Check Out the Cannabis Science and Technology September Issue!

On this month’s episode, we are joined by Steve Ellmore, veteran, filmmaker, and founder of The Unprescribed.

Podcast Ep 18: Plants Over Pills—A Veteran’s Journey to Healing and Helping Others

Check Out Our Interative Psychedelics Supplement!

Read our latest blog on why transparency is crucial for the industry's long-term success

The High Stakes of Traceability: Why Cannabis Facilities Need Transparent Supply Chains

Check Out the Cannabis Science and Technology July/August Issue!

Dr. Aimon Kopera, founder of Exploratory Medicine, is a renowned physician and mystic with 30 years of experience in consciousness and health transformation. She is also an advocate in genomics, cannabinoids, nootropics, and natural psychotropic medicine. Her work with Exploratory Medicine encompasses education and training, product research and formulation, and government advocacy and advisory roles across the globe.

Dr. Kopera presented “Psychedelic Asia: Integrating Ancient Asian Wisdom and Modern Science in The Mind Medicine” on September 22nd 2023 in the Psychedelics Track at the Cannabis Science Conference Fall.

Read a transcription of the interview below:

What advancements are you witnessing with psychedelics?

: Thailand is the first Asian country that legalized medical cannabis. And now it's rescheduling psychedelics medicine. So when we legalized cannabis, that is medicine, not for recreational, and now we are starting to draft the protocol of how we’re going to reschedule psychedelic medicine used in our healthcare system.

We have a project that we initiated, we’re going to work with prisoners in jail. And we look at when they're ready to go back to society, how the society can support them, so that they won’t return to jail again. So we’re looking at psychedelic assisted therapies for these populations so that then they go out to society, they can be productive, they can be a good citizen, they won’t repeat what they do. So we look at the whole ecosystem and how we can use that and we can build the skill set that they can go back to society and become a good citizen. So that’s another advancement; rather than just curing the disease, we prevent it, prevent the repeat of the disease.

Articles

In this onsite interview, Dr. Aimon Kopera shares her insights on psychedelics in traditional and modern uses, what it’s like being a woman in the psychedelics field, and takeaways from her presentation at Cannabis Science Conference Fall 2023.

Advancements in Therapeutic Psychedelics with Dr. Aimon Kopera

The panel titled “Standards and Accreditation – The Way We Move Forward?” was co-moderated by Patricia Atkins,Spex, an Antylia company and Evan Friedmann, Scientific Cell Company and featured panelists:

Susan Audino, S.A. Audino & Associates, LLC

Allison Baker, Coordinator of Standards and Official Methods, AOAC International

James Farrell, Manager, Technical Committee Operations Division, ASTM International

Warren Merkel, Vice President, Policy, ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB)

Nandakumara Sarma, Director, Dietary Supplements and Herbal Medicines, US Pharmacopeia

Tracy Szerszen, President, Perry Johnson Laboratory Accreditation, Inc.

As pioneers for establishing scientific standards and leaders who inspire confidence in quality services, the organizations represented by these panelists work collaboratively to ensure the safety and integrity of hemp and cannabis. The discussion-based panel defined the coordination between laboratories, accreditation bodies, and standards organizations, described how the cannabis space can be improved, discussed the use of standardization and accreditation in “good science,” and answered questions from audience members about the needs of cannabis laboratories to move the industry forward.

In one intriguing question posed by the moderators, the panel contemplated the future of cannabis legalization, particularly in terms of testing, regulations, and laboratory practices. They discussed various aspects, including:

: The panelists suggested that if cannabis were to become federally legal, the quality testing requirements would probably remain like those for other legal drugs. They emphasized the importance of regulating cannabis based on its unique properties and complexities rather than borrowing regulations from other industries.

: The panelists anticipated that federal approval of cannabis would lead to more consistency among testing laboratories. Laboratories might see improvements in proficiency testing and greater standardization of methods, although immediate changes in methods may not occur unless mandated.

: The discussion touched on the challenges faced by assessors and auditors in the cannabis industry, where ambiguities and nuances are prevalent. They suggested that accreditation bodies recognize the need for more specialized training to assess cannabis laboratories accurately.

: As cannabis legalization progresses, standard-setting organizations and committees expect to benefit from increased research. This research will enable them to create standards that better protect public health and safety, informed by scientific evidence.

: Participants emphasized the importance of collaboration between regulators, testing laboratories, standard-setting organizations, and accreditation bodies. They suggested that working together can ensure that regulations are based on sound science and that inconsistencies among states can be minimized.

: The panel also noted the challenges posed by regulations driven by legislation written by lawyers who are unfamiliar with scientific principles. Conflicts between state and federal regulations can create confusion for testing laboratories.

In summary, the panel foresees a future where cannabis legalization, if it were to happen, would necessitate collaboration, research-driven regulation, and greater consistency in testing methods and standards across the industry. They hope for a more coherent and scientifically informed approach to cannabis regulation and testing in the future.

The 60-minute discussion covered a wide array of topics as well as audience-driven questions. The Cannabis Science Conference organizers plan to revisit these topics with additional panel discussions and presentations at Cannabis Science Conference Spring, taking place May 7-9th in Kansas City, Missouri. Stay tuned to 

For more with some of our panelists, please check out our live interview with Allison Baker: 

https://www.cannabissciencetech.com/view/cannabis-conference-coverage-allison-baker-discusses-accreditation-bodies-and-standards-organizations

A panel of individuals from standards-setting organizations and accreditation bodies reviewed the role they each play within the cannabis sector and offered insights into the future of the industry to close out the analytical science track at Cannabis Science Conference Fall on Friday, September 22nd. 

Cannabis Science Conference Fall: Closing Panel Discussion Highlights Standards and Accreditation

Filmed onsite at Mother Earth Wellness in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, Cannabis Science and Technology sat down with Co-Owner, Gina Pakuris. Mother Earth Wellness hosted the Canna Boot Camp during Cannabis Science Conference Fall 2023, and provided an unparalleled opportunity for a behind-the-scenes learning experience. In this interview, Pakuris shares the origins of Mother Earth Wellness, what it’s like being a woman in the industry, and more!

How did you get started in the cannabis industry?

: I actually am a social worker by trade, so I worked through the years mostly in corrections, but with a slew of different folks, and when this opportunity arose to try to implement some natural remedies, some natural treatments for different mental health issues—I mean it's an exciting time to be making that transfer because there's so much information. We’re on the precipice of so much information. So, I applied some of the mental health information, the substance abuse information, and my experience. It was a really cool connection to get involved with cannabis because of that prior experience and that prior knowledge. It's exciting to imagine what's around the corner once more long-term research is completed and to see how that could actually medically be indicated to be helping people with PTSD or autism or whatever the case may be, so it's an exciting time.

What’s it like being a woman in the cannabis industry?

: It’s really exciting being a woman in the cannabis industry. I think that this is typically a male dominated industry—and we could talk a lot of reasons why women are disempowered—but it's exciting. We're half female-owned, and I love that I can be a face and be the representation. I think that when women come in here to shop, it's helpful to have a familiar, relatable face. There's some really interesting generational differences with women who come in here, but I think regardless of the age or the demographic, I think that for patients and customers, sometimes that's just the relatability or the familiarity that helps drive the information or get the sale. This can be intimidating for anybody really, but I think specifically women appreciate a fellow relatable face in the industry and it's really exciting. I'm happy to be a part of it.

What is it like being the co-owner of Rhode Island’s largest cannabis dispensary?

Dispensary Co-Ownership with Gina Pakuris of Mother Earth Wellness

What would you like to see change in the next 5 years in the cannabis industry?

 Rescheduling Schedule I. Allowing the banking industry to take over and access the dispensaries. Let growers have access to the banking industry and federal legalization. And the big thing for me is the federal legalization because on the social justice side of things some opportunistic law enforcement agencies are using this as an opportunity to do civil forfeiture possession of cars that are driving from Oregon or Washington through Idaho. For example, that's a completely illegal state and they just targeted you because you're coming from a different state. Then when they get out there, they created a reason to get the dog out and then that causes them to point at the car and then they take whatever money you've got and the car, seize it, and sell it, and they make you go get a lawyer to get it. Say that there wasn't anything in there in the dark. You have to go through the process of talking about how canines can be triggered to point at something and that they weren't reacting to anything that was in the car, I mean this the unscrupulous corrupt they're using that. This has been documented, it's been

, all these articles on this and they're letting that happen throughout the United States that's why I don't drive through the South and Idaho.

 Federal legalization would be great. I don't think that that's going to happen. Before that though, if they could somehow or another figure out the banking that would be huge. We are an ancillary. We touch cannabis but we don't sell cannabis and we definitely don't collect taxes on it. We still have a very challenging time with banking. We've been rejected by several banks because we are nonprofit. The word cannabis they don't like. The patchwork of laws so you know that people can get Delta-8 all over the place instead of you know, here and there, and there are still places where cannabis is illegal, and people are still going to jail for it. That's got to change. It is a plan so, those are those are my hopes over the next five years.

 I would add to that that all healthcare curriculum includes scams. Jeremy and I have just recently attended an online 2-day symposium by Stockton University. There were presentations on medical cannabis, on legal cannabis, all done in university, community, education, or university settings, classes so there's movement in that. It's happening a lot of on the East Coast. Cornell, some in New Jersey, Stockton's in New Jersey, Robert Mejia, I think his name is, so we're going to get involved with that. We'll be part of doing a talk maybe in the next quarter when they have it but, it was wonderful to see all the people talking you know all these educators talking about what's happening in their area and how they can grow hemp and what the communities response to it is, what the colleges response, and the university and how law schools are teaching about cannabis law.

Stay tuned for further featured moments from this exciting interview!

Cannabis Patients Pacific Northwest (CPPNW) co-founders, David Benedicktus and Jeremy Robbins, discuss what changes need to be made to the cannabis industry to allow it to thrive.

What Needs to Change in the Cannabis Industry: Thoughts from CPPNW

Traceability in the context of the cannabis industry refers to the ability to track and trace the journey of a cannabis product from seed to sale. It involves documenting every step of the production process, from cultivation to distribution, to ensure that each product and all their ingredients can be traced back to its source.

Traceability systems are nothing new to traditional food, dietary supplement, and pharmaceutical companies, as well as other types of industries. However, states that have legalized marijuana require the use of track and trace systems for their marijuana licensees. These state-required systems track seed-to-sale which help monitor the movement of products throughout the supply chain and help ensure regulatory compliance. Aside from ensuring regulatory compliance, using a traceability system also helps to safeguard product safety, quality control, and consumer trust. We hope to shed light on the requirement of these systems and reasons to implement track and trace systems, especially if your state doesn’t require such systems.

State Required Marijuana Track and Trace Systems

Marijuana state programs primarily seek to use the same track and trace system to help limit diversion and product sold to the unregulated market. By using a single trace and trace system, all state licensees are held to the same program. By far the most commonly required track and trace system for marijuana licensees is METRC, which stands for Marijuana Enforcement Tracking Reporting & Compliance. If you’re located in a state with legal marijuana, love or hate it, most likely you’re required to use it.

These state-required track and trace programs are a seed-to-sale traceability management and reporting tool used by regulatory bodies and licensees. Each plant is assigned a unique identification tag that tracks the plant’s movement and transfer throughout the supply chain. Tracked activities include the planting, cultivating, harvesting, testing, transferring, processing, and selling of marijuana. A quality and safety downside to using these state-required track and trace systems is that they only track marijuana and do not also track certain quality or safety elements of product traceability. For example, these systems do not track specific original lots and batches of cultivation chemicals, non-marijuana raw manufacturing material, raw material testing results, and so forth.This is when using an additional traceability program or using other methods of tracking come in handy. Other tracking methods include spreadsheets, current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) software system, and so on.

Traditional food, dietary supplement, and pharmaceutical industries outside of cannabis are not required to have a specific track and trace program, but most find them extremely helpful. Similar to traditional food, dietary supplement, and pharmaceutical industries, the hemp industry is not required to have such track and trace programs. Although not required for the hemp industry, implementing a traceability program is highly recommended for the reasons listed below.

Consistency in product quality is paramount in the cannabis industry. Whether for medical or recreational use, consumers expect a predictable and reliable experience with each purchase. Traceability helps maintain this consistency by allowing producers to identify and address issues in the production process quickly. If a particular batch of cannabis exhibits unexpected characteristics or issues, traceability enables the pinpointing of the problem and prevents it from affecting other batches. Tracing a product's journey through the supply chain allows a company to detect inefficiencies or quality issues that might arise. This information can be used to improve processes, streamline operations, and maintain consistent product quality. Many traceability programs include inventory management which can be useful when tracking the amount of inventory within the facility. By tracking inventory, facilities can determine when to purchase materials to not interfere with production, which increases efficiencies.

Cannabis regulations can be complex and vary widely from one jurisdiction to another. Traceability systems help cannabis facilities adhere to these regulations by providing a clear record of compliance at every step. This ensures that cannabis businesses operate within the law, reducing the risk of fines, shutdowns, or legal issues that can tarnish a company's reputation. Companies are held to numerous regulations and standards, such as those set by state departments. Implementing a strong traceability system helps safeguard compliance with these various regulations, reducing the risk of fines, penalties, and damage to reputation.

Ensuring the safety of cannabis products is non-negotiable. Traceability is instrumental in identifying and recalling products that may pose health risks, such as those contaminated with pesticides, mold, or other harmful substances. In the event of a recall, traceability systems enable swift and targeted actions, reducing potential harm to consumers and minimizing financial losses for the company. In the event of a product safety issue, a track and trace system allows the company to quickly detect the source of the problem. By pinpointing affected batches or lots, a company can avoid an “any and all” recall, which could be debilitating to any company. A rapid response to a recall is essential to prevent illness, reduce liability, and minimize financial losses.

Trust is essential in any industry, and it's especially critical in the emerging cannabis market. Transparent supply chains build trust with consumers by showing that the industry is committed to their safety and satisfaction. When customers see that a company is diligent in tracking and documenting its products, they are more likely to choose that company over others.

Many consumers are becoming increasingly concerned about the environmental and ethical aspects of the products they purchase. Traceability can also help cannabis facilities demonstrate their commitment to sustainable practices. By tracking the origins of their products, businesses can prove that they source their cannabis from ethical and environmentally responsible growers, further enhancing their reputation.

A traceability system allows companies to track the quality and safety of a supplier’s material. If an issue arises that can be traced back to the supplier or manufacturer, the company will be able to address the problem quickly.

Prioritizing product safety and quality through a robust traceability program can gain a competitive advantage in the market. This also is true for companies that are getting certain certifications such a cGMP and good agricultural and collecting practice (GACP) in their facilities. These kinds of certifications put your products, and business as a whole, leagues above your competitors and is a huge marketing and exiting advantage.

Both good manufacturing practice (GMP) and GACP certifications require quick access to materials through the supply chain. All raw materials, growing mediums, agricultural chemicals, ingredients, primary packaging, and finished product must be tracked in a traceability program. Products shall be clearly identified for all stages of production from receival through to finished goods and shall be able to be traced forward to the consumer and traced back to the supplier. Having a strong traceability program supports a quick and less painful product recall experience.

A traceability system is crucial for any company! These systems help ensure product safety, regulatory compliance, quality control, consumer trust, and overall operational efficiency. Traceability systems provide the tools needed to quickly respond to challenges and recalls while also capitalizing on opportunities for improvement and growth.

In the rapidly evolving cannabis industry, traceability is not merely a matter of convenience; it's a necessity. From ensuring product quality and safety to complying with complex regulations and building consumer trust, traceability systems play a crucial role in the success and longevity of cannabis facilities. As the industry continues to grow and evolve, investing in robust traceability systems is not just a best practice but a key strategy for staying competitive and reputable in this high-stakes market.

 is the CEO and founder of Allay Consulting. Direct correspondence to: 

In recent years, the cannabis industry has experienced rapid growth and legalization across various regions. With this surge in popularity comes a greater need for transparency and accountability throughout the supply chain. Traceability in cannabis facilities is not just a buzzword; it's a critical aspect that can make or break the industry's reputation and ensure consumer safety. In this blog, we'll explore the importance of traceability in cannabis facilities and why it's crucial for the industry's long-term success.

Methylenedioxymethamphetamine-assisted therapy (MDMA-AT) was found to reduce post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and functional impairment within a diverse population of individuals who had moderate to severe PTSD, according to the results of a study published in 

(1). The study, sponsored by the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) and administered by the MAPS Public Benefit Corporation (MAPS PBC), will provide the basis for a New Drug Application MAPS will submit to the FDA later this year (2).

“Thanks to the combined efforts of dozens of therapists, hundreds of participants who volunteered in MAPS-sponsored trials, and many thousands of generous donors, MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD is on track to be considered for approval by the FDA in 2024,” said Rick Doblin, MAPS founder and president, in a press release (2). “We hope that MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD will be approved by the FDA next year—and that our Open Science, Open Books principle will inspire researchers to make this just the first of many psychedelic-assisted therapies to be validated through diligent research.”

The randomized, double-blind, phase 3 study (

) was intended to evaluate the efficacy and safety of MDMA-AT compared with placebo along with identical therapy in individuals with moderate to severe PTSD. The primary endpoint included changes in Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5) total severity score whereas the key secondary endpoint included Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS) functional impairment score. There were 104 individuals included in the study, with 53 individuals randomized to MDMA-AT and 51 randomized to the placebo with therapy. Recruitment started on August 21, 2020, and ended May 18, 2022, with the last individual visiting on November 2, 2022 (1).

Approximately 26.9% of individuals with moderate PTSD and 73.1% had severe PTSD. Further, 26.9% of individuals identified as Hispanic or Latinx and 33.7% identified as other than White (1).

Investigators found that the least squares mean change in CAPS-5 score was –23.7 for MDMA-AT compared to –14.8 for the placebo and therapy. Additionally, the least square mean change in SDS score was –3.3 and –2.1, respectively (1).

The study authors reported that 86.5% of the individuals treated with MDMA-AT were responders who had clinically meaningful improvements at 18 weeks after baseline compared with 69% in the placebo and therapy group. Furthermore, by the end of the study, 71.2% of individuals no longer met the DSM-5 criteria for PTSD compared with 47.6% of those in the placebo group (1).

Approximately 46.2% in the MDMA-AT group and 21.4% in the placebo group met remission criteria (1). Additionally, investigators reported that 7 individuals had severe treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs), with 5 in the MDMA-AT group and 2 in the placebo and therapy group. There were no reports of serious TEAEs and no deaths (1).

Commonly reported TEAEs included muscle tightness, nausea, decreased appetite, and hyperhidrosis. Eight individuals experienced cardiac TEAEs, including palpitations and tachycardia, whereas 9 experienced vascular TEAEs. There was a high rate of psychiatric TEAEs in both groups, including suicidal ideation, insomnia, and anxiety. These reactions were mostly mild to moderate (1). The study authors found that MDMA-AT was generally well-tolerated (1).

, Ismail Lourido Ali, the director and counsel of policy and advocacy at MAPS, discussed the potential of getting an approval for MDMA by the end of 2023.3 Lourido said that MAPS had been focused on a PTSD indication for MDMA, but there were additional trials and research that supported other indications as well, including social anxiety for adults with autism, eating disorders, and couples’ therapy.

Additionally, in June 2023, the FDA approved a clinical trial investigating MDMA to treat impaired social motivation, which is a symptom of schizophrenia that causes significant functional impairment (4).

“COVID-19 delayed a lot of clinical trials in the past year or 2, especially things that weren't related to treating COVID-19, but it seems like by about the end of 2023, MDMA is very likely to become FDA-approved for PTSD,” Kelan Thomas, PharmD, MS, associate professor of clinical sciences at Touro University California College of Pharmacy, said in a prior interview with 

(5). “I would encourage pharmacists to start reading the literature, start looking at these articles, and evaluating this because these things are coming soon, and they are quite different than the way that we've thought about other new therapeutics on the market. I think it's important for pharmacists to start thinking about what their role could be to facilitate this transition into a new paradigm of psychiatric treatment.”

Mitchell, JM, Ot’alora GM, van der Kolk B, Shannon S, 

 MDMA-assisted therapy for moderate to severe PTSD: a randomized, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial. 

. 2023;10.1038/s41591-023-02565-4. doi:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-023-02565-4

MAPS PBC Publishes Results of Successful Confirmatory Phase 3 Trial of MDMA-Assisted Therapy for PTSD. Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies. News release. September 14, 2023. Accessed September 15, 2023. https://maps.org/2023/09/13/maps-pbc-publishes-results-of-successful-confirmatory-phase-3-trial-of-mdma-assisted-therapy-for-ptsd/

Expert: MDMA for the treatment of PTSD may be FDA-approved by the end of 2023. 

. October 19, 2021. Accessed September 15, 2023. https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/expert-mdma-for-the-treatment-of-ptsd-may-be-fda-approved-by-the-end-of-2023

Hippensteele A. FDA approves MDMA for clinical trial use investigating schizophrenia. 

. June 9, 2023. Accessed September 15, 2023. https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/fda-approves-mdma-for-clinical-trial-use-investigating-schizophrenia

Expert: MDMA is very likely to be FDA-approved for PTSD by the end of 2023. 

. November 8, 2021. Accessed September 15, 2023. https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/expert-mdma-is-very-likely-to-be-fda-approved-for-ptsd-by-the-end-of-2023

Our sister publication Pharmacy Times, covered recent study results that could lead to an FDA approval for MDMA to treat post-traumatic stress disorder by the end of 2023.

MDMA-Assisted Therapy Demonstrates Significant Reductions in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms in Phase 3 Study

The US Senate Banking Committee passed a measure on September 27, 2023, to advance the Secure and Fair Enforcement Regulation (SAFER) Banking Act to the senate floor (1). The bill introduced by a bipartisan group of senators, has raised expectations in the cannabis industry which is cash-dependent because they are unable to access regular banking services.

Due to cannabis’s federal illegal status, businesses in the industry are unable to utilize the services a typical “non-cannabis” business is able to use every day. Unfortunately, with several states legalizing cannabis, this does not change the financial aspect for cannabis businesses.

The SAFER Banking Act if passed in the Senate, will allow establishments to have access to normal banking services such as, getting approved for loans, access to deposit accounts, and various other banking services (1).

Stocks for the cannabis industry began to rise following the news. Cronos Group (CRON.TO), SNDL (SNDL.O), and Trulieve Cannabis (TRUL.CD) shares all rose between 1 – 3% (1) after the committee’s vote. 

"We are hopeful that the revised language and clearer guidelines for financial institutions will continue to break through the many unproductive hurdles that have prolonged the passage of this bill for far too long," said cannabis firm Acreage Holdings (ACRGau.CD) (1).

The SAFE Banking Act, which was an earlier version of the legislation, was unable to pass a Senate vote even though it passed through the House of Representatives seven times.

"Realizing this first vote out of the Senate signals strong bipartisan support from both chambers of Congress," commented Kim Rivers, CEO of Trulieve (1).

In August 2023 (2), the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) formally announced their recommendation to classify cannabis from its original stance as a Schedule I drug to a Schedule III drug. Although their recommendation is not for a full descheduling of the medicinal plant, it is still to be considered a progressive step in the right direction. That decision now falls into the hands of the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) who holds the final decision on rescheduling.

It's an exciting time to be in the cannabis industry where everyone will be watching to see how the SAFER Banking Act passes through the Senate.

Kumar, A.; Bose, S. Cannabis Banking Legislation Moves Forward in US Senate 

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-senate-committee-votes-advance-amended-marijuana-banking-bill-2023-09-27/

Colli, M.; McEvoy, E. Shifting tides: US department of health and human services recommends cannabis rescheduling from schedule I to schedule III 

https://www.cannabissciencetech.com/view/shifting-tides-us-department-of-health-and-human-services-recommends-cannabis-rescheduling-from-schedule-i-to-schedule-iii

A Senate committee passed a measure to advance the SAFER Banking Act which will now go to a full vote in the chamber and potentially open doors in the cannabis industry.

Breaking Ground: Senate Advances SAFER Banking Act, Fueling Cannabis Industry's High Hopes

Filmed onsite at Mother Earth Wellness in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, 

 interviewed Vinnie Clause, Director of Cultivation. During Cannabis Science Conference Fall 2023, Mother Earth Wellness hosted the Canna Boot Camp, which gave attendees a one-of-a-kind look into a vertically integrated cannabis facility, including the cultivation operations. Here, Clause shares what he finds most fascinating and challenging about cannabis cultivation, advice for cultivators, where he would like to see cultivation in the future, a fun fact, and more!

What do you find most fascinating about cannabis cultivation?

: Watching different strains develop and seeing different genetic expressions through the process called pheno-hunting, which is germinating seeds and then running each seed through its own group of tests in order to find out which one is the most commercially viable, both for medicinal purposes and recreational.

Do you have advice for a beginner cultivator?

: I do: work hard. A lot of times I'll see people right out, fresh green into a new business. I think just knowing that there's going to be a lot of hard physical labor involved and understanding that that is not going to change, and it doesn't get different. It doesn't change from the time you're a grow technician to when you become Director of Cultivation; it's all the same. I still scrub trays, I still vacuum, and clean toilets if I have to. Really, discovering a work ethic I think is probably the best piece of advice I can give somebody.

How would you like to see cannabis cultivation progress within the next five to 10 years?

: I would like to see its progress scientifically. I think the more that we can test things and get actual data on not just how to grow but also on the plant itself and the medicinal benefits of it—there's a lot of avenues that haven’t been explored yet. It’s pretty exciting to see now it's becoming more accepted and it's becoming more integrated into everybody's life. So I would hope to see in the future that we continue to do that research, but also stay on the path of craft cultivation and leaving it to people who care about delivering a product to a consumer who is using it for medicinal benefits. Not turning this into Big Pharma, not turning this into “big box store,” I think that would be the ideal future. Keeping it small but continuing the research and implementing the research into the small business model.

Hear insights from a dedicated cannabis cultivator at a medical and recreational cannabis facility. 

Down to the Roots: Cannabis Cultivation with Vinnie Clause of Mother Earth Wellness

Cannabis Science Conference Fall kicked off the medical track on Thursday, September 21st with a special screening of the film 

 presented by filmmaker, veteran, and founder of The Unprescribed non-profit, Steve Ellmore. After the screening, Ellmore joined a panel of fellow veterans for an open discussion on how medical cannabis impacted their lives as well as their work as advocates to help others. The panel was led by Cherissa Jackson, RN, the program chair of the medical track and a retired Air Force nurse known as "America's combat nurse.” Panelists included Ellmore; Ellen Brown, Founder, Green Path Training; Stephen Mandile, Veteran Advocate and Co-Founder Cannabis Advancement Series; and Wayne Smith, Former Combat Medic.

Left to right: Veterans Steve Ellmore, Stephen Mandile, Ellen Brown, and Wayne Smith

To start the panel discussion, Jackson introduced herself as a combat nurse who cared for soldiers on and off the battlefield. She expressed her deep concern about veterans' struggles with pharmaceuticals, opioid abuse, and substance abuse, leading to suicide among her friends.

Jackson asked each of the panelists to share their stories, starting with Ellmore. He shared that he had a suicide attempt himself during active duty and later discovered how cannabis could help veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). “When I found out that veterans were using cannabis to treat their PTSD, I made it my life's mission to investigate that and the film 

 was my path and my journey,” said Ellmore.

Ellmore also founded a nonprofit called The Unprescribed to promote natural healing and alternative treatments such as cannabis and psilocybin. “The film is unprescribed, meaning you can't be prescribed cannabis you can only be recommended it. My new nonprofit takes on that same namesake in the goal of getting people off pharmaceuticals. The ‘unprescribed’ here are you and me who found natural healing,” he said.

The next veteran to share his experiences was Stephen Mandile. After his time in the service, he struggled with numerous medications, including fentanyl and oxycodone, and even attempted suicide. “Cannabis is the main reasons that I'm sitting in front of you today, breathing let alone speaking. I used cannabis to get off a laundry list of VA medications. I was on 57 different medications over 10 years,” said Mandile. “When I first started cannabis, I was using it to help with the withdrawal of coming off fentanyl, oxycodone, Xanax, Seroquel and a few other medications.”

Cannabis became a lifeline for Mandile, helping him regain a sense of purpose and self. He now advocates for veterans' access to cannabis. He also shard the initial thoughts and fears he had with using cannabis “I kept saying that I could get in trouble and then you're like, well, I'll take trouble because I'm a dad again. I'm husband again. Now I serve on the Select Board in my town and found another way to serve again and find purpose. I've been called many things over the years like a pothead and drug user and it's like you can call me whatever you want. Because my kids still get to call me dad and my wife still gets a call me her husband.”

Cannabis has also allowed Mandile to meet many other veterans and work on creating real legislative change. “There is a piece of legislation in Massachusetts that we're hoping to replicate in every state which will allow veterans in Massachusetts to access cannabis like they do in Ohio, Illinois, and North Dakota where you just submit your VA paperwork and it's a new pathway to that. No cost and a lot less stigma,” he said. “So, we're hoping we can move the needle forward. Maybe we'll do one state at a time. But I have some amazing people here that are in this to the end, and you know, we're veterans. We don't ever give up.”



Ellen Brown, a United States Air Force veteran, discussed her difficulty transitioning to civilian life after the military. She shared her journey from using VA prescription pills to discovering the benefits of cannabis. She passionately emphasized the need for advocacy and reform to ensure veterans' access to cannabis. Brown also discussed her work on trying to impact legislation and get PTSD added as a qualifying condition in Massachusetts, despite three tries and no movement. “Keep pushing us, keep pushing the veterans, keep pushing the advocates and see what happens. We get smarter. We adapt and we don't stop,” said Brown.

Wayne Smith, a Vietnam veteran and combat medic, discussed his experiences with cannabis during and after the war. He highlighted the importance of the cannabis community in advocating for veterans and changing the way the VA provides services. Smith expressed hope that cannabis would become a widely accepted treatment option for veterans. “There is a wide body not only of veterans but people that share your values and believe in medical cannabis. We need to keep putting pressure on Congress, state governments, and local municipalities so we can affect the kind of change that cannabis will be a common prescribed medication, that cannabis products will not be looked at as taboo and it will provide those of us that need it to help us get through some of the pain,” said Smith. “I have two types of cancer related to the Agent Orange I was exposed to in Vietnam. There's no way I would step foot in a VA hospital. This isn't just about me. But those kinds of options must be created for other veterans and that's what I'm committed to this work for the rest of my life just like so many of us veterans.”

Overall, the panelists emphasized the potential therapeutic benefits of cannabis for veterans and the need for advocacy and reform to make it more accessible within the VA system. They shared personal stories of transformation and resilience and called for continued efforts to support veterans in their journey toward healing and recovery.

In response to the question about challenges faced when first using cannabis and how things have changed, Mandile shared his initial difficulties in accessing cannabis before medical dispensaries existed in Massachusetts. He had to buy from strangers and pay out of pocket, which was financially burdensome. However, he highlighted progress made in recent years, such as dispensaries offering discounts to veterans, making cannabis more affordable and accessible.

As fellow proud female veterans, Jackson asked Brown about her hope for women veterans who have experienced military sexual trauma and how cannabis can help them. “That's a great question and it is an important topic to bring attention to and to let people know that if they have ever experienced sexual trauma that there are resources that are nonjudgmental, they're here to help you; they're there, whether it is counseling or different resources that are needed. VA does have those resources,” said Brown. “Now do they answer the phone? That's the thing.”

Brown emphasized the importance of calling and demanding help sometimes, explaining that sometimes you need to be very persistent. She also stressed her role as a resource and advocate for veterans in the cannabis industry and encouraged others to reach out for support.

Lastly, Ellmore was asked about his commitment to addressing the increasing number of veterans taking their lives, which has risen from 22 to 44 a day. He affirmed his dedication to saving veterans' lives and expressed his concern about the rising suicide rate. He remains committed to his mission and the film's impact, hoping to continue making a difference and raising awareness about the challenges veterans face.

“I've always been a proponent of suicide prevention, especially in the veteran’s arena. And as far as the numbers go, a couple years ago, the numbers dropped down to like 17. I'm thankful that they're actually reporting the numbers more accurately. I think what they're doing is digging deeper and just uncovering it and my answer is very simple: One is too many. One is too many. It doesn't matter if it's 17, 20, 44… one is too many if we’re killing ourselves,” said Ellmore.



Ellmore added that he advocates for the use of cannabis as medicine and highlights the irony that some criticize its use while opioids are readily prescribed, despite the negative impact of opioids on job performance. He also discloses that he works in Veterans Administration and is actively involved in suicide prevention efforts. “They don't have the answer, but they're trying. And one of the first things they've done recently as a step in the right direction is they've changed the national suicide prevention hotline to 988, an easy number to remember. Veterans themselves can even press one and get put in touch with a specific, veteran oriented person who can relate to what they're going through,” said Ellmore.

The panel opened to a few audience questions and then concluded. It was a very important discussion that was well attended at Cannabis Science Conference. As Ellmore stated, “We need each other and we need to stick together, and together we can reduce those numbers, but we can't do it alone. We must all be one giant voice.”



Veterans took center stage at Cannabis Science Conference Fall to kick off the medical track with an important film screening followed by a panel discussion.

Veterans for Medical Cannabis: A Panel Discussion at Cannabis Science Conference Fall

In a presentation at the 2023 edition of the Cannabis Science Conference, Scott Churchill made two main recommendations for growers to head off the spread and invasiveness of pathogens.

While it is customary and necessary to test for things like mold, mildew, and E. coli in agricultural products, testing for all pathogens should be done to ensure a successful cannabis crop, according to Scott Churchill, vice president of scientific development for MCR Labs, based in Framingham, Massachusetts, USA (1).

Churchill spoke on the topics of screening and prevention in a lecture titled “Pathogens: Why, Where and How,” presented at the Cannabis Science Conference in Providence, Rhode Island, on September 21.

“A lot of pathogens can impact your plan that do not show up in a regulatory compliance test, or if they do, it’s going to be too late to get your full yield,” Churchill said in his presentation. “The only way that you can offset this to prevent this from happening to get a full crop yield is if you have a monitoring and management system that allows you, or you in combination with the laboratory, to identify them.”

A grower may not be able to assess pathogen-caused problems with their yield by sight, such as observing damping off or yellowing, or even weight, Churchill said, but those or other characteristics appearing as normal could mask a reduction in potency of the cannabis being cultivated. Worse yet, pathogen contamination can result in a change in genetics itself that might lead to the death of one or multiple strains of the plant, Churchill said.

The first line of defense is the cultivator, and Churchill went on to review the differing ways cultivators can best monitor pathogen exposure in and out of the lab, from the leaves down to the stems and roots. But moreover, he said, identification in the first place is key, because misdiagnosis as a lighting or watering problem could mean pathogens are still lying in wait in the soil, waiting to infect the next crop, whether it be cannabis or something else.

Two recommendations Churchill made for prevention were starting with what he called “clean stock” that ensures clones of unknown pathogenic content are not being introduced and running effective plants through multiple cycles of tissue culturing to strip out infections and return a specimen to its original genetics.

These concerns, he said, have become ever more magnified in the last decade as the cannabis market has become legalized and regulated for both medical and recreational use.

“When you translocate plants from different regions, that has to be done with extreme care, because if you bring a plant that’s infected to an area that doesn’t have any natural defense against it, it can run amok very quickly,” Churchill said. “You don’t want people smoking mold or being exposed to bacteria and so forth, but you also want to have a successful grow operation in a successful industry.”

Churchill, S. Pathogen Testing: Why, Where and How. Presented at the Cannabis Science Conference, Providence, Rhode Island, September 21, 2023.

Our sister publication, LCGC, covered a presentation from Scott Churchill, Vice President of Scientific Development for MCR Labs, in the Analytical Track of the Cannabis Science Conference Fall 2023.

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