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Casey Houweling, the inventor of the semi-closed greenhouse, explains how this concept came about, the challenges developing it, and the potential it holds for the cannabis industry

The Semi-Closed Greenhouse: A Revolution in Cultivation and Energy Efficiency

Here the authors evaluate the effects of variable red-light exposure on the phytochemical content of four Group III cannabis cultivars

Variable Red Light Exposure Affects Phytochemical Content in Group III Cannabis Cultivars

A review of the claims that differences in extract type can affect cost, ease of formulation, and the experience of the finished product.

Does Extract Type Make a Difference in Cannabis Edibles?

On this month’s episode, we are joined by Dr. John MacKay, Co-founder of Synergistic Technology Associates

Ep 11: Cannabis Formulations: A Deep Dive on Processing with Dr. John MacKay

Recently, President Joe Biden signed a bill that will reportedly greatly improve access to cannabis research and studies in the US. The bipartisan bill, called the Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act, had passed the House in July 2022 and the Senate in November 2022, and was signed into law on December 2nd, 2022. “The new legislation removes federal restrictions in order to ease research from studying the plant and speeds up the application process to approve marijuana-related scientific studies,” a Forbes article reported (1). “Under the new law, the federal government has to ensure an adequate, uninterrupted supply of marijuana available to scientists for studies on medical marijuana.”

Furthermore, the Attorney General must now approve, request more information, or deny research applications within 60 days of receiving them (1). Universities and research institutions will be able to acquire licenses to grow, manufacture, distribute, dispense, and possess cannabis for research purposes with guidance from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (1). “The legislation also encourages the FDA to develop marijuana-derived medicines and addresses the HHS to determine the potential medical benefits of marijuana or cannabidiol (or CBD) as a drug,” the Forbes article stated.

The four co-chairs of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus released a joint statement regarding the future of cannabis research and policy (2). “Research is foundational for the path forward on cannabis policy,” read the press release, in part. “Research is essential to better understand the therapeutic benefits of cannabis that have the potential to help millions of Americans struggling with chronic pain, PTSD, multiple sclerosis, anxiety disorders and more. We celebrate the enactment of this critical and long-overdue legislation, and we know there is much more to do to remedy the ongoing harms of the failed war on drugs. Our caucus will continue working to reimagine the federal government’s approach to cannabis and enact further reforms. In the coming weeks, we are committed to passing subsequent bipartisan, common-sense proposals like the SAFE Banking package, the Veterans Equal Access Act, the PREPARE Act, and the Veterans Medical Marijuana Safe Harbor Act.”

Though this is a historical first step in enabling cannabis research, advocates state that much more needs to happen within the government to improve safety and access in the medical cannabis community. “The medical community agrees that we need more research to learn about marijuana’s potential health benefits,” said Representative Brian Schatz in a press release (2). “Our new law will remove excessive barriers that make it difficult for researchers to study the effectiveness and safety of marijuana, and hopefully, give patients more treatment options.”

Also notable, accredited medical and osteopathic schools, practitioners, research institutions, and manufacturers with a Schedule I registration are now allowed to cultivate their own cannabis for research purposes (2). As stated in the press release (2): “The bill further states that it ‘shall not be a violation of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) for a State-licensed physician to discuss’ the risk and benefits of marijuana and cannabis-derived products with patients.”

Americans for Safe Access (ASA), the country’s largest organization of patients, medical cannabis providers, medical professionals, scientists, and citizens promoting safe access to medical cannabis commented on the passing of the law in a press release on their website (3). “While the research bill certainly reduces some barriers for cannabis researchers, it does nothing to address the critical problems patients across the country experience due to larger federal inaction on cannabis policy,” said Abbey Roudebush, Director of Government Affairs for ASA. “We have been advocating for federal cannabis reforms, including reducing barriers to research, but are well aware that our job is not done until everyone has equitable and legal access to medical cannabis on the federal level.”

“We want lawmakers to know: this bill is just the beginning – it is not the finish line,” ASA said in their press release (3).

https://www.forbes.com/sites/dariosabaghi/2022/12/03/biden-signs-medical-marijuana-research-bill/?sh=2746237e7c69

https://www.marijuanamoment.net/biden-signs-marijuana-research-bill-a-historic-first-for-federal-cannabis-reform/

https://www.safeaccessnow.org/biden_researchbill_pressrelease

Articles

On December 2nd, 2022, President Joe Biden signed the Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act, the first piece of standalone cannabis legislation in US history to become law. It will reportedly streamline a new process for cannabis research applications and for manufacturing products for drug development and allow for a larger amount of legal cannabis for research purposes.

Historic Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act is Signed into Law

On December 3rd from 12-5pm, MCR Labs held their second annual “Cannabis Science Fair” at Harvard University’s Science Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts (1). The Cannabis Center of Excellence, a non-profit organization that conducts studies and programs covering various aspects in the cannabis industry, was the community partner. Reservations were required for this free event. The Cannabis Science Fair was the final event in MCR Lab’s Science Over Stigma campaign, which advocated for open discussions on cannabis science and research, and how to use this collective knowledge to build policies, legislature, and cultivation best practices backed by data rather than by stigma or misconceptions (2).

“After such a great response last year, we are stoked to present new, exciting research and innovation at this year’s fair,” said Melissa Kenton, MCR Lab’s Events and Outreach Manager and the main organizer behind the event. “There is a huge demand and curiosity for more information on cannabis, and we are happy to provide a venue for professionals in the field to share their knowledge (3).”

The event included an open exhibit floor and two half-hour keynote presentations. The first keynote was given by Dr. Staci Gruber, Director of Marijuana Investigations for Neuroscientific Discovery (MIND) Program at McLean Hospital, and was titled “What to Keep in MIND: Recreational vs. Medical Cannabis.” The second keynote was given by Harvard Postdoctoral Fellow Jeff Rawson and was titled “Is Misinformation Common in Cannabis Markets?” (3). Several scientists from MCR Labs also presented research conducted on topics ranging from the effects of growing environment on cannabis to the relationship between phosphorus and arsenic in the plant (3).

MCR Labs is the first independent cannabis testing laboratory to be certified by the state of Massachusetts and offers analytical testing and research and development services to licensed cannabis producers, patients, doctors, researchers, or anyone crafting their own homegrown cannabis products (4).

’s coverage of the inaugural 2021 “Cannabis Science Fair” here: 

https://www.cannabissciencetech.com/view/inaugural-massachusetts-cannabis-science-fair-sets-to-fuel-collaboration-and-education-about-cannabis

https://ma.mcrlabs.com/the-cannabis-science-fair/the-cannabis-science-fair-2022/

https://ma.mcrlabs.com/campaign/science-over-stigma/

https://newsdirect.com/news/the-cannabis-science-fair-to-showcase-cannabis-research-and-innovation-128276347

In partnership with the Cannabis Center of Excellence, MCR Labs Massachusetts held their second “Cannabis Science Fair” on the afternoon of December 3rd, 2022, as the final event of their Science Over Stigma campaign.

Overview of the 2022 Cannabis Science Fair from MCR Labs: “A New Showcase for Cannabis Research”

For the first time, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) is including hemp data in its Census of Agriculture, a survey that is conducted every five years by the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) (1). The most recent survey was conducted in 2017, so this will be the first year NASS will be able to include hemp data since industrial hemp became federally legalized with the 2018 Farm Bill. The USDA began regulating hemp in 2021 (1).

“The 2022 Census of Agriculture is a powerful voice for American agriculture. The information gathered through the ag census influences policy decisions that will have a tremendous impact on ag producers and their communities for years to come,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack (2). “I strongly encourage all farmers, no matter how large or small their operation, to promptly complete and return their ag census. This is your opportunity to share your voice, uplift the value and showcase the uniqueness of American agriculture.”

Even though US farmers are required by law to complete the survey, about 70% of the nation’s 2.2 million farms responded to the 2017 census and response rates in recent years have trended downward (1). NASS has no enforcement mechanism, but Donald Buysse, chief of the census planning branch with NASS, said, “the incentive is the idea you’re providing data as a useful tool for your community” (1).

The USDA will collect data until February 6th, 2023 and will publish the results in 2024. Farmers can fill out their 2022 census here: 

https://portal.agcounts.usda.gov/portal/s/

https://drgnews.com/2022/11/29/first-census-of-agriculture-to-collect-information-on-hemp-farming/

https://www.cannabisbusinesstimes.com/article/usda-nass-to-include-hem-production-data-in-census-of-agriculture/

In their 2022 Census of Agriculture, the US Department of Agriculture will, for the first time, collect and publish data on farmers and producers who grow hemp for fabric, food products, and cannabidiol (CBD).

The US Department of Agriculture Will Collect Hemp Data in Their Census of Agriculture

Recently King’s College London announced the start of the world’s largest independent cannabis use research study called Cannabis & Me (1). King’s College, located in London, England, is a research college with “£273m annual research income and ranked 6th in the world for research ‘power’ (2021 Research Excellence Framework)” (2). The Cannabis & Me study was allocated more than £2.5 million of funding by the Medical Research Council (1).

The Cannabis & Me study reportedly aims to understand the wider impact of cannabis use on the physical and mental health of cannabis users (3). “It also aims to identify environmental and biological factors, which can explain the different effects people experience when using cannabis, and in particular, identify those users more likely to experience mental health and social issues,” as was stated in the survey provided to potential participants (3). The study will use a combination of DNA genetic and epigenetic testing, psychological and cognitive analysis, and virtual reality to understand how a user’s biological makeup is affected by cannabis use. It also intends to identify the environmental and biological factors that are most likely to cause mental health and social problems in cannabis users (3).

The study will be headed by Medical Research Council Senior Clinical Fellow Dr. Marta Di Forti. “Cannabis is consumed daily by many recreationally but also for medicinal reasons,” said Dr. Di Forti (1). “But in the UK, the prescription of medicinal cannabis remains rare. Our study aims to provide data and tools that can make physicians in the UK [United Kingdom] and across the world more confident, where appropriate, in prescribing cannabis safely.”

The study is looking for 6000 participants between the ages of 18-45 who are living in the London area and who currently use cannabis, have used it less than three times, or have never used it before. The 40-minute survey will be conducted in two parts: a survey and face-to-face interviews (3).

The full details of the survey can be found here: 

https://kings.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/cannabisme

https://www.kcl.ac.uk/news/kings-college-london-spearheads-the-largest-ever-independent-study-into-cannabis-use

The Cannabis & Me research study will reportedly study the effects of cannabis on the human brain, particularly in terms of a user’s prior psychological conditions. 

King’s College London Launches Largest-Ever Independent Study on the Impact of Cannabis Use

PQE Group, an international life sciences consulting company, announced the establishment of the world’s first start-up to support pharmaceutical companies in medical cannabis development in a recent press release (1). The start-up, called Glocal Quality Cannabis (GQC) will reportedly provide services including engineering, GxP quality compliance, regulatory affairs, medical-scientific advisory, clinical studies, and a GQC academy. According to their website (2), “PQE Group is a woman-owned, ISO 9001-certified technology solutions and compliance consulting services company for the life sciences industry, providing global capabilities deliverable throughout the entire product quality life cycle.”

In their press release (1), Gilda D'Incerti, PQE Group CEO and Founder and President of GQC, explained that this project represents an important challenge for her, adding that she strongly believes in the therapeutical power of cannabis. “I wanted to support the field of research as well as the development and dissemination of medical cannabis through the creation of this new start-up,” said D'Incerti. “I personally, and with great care, researched the professionals who make up the new GQC team: chemists, pharmacists, physicians, and biologists who take care of the supply chain at three hundred and sixty degrees.”

QGC will address the market’s struggles with fragmented legislation by applying “the highest international standards locally to always guarantee efficacy, safety, and quality to the end patient” (1).

"I believe that medical cannabis should be treated the same as any other pharmaceutical product,” Riccardo Salvagnini, GQC VP Executive, said during the start-up's launch ceremony (1). “Our vision is to support the development of new therapies through effective management of data quality by accelerating the registration of cannabis products and reducing the timing of the supply chain to be faster for the patients. Therefore, we want to provide effective technological solutions to medical cannabis products to accelerate our go-to-market strategy through a local approach but with a global mindset.”

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221024005107/en/GQC-Is-Born-the-First-Start-up-Federated-by-PQE-Group-to-Support-Medical-Cannabis

International company PQE Group announced in late October their first ever start-up to provide support for medical cannabis.

New International Start-Up Established to Support Pharmaceutical Companies in Medical Cannabis Development

In a recent press release (1), the Association of Official Analytical Collaboration (AOAC) INTERNATIONAL Research Institute announced that Viridis Laboratories is the first laboratory to receive its 

“We are pleased to announce that Viridis Laboratories is the first company to complete our rigorous R

 program verifying the performance claims of the method,” said Scott Coates, AOAC Research Institute Senior Director. “Viridis has demonstrated a high degree of scientific and analytical excellence.”

Viridis Laboratories was granted the certificate for the LOM 7.1c Cannabinoid Analysis in Flower method using an ultrahigh pressure liquid chromatography (UHPLC) coupled with a diode array detector (DAD), 

LOM 7.1c Cannabinoid Analysis in Flower by UHPLC-DAD

-certified methods are evaluated for accuracy, repeatability, limit of detection, and selectivity,” the press release states (1). “Only methods that meet specified criteria are granted R

 status. Certificates and certification reports are posted for public access on the AOAC website.”

According to AOAC INTERNATIONAL (1), the method underwent an extensive evaluation process that involved several rounds of reporting and review as well as rigorous testing from an independent third-party laboratory and third-party scientific review panel to be the first-ever company to complete the R

AOAC INTERNATIONAL is “a 501(c)(3), independent, third party, not-for-profit association and voluntary consensus standards developing organization” (1).It also operates the Cannabis Analytical Science Program (CASP), which developed the 

Standard Methods Performance Requirements

 and prescribes the acceptance criteria for evaluating cannabis potency methods (1).

https://www.aoac.org/news/aoac-research-institute-grants-first-reviewed-and-recognized-certification-for-cannabis-potency-testing/

https://members.aoac.org/AOAC_Docs/RI/23PTM/23C_102201_ViridusLOM7.1c_ver3.pdf

For the first time, the Association of Official Analytical Collaboration (AOAC) INTERNATIONAL Research Institute granted its Reviewed and Recognized certification to a cannabis potency testing laboratory.

First Reviewed and Recognized Certification for Cannabis Potency Testing Granted by AOAC Research Institute

In a recent announcement by ASTM International, their cannabis committee, called ASTM Committee D37 on Cannabis, approved four new standards intended to benefit workers in the cannabis industry as well as regulators and consumers (1). Laboratories, producers, manufacturers, cultivators, extractors, and researchers are also expected to benefit from one or more of the standards as well.

The four new standards from Committee D37 are as follows (1):

, will provide a method to establish cannabinoid content in cannabis and hemp samples. This standard will help with proper labelling of products and may also be used in forensics laboratories for analysis of illegal samples to confirm cannabinoid content and to support further cannabinoid research, according to ASTM International member Garnet McRae.

, will help laboratories in analyzing cannabis and hemp samples to establish pesticide concentration levels to ensure products meet regulatory requirements within appropriate jurisdictions. McRae noted that this will help to address health and safety concerns as well as labelling and regulatory requirements for consumable cannabis products.

The third standard, D8442, will provide a method to test for terpenes and cannabinoids using gas chromatography (GC). According to ASTM International member Randall Shearer, this standard will assist in quality control for cannabis and ensure safety and consistency of cannabis and hemp products.

The final standard, D8469, provides a method through inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) that will be used for detecting dangerous metals such as arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and lead in cannabis. The ASTM cannabis committee is planning a full inter-laboratory study of the standard later in 2022.

As stated in their news posting (1), ASTM International is a not-for-profit nongovernmental organization that develops voluntary consensus standards. They reportedly defer to appropriate government authorities to determine the legal and regulatory framework regarding the control and use of cannabis (1).

According to the ASTM website (2), Committee D37 was formed in 2017 and focuses on developing voluntary consensus standards and supplementary programs on proficiency testing, training, and certification. Subcommittees focus on the development of test methods, practices and guides for cultivation, quality assurance, laboratory considerations, industrial hemp, devices, packaging, and security. The Committee has nine technical subcommittees to develop and maintain standards and has 900 members from 30 countries.

https://sn.astm.org/update/cannabis-committee-approves-four-new-standards-nd22.html

https://www.astm.org/get-involved/technical-committees/committee-d37

Earlier this month, Committee D37 on Cannabis, a committee within ASTM International, released descriptions of their four new standards for cannabis testing and who they will benefit within the industry.

An International Cannabis Committee Debuts Four New Standards for Cannabis Testing

Terpenes provide cannabis with distinctive aromas and flavors that are often desired by the consumer. During the cannabis drying and decarboxylation stages, up to 30% of terpenes are lost along with the water phase from the product (1). While this terpene loss stream is often overlooked, there are methods to retain terpenes. To preserve these sought-after flavors, terpene recapturing from the water fraction is currently done via simple liquid-liquid separation (LLE) or distillation. However, these methods are rarely used because they are costly, energy-intensive, or difficult to scale. Here, we demonstrate a new method for terpene recapture by leveraging counter-current extraction.

When thinking of cannabis, we instinctively think of its smell, the flower buds on the table, the storefront selling it, and the joint being smoked at an event. Sure, cannabinoids (specifically tetrahydrocannabinol [THC] and cannabidiol [CBD]) are what everyone writes about, as they are known to have psychoactive effects. Terpenes give the plants their distinct aromas and flavor profiles and the lack of terpenes is the main criticism of refined cannabis products, such as vapes and dabs.

Terpenes are volatile organic compounds that are easily lost to the surroundings during various stages in the industrial pipeline. There might be an excess of cannabis on the market, with overproduction of CBD isolate and THC distillate, but terpenes are hard to come by.

Consequently, recapturing the terpenes in the extraction process has benefits for the producer. Current terpene recapture methods include liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) or distillation. However, both methods are time consuming and expensive. Instead, we propose that a different method, specifically counter-current extraction, could be utilized.

One point in the industrial pipeline where a high percentage of terpenes is lost is during the drying and decarboxylation stage (1). There is still debate over the best way to dry and decarboxylate cannabis flower. Current methods can either take multiple days, are not very exact, rely on observation, or can result in poor quality of flower because of mold growth or substantial terpene loss. Producers have a financial incentive to recapture terpenes lost in the drying process for re-introduction into their products. Their retention in the product is of high interest to consumers, not only for their taste and smell, but for potential health benefits as well. Methods for reintroducing terpenes to various cannabis products, from flowers to vape oils, are currently being explored (2).

Aside from re-introduction into the products, there are additional incentives to recapture terpenes from water waste streams. A terpene recapture method may be used to clean water that results from drying cannabis. Due to the odorous quality of solutions containing as little as 2% terpenes, these solutions are often treated as special waste. Being able to recapture the terpenes from wastewater would help mitigate the need for special waste treatment and allow for the recaptured terpenes to be used elsewhere.

Any scalable and reliable separation method would help producers recapture terpenes from their wastewater and reuse those terpenes for other products. This would save producers from the cost of managing special waste treatment for their wastewater and help them reintroduce terpenes into their products for their consumers. Once fully optimized, this system has the potential to increase terpene recapture efficiency in laboratories using fewer resources.

To investigate a scalable solution for recapturing terpenes, we designed experiments for 5 L of water/terpene mixture that were obtained from a vacuum oven. Isolation of terpenes via LLE separation funnel is not feasible at this or larger volumes. Instead, here we investigate a counter-current extraction method for the terpene separation from the water-phase. In this first set of experiments, we chose flow rates of heptane to be either approximately equal or 10-fold that of water. This is the first step to determine under which conditions terpene extraction would be more efficient.

The original composition of terpenes in the organic layer and in the water layer was quantified (experiment A and B). It was determined that the water layer was composed of approximately 0.2% terpenes, equating to a concentration of 1.9 g/L. Heptane was chosen as the nonpolar solvent as it is less toxic than hexane, easy to handle, and a common solvent in the cannabis industry.

The water/terpene substrate was pumped through the counter-current system at 3.9 mL/min and the heptane extraction solvent at 5.1 mL/min (experiments C and D). That is 1.3 times the volume of water. Under these conditions, terpene levels in the water layer were reduced 100-fold to 0.020 g/L (experiment C). Meanwhile, the recaptured heptane solvent solution contained 1.44 g/L of terpenes (experiment D).

The high flow experiment was performed with the pumping conditions set to 4.5 mL/min flow rate for the water/terpene solution and 39 mL/min of heptane (experiments E and F). That is 8.6 times the volume of water. Terpene levels in the water layer were reduced 271 times to a concentration of 0.007 g/L (experiment E). However, the recaptured terpene concentration in heptane was only 0.221 g/L (experiment F). This re-emphasizes the high demand in heptane solvent needed to strip all terpenes from the water fraction.

Our proof-of-concept experiment shows that the countercurrent system designed by Zaiput can be used to remove terpenes from the water phase in a continuous manner, and that heptane can be used as an effective solvent. Due to the scalability of counter-current equipment, this system can be scaled up or down to meet the requirements of an industrial or laboratory setting. Further, as this is a continuous recapturing method, this countercurrent system can be left to run 24/7, so long as it is provided with enough solution. Our results indicate that organic phase flow rate and remaining terpene levels in the water phase are inversely related.

The fine balance between desired levels of terpene contamination in the wastewater versus the cost of organic solvent needs to be found. Further optimization is needed to determine optimal flow rates to increase recapturing efficiency for counter-current terpene extraction to be implemented in the industry.

Sidebar: Background on Counter-Current Extraction:

Liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) is a separation process that leverages differences in solubility to separate compounds of interest. LLE can be widely used for working up solutions from the laboratory scale to production across a broad range of chemical industries because of its high selectivity and large capacity at a relatively small energy consumption.

Traditionally, single stage, production-scale LLE is carried out in large batch vessels by mixing the two phases together with an overhead stirrer before waiting for the two phases to settle based on density differences. This method of separations has a host of inefficiencies associated with it, including long settling times stemming from emulsions and small density differences between phases, safety and plant design issues caused by large holdup volumes, and unpredictable settling times based on variation in starting materials.

These issues can be mitigated by shifting to a continuous approach. Mixing between the phases to achieve the mass transfer needed for extraction can be carried out in a line while fluids are being pumped. Continuous phase separation is obtained by membrane-based separators. Instead of using gravity, these devices leverage surface forces, specifically, by using high throughput membranes as a separation mechanism. This technology, commercialized by Zaiput Flow Technologies, combines the use of high-capacity membranes with an integrated pressure controller to enable quick and easy phase separations. The membranes selectively allow one of the two phases to pass through the membrane (based on a hydrophobic PTFE membrane) while the other is retained. When coupled with an integrated pressure controller, this allows for complete and easy phase cuts.

This phase separation methodology can then be coupled with in-line mass transfer in the form of static mixing or slug flow mass transfer to enable rapid, continuous extraction in a small volume. The technology does not require density differences between the two phases for separation and can break emulsions, allowing it to handle many of the issues of traditional batch processing. Further, when used in the context of batch chemistry processing, it removes the need to leave space for an extraction solvent in your reaction vessel, allowing the user to get more out of their installed capacity.

Countercurrent extraction is a method often used by engineers at the large scale to improve product recovery, improve purity, or reduce the amount of solvent needed to accomplish either of the previous goals. The advantages are significant and are often needed when there are low partition coefficients for desired compounds or low separation factors between compounds. The advantages can be seen in the diagram below, which shows how much of a desired compound with a partition coefficient of 1 is removed at various stages of theoretical counter-current stages of extraction.

The counter-current extraction setup engineered by Zaiput is particularly advantageous due to its small layout, scalability (up and down), and engineered mass transfer to ensure full theoretical stages of extraction. Of particular importance to many industries is the internal volume of just 2.5 mL/stage, which is 1-2 orders of magnitude less than other comparable technologies. Its conceptual layout below is familiar for the engineer who is used to seeing theoretical stages denoted by individual unit ops instead of approximated by height in an extraction column.

In this context, the 5 stages of extraction provided by the laboratory-scale extraction platform were used to solve the issue previously described regarding removal of terpenes.

S.R. Challa, “Drying Kinetics and the Effects of Drying Methods on Quality (CBD, Terpenes, and Color) of Hemp (

) Buds, submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia (2020).

B.E. Erickson, “Cannabis Industry Gets Crafty with Terpenes.”

https://doi.org/10.1021/cen-09729-feature1

 is the President and Chief Scientific Officer at DELIC Labs in Vancouver, Canada. Direct correspondence to: 

In this article, Markus Roggen demonstrates a new method for recapturing terpenes lost during the cannabis extraction process.

Keeping it Clean: Recapturing Terpenes for Added Value and Cleaning Wastewater Streams

Major League Baseball (MLB) is continuing to be a breakout star in the cannabis industry. In 2019, they removed cannabidiol (CBD) from its list of banned drugs (1), which was the first US sports league to do so. Now, the MLB is the frontrunner again by striking a sponsorship deal with cannabidiol (CBD) products maker Charlotte’s Web, the first of the four major US sports leagues to reach a deal with a CBD company (2).

CBD is a cannabinoid known for its medicinal uses to relieve pain and alleviate stress. Charlotte’s Web Holdings Inc. produces a variety of CBD products such as tinctures, topical sprays, and gummies. The MLB’s press release (3) stated, “The rigorous approval process that brought the two legacy brands together fills a major gap in the sports channel for an NSF Certified for Sport® portfolio of CBD products for players and consumers demanding safe, natural options to support recovery, help keep calm under pressure, and help sleep cycles and focus.”

In June, the US Sport league officially allowed clubs to form sponsorships with CBD companies that are certified for sport by The National Science Foundation (NSF), which is an institution that inaugurates standards for products used by athletes. Numerous celebrities and athletes have endorsed CBD products. For example, Hall of Fame National Football League (NFL) running back, Terrell Davis, partnered with investors in 2018 to produce a CBD-infused sports drink (2).

The newly formed partnership between the MLB and Charlotte’s Web arrives as the CBD maker releases a product called Daily Edge, a tincture that is also the first CBD product to be certified for sports by NSF. The item will feature the MLB logo on its bottle. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has yet to certify CBD products, but that hasn’t stopped the cannabinoid from growing in popularity. As reported in 2021 (2), the US CBD market hit $4.7 billion in total sales. The MLB and Charlotte’s Web three-year deal is worth $30.5 million (1). One of the deal’s components will be to promote Charlotte’s Web products during games, as well as on the MLB’s social media platforms, streaming digital channels, and during post-season games. The leagues fanbase is estimated around 180 million fans, which will bring a different geographic of customers to Charlotte’s Web.

"Wherever you see MLB, you'll see Charlotte's Web," Jacques Tortoroli, CEO of Charlotte's Web, told CBS on their MoneyWatch program (1). "What we're about is making sure there's calmness of the mind so you can perform your best."

Also included in their partnership, the MLB obtained an estimation of 6.1 shares of Charlotte’s Web (1). The CBD company also is required to pay the MLB a 10% royalty on any products sold that have the MLB branding on it after the total sales exceed $18 million. Shortly after the MLB’s announcement, Charlotte Web’s stock rose nearly 25% and traded at 75 cents a share.

“As a leader in the CBD category, with products that provide health and wellness benefits, Charlotte’s Web is a welcome addition to the MLB family, representing a landmark partnership in baseball and sports,” said Noah Garden, MLB Chief Revenue Officer, in the MLB’s statement (3,4). Garden also added that the deal makes CBD "a more widely adopted part of the health and wellness regimen of our players and fans."

“Nature is the most intelligent and advanced technology system in our world, and when we work with nature for health and innovate through the lens of community care, we can truly redefine what it means to be well as an athlete. This is game-changing, and I am excited by what we can accomplish with the MLB partnership,” said Jared Stanley, Co-Founder, COO Charlotte’s Web (3).

With this exciting new partnership made official, it surely is a home run for CBD.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/cannabis-mlb-charlottes-web-cbd-deal/

https://www.cnbc.com/2022/10/12/major-league-baseball-partners-with-cbd-maker-charlottes-web.html

https://www.mlb.com/press-release/press-release-major-league-baseball-pioneering-cbd-brand-charlotte-s-web-strike-

https://www.marijuanamoment.net/cannabis-company-and-major-league-baseball-sign-deal-for-charlottes-web-to-be-official-cbd-of-mlb-report-says/

In a recent announcement, Major League Baseball announced a sponsorship deal with cannabidiol (CBD) company Charlotte’s Web.

Cannabis Lands a Homerun: Major League Baseball Signs Deal with CBD Company Charlotte's Web

In San Diego, California, presenters, attendees, and others in the cannabis industry gathered from October 12-13, 2022 at 

 to share current strategies and knowledge to move cannabis science and medicine forward. The two-day conference featured nearly two dozen presentations, poster presentations, and opportunities for networking, including a post-conference mixer. Here we present highlights from each presentation at the event.

A half day pre-conference workshop led by Charlotte Peyton on October 11th, an independent consultant from EAS Consulting Group, instructed attendees on an overview of good manufacturing practices (GMP) in the cannabis industry, including expectations and compliance requirements to help employees stay on top of critical quality and safety issues.

Plenary keynote speaker Stephen Goldner, Esq., CEO and Chair of Pure Green Pharmaceuticals, gave an overview of methods to decentralize clinical trials in cannabis medical research. Using a recent proof-of-concept study involving cannabidiol (CBD), Goldner presented a detail-rich explanation of the clinical, scientific, business, and legal approaches to decentralized clinical trials; the challenges and benefits; and how they can become commercial and professional opportunities.

Dr. Ethan Russo, Founder and CEO of CReDO Science, gave an in-depth exploration of two minor yet important cannabinoids in his presentation “Cannabigerol (CBG) and Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV): Sources of Novel Cannabis Therapeutics.” Dr. Russo explained the genetics of the two cannabinoids, compared their mechanisms and roles to other cannabinoids’, plus explained the therapeutic potential of CBG for treatment of anxiety, pain, primary cancer treatment and antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections, and the potential of THCV for treating obesity, metabolic syndrome, Type II diabetes mellitus, and drug addiction. He also gave an overview of past and recent studies on these cannabinoids in humans. Following Dr. Russo’s presentation, Hunter Land presented “Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients: Strategic Considerations for Cannabinoid Development,” in which he explained the benefits of synthetic and biosynthetic production of cannabinoids versus extraction and explored their development as medicines.

Medical topics were covered in several more presentations as well. Marilyn Barrett, PhD, gave an in-depth explanation of the proof-of-concept study that Stephen Goldner had mentioned in his talk. In “Diabetic Neuropathic Pain Decreased Upon Coadministration of CBD and PEA,” Dr. Barrett explained how cannabis-derived medicine can be an opportunity for both patients and the pharmaceutical industry. She explained the details of the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, including the patient selection process, dosing, endpoints, and treatment period, then analyzed the results. In “Case Studies: Identification of Minimum Essential Therapeutic Mixtures from Cannabis Plant Extracts by Screening in Cell and Animal Models,” Andrea Small-Howard, PhD, explained the rationale behind patients using essential compounds rather than whole plant extracts. Dr. Small-Howard gave an explanation of three case studies using cannabis components to examine the potential for treatment of conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, chronic pain, and inflammation. For a global perspective, S. Zev Barnett explained in his presentation, “Hemp Derived Medicine: The Need for Fast Global Adoption,” how cannabis could improve healthcare in the US, using examples and personal stories. He also gave an overview of a large trial study of CBD and its implications for further study.

Chairperson Monica Taing from Holistic Industries moderated a panel discussion and audience Q&A on industry regulation and practice. The three panelists were Lori Dodson, Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission, Heather Krug, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, and Susan Audino, PhD. The panel answered questions from the audience on topics such as how to ensure laboratory competency, laboratory shopping, vape testing requirements, delta 8 regulations, and what federal oversight on state regulations could look like. Dr. Audino also gave a separate, in-depth presentation titled “The Triangulation (Or Strangulation) Consuming Cannabis-Testing Laboratories” which explained the issues currently restricting cannabis laboratories.

In a spotlight on technology, two presentations covered improving bioavailability and formulation challenges. In her presentation titled “Overcoming Formulation Challenges of Cannabinoids,” Inayet Dumanli-Ellis, PhD, explained methods of drug delivery modalities and covered topics such as the development of oral THC and CBD self-emulsifying formulations and improving the stability of cannabinoids in lipid vehicles. In “Emerging Formulation Technologies for Pharmaceutical Applications of Cannabinoids,” Andreas Papas, PhD, explained the role of formulation technologies on solubility, stability and enhanced absorption, and bioavailability of cannabinoids, plus examples of commercial applications in product formats.

Two presentations explored the legal interests in the cannabis industry nationally and globally. Scheril Murray Powell, Esq. gave a talk titled “Managing Consumer Protections while Growing a Robust Inclusive Cannabis Space,” in which she elaborated on the need for industry standards to protect consumers and the JUSTÜS Foundation’s work in assisting legacy cannabis companies with integration. Dale Hunt, Esq. presented “Navigating IP Opportunities and Risk in Cannabis – What Everyone in the R&D Business Should Know,” and explained what companies can and cannot do with patents and why.

Several presentations covered the cannabis industry in Canada. Presenting virtually were Andrew Waye, PhD, and Sophie-Anne Lamour, PhD, both from Health Canada. Dr. Waye presented “An Overview of Chemical and Microbial Contaminant Requirements for Cannabis Products in Canada,” and explained supply chain regulation, quality control, and integration with existing frameworks. Expanding on these topics, Dr. Lamour presented “A Risk-based Framework to Facilitate Non-therapeutic Research on Cannabis in Humans in Canada,” in which she explained current regulations and the benefits to the proposed framework changes. Karolina Urban, PhD, presented “Advancing the Potential Use and Efficacy of Cannabinoid-based Medicine,” which explained what factors contribute to the current mixed results of cannabinoid-based medicine and what research is being done. Presentations and audience questions included comparisons to the United States’ cannabis industry.

Other presentations covered various topics such as the importance of cleaning procedures for all cannabis equipment as explained by Michael Moussourakis in his presentation “Critical Cleaning: the Key to Quality and Safety;” an argument for choosing mass spectrometry over ultraviolet (UV) detection presented by Anthony Macherone, PhD, in his talk “Why Are We Using Non-Selective UV Detectors for Regulatory Cannabinoid Profiling and Agency Testing?”; an explanation of the various benefits of cannabis tissue culture as presented by Hope Jones in “Tissue Culture Techniques;” and an explanation of the FDA’s “Cannabis and Cannabis-Derived Compounds: Quality Considerations for Clinical Research” draft guidance as presented by Nandu Sarma, PhD, in his talk “Quality Considerations for Cannabis Clinical Research.”

The 2022 Canna Pharma Conference was held October 12-13 in San Diego, California.

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