating, the Canadian market for example, are no different than any other industry. There are going to be good operators with executional skills and bad operators with weak executional skills. A lot of
capital went into Canadian startups and now you’re starting to see the differentiation between those companies who can execute and those who can’t. Then you have this bifurcation between those who support medicinal marijuana and those who support recreational, and those who support both. You’ve got so many cross currents going on simultaneously. From the investors point of view, I think it’s very interesting to look at each of these touch points because the reason that so many institutional dollars do not invest in the industry is the delta between the state mandate, or in the case of Canada the provincial mandate, and the federal mandate. We’re at a really interesting time in this industry. I’ve never seen more capital poised to get deployed that won’t pull the trigger, than now. C&T Today: Is it because people are unsure of how it will play out on the federal level? KO: Exactly. The institutional capital has to be compliant. It spends a tremendous amount of time remaining compliant. So, it’s a huge problem if you invest in a Colorado or California business, which is illegal in Florida, and you have assets in Florida. There are a whole lot of complicated, twisted ties that you’d rather just not engage in, and so you just don’t invest in the first place.
What I’ve said to the industry, and I’ll be speaking about this at MJBizConNEXT, is given the challenges here, and the opportunities at the same time, why not bifurcate this industry in two components: medicinal and recreational? If we go through a federal mandate on a medicinal basis with all the covenants around the FDA, because most people now agree that there is an agreed medicinal attribute to this commodity, it should be regulated in the same way every other opportunity is in drugs. If we just put the industry’s effort and lobbyists and momentum into getting a federal mandate for medicinal application, that would free up 75 percent of the capital that wants to invest in it. It doesn’t mean that we wouldn’t eventually get a recreational mandate, but it would get the federal deal done. I think no one has approached it that way, and they should, because I spend every day talking to institutional investors. There is no way they’re investing in this space until they have a federal mandate, not a chance in hell. You’re talking about hundreds of billions of dollars waiting to be deployed. C&T Today: Once the dust finally settles, do you believe the industry will experience the massive success some are predicting? u Photos courtesy of Kevin O'Leary
Kevin O’Leary commonly makes appearances as the keynote speaker of major events, including MJBizConNEXT in New Orleans.
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Candid About Cannabis KO: Not on recreational, I don’t. On medicinal, I do. I am not sure that we’re going to see a federal recreational mandate in your lifetime. I do think we’re going to get there on a medicinal basis. There’s just too much research supporting the merits of what this molecule can do. Like any other drug, it should be regulated and produced under the terms of the FDA and the opportunity there is huge, just huge. We’ve got an aging population that could really use this product.
ou can “rah-rah-rah” “ Yuntil the cows come home, but unless this gets a federally regulated mandate, 99 percent of the real money is not going to play.”
The investment opportunities are on the medicinal side, so I would rather get on board with a medicinal mandate, federally, and invest in that. You have to pick your fights. The industry has to pick its fight. It hasn’t focused very well. It’s got Colorado, California, Vermont, whatever, but who cares? The best opportunity is way, way, way larger, and it just isn’t being focused on. If you went to the government, the feds and said, “Look, we’re going to stop fighting for recreational use. Let’s forget about that. Help us get a mandate for medicinal use, edibles, quality control, whatever the delivery system is. Tell us the path to that and let’s just focus on that. We’re going to give up the fight on recreation.” Once you get medicinal, then you go back and fight the fight for recreational. C&T Today: Are there any other business or ancillary services that you think should be trying to make a play into this growing industry? KO: There are, but here’s the problem. I’m a typical investor. I see a great opportunity every week, all kinds of different opportunities, and I won’t touch any of them. I am not going to risk my overall mandate across all of the companies that I’ve got to get involved in a contest with the federal regulator regarding an investment in this product. I’m just not going to do it. It’s just not worth it. I live in a compliant world. All I do is make sure I’m compliant every day, everywhere. I’m a fiduciary; I invest; I’ve got financial service companies. I’ve got a portfolio of over 30 different companies I invest in. I don’t need this headache. I’m not going to take a chance on it. 42
Courtesy of Kevin O'Leary
That is a big problem. You can “rah-rah-rah” until the cows come home, but unless this gets a federally regulated mandate, 99 percent of the real money is not going to play. I take enough risks every day in every sector I invest in. I don’t take regulatory risks. That’s just stupid. C&T Today: Do you think there’s a situation where blockchain could help with the industry’s finances? KO: No, I don’t see that opportunity at all. I think the reason the FDIC ensures banks don’t touch this is because it reaches the federal law, they’re not going to do it. If you want to use blockchain to try and circumvent the regulator, you do that at your own peril. That’s why this industry has to bury its cash in the ground, or trade it for services or whatever else. This is why it’s always going to be a peripheral opportunity. It’s never going to be institutional. Nobody is going to ever breach a federal banking mandate by trying to use blockchain to move cash around the regulator. That’s sheer insanity. You know with certainty they’ll go after that. When people assume that the regulators don’t know how blockchain is used, they’re probably
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the most advanced at watching what’s going on there. My message is, don’t mess with the regulator. It’s just bad business. You know, small operators think they can circumvent these rules. When you start a business you don’t stay small. You want to get big. The way you get big is you play by the rules and you work with the regulator. There’s no other way around it. A rebel without a cause is a stupid concept with investing. C&T Today: Could you potentially, in five or ten years, see some of these products on a show like Shark Tank if it was legalized on a federal level? KO: Yeah, but the industry hasn’t figured out that they’ve got to split the recreational versus the medicinal. This product is never going to be on Shark Tank because it’s federally illegal. The chance of that ever being on Shark Tank is zero, which basically tells you the story for the whole federal situation. I don’t know why the industry hasn’t done it yet, but the opportunity to make it investible is to split it and to go pursue a federal mandate for the medicinal version of this molecule. That’s basically it. Ä
Welcome to the Future of the Cannabis Industry MJBizConNEXT is the only premier convention bringing actionable information exclusively focused on the future of cannabis. With a carefully vetted lineup of more than 70 speakers and 275+ pioneering exhibitors showcasing the most cutting-edge technology, MJBizConNEXT is paving the way to the future. “We’re really ushering in the future of cannabis at MJBizConNEXT,” said Cassandra Farrington, CEO and Co-Founder of MJBizDaily. “From new executive-only leadership training to weaving in education on our reinvented expo floor, this show gives cannabis industry decision makers a premier chance to learn and network with peers who share the goal of moving this industry forward to a more mature state – all in the heart of the great city of New Orleans.” Keynote speaker Kevin O’Leary, a self-made multimillionaire, serial entrepreneur, and Shark Tank star, promises to deliver the life-changing philosophy that the pursuit of entrepreneurship isn’t about money – it’s about pursuing personal freedom. From what’s next for financial markets to why it’s almost always better to hire female CEOs, O’Leary shares hard-won wisdom, actionable advice, and time-tested philosophies that inform perspectives and challenge potential.
Strategic Programming to Optimize Your Business MJBizConNEXT offers eight tracks of superior programming vetted by the editors of MJBizDaily, plus an opportunity for members of the National Cannabis Bar Association to earn CLE credits at the new Cannabis Law Sessions. With tracks like Emerging Markets & Trends, Trailblazing Products & Services, and Preparing for the Future, conference-goers can anticipate unparalleled learning sessions dedicated to
furthering the advancement of the cannabis industry. The conference also features tracks tailored to the unique needs of every industry segment. Channel your passion with sessions like the First 100 Days of Operation, License to Launch, and Investing in Cannabis to learn how to enter markets and set yourself up for success. More seasoned industry leaders will benefit from Growth Strategies & Techniques and Year 2 & Beyond, while veterans can hone their leadership at the Executive Summit, available by application only. MJBizConNEXT is where industry members who want to shape the future of cannabis can get the tools and connections to make an impact. At the first-ever Innovation Battlefield, attendees will choose the most promising “champion” from a selection of innovators whose products and services are changing the state of cannabis. Each presenter from the niches of cultivation, technology, and retail will endure a 7-minute lightning round presentation followed by audience questions. At the end, the audience will vote for their favorite. At the Innovation Battlefield, the audience has the power to determine the next trends in cannabis.
Connect and Learn on the Immersive Expo Floor The reinvented NEXT show floor offers hyper-focused experiential spaces and the NEXT Live! Stage, providing the ultimate opportunity to immerse yourself in industry innovation and education. Three experiential spaces give attendees the chance to immerse themselves completely in unique segments of the cannabis industry. The Retail Tech dome, a 360-degree theater complex on the show floor, will play 15-minute films highlighting the future of retail cannabis. Visit the custom-built Cultivation Greenhouse and dive deeper into the science and technology behind the future of growing. Walk through the Sustainability Tunnel and experience the future of sustainability in cannabis. Professionals, innovators, and experts can experience the industry’s rapid advancements firsthand with major trendsetters and creators within reach. MJBizConNEXT is the culmination of the cannabis industry’s rapid advancement and thought-provoking innovation. At MJBizConNEXT, what’s next for cannabis is now. Ä
Inbetween networking and product showcases, MJBizConNEXT delivers valuable professional education directly to the expo floor. On the special NEXT Live! stage, you’ll see trend-setting industry experts deliver quick-hitting, high-impact sessions followed by guided Q&A that will delve into their personal journeys. Photos courtesy of MJBizCon
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The New Oil Men of By P.K. French
How three men took a small Colorado company and transformed it into one of the world’s largest and most successful cannabis brands.
Ralph Morgan
Challenging the System The former CEO of Organa Brands discusses the legal hurdles of running a massive cannabis business and the evolution of the talent landscape.
Courtesy of Organabrands
Organa Brands is the largest cannabisoil-based consumer products company in the United States. Its founder and former CEO, Ralph Morgan, is transitioning into a CBD-based business centered around the medical applications of cannabinoids. In this exclusive interview, Morgan shares his insights on the state of the industry and reveals how cannabis is quickly becoming the safest product ever made. Cannabis & Tech Today: How do you describe the cannabis industry’s working culture as it stands right now? Ralph Morgan: It’s in transition. It’s definitely a hybrid. You know, you have this counterculture industry. Marijuana’s been 44
underground for a long, long time, and you have that weaving into real serious business. We’ve seen this very interesting kind of change of the guard and dichotomy here where you’ve got the suits and then you’ve got the tie-dye shirts and the Birkenstocks. And there’s been a serious shakeout. So there’s been a lot of people that had hobby businesses a few years ago, and they just wanted to have a little pot shop, and, man, it’s becoming harder and harder to be relevant with that mindset when you’re competing with companies that are serious. You know, people that have MBAs and they treat this like any other business. And the industry is attracting top-notch talent.
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We see that in Colorado. We had a job fair several years ago, and we had like 1,200 people come through our office and interview. There was the news channel helicopter flying around looking at the line. Craig Ferguson made fun of it on air, which helped the popularity. Because of that, we had people fly in from all over the world. I met dozens of Ph.Ds, and several we hired. And then people who came from Big Pharma, the pharmaceutical industry, nurses, who said, “I look at this as an opportunity for legacy. I’ve been working as a scientist for years, and if I’m lucky, in my lifetime, in my career, I will have worked on a drug that made it to market. And I see cannabis as an opportunity to have that success in a much shorter period of time, and I have my fingerprints all over it. It’s a
COLORADO
// BUSINESS INNOVATIONS //
part of history, and I want to be on the right side of it.” So we find amazing talent, and I get complaints from my friends who are entrepreneurs in other industries, restaurants mainly, and we have a friend who had a landscaping company who said, “Man, I have a hard time hiring help because you guys pay them 15 bucks an hour to start, and you’ve got health care benefits, and I can’t compete with that.” I see it continuing to attract talent. When we put an ad out for a scientist, we’d get a bunch of Ph.Ds that have impeccable resumes. A few short years ago, they would be devastated to have a cannabis company on their resume. Now they’re eagerly trying to get that on there. Because it means that they worked in an exciting new industry that’s flush with technology and innovation. C&T Today: With a new industry like this, it’s going to compel new technologies to enter the market. Could you list a few revolutionary technologies that have come out of this mainstreaming of the cannabis industry since you’ve become a part of it? RM: I think vaporization is obviously one. It’s vapor and there’s no smoke, and it’s a much healthier alternative to smoking. But, also, it’s really measurable. You can really dial it in for both recreational or medicinal purposes. You can achieve that level, which is really important. There were a lot of issues early on with edibles, where people would overdose because it just
takes a long time, and you’re eating a brownie that’s however strong. Well, it may not be homogenized. The left half might not have anything in it and the right half has all of it. So, the vaporizer was a nice piece of technology for that. The CO2 extraction. We were one of the earliest adopters of that technology for extraction in cannabis. Obviously, it wasn’t our invention. It wasn’t our idea. The food and flavor industry had popularized it, but it was definitely new to this industry, and I think it begs the question for all industries: How do we make the product? Is it safe? Consider the amount of pesticides, for example. It’s over a thousand times more onerous to grow cannabis than it is hops in the State of Colorado, right? Like our governor has made his money making beer, and you’re allowed many, many times over parts per million the pesticides in hops, whereas there is, by executive order, no traceable amount of pesticides allowed with cannabis. C&T Today: Really? I didn’t know that. None? Zero? RM: Zero. Yeah. Which is an oxymoron, because there’s a measurable amount of pesticides in the ambient air. There’s measurable amounts of pesticides in Denver city water. So, the intent was probably, “Hey, we want to make sure this stuff is safe, and I don’t know where to draw the line on the amount of pesticide. We’ll just say any measurable amount,” which is ignorance at its finest, especially if you compared the levels that are allowed in hops, which is in beer. It’s disheartening to see that the
governor is making decisions based on emotion, not on what’s fair and right. So, sidebar there, tangent related to technology. But what’s happening with this industry is that the requirements, the regulations, are so stringent that it’s quickly becoming the safest product ever made. No other product has gone through the scrutiny that cannabis has in Colorado. The Department of Health is wildly hyper about anything related to cannabis. It’s like, well, if public safety is your concern, why aren’t you going after sodas and cigarettes, both known to kill people? But cannabis can’t have any measurable amount of pesticide. That’s weird. So, other technology that’s come from this... Nanotechnology, we see that becoming prevalent, certainly in our product lineup. In the pipeline, we’ve got a lot of products where we’re utilizing nanoparticles for our cannabis that we’ve created in small particle size for improved bioavailability. And what that means is you can absorb it better, and less is more. And that way we can start talking about micro-dosing. What does two milligrams of THC a day do for you? If this is a neuro-protectant, then what do two or five milligrams of THC and CBD do for you as a daily supplement? So that’s getting really exciting, and that’s my bailiwick. And what pulls at my heartstrings is the part of cannabis that really speaks to ailments. Because it’s just so novel. It’s just such an incredible plant that way. And we have so much to learn. Us as a company, but the industry has much to learn about what the potential is of this plant. u
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Chris Driessen // BUSINESS INNOVATIONS //
Writing the Playbook President of Organabrands subsidiary O.penVAPE Chris Driessen provides the three essential strategies for making it in the cannabis industry.
Chris Driessen is focused on passion, preparedness, and planning. President of the world’s
can hope to replicate it.
#2. Be prepared. You better have some good business acumen. You better surround yourself with the best of people. There are so many sharks and charlatans that are in this industry, whether it be around capital, real estate, product development; pick a thing. There’s a lot of imposters out there. So, surround yourself with good people and people that share your passion. The greatest strength of this company is the family dynamic we have, not only with our partners but with everybody, from the office manager to all of our packagers, to our security, we’re a family. We’re very close-knit. We’re in this together, and we’re ride-or-die for each other. Find your ride-or-die, so to speak, and that’s who you want to go to war with.
#1. Get involved because it’s your passion. The money is a symptom of living your passion. If you’re getting into it just to make money, I’m going to eat your lunch because me being very passionate about this plant, being very passionate about the people and family I work with, I am going to go to further ends. I’m going to outwork you. I’m going to outperform you, and I’m going to out-provide you, so to speak, if you’re just in it for the money. Money is not a good enough motivator to be in this industry. Certainly, it’s a nice
#3. Have a solid business plan. Saying that I can grow good weed or I know how to extract…that’s not a business plan. That’s not good enough anymore. Just having some cannabis knowledge is not good enough. You will get your lunch money stolen from you. So, you better understand P&Ls and balance sheets and supply chains and inventories and all the things that make good businesspeople good businesspeople. You better have some skill set in that, over and above just some cannabis background. u
largest cannabis brand O.penVAPE, his enthusiasm for the brand as well as his devotion to family have been key motivators for building an international cannabis empire. As he seeks to bring the brand to international markets, including Europe and the Caribbean, Driessen is focused on market domination and maintaining his company’s “ride-or-die” close-ness. In this candid interview, Driessen shares how he has found success and how newcomers to the scene
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symptom of good business practice, but if you’re getting into it for the money, you’re starting off on the wrong foot.
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Courtesy of Organabrands
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Jeremy Heidl // BUSINESS INNOVATIONS //
Fighting an Uphill Battle COO Jeremy Heidl provides a candid perspective on the day-to-day problems of working in a controversial industry.
Cannabis & Tech Today: How does this business compare to your previous ventures? Jeremy Heidl: Working in this industry is the most difficult thing I’ve ever done. It’s the most difficult business I’ve ever been involved in. It’s the most difficult day-to-day that I’ve ever had. It’s the most difficult relationship – be it with my kids, my wife, my crazy family. It is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. That’s how it compares. If you’re into that kind of thing, if you’re into the challenge, and you’re into getting punched in the face day after day, it’s the perfect industry. C&T Today: What are some particular legal hurdles that you can cite? Like, say, dealing with one state as opposed to another. What are some of the challenges there? JH: One of the biggest challenges…There are variations of your business practices. Marketing probably has the biggest spectrum of what’s allowed and what’s not. You can go to the East Coast where it’s extremely, extremely conservative. I remember a regulator in Maine coming in and telling us that we couldn’t have 48
any packaging on our product. Well, a big part of who we are and how we’re recognized is our packaging. “You can’t have any packaging on your product.” Well, why not? And this is when Maine was just medical. “Well, because you don’t see pharmaceutical companies advertising their products,” [they said]. And I almost fell out of my chair. Like, you’re f***ing kidding, right? Have you heard of Viagra? Oh, yes, you heard it from late night cable TV. That’s right. You go a little farther west and, of course, it gets more liberal, and Las Vegas…we’re preparing for the conference there. And I think we’ve got a huge billboard on the strip and they can do all kinds of things. Although, I will say, the casinos are not welcoming us there. Even for a space for some of our breakout meetings. C&T Today: Really?
Courtesy of Organabrands
Jeremy Heidl’s endeavors in the cannabis industry have been a struggle, often dealing with antiquated stigmas and restrictive regulations to build his brand. In this revealing interview, Heidl explains why working in cannabis is like signing up to be repeatedly punched in the face and how his team is working to overcome a nationwide epidemic of outdated ideologies.
JH: “Your money is not welcome here.” Yeah, Cosmopolitan actually had us booked. We were set. Just for a day meeting with our partners. And they looked up our email, called back, and said, “No thanks.” Canceled the reservation.
just be burning it down from like 9-5 in the conference room meeting space. I mean, what the f*** are you afraid of? It’s just reefer madness, man. I’d say that, to the extent that, inside the bubble, we’re around people and
C&T Today: Why would they be opposed to a cannabis company, given how the laws have changed?
regulators and people that are very supportive of
JH: I think it’s something to do with their casino license. It’s insane though. As if we would
thinking about getting into this, it’s not a free-
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our industry. But prohibition is not over. Reefer madness has not stopped. So, [for] people for-all. Ä
Cannabis World Congress & Business Exposition NY Preview By Annie Scully The East Coast is the next frontier in the development and growth of the medical and legalized cannabis industry. The 5th Annual Cannabis World Congress & Business Exposition (CWCBExpo), held May 30 – June 2 at the Javits Center in New York, is the premier event for entrepreneurial and educational opportunities. All under one roof, in the financial and media capital of the world, attendees will gain unprecedented knowledge, discover essential products and services, and establish solid business contacts to grow their existing business or enter this emerging market.
Educational Programs that Cover Everything From A to Z • In-depth workshops on Opening a Cannabis Business; Advanced Cannabis Investment Workshop – Beyond the Basics; NJ Cannabis Workshop; The Secret Sauce: Developing IP and Production Best Practices with the incredibles Kitchen & Extraction Laboratory; and Growing Organic Cannabis. • Over 30 curated conference sessions, featuring the best minds in the business,
covering: Cannabis 101, Investing, Policy & Legal, Cultivation, Safety & Regulations, Extractions & Infusions, Banking & Finance, and Advocacy. • Sessions not to be missed include: Cannabis as a Medicine: Pain, Patients, Politicians; Sin & Soul: Building Enduring (Cannabis) Brands; Growing the Industrial Hemp Supply Chain; Veterans & Cannabis; The Future Grow Room: How Science is Changing Cultivation Practices; and Don’t Mess with Sessions: Making Sure Your Business is Legally Compliant.
Top Keynote Speakers and High Level Presentations • Montel Williams, media personality and medical marijuana advocate, and Bruce Linton, chairman and CEO of Canopy Growth Corporation, will inspire attendees with their unique cannabis, business, and life perspectives. • Sumit Mehta of Mazakali kicks off CWCBExpo NY on Thursday with an industry update.
• The New York State of Cannabis panel led by Senator Diane Savino will be the premier source of information on how to prosper in New York’s rapidly changing cannabis landscape.
Exhibit Floor that Embraces All Things Cannabis • Companies and brands from all over will be showcasing the latest products and services for the cannabis industry, including CBD oils, edibles, grow lights, greenhouses, extractors, seed-to-sale infrastructure support, software applications and business technologies, legal and financial services, vapes, money management, and much more. • Exclusive ticketed events: Networking Mixer and Industry Yacht Party to make year-round connections and build valuable business relationships. Don’t miss CWCBExpo NY and join the exploding East Coast market for the legalized cannabis business. To register, use Promo Code: CNTT20 to save at www.cwcbexpo.com.
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Covering the Cannabusiness By Alex Moersen
Cassandra Farrington, CEO of Marijuana Business Daily, shares her thoughts on the current state of the cannabis industry
As a leader in cannabis business media, Cassandra Farrington and MJBizDaily host the annual Marijuana Business Conference & Expo which has now expanded into two more events: MJBizConNEXT and MJBizCon Int’l.
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Can an industry be truly valid until people are talking about it? Publications such as High Times have long been popular for their engaging yet laid-back coverage of cannabis culture. However, as marijuana became more mainstream, Cassandra Farrington, CEO of Marijuana Business Daily, noticed a gap in coverage. While lifestyle and culture had been nearly bled dry, few were exploring the business realm. In 2010, Farrington stepped onto the scene to share her business and media acumen in the space. In this exclusive interview, Farrington discusses the potential of this ever-expanding industry and her methods for fighting stigmas. Cannabis & Tech Today: How did you first get started in the cannabis industry? Cassandra Farrington: Actually, my business partner is somebody who I met at my very first job out of college, which was at a business-tobusiness media company. They were a newsletter publisher and published hundreds of titles. Very niche. Subscription based. That sort of business model. We set out to do that again and happened into the cannabis space. For us, it was a pure business play as we realized, when we were researching this back in late 2010, that these were businesses that had been perhaps going for a long time, but they never actually operated under a legal business environment. So, we thought, “Well, we don’t know the cannabis space, but we certainly do know business and we have a particular expertise in helping teach them about their industries and how to run their businesses better.” So that’s what we set out to do and everything that we’ve done has come as an offshoot of that. C&T Today: With that business mindset, could you share your thoughts on the current state of the cannabis industry and what you envision for the future? CF: The current state is both very exciting and absolutely exhausting. This is unquestionably the industry development opportunity of an entire generation, right? We haven’t seen anything like this since the dotcom boom and this is certainly likely to rival, if not surpass that. It will be just as disruptive to so many other industries as technology has been. At the same time, that kind of opportunity, especially at the
very early days, doesn’t come along without its hardships. In this industry, it’s even more tricky because we’re battling those headwinds of legalization, banking, and everything that legal status of the plant creates in non-normal business environments. Entrepreneurs in this industry … have enormous opportunity. Yet, we also have high risk, which simply cannot be hedged away. C&T Today: As you’ve transitioned into this burgeoning industry, what are some of the biggest lessons you’ve learned? CF: In terms of people looking at eventually getting into the space, one of the bigger lessons that I think people are really understanding now, especially the longer running entrepreneurs, people like me who’ve been in it for six, seven, eight years, the exits are not easy in this space right now. And so, you have these entrepreneurs who are great at this startup phase, right? Who have ideas. Who can get companies started. Who can pass them off to people who know how to run them more effectively and that whole natural life-cycle of an entrepreneurial venture. But those exits and being able to move on to that next phase, and getting the value out of that company as you make that move is difficult right now. When the legal situation changes, the exits are going to explode. But until that point, we are very lucky to have an almost protected environment where the big dogs are not coming to play, not yet. They’re starting to dip their toe in. They’re starting to do some partnerships. There have been some very high profile moves, but there are very, very few. And most people are still sitting on the sideline, which creates this unique opportunity for the little guys to really get in here and establish something interesting and thrive and build it up before that legalization switch flips. C&T Today: For better or worse, how do you see the industry changing with federal legalization? CF: Well, it would certainly create a much more traditional-looking industry over the ensuing two to three years, where you do have a few really big players, you have a lot of medium tier companies, and then you have a lot of smaller companies. Then, it would certainly
look a lot more like that. I think standardization would start happening a lot more quickly under that sort of environment. Right now, it’s very much still a craft industry and it’s very customized. It’s very state-specific. Those sorts of things. I think that we’d see a lot more mass market type approaches being taken. More sophisticated things down that line. C&T Today: As the industry becomes more established, are we seeing an uptick in cannabis-based media? How does Marijuana Business Daily stand out from its competitors? CF: That’s an interesting question. I think that there are a couple of things. Certainly being first to market and having long ago established that brand credibility for a very high quality product is one of the big things that makes us stand out. We have, over many years, really curated and developed an extremely trusted journalismbased brand. It’s not constant marketing. It’s not sales pitches. We don’t blend advertising and editorial. It’s all very black and white. All of our content is produced by true journalists who came through that world and are thriving in this cannabis space where there are so many great stories to write. Taking that approach, we have been able to do a lot for and with our audience, such as [MJBizCon], which does go a long way to help pay all the bills in the way that traditional journalism these days really doesn’t anymore. Those sort of business models have had to evolve so significantly. We’ve managed to find the middle ground between keeping those really wonderful things about traditional journalism and marrying then with a business model that helps the entire industry thrive. C&T Today: What are Marijuana Business Daily’s methods for de-stigmatizing the culture of marijuana? CF: From the get go, from the very first day that we launched, it’s all been about professionalism. That this is a business and these are business people. We can be professional if we choose to be and we should be. We have always written for a professional audience and expected professional behavior in return from our readers, from our attendees, from our exhibitors. Ä Photos by Keoni Viriyapunt
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Harvesting the Blockchain By Andrew L. Rossow, Esq.
How blockchain technology is being applied to the cannabis industry Getty Images/iStockphoto
The cryptocurrency space and the cannabis industry both face issues of legality, regulation, and transparency. But what if they could help each other gain validity? What if the ‘cannabiz’ could be brought onto the blockchain? For those states that have legalized its cultivation and distribution, this could change the game entirely in terms of providing regulators, distributors, and consumers with accurate information.
Why Harvest on the Blockchain? A Comprehensive Database of Cultivation Information As opposed to picking up info-cards or resorting to websites, mobile apps, or even the word of others in the industry, the blockchain could provide, and would provide, a comprehensive database of information relating to the cultivation of the crop. For example, this database could track the date the flower was harvested, the pesticide levels throughout its 52
growth cycle, and information about crosspollinated plants (hybrids). Websites and mobile apps like Leafly and AllBud provide such information, but again, there’s no way to evaluate and ensure the information on those sites is in fact legitimate and/or updated. Consider the blockchain as the end-all encyclopedia, providing information about the strains of the plant and its ingredients, as well as photographs of the bud. The platform ensures that products are properly labeled, guaranteeing that when a label is created, an immediate photograph of the product is taken, uploaded, and then verified by others to confirm that the picture matches the product. Efficient Regulation While some states have legalized the cultivation, distribution, and use of marijuana, others have not. For those that have, employing the blockchain would not only ensure the industry is strictly regulated, but that blockchain
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gets the attention it deserves in its attempt at understanding how it works to provide more transparency to all parties. Allowing the government to track the source, sale, and pricing of marijuana could balance the market in those states that are still hesitant to rule on its legality, and for those states that are just starting off learning how to better regulate their new market. Tracking and Security Currently, the cannabis industry uses “trade and trace” systems, allowing state regulators to ensure the cannabis (or end-product) is not diverted to illegal markets or those that have yet to rule on its legality. To verify its chain of custody, all of the buds are given radio frequency identification tags (RFID), which licensees across the supply chain must input into their systems. If the RFID system were to be shifted onto the blockchain, this would remove the need for
By having a record of all parties involved in the cannabis life-cycle, those in the industry would be able to identify cultivators, potential retailers, producers, and even end-use consumers. The industry would have data that travels from the time the flower is a seed all the way to its sale. At the end of the day, it provides everything the government says isn’t possible right now with the market—solid record keeping, tracking and verification, health and product information that cannot be manipulated to sway consumers, distributors, and licensees to purchase the product. Verified shipping manifests, receipts, purchase orders, lab results, and any other related documentation could do a whole world of good to help ensure products are what they say they are. such identification, as the blockchain itself automatically verifies each and every transaction, or “block.” This would allow government and other regulators to track the source, sale, and pricing of the product from its origin. At the other end, producers would then be able to better track their inventory, and dispensaries would be able to project supply and demand in their particular market.
When a product is ready to be picked up from a growth/harvesting site, the blockchain platform would be able to verify that the distributor is licensed, preventing any unauthorized actors from entering this stream of commerce. Streamlining Distribution The bottom line is that transparency is vital
within the world of cannabis. Adopting the blockchain would allow for licensees to better and effectively communicate with one another without the hassle. Regulators are then provided with a streamlined audit tool. In turn, consumers are confident that they are purchasing and receiving safe and quality products. The end-goal is to improve the overall integrity of the system, and minimize the amount of time it would take for products to go from seed to sale.
What Challenges Lie Ahead? The biggest challenge, of course, for both industries is legality and regulation. We are attempting to combine two “unregulated” (so to speak) spaces that aim to work with regulators and those in the market to help bring quality products to consumers who desire it, upholding the laws in any given market. On top of this hurdle, we are lying in wait as we see how blockchain continues to develop, seeing if it will become mainstream enough for states and regulators to take an interest. While only time will tell, blockchain and cannabis seem like a perfect match for one another. Ä
Lessons From a Year in the Cannabusiness By Aaron Ray, CEO of STM Canna At the time of this writing, I have spent over a year in the cannabis industry. My first experience came in February 2017, coinciding with the launch of Sesh Technologies Manufacturing. Since that launch, I have seen the company grow exponentially, making appearances at major cannabis events and releasing revolutionary products such as the STM RocketBox and STM Rosin Press. And, while I’ve only spent a little over a year in the business of cannabis, there are three major lessons I’ve learned from my time in the industry:
Doctors, lawyers, financial executives, entrepreneurs; these are people that use cannabis both recreationally or medicinally.
The cannabis workforce and those who partake in cannabis aren’t who you think they are - There is an idea that people working with cannabis are lazy, apathetic, or “potheads.” That’s one hundred percent untrue. It takes a lot of hard work, persistence, a lot of research, and a lot of business acumen to be successful in this industry. In the same way, the consumers don’t fit the stereotype.
There’s no blueprint for success - With recreational cannabis still so new, there’s no real established recipe for success despite it being such a booming industry. You can’t draw from studies in the Harvard Business Review — we’re writing the case study as we go. This will force you to take risks, try new things, and be creative. We are all failing our way forward. Ä
It’s vital to learn how the laws apply to what you’re doing - While the laws on cannabis are already complex enough for consumers, it gets even more complicated when you get into the business side. You’ll have to consider everything from where you’re operating to how you structure your company financially.
Photo Adam Saldaña
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The Complex Science of Edibles A quick search of the internet will reveal countless horror stories about people’s bad experiences with edibles. Despite the leaps and bounds made in the research of the medicinal
properties of cannabis, the actual consumption has largely remained out of the spotlight. While smoking remains the most common delivery method, many consumers looking for an alternative – that is, more discrete and doesn’t involve inhaling – turn to edibles. While smoking results in a quick, predictable high, edibles can be much slower to absorb in the body and are therefore harder to dose effectively. In addition to the difficulties with dosing, the digestion of traditional edibles results in a much more potent form of THC entering the bloodstream and they require a significant amount of sugar and other flavorings to mask the bitter taste of the cannabis. Armed with this information, Lexaria Bioscience set out to improve bioavailability and solve the problems that consumers of traditional edibles face. Lexaria’s DehydraTECH technology masks all the smell and taste of
cannabis, improves bioabsorption 500-1000 percent, and speeds up the onset of effects to about 15 minutes. They achieve these results by binding Long Chain Fatty Acids (LCFAs) to the active ingredients which alters the way they are digested. The LCFAs are believed to block the bound cannabinoids away from the bitter taste receptors on the tongue and also protect the molecules as they pass through the highly acidic stomach environment. Most importantly, they are given preferential treatment in the digestive system, where they are quickly absorbed by the small intestine and distributed throughout the body through the lymphatic system. Meanwhile, traditional edibles get processed through the liver, taking a significant amount of time. It’s safe to say that the properties of cannabis are only as good as their delivery system, and Lexaria has worked diligently to create the most effective and efficient edibles on the market. Ä
Photos Getty Images/iStockphoto
Planting the Seeds of Entrepreneurship By Norman S. Chevlin, CFP®-Certified Financial Planner Having to differentiate between the federal and state laws on cannabis use after Attorney General Jeff Sessions negated the “Cole Memo” is a concern to many. This has resulted in a limited amount of insurance and investment firms willing to work with cannabis-related companies. This is also emblematic of the many financial hurdles that professionals in the cannabis industry must navigate.
of proper planning, poor education on the subject, and an absence of competent advisors make breaking into the business of cannabis difficult. Despite the growth of this multibillion dollar industry, regulations and fear of
As more states legalize medicinal and recreational cannabis, professionals are drawn to a rapidly growing industry. However, a lack
reprisals have caused uncertainty for entrepreneurs, insurers, banks, and investment firms. Thankfully, certified financial planners such as myself can help navigate the often confusing landscape of the cannabusiness. Based in New Jersey, it is my mission to help businesses create successful strategies by utilizing extensive financial knowledge and advanced planning techniques. Ä To learn more about Plant Your Financial Seed, visit www.PlantYourFinancialSeed.com
The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. Some of this material was developed and produced by Advisor Launchpad to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. Advisor Launchpad is not affiliated with the named representative, broker-dealer, state- or SEC-registered investment advisory firm. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security.Norman S. Chevlin, CFP® or Creative Financial Strategies are not a subsidiary or affiliate of MML Investors Services, LLC or its affiliated companies.
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// HEALTH & WELLNESS //
From Halfback to Healer By Anthony Elio
Photos courtesy of Makenzie Gee
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Former NFL star Ricky Williams discusses how he’s using his extensive cannabis knowledge for the purposes of healing Throughout his career as a football player, Ricky Williams broke a decades-old NCAA rushing record, won the Heisman Trophy, was part of a monumental trade going into the NFL Draft, and amassed over 10,000 yards as a professional. And, despite having achievements that most athletes could only dream of, it is not what he wants to be remembered for. A longtime advocate for cannabis usage, Williams wants to be known for his work as a healer rather than his work on the gridiron. This is hardly the first time the name Ricky Williams has been connected with the world of cannabis and healing. After a number of marijuana-related drug tests threatened his playing time, Williams retired before the 2004 NFL season, opting to spend time in Grass Valley, California to study holistic medicine at the California College of Ayurveda. In the following years, Williams’ time was spent expanding his knowledge on holistic healing, pioneering an NFL comeback, and recently launching his own company, Real Wellness by Ricky Williams, putting his expansive knowledge of cannabis and medicine to use. In this exclusive interview, Williams discusses his new endeavors, the current public attitudes towards cannabis culture, and what changes he believes need to be made for major sports leagues to become accepting of cannabis usage. Cannabis & Tech Today: Tell me a bit about the launch of Real Wellness.
Ricky Williams: The idea behind it was — I started speaking at cannabis conferences a couple years ago, and meeting a lot of people, sharing my story and hearing other people’s stories. And what really surprised me was how many people were earnestly searching for help for things that they couldn’t find help for anywhere else. And they were looking to cannabis. I looked at the market and I said, “Wow.” Most of the products out here are just cannabis products with THC or CBD, but there’s nothing else here. With my background in studying herbalism, I wondered why no one was creating herbal formulas to service these people that are looking for help. I saw a real need and I felt I had the skill set, the desire, the passion, and the compassion to do something about it. C&T Today: I know holistic healing has been an interest of yours for a very long time. What originally piqued your interest? RW: It all happened, actually, quite organically. It was way back in 2004, before I retired. And the decision to retire came with an awareness that at one point my whole life was starting to lose its hold on me. It was confusing to me. So I ended up talking to a friend, and they got in the conversation about how seasons change, and you know, it made sense. And so I started to apply that to my life and realize, “Well, maybe the season of football is ending and another season is beginning.”
It was an insight that really helped me make some difficult choices in my life. And with that I started to realize, “Wow. There’s some value in understanding. We can learn a lot from watching nature.” And about the same time on my travels, another guy, we had a good conversation, and he handed me a book on Ayurveda. And the premise of the book was just that, learning to create health inside of ourselves by learning about and following what we see in nature. So I dove into that, and when I came back to California from my travels, I realized, “I’m not a football player anymore, I have to find something to do with my life.” I kept thinking about that book, and so I went online, and of course, there was an Ayurvedic education program starting in the next two weeks. And so I drove up to Northern California, enrolled in school, and started studying herbs and Ayurvedic and Yogic philosophy. From there, I just was so passionate about it and I felt like I’d found my calling. From that point on, my life has really been a pursuit of teaching myself, and taking classes, and learning how to do this. The starting of this brand is the culmination of what I’ve been working on for the past fourteen years. C&T Today: Why do you believe that attitudes towards cannabis have changed so much since your retirement? u
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// HEALTH & WELLNESS // From Halfback to Healer
In March of this year, Williams announced the launch of Real Wellness with Ricky Williams, a company inspired by his time researching holistic healing methods.
RW: Well, I think more people being comfortable talking about it, you know. I think it’s one of those things where, it was so stigmatized and so taboo that people didn’t talk about it. People, you know, for their own safety, would blatantly lie about their cannabis use. People have become more comfortable and it’s become more available to people to help them deal with their medical issues. People are taking it more seriously. C&T Today: Now, on the other hand, what hasn’t changed when it comes to these attitudes? RW: We have these deeply rooted ideas. I know I was brainwashed, growing up in the ‘80s and the Nancy Reagan era, that people just would shut their minds off to the possibilities. And so I think what hasn’t changed is there’s still some residual taboo that’s around, and I think to move forward in this, I think we really need to start to study and understand the healing values of altered states of consciousness. I think, even people talking about medicinal marijuana, they’re talking about what it does to the physical body. But I think the true healing capacity of cannabis comes from an altered state of consciousness, allowing us to look at our issues and look at our problems from a different perspective. 58
C&T Today: Do you believe that major sports leagues will ever modernize their rules and embrace cannabis usage? RW: I mean, everything changes in time. So eventually, I see them being more allowing of it. It’s hard for me to see them embracing it anytime in the near future, unless someone takes a more modern view on health and wellness and taking care of their players. I just think the NFL is so rooted in the past, it’s difficult to make these kinds of changes. C&T Today: What do you believe is holding these leagues back at the moment? RW: My understanding of how drug policy came into the NFL, it was about protecting the reputation of the league. The NFL Players Association, our stance on cannabis is that, it’s not a drug issue, it’s a health and wellness issue. And I think when this conversation changes, I think the NFL will be forced to open up a little bit. C&T Today: Do you believe the more former athletes that openly support cannabis, the more likely be those attitudes will change? RW: Well, former athletes coming out, there’s some cool things about it. But current players standing up and asking for the right, I think, is what’s going to create the change. Because,
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former players, no one really has to listen to us. I think it’s when the current players take a stand and say, “This is an important issue for us.” That’s when things are going to change. C&T Today: I saw somewhere that you said you wanted to be known more for your holistic work as opposed to football. How long has this been the case? RW: Honestly, I’d say it’s been the case my whole life, in certain ways. In fact, for me, playing football was never the end goal. It was as a kid I realized that the eyes and the attention that I’d get from playing football, especially if I was good at it, would give me a platform to talk about whatever I wanted to talk about. And I think as a kid, I wasn’t sure exactly what that was, but I knew there was something. And my own healing journey and having to heal myself has given me a lot of insight and I think I understand myself. I think I understand how to help other people understand themselves. There’s tremendous value to that, and I think I can touch more people and I can touch them more deeply in this work than I could as a football player. C&T Today: Where do you see the overall future of the cannabis industry? RW: Honestly, I see a divergence. You know, the same way alcohol is used recreationally. u
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// HEALTH & WELLNESS // From Halfback to Healer I see cannabis being one area of industry going in that direction to make it safer. I also see it spreading in another direction and being used more medicinally. Whether it’s scientists getting a hold of concentrated extracts and coming up with pharmaceuticals or herbalists starting to include cannabis in their materia medicas and pharmacopoeias and coming up with creative formulas to help people who are suffering. C&T Today: It seems like the public opinion on cannabis is improving, but it’s still taking a while. RW: It is. But daily I’m shocked by people’s openness. You know, people who I never expected to even consider it. And to me it says a couple of things. It says that people are probably suffering more than you’ve realized — because that’s the one thing that’ll open your mind to trying different things, when you’re in pain and you’re looking for something to feel better. And also, you look at the opioid epidemic, and again, I think that’s one indication that people are suffering, they’re looking for something.
The more people that are giving sound bites like that, you know, that are speaking simply and intelligently about it. There are some things that are kind of obvious that we missed … What’s been lost in the wash with all the propaganda is that, ultimately, it is a plant. And for me, the more I experience that tangibly, it makes sense to do it.
While many avid sports fans will remember Williams for his thousands of rushing yards and highlight-reel touchdowns, he would prefer to be known for his work in health and wellness.
There’s an interesting piece of information that I’ve just learned. The question is, where does the term “marijuana” come from? I’m studying Chinese medicine now, and one of the herbs that we use a lot is cannabis seeds. And they’ve been roasted, so it’s not like you can plant them, but they’re very good, especially for constipation, that’s what they’re used for. And hemp seeds have been
used as food in China for a very long time, really a staple of their diet. And so the Chinese term for cannabis is, “ma ren hua.” And what it means is, “hemp seeds flower.” Something very poetic to me is that in China, the thing that we call a drug, for them, it was just a flower that comes from the hemp seed. Ä
With the growing popularity and understanding of the medicinal properties of cannabis, David Sutton, president of NanoSphere, decided to apply his pharmaceutical knowledge to the industry. The result was NanoSerum, a transdermal cannabinoid-based pain reliever. We spoke to this industry veteran about the science behind cannabinoids and how they compare to standard pharmaceuticals. Cannabis & Tech Today: What are the benefits of using a transdermal product over other delivery methods? David Sutton: Our initial points of research were in sublingual and buccal administration. And then, we chanced upon the transdermal and found it to be enormously effective just through our own initial research. Honestly, transdermal cream is less scary in the cannabis market. We really want to invite new consumers into this space. There are a lot of people that are intimidated by joints, by the inconsistency of onset from brownies, so they 60
Courtesy of NanoSphere
Delivering Pain Relief
David Sutton and NanoSphere have used their pharmaceutical expertise to create NanoSerum, a transdermal, painrelieving cream infused with cannabinoids.
have stayed out of the market. But, by applying our technology to a transdermal product and offering it in a very professional, medicallyoriented fashion, we believe that we can bring previous non-consumers into the space. C&T Today: How does working in cannabinoids differ from other standard pharmaceuticals? DS: It can be easier and harder at the same time. When we’re working with an FDAcontrolled substance, we have to adhere to certain protocols and guidelines from the FDA
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that are very burdensome, but needed, for consumer safety. Since there’s limited oversight in the cannabis industry, we have more opportunity to operate with less restriction, you could say. That being said, the hurdles in trying to conduct any of these studies from a regulatory standpoint have their own challenges. Regulations are constantly changing. Every six months we’re being updated with new requirements that we have to adhere to. Staying on top of that and making sure we’re in compliance with the regulations that exist in the cannabis industry is definitely a challenge. Ä
Our technology is patented Masks unwanted taste and smell of cannabis Speeds up the time of onset of effects to 15 minutes Improves bioabsorption 500-1000%
Lexaria Bioscience Corp. (CSE:LXX; OTCQX:LXRP) has developed and out-licenses its disruptive and cost-effective DehydraTECH™ technology that promotes healthier administration methods, lower overall dosing and higher effectiveness of ingestible drugs and other beneficial molecules. Many vitamins, drugs, supplements and other beneficial molecules are lipophilic (i.e. fat soluble) and difficult for the human gastrointestinal system to efficiently and effectively absorb. DehydraTECH™ greatly improves the body’s ability to absorb these substances so their benefits can be received more quickly and pleasantly. Lexaria has multiple patents issued or pending in over 40 countries around the world.
// HEALTH & WELLNESS //
Getty Images/iStockphoto
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A
nthropologists have yet to discover a culture where mind or mood-altering substances weren’t present. Drugs have been with us since the beginning, for better or worse. The challenge for any user is to achieve its mood and health benefits while being able to regulate its use, but many struggle. Repeated drug use can trigger a shift in our brain chemistry that promotes addiction, a chronically-relapsing disease in which users seek and use drugs despite harmful consequences to their own health, compromised social and family relationships, and impaired work performance. It’s a tragic state that is estimated to cost the United States nearly $700 billion annually. It’s no wonder that the government has an interest in reducing drug addiction. Unfortunately, their strategy of limiting access has failed. Nearly 10 percent of adults used an illicit drug in the last month, and millions have become dependent. An additional strategy has been to invest in addiction treatment programs, as every dollar invested in treatment centers saves $12 in healthcare and crime-related costs. But these programs are only effective for around half of those who enter. Therefore, new strategies must be devised. One promising strategy comes from a plant whose safety was once deemed, as Ronald Reagan claimed, to be equal to “…being on Bikini Island during an H-bomb blast.” Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the most abundant chemicals in cannabis. However, unlike L9-THC, it’s non-high inducing and could be a powerful tool in treating drug addiction. The Addiction Cycle Opioid addiction is nasty. It may start innocently with the use of prescription opioids for post-operative pain. They’ll deliver pain relief with a euphoric high by flooding the brain with opioid chemicals that overwhelm receptors. The brain’s natural response is to restore balance by weakening the effect that these chemicals have on the brain. Over time, to achieve pain relief and restore that euphoric high, more pills must be popped, more morphine dripped. Eventually, the drugs themselves are insufficient and harder drugs like
heroin are sought. Tragically, even though the drug’s strength in the brain weakens, when it’s not being used the feeling is horrible. People are struck with diarrhea, vomiting, sweating, restlessness, and severe anxiety. More opioids must be consumed just to return to a semblance of normal. That’s the essence of the addiction cycle. Drug use is initially driven by the desire to feel good and reach a euphoric high. But repeated drug use causes lasting changes in brain chemistry that make it more difficult to get high and set a new baseline state in which drugs must be consumed just to feel, what was once, “normal.” That is, one must continue to use drugs to alleviate the negative symptoms of withdrawal. A major driver of drug seeking in addicts is the desire to relieve withdrawal symptoms. But it’s not just internal factors that lead people to continue using. Environmental cues like a friend, a song, or a room once associated with the drug can trigger profound cravings that eventually lead to relapse. This proposes that there are three primary strategies in which therapeutic drugs, such as CBD, can help treat addiction. First, they can reduce the rewarding nature of the abused drug itself so that there’s less motivation for further consumption. Secondly, treatments can weaken withdrawal symptoms, like anxiety, which reduces drug seeking merely to alleviate symptoms. Lastly, treatments can reduce the ability of environmental cues to trigger relapse. Breaking Free It’s rare that a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substance Act, which by definition has high potential for abuse and no accepted medical value, may be an effective strategy to help break the chains of addiction from other Schedule I (e.g., heroin) or lower scheduled drugs (e.g., amphetamines or codeine). But CBD is emerging as an exciting possibility. Firstly, CBD may reduce the rewarding properties of opioid drugs. While CBD doesn’t have any rewarding effects on its own, scientists found that rats given this compound were less sensitive to morphine’s rewarding effects. These effects did not translate to cocaine, suggesting that CBD’s effects on reward processing may be limited to opioid-based drugs.
CBD’s power to regulate opioid reward stems from its ability to enhance serotonin signaling in the brain. Serotonin is a mood-regulating brain chemical that is a common target of anxiety and anti-depressant medications. It’s not surprising that the compound also relieves anxiety. CBD’s anxiety-relieving effects can be utilized in addiction treatment by relieving this prominent withdrawal symptom. CBD may also help avoid relapsing back into drug use after a period of abstinence. In one study, rats were trained to push a lever for heroin and learned to associate a light in the chamber with the availability of the substance. After some time, pressing the lever no longer delivered the drug. But when the light turned on, they’d press like mad in the hope that some would be delivered. That is, unless they were given CBD, which reduced the light’s power to escalate their drug craving. It’s as if with CBD, the addict can walk past a familiar alley or bar, despite signs inviting them in. And CBD’s effect persisted. The light cue remained less effective at causing a heroin craving for two weeks after the last treatment. Beyond Opioids CBD’s benefits are not limited to treating opioid addiction. For instance, CBD protects against amphetamines’ ability to induce longterm changes in dopamine signaling, a brain chemical involved in reward processing that underlies early stages of addiction. Cigarette smokers who had access to a CBD inhaler consumed 40 percent fewer cigarettes than those with a placebo inhaler. CBD even reduces the desire to consume THC-rich cannabis. This suggests that transitioning to either balanced or CBD-rich cannabis may be a promising strategy for treating cannabis use disorder. And If It Doesn’t Work … Desperation and frustration often define overcoming addiction. When current options fail, we must consider novel approaches. CBD shows promise but warrants further investigation. But even in cases where CBD is ineffective at curbing addiction, its preventative effects against liver toxicity and drug-induced brain inflammation promote its use as a protective agent during periods of drug abuse. Ä Josh Kaplan is a Ph.D. neuroscientist and cannabis researcher at the University of Washington.
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// HEALTH & WELLNESS //
Sick Pets and the Science of CBD By Patricia Miller
How cannabidiol is changing perspectives on pet health care.
Your pet is a part of your family. When they’re sick it can be a stressful and costly experience, particularly when attempting to treat long-term illnesses. Arthritis, seizures, anxiety, and even diabetes are all common disorders for domesticated animals. Chronic ailments can lower your pet’s quality of life and treatment options can be limited. However, recent research into the efficacy of cannabidiol (CBD) for treating these conditions is giving new hope to pet owners. In a recent study, “An Update on Safety and Side Effects of Cannabidiol: A Review of Clinical Data and Relevant Animal Studies,” researchers Kerstin Iffland and Franjo Grotenhermen found strong correlations between CBD treatment and better overall health. Some of the well-known ailments that proved responsive to CBD treatment include anxiety, diabetes, arthritis, and cancer. Anxiety is a familiar frustration for dog owners, particularly during storms or firework-based holidays. Studies with mice and CBD have shown encouraging results. Iffland and Grotenhermen refer to a study documenting the calming influence of CBD on anxious rodents and attribute the effectiveness of the treatment to the “antipanic effects” of the compound on serotonin receptors. The review also found CBD effective in preventing diabetes. In Iffland’s study, diabetes-prone mice were treated for four weeks with CBD; treatment was stopped and the mice were observed for the next 20 weeks. Only 32 percent of those treated with CBD developed diabetes as opposed to
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100 percent of mice in the control group that did not receive the treatment. That’s good news for corpulent house cats and overweight pups. Arthritis can be another common problem for older animals. The anti-inflammatory properties of CBD may provide potent relief. “Proinflammatory biomarkers were also reduced in a dose-dependent manner,” noted Iffland in her review. Your stiff-jointed canine or less-than-agile cat may find more spring in their step with CBD in their treatment plan. Older dogs in particular tend to suffer with arthritis and are more likely to be diagnosed with cancer. Cancer is the leading cause of death for older dogs and treatment options can seem frustratingly cost prohibitive. It seems CBD can be helpful in this instance as well. Iffland and Grotenhermen observed this in their study, stating: “CBD every 3 days for a total of 28 weeks almost completely reduced the development of metastatic nodules caused by injection of the human lung carcinoma cells (A549) in nude mice.” Several studies have linked CBD to cancer remission in both humans and animals. There are a few points to keep in mind before you decide to start dosing your pets. Boulder Holistic Vet, a blog written by Dr. Angie Krause, discusses some of the most important factors to consider when buying CBD products for your animals. Find out how the plant was grown and how the concentrates were extracted; pesticides and Butane Hash Oil (BHO) extraction can leave residual toxins that may aggravate your pet. Research how much CBD is in the product and determine which other ingredients are present. Most importantly, speak with your veterinarian prior to beginning a CBD treatment plan to formulate a proper dosage and ensure there are no contraindications with other prescriptions. Ä
TECH ZONE // COLORADO
The Rocky Mountain Revolution By Alex Moersen
On November 6, 2012, Colorado voters officially passed Amendment 64. Enacted as Article 18, section 16 of the state constitution, the new law addressed the use and regulation of marijuana for consumers 21 and over, as well as commercial cultivation, manufacturing, and retail. The recreational sale of cannabis began just over a year later on January 1, 2014. The new legislation made Colorado the first state with completely legal recreational cannabis, marking a shift in public opinion. While there were some uncertainties and concerns at the time, over five years later, legalization in Colorado has brought with it economic prosperity, increased education and research, and some incredible innovations. In 2014, Colorado’s first year of legal cannabis, the state gained $76 million in revenue, $35 million of which went directly toward the education system. A study out of the Colorado State University-Pueblo’s Institute of Cannabis Research found that the cannabis industry contributed a net $35 million to the local Pueblo economy in 2016. The study also estimates that this net impact will grow to $100 million a year by 2021. In addition, the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that, following legalization, the rate of adolescent marijuana use in Colorado had fallen to its lowest in nearly a decade. The survey found that just over nine percent of teens age 12 to 17 used marijuana monthly in 2015 and 2016. It was the lowest rate of monthly marijuana use in the state since 2007 and 2008. Now, with over five years of legal cannabis, Colorado has become a hub of innovation and validation for the sector. On multiple levels, the legitimization of the industry has allowed for increased research and development. Boulder County, for instance, has become a leader in sustainable cannabis with the Marijuana Energy Impact Offset Fund, the goal of which is to motivate growers to use sustainable energy resources. According to their website, the “fund is being used to educate and encourage best marijuana cultivation practices with regards to energy usage as well as to fund other carbon offset projects such as the development of more renewable energy.” The Colorado Department of Revenue has worked closely with Franwell Inc. to use the latest technology in their seed-tosale tracking. In fact, Franwell created the Marijuana Enforcement Tracking Reporting Compliance (METRC) system for Colorado as the state devised first-of-its-kind regulations for cannabis sales. Legislators are even looking into incorporating blockchain technology into their cannabis tracking systems. The burgeoning cannabis industry has also allowed for increased startup and ancillary business opportunities. Of the top 150 ancillary businesses of 2017 published by Cannabis Business Executive, over 40 were headquartered in the Rocky Mountain State. For comparison, California had 35, while Washington and Oregon combined for only 22. Colorado’s features included companies dealing in everything from software development and lab testing to security solutions and extraction equipment. It’s not a surprise that being a pioneer in marijuana legislation has allowed Colorado to lead the industry in all other aspects. The success that the state has experienced in just over five years time could act as a microcosm for what the country can expect following federal legalization. But, with the headstart that Colorado has already procured, the Rocky Mountain State can be expected to lead this space for the near future. Ä Getty Images/iStockphoto
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TECH ZONE // COLORADO
The Future of
Pharmaceuticals By Patricia Miller
How Stratos is bringing pharmaceutical-grade cannabis products to conscientious consumers The small town of Pueblo, Colorado is bisected by Interstate 25, a pulsing current of new talent carrying eager transplants from the south to the thriving metropolis of Denver in the north. Most tourists aren’t interested in the Pueblo Heritage Museum or the historic riverwalk (though they should be) as much as they’re interested in where they can find a rest stop and something to eat. Were they to look closer they would realize this little town is the Napa Valley of cannabis cultivation. Just outside of the city, away from the red brick of crumbling factories and historic storefronts, sit the manufacturing centers for some of Colorado’s largest cannabis distributors. This is the home of Stratos, a forward-thinking company focused on creating the highest quality pharmaceutical grade cannabis products. The team at Stratos has over 80 years of collective pharmaceutical experience. In 2014, just after the legalization of recreational marijuana in Colorado, Cofounder and VP of Development Charlotte Peyton was eating a cannabis-infused candy bar with some girlfriends. The label read five milligrams per square, but Peyton knew the piece she had just eaten was much more potent than advertised. That’s when she realized she could do something to create a more consistent experience for consumers. Peyton says of the realization, “We knew we could bring our pharmaceutical and scientific expertise to the cannabis industry and help improve customer experience with our products … You would expect that with anything else you buy over the counter. Why not this?” The company is using technology from the pharmaceutical industry to create products with remarkable consistency and purity. Stratos offers 68
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Extracts make up the fastest-growing segment of the cannabis industry. Chemists at Stratos work with pharmaceutical-grade machinery to engineer some of the industry’s most precise concentrates. The team hopes to provide consistency to consumers and alleviate dosing insecurity.
“ We knew we could bring our pharmaceutical and scientific expertise to the cannabis industry…”
uniformly consistent THC and CBD ingestible tablets which, much like over-the-counter pharmaceuticals, can be cut in half to obtain exactly half the dose. The tablets are also formulated to illicit precise feelings in the user, like energy or relaxation. Peyton now relies on the tablets for her own well-being: “I take the sleep tablets at night … Sometimes I need a half and sometimes I need a whole.” So why does a large-scale, pharmaceutical-style manufacturing operation want to run their business from a relatively isolated community like Pueblo? Peyton credits the local county government with providing the support and resources needed to run a successful cannabis business: “Pueblo County local government has been very kind to cannabis businesses and willing to give them space to come in and do their thing. They also have a local economy that was in desperate need of employment opportunities. Besides that, there’s also sunshine there… for outdoor growing, for greenhouse growing.” Peyton and her team of innovators are on track to increase their reach. Thanks to the support and resources of Pueblo County, Stratos will soon expand into other states. The team is currently dealing with a dispensary in Oahu, Hawaii and is committed to creating their products for consumers throughout the country. The expansion will require establishing a new manufacturing facility in each proposed state as they cannot legally ship THC across state lines. Though it’s an investment, Peyton believes it will pay off in the long run. “I think that’s what keeps some of the bigger players out of the marijuana industry currently, a really large corporation would want to have one plant and ship all over the country,” she explained. “[Stratos stores] will have to come out one at a time. That just seems the most efficient, sane way to keep track of everything … We’d rather take a little bit more time and make sure it’s set up well and move onto the next state.” Ä Photos courtesy of Lucy Beaugard
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TECH ZONE // COLORADO
Developing Denver’s Sustainable Solutions By Louie Fox Image via Google
How one Denver-based program looks to increase sustainability in the cannabis sector.
Emily Backus has worked with Certifiably Green Denver for four years, seeing her role grow as the city has an increasing interest in spreading sustainability throughout the cannabis industry.
Courtesy of Emily Backus
Cannabis is undoubtedly a fast-growing industry, earning billions as legalization continues to spread across the U.S. However, despite the lucrative qualities of marijuana, the sector as a whole struggles heavily in terms of sustainability. Due to laws prohibiting outdoor growing, large amounts of electricity are burnt indoors, sacrificing sustainable practices for streamlined, legal cannabis harvesting. As Scale Microgrid Solutions founder Tim Hade told the Cannabis Sustainability Symposium, “The cannabis industry has an energy problem…But the problem is solvable.” Certifiably Green Denver is looking to solve that problem.
A program of the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment, Certifiably Green Denver assists the region’s community of businesses with sustainability advice completely
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free of charge. With the help of top advisors, the program looks to help Denver businesses reach their sustainability goals. Additionally, the program helps companies lower costs while improving environmental efforts by advising reduced spending in transportation, waste, water, business management, and energy. The program has collaborated with a large number of businesses in the area, including restaurants, salons, nonprofits, retail stores, and much more. With the great strides the program has made in assisting Denver companies, it makes sense that Certifiably Green Denver would assist the evergrowing cannabis sector with its current sustainability struggles.
sustainability is energy usage. Backus explains that, due to Amendment 64 rules, growing is required to be kept indoors, which is putting quite a strain on energy consumption: “Energy use by marijuana facilities is growing at a much faster rate than the growth of energy use across the city. While we only have a few years of data, if this trend continues, it could impact the city’s ability to meet our energy and greenhouse gas emissions reductions goals.” In fact, Colorado Public Radio News reported earlier this year that almost four percent of Denver electricity is currently being used for marijuana, showing that the growing industry is also growing in energy needs.
However, strategies that have worked for other companies might not be applicable to this burgeoning industry, which can present somewhat of a challenge. As Denver Department of Public Health and Environment Sustainability Advisor Emily Backus said in an exclusive interview, “The cannabis industry is unique because it’s so new, there were no established standards or best practices for efficient operations that we could use as resources to guide these businesses. They also have operating conditions that are very different from the other types of businesses we work with, so there has been a big learning curve.”
However, there might be a bright future when it comes to the crossroads of marijuana and environmentalism. According to Backus, “Sustainability will improve as the cannabis industry continues to mature. As prices continue to drop, my hope is that business owners will invest in energy efficiency to improve their bottom line. I also think there is fantastic innovation happening in this industry, and that over the next few years we will see more high-quality, energy-efficient equipment come to market.” With the guidance of people like Backus, who helped to create the Cannabis Sustainability Work Group in 2016, there looks to be positive days ahead for the world of environmentally friendly marijuana in the Mile High City. Ä
As mentioned earlier, one of the major problems affecting Denver cannabis
PREMIERE ISSUE // Summer 2018 // cannatechtoday.com
// ENTERTAINMENT //
Silencing the Stigma By Anthony Elio | Photos by Robyn Von Swank
Comedian Reggie Watts discusses breaking the stereotypes of the cannabis industry. Whether you know him from his comedic musical performances on IFC’s Comedy Bang! Bang!, his role as bandleader for The Late Late Show With James Corden, or his hilariously bizarre TED Talks, there’s a good chance you’re familiar with comedian/musician Reggie Watts. Named one of High Times’ “100 Most Influential People in Cannabis,” Watts has long been an advocate for the substance, with an original song about Marijuana Day, an appearance on Viceland’s Bong Appétit, and even social media posts about legislation. In this exclusive interview, we discuss breaking the stigma around cannabis culture, his new collaborative album, and his creative strain name ideas. Cannabis & Tech Today: Why do you believe there’s still such a stigma around marijuana? Reggie Watts: It’s so hard to go inside the head of someone who is actively against it. There are definitely people who prefer not to do it, which is totally fine and that makes sense. But people who are actively against it I don’t really understand. Same arguments for, sounds crazy, but it’s the same argument for abortion or any other kind of thing that’s really kind of based around a person’s choice, to a certain degree, as to what they decide to do with their lives when 72
someone is actively against it. I just don’t think they understand what the definition of a drug is and don’t understand someone’s own ability to choose what they want to do. And so, if they’re against marijuana they might as well be against all over-the-counter medications, alcohol, tobacco. Like, all of it. It’s the classic argument that, y’know, alcohol does more damage than marijuana ever, ever has. I think it’s just because they get programmed that it’s an illegal drug. There are many things that were legal that became illegal and there are things that were illegal that became legal. It’s a weird thing; it’s just a form of close-mindedness and trying to control other people’s free will. I’m not into it. C&T Today: What is your personal method for destigmatizing the substance? RW: Only that I talk about it freely and I promote using it responsibly and using it as an experiment. Experimental use as opposed to a way to self-medicate. I just think that there’s an adult way. I promote the adult usage of marijuana. Generally marijuana is always promoted as…kind of like Monster energy drink. Everything is like Monster energy drink. It has to be the maximum high. Taking you to beyond your limits. Can you handle the high? Skunky, icky, sticky…whatever all of that stuff that people talk about with weed and stoners. Now is the opportunity to look at it more medicinally, in a more refined way. Like this Mondo powder. It’s 5 milligrams but it doesn’t floor you, it just makes you feel really good. The
PREMIERE ISSUE // Summer 2018 // cannatechtoday.com
industry is pursuing research on how different components of it or different methods of refining it can yield different medicinal results. I think for me, I’m always promoting that side of it. Like micro-dosing. A better way to ingest it than smoking it, which can be harsh on your lungs. I just approach it from that way. That’s how I promote it. C&T Today: Do you ever see yourself moving into the business side? RW: I was talking to a company called COC Dynamics out of Portland, Oregon. I think they’re setting up shop, doing some extractions in California. And I was thinking about creating these low-dose marijuana or cannabis pills. So I have, but I’m not much of a business person in the form of, “Here’s a product!” Aside from my performances or whatever. It would have to kind of flow … but I’ve definitely thought about it. For sure. Being part of the kind of responsible usage of it. C&T Today: I know you’re also hosting Taskmaster on Comedy Central. What do you really think will make the show stand out? RW: I think that the main selling point of it is that you get to see people that you might be a fan of, that you dig … just get to see them behave the way they naturally are. As opposed to a character or however they publicly project their image. So you get to see people be themselves and be goofy and have a good time. And that’s really the appeal of it. Because when someone’s performing a task they have to go to this u
// ENTERTAINMENT //
“It’s a weird thing; it’s just a form of close-mindedness and, trying to control other people’s free will. I’m not into it.”
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// ENTERTAINMENT //
Silencing The Stigma problem-solving mode and some people can try to hold on to their caricatures and things like that, but it really falls away pretty quickly. And not only that, but in the U.S. version not everybody is a comedian either. It ends up being very funny, but we have D.J., we have an actor. We definitely have a little bit of variety more than just comedians. This show’s fun for anybody. C&T Today: You’ve also got the new album coming out as a collaboration with John Tejada. Can you tell me a little bit about the inspiration behind that? RW: I’ve always been a fan of dance music, electronic music, and I’ve been a big fan of John Tejada, local producer in Los Angeles, for many, many years. I had the opportunity to meet him one day at a gig he was spinning at. He was just such a sweet guy, local dude, and we just kept in contact. I didn’t really plan on asking him to do a project outright, but over time we kind of asked each other, “Oh, you want to mess around on a track or something?” And then we got together and it was super easy to make a track; it was super fast and that’s exactly how I like to work. Really, really fast. In the moment, no preparation. And he made these amazing dance tracks and we decided to make it into a project. Which is something I’d been wanting to do for a while but I just couldn’t find a producer that could work as fast as I like to work. C&T Today: Do you have a dream collaboration? RW: I’ve always wanted to be on a Daft Punk track. Or, Matthew Dear has been in contact with me a little bit on Twitter and he’s kind of a classic icon dude. That would be really great. I love working with Flight Facilities; I’ve done some tracks with them. I hope I get to always be on a track on their records. That would be really great. C&T Today: One that I’d definitely love to hear is you and Devo. RW: Yeah, Devo. Certainly. I toured with them. I opened up for them for six shows. I felt really lucky to see that. Devo could be cool, I mean there’s not many of them left now. It could be cool. C&T Today: I saw on Twitter once you wanted a strain named “Strawberry Snarfcakes.” Do you have any other strain names in mind that you play around with? RW: It probably already exists, but I think Thunderf***. I was thinking of a monster-truck style cannabis strain. Or one called Shmoopie, pretty good. Shmoopie’s Dream. I wish someone came up with new strains and they described the high and I became a namer. That would be great to be a weed namer. Namin’ strains is my new game. Ä
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// ENTERTAINMENT //
Giving Entrepreneurs the Green Light
There’s no doubt that the cannabis business has grown exponentially throughout the 2010s. 2014, Colorado’s first year of legalized recreational usage, saw over $683 million in sales. In 2016, the U.S. marijuana industry as a whole saw $6.7 billion in revenue. In April of this year, investment firm Cowen suggested that the industry could begin generating approximately $75 billion in terms of gross annual sales by the year 2030. Recreational cannabis is here to stay and it’s an entrepreneur’s dream. And The Marijuana Show perfectly reflects the budding entrepreneurial spirit of cannabis.
Photos courtesy of The Marijuana Show
Streaming on Amazon Prime, The Marijuana Show has been referred to as the “Shark Tank of the cannabis industry” by CNBC. Created, produced, and hosted by Karen Paull and Wendy Robbins, the show focuses on “ganjapreneurs” and puts the spotlight on the creative, innovative ideas that could shake up the market. Here are just a few examples of the inventive pitches found this season on The Marijuana Show: Hardcar Security, a California company that supplies secure transportation to the marijuana sector; all-in-one marijuana software and point-of-sale for dispensaries and delivery services provided by Webjoint; and a machine that fills 453 pre-roll cones in two minutes created by STM Canna. The show has evolved over the years, with the brand new third season featuring the emotional backstories behind entrepreneurship in the growing cannabis industry balanced with lighthearted moments and game show segments. With $20 million offered to brilliant and engaging entrepreneurs, The Marijuana Show perfectly blends business and entertainment. The show can be seen in May at TheMarijuanaShow.com and will be streaming on Amazon Prime in June. Ä
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// PRODUCT REVOLUTION //
Hydrology9 by Cloudious9 – Featuring advanced filtration for cooling vapor and evenly distributed heat, the Hydrology9 is ideal for any tech-focused cannabis consumer. Manufactured with rustresistant, spacecraft-grade aluminum alloy, Hydrology9 is an innovative vaporizer with a focus on superior hardware. $180
Hemper Box – Featuring specially curated selections of the best brands, Hemper Box gives you plenty of options based on your needs. Available in three seperate subscription tiers, the Hemper Box delivers prime accessories right to your door. Up to $30
Roll Uh Bowl – Created with the outdoor adventurer in mind, Roll Uh Bowl combines portability and safety into one convenient package. Manufactured with BPA-free platinum-cured silicone, Roll Uh Bowl allows you to reap the benefits of advanced design and superior materials. $35
Phoenician Grinder – Designed with a focus on medicinal usage, the Phoenician Grinder is as userfriendly as they come, allowing for patients in weakened states to access with ease. With a sleek, metallic appearance, the Phoenician Grinder is as stylish as it is innovative. $110
STM Rocket Box – With the ability to roll 453 pre-roll cones in just two minutes, the STM Rocket Box is called the most advanced machine of its kind for a reason. Featuring ten custom presets and three different customizable stages for each cycle, the STM Rocket Box is revolutionizing commercial prerolling. $12,500 76
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// PRODUCT REVOLUTION //
Wax Liquidizer Sampler Kit – Allowing you to easily transition wax into vape juice, the Wax Liquidizer Sampler Kit is ideal for a vaporizer user. Simple to use and available in a variety of flavors, Wax Liquidizer lets you save money and time. $100
Arizer Solo II – Combining smart engineering and superior quality, the Solo II ensures that you’ll spend less time worrying about maintenance and more time vaporizing. With portability, optimal airflow, and temperature control, the Solo II stands out as a state-of-the-art vaporizer. $200
STM Rosin Press 4.0 – Providing efficiency and mass production, the STM Rosin Press 4.0 applies even pressure and heat to every square inch. Able to press over 45 pounds of flower in eight hours, STM has created an incredibly advanced commercial rosin press. $20,000
Sensibox – With a number of subscription options and specific styles to choose from, Sensibox is the ultimate customizable box for the modern cannabis consumer. Delivering essential gear and fun accessories, Sensibox is an ideal gift for a friend or treat for yourself. $35
Veho Discovery Microscope w/ LCD Display – For consumers and retailers looking to give their cannabis a deeper analysis, the Veho Discovery Microscope is ideal. Featuring an LCD screen and the ability to take snapshots, you can properly examine your cannabis collection before consumption. $300 cannatechtoday.com // Summer 2018 // PREMIERE ISSUE
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RELAX // CREATIVE CANNABIS
g n i k a M a n a u Marij
Instagram star Tony Greenhand discusses social media and his artistic joint creations
Masterpieces By Anthony Elio
To some, rolling a joint is no more than a simple everyday task. Tony Greenhand is not one of those people. Creating works of art through his rolling, including a recreation of the Lombardi trophy, a golden rose, and even boxer Mike Tyson, Greenhand was named the “World’s Greatest Joint Roller” by Leafly for good reason. His work is showcased on his official Instagram account, where he has amassed well over 300,000 followers. In this exclusive interview, we discuss how he first started creating his artistic joints, the issues with
social media platforms such as Instagram, and the creation he is most proud of. Cannabis & Tech Today: What was your very first creation? Tony Greenhand: It was a rocket ship. I just put some joints together and all my friends really liked it. Everybody really liked the rocket. They all wanted me to do something for them. So I just started busting out little pieces for them. People wanted more and more intricate stuff. They came up with different suggestions
Photos courtesy of Tony Greenhand
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PREMIERE ISSUE // Summer 2018 // cannatechtoday.com
for me, which basically fueled me to try new things. I saw people looking at this like it was a totally different thing. I’ve always liked working with clay and wood and being creative. This was an opportunity for me to be creative as an adult. I feel like a lot of people lose that side of themselves when they get older. And so I just took advantage of that. And now this is my job. So I get to basically be creative everyday. It’s really nice. C&T Today: What drew you to Instagram as a way to show off this work?
RELAX // CREATIVE CANNABIS
Greenhand’s cannabis creations have earned him hundreds of thousands of followers on Instagram, leading to exclusive features with Leafly and Rolling Stone. He is also very personal with his fans, reading every single message sent to him by followers.
TG: I was creatively rolling for maybe three years for all my friends in just the cannabis community. I was a cannabis breeder for different seed companies. I was just bouncing around weed forums where all the growers would talk and I’d post my joints. I mean, like maybe ten people would see them per year. And those ten people really liked them, so I kept it up. Well, my friend Mike, he told me that I should probably check out Reddit. I had no idea what Reddit was. But I took his word for it. I was like, “Sure. I’ll post it on Reddit and they’re going to like it. I post it with you guys, so why not?” I posted it on Reddit. In 24 hours, my whole scene blew up. I was featured in magazines. I was getting hit up by people for orders around the world. Basically, that was the day that this became my career. The whole Reddit community was blowing up. But they even said, “Reddit’s probably not the best place for you. You need to go to Instagram ‘cause that’s where you will really take off.” And so I just took their word for it and got on Instagram. And that was another situation
that blew up basically overnight. I got like 100,000 followers in three months. C&T Today: Social media and the internet are still catching up in terms of how the law applies to marijuana. Could you share your experiences with running a cannabis-based social media account? TG: Well, I was deleted for basically no reason. Everybody’s getting deleted off Instagram right now. The government is trying to pass a law to make social media held accountable for accounts that they have. It makes it hard to do business when you do get deleted by Instagram because this is like the main platform for a lot of businesses. Again, I’m unique that I have these other ways of contacting. And I have a large following in those other avenues. So even if I did get deleted off of Instagram, you’d still be able to find me. You can email me. You can just Google me and hit me on my website. You can go on Snapchat. You know, there’s a million ways to get a hold of me. A lot of people aren’t as versatile, and Instagram really hurts our community when they ban people or
delete people who run businesses solely off of it. I’d like to see it changed in the future. But I just don’t feel like Instagram is going that direction. Maybe if they get replaced by somebody. But I feel like it hurts our community. And I think that we’re not in line to change it. C&T Today: What was the most difficult piece that you ever created? TG: The joint that I am currently creating is a 42-pound Statue of Liberty. It’s nine feet tall. And it’s on a metal stand that is connected with a vacuum assist. This is like a whole other beast. I could fit inside this joint. C&T Today: Do you have one creation you’re especially proud of? TG: You know, I don’t. I’m proud of myself for breaking away from my own shell and doing this. And honestly, beyond even just being able to do art for a living, I make people smile for a living. Making people happy is honestly a gift in itself. It’s hard not to be happy when you’re making other people happy. Ä Check out Tony Greenhand’s incredible cannabis creations on Instagram @tonygreenhand.
cannatechtoday.com // Summer 2018 // PREMIERE ISSUE
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RELAX // THE LIGHTER SIDE
Animal High-Jinks By Josh Blue
ELEVATED SURF & TURF
LOBSTER & SAFFRON BUTTER
Courtesy Andrea Drummer
By Andrea Drummer
Time Needed: 30 minutes hands-on // 1 hr inactive
Serves: 4 4–2oz servings at 8 mg of THC per serving
Ingredients:
Courtesy of Josh Blue
Over the years, I’ve had many people ask me if marijuana helps with my cerebral palsy. No, it f***s me up more. I just like getting high! As a touring comedian, I do over 200 shows a year. Everywhere I go, people are excited that I come from Colorado, where weed is legal--but I want everyone to know that I have been treating it like it was legal for years! In many of the places I travel to, I could be incarcerated for smoking, but it’s a risk I’m very willing to take. Like once, in the San Diego airport, a large, muscly K-9 cop recognized me from television. We shook hands and talked about my career, all while his dog sniffed the air around me. Now I thought I was playing it cool, but he smiled down at me, and said, “Don’t worry, Josh. It’s a bomb sniffing dog!” I let out a nervous laugh and clapped him a high five. Once we got that out of the way, we had a really great conversation, and the dog could tell I was too shaky to make a bomb. Another weekend, I was on the East Coast doing shows. I was waiting for my ride, and smoking weed out of a red apple. An apple is my favorite 80
travel pipe because you can find an apple in any airport. From down the road, I heard the clip-clop of horse hooves on the uneven cobblestones. Through my hazy gaze, I realized it was a mounted officer. My paranoid stoner logic was convinced that the horse was going to smell the apple and lead the officer right to me. As I was playing over the scenario, the horse took a hard left, crossing in the middle of the street straight towards me, making the nightmare come true. I swallowed hard, but then realized the cop was smiling and waving at me. “I’m so excited you’re in town,” he said, pulling the horse’s head nose-to-nose with mine. “Me too. Can I feed your horse an apple?” I replied as I presented the delicious treat. Before he could answer, the horse devoured it in one bite. My ride arrived right then, and I giggled the rest of the night imagining the horse fancy-dancing down the street. All of this is to say that police with animals like me. I can’t wait to meet a cop with a chimp. Ä Check out Mountain High Suckers to see Josh Blue’s new line of cannabis-infused lollipops.
PREMIERE ISSUE // Summer 2018 // cannatechtoday.com
16 Tbsp (2 sticks) unsalted butter (room temperature) 2 tsp Clean Cannabis Butter (room temperature) 4 oz poached lobster meat 1/4 tsp saffron powder 2 cloves garlic, minced 1/2 tsp garlic powder 1/2 tsp onion powder Pinch of salt Plastic wrap On low heat, add cannabis butter and saffron in a small saucepan. Cook until saffron is fully incorporated. Add minced garlic, garlic powder, and onion powder. Cook until garlic is soft. Remove the saucepan from the heat and fold in the poached lobster meat. Season with salt to taste, and set aside to chill in refrigerator. Once the lobster is cool, gently fold into the unsalted room temperature butter until all ingredients are well incorporated. Spoon butter in a cylinder shape on a square of plastic wrap. Roll into a tight tubular shape, twisting the ends. Refrigerate. Serve two-ounce portion with steak. Check out more of Andrea Drummer’s cooking at www.elevationvip.com
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