CannMed 2023: The Pinnacle of Cannabis Research, Advocacy, and Innovation

BY CLAY MOORE

As pioneers in cannabis science, Medicinal Genomics (MGC) sets out to elevate the industry through innovation, advocacy, and patient care. Born from a deeply personal journey of utilizing cannabis therapeutics to support their father’s fight against stage-4 prostate cancer, the McKernan family established MGC with the core vision of prioritizing safety and efficacy in cannabis through genetics. With invaluable guidance from industry leaders including Dr. Raphael Mechoulam, Dr. Bonni Goldstein, Dr. Dustin Sulak, Dr. Debra Kimless, and Mara Gordon, they succeeded in significantly improving their father’s quality of life. This transformative experience led to the creation of CannMed Events – an annual conference aimed at fostering collaboration, innovation, and advancement in cannabis science..

CannMed 2023, organized by MGC, was a testament to this vision, providing an unparalleled platform for the cannabis community to share knowledge, discuss cutting-edge research, and forge partnerships. Limited in attendance but not in opportunities, the event painted an immersive picture of the evolving landscape of cannabis medicine, cultivation, lab compliance testing, and capital markets. It was held at the stunning JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort, offering a blend of professional development and relaxation. In the Medical Practicum workshop, attendees explored the therapeutic potential of medicinal plants. With the endocannabinoid system as the starting point, the workshop delved into the multifaceted ways in which cannabis can alleviate various conditions, including dosing, safety, efficacy, and potential side effects.

Simultaneously, the Cultivation workshop brought together botanists and geneticists to elucidate the scientific nuances of cannabis cultivation. Recognizing the variability of the plant, the discussions pivoted around harnessing the power of genetics to predictably control cannabis cultivation in the future.

The Lab Compliance Testing workshop, in collaboration with Agilent Technologies, Cambium Analytica, and Modern Canna Labs, explored the complexities of cannabinoid analysis and the growing issue of potency inflation. This comprehensive session provided a platform for networking with industry experts and focused on the crucial role that analytical labs play in the evolution of the cannabis industry.

On the business side of things, the Capital Markets workshop provided an invaluable perspective on the challenges and strategies around funding cannabis and cannabinoid innovation globally. It addressed the historical context, current issues, and future prospects for funding in this sector, with a view to driving global innovation effectively.

CannMed 2023 also boasted a line-up of illustrious speakers from Texas A&M. These included Dr. Russell Jessup, who runs the Texas A&M Industrial Hemp Breeding Program, Dr. David Baltensperger, the Department Head of Soil & Crop Sciences, and Clay Moore, an undergraduate cannabis researcher and President of the Cannabis Hemp Innovation League. Through events like CannMed, Medicinal Genomics continues to propagate a story of purpose, one driven by a personal commitment to advance cannabis science and improve patient care. The McKernan family’s journey, as highlighted in the March/April 2021 issue of Cannabis Patient Care, serves as an inspiring testament to the transformative power of cannabis therapeutics. With their unwavering dedication to safety, education, and collaboration, MGC and CannMed continue to propel the cannabis industry into a future of unexplored possibilities and boundless potential.

Tell us how long you’ve been in business now with your head shop on Wheels location on Rainey Street?

We have been in business as of July 2021. We made Rainey St home in April 2022

How did you get involved in the Cannabis space to begin with?

A friend introduced us to D8 in January 2021. We loved the product so much we decided that we wanted to Sell this product and open a business out of a food truck and within 2 months we were up and running going to our first event in Lampasas Tx. We are very passionate about the products we sell and educating not only ourselves but our customers have been a blessing to us and we are loving every minute of this space.

Do you offer the very popular thca flower?

We have been offering THCA flower since September of 2022.

How did you come up with the idea to have a smoke shop on wheels and what led to the basic name of the store?

We wanted to sell this product throughout Texas at festivals and big events so the only way we were going to do that was in AC and in a trailer.

What percentage of your products are not just recreational but also offer medicinal or have health benefits for your customers?

We believe that all of the consumable products we offer have both Medicinal or Recreational benefits to them.

I’ve noticed some of the mushroom products coming up more on shelves within retailers can you tell us about the mushroom products that you offer?

We offer Amanita Muscaria, a psychedelic mushroom without psilocybin. We have been offering this for sale since Oct 2022.

I understand you recently opened up a second location can you tell us where this is located and how folks can come by and visit you?

We are located at 4816 N FM 620, Austin and people can visit our Instagram and Facebook to see the hours.

What have you learned most about being in the Cannabis space here in Texas so far?

There is still a lot to learn and to teach to the general public about how much these products benefit you.

Do you have any thoughts about when Texas lawmakers might make cannabis full medicinal or recreational?

As a small business we are concerned about full recreational or medicinal because the permitting criteria will be inaccessible for us as a small business. Without getting big investors involved, It will be for the big corporations to come in because they have the manpoower and funds will take over the industry.

Do you feel like there’s a too much regulatory oversight with the current laws in the Lone Star State?

We don’t know too much about this but we are all for making sure our customer get safe clean products.

Raymond what’s one of your biggest movers of all of your products there at headshop on wheels?

THCA Flower is our biggest mover.

As you gear up for the summer months are there any specials you want to offer readers and fans of the store?

Bring in the ad in the Hemp Reporter and get 20% off entire purchase.