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On this special edition episode, we are joined by Bill Nichols, the Technical Director at Biotrax Testing Laboratory in New York

Podcast Ep 19: Rebuttal to NY Cannabis Testing Article

Read our latest blog on ensuring the safety and efficacy of cannabis products

Elevating the Green: The Crucial Role of Quality Control and Testing in the Cannabis Industry

Check Out the Cannabis Science and Technology October Issue!

Cannabis use among older adults in the US increased since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, according to a study published in the journal 

 in November 2023 (1). Noting that there has been a lack of research in this area since 2019, the study, titled “Prevalence and Frequency of Cannabis Use Among Adults Ages 50–80 in the United States,” examined survey data from the National Poll on Healthy Aging (1). In the survey, 2,000 Americans answered questions about cannabis use over the course of the year (1). The study did not separate cannabis by medical or recreational uses (3).

“Among 2023 participants aged 50–80 (52.7% female), 12.1% reported cannabis use in the past year,” stated the Results in the Abstract (1). “Among those who reported cannabis use, 34.2% reported using cannabis products 4 or more days per week.”

The study also found that the respondents who used alcohol, or who were unemployed and unmarried were more likely to report cannabis use, while those who identified as Hispanic or “other” ethnicity were less likely to do so compared to those who identified as white (1).

“As the stress of the pandemic and the increased legalization of cannabis by states converged, our findings suggest cannabis use increased among older adults nationally,” stated Anne Fernandez, PhD, with the Addiction Center, Department of Psychiatry at the University of Michigan (3). “Older adults represent a vulnerable age group for cannabis use due to interactions with medications, risky driving, cannabis-related mental health impacts and increased possibility of falls and memory issues.”

As part of the conclusion of the study, the authors suggested more focus by medical professionals and policymakers on the health effects and risks for this population that uses cannabis (1).

Fernandez, A. C.; Coughlin, L.; Solway, E. S.; Singer, D. C.; Kullgren, J. T.; Kirch, M.; Malani, P. N. Prevalence and frequency of cannabis use among adults ages 50–80 in the United States. 

Survey methods https://www.healthyagingpoll.org/survey-methods (accessed Dec 6, 2023).

Gavin, K. Rising cannabis use among older Americans during the pandemic 

https://neurosciencenews.com/aging-cannabis-use-disorder-25304/

Articles

Survey data from a national poll indicate rising cannabis use in older adults, as access to cannabis increases across the country.

Cannabis Use Rising Among Older Adults in US

In a study titled “Cannabidiol as an Alternative Analgesic for Acute Dental Pain,” published last month in the 

, researchers from the University of Texas at San Antonio tested the possibility that cannabidiol (CBD) could work effectively as an alternative pain reliever for emergency dental pain (1). Initially, researchers hypothesized that CBD, in this case Epidiolex, could cause at least 30% reduction in pain at a minimum (1). The clinical trial, randomized and placebo-controlled, placed 61 patients ages 18-75 years old with moderate to severe tooth pain in three groups—CBD10, CBD20, or the placebo—and administered the dose according to their group, monitoring the patients for three hours afterwards (1).

The researchers measured pain difference with a visual analog scale (VAS), and also measured differences in pain intensity, maximum pain relief, and change in bite forces (1). “Both CBD groups resulted in significant VAS pain reduction compared to their baseline and the placebo group, with a maximum median VAS pain reduction of 73% from baseline pain at the 180-min time point,” researchers stated in the Abstract (1). Additionally, pain relief in the CBD20 group was achieved 15 minutes after the administration compared to 30 minutes for the CBD10 group, and both groups showed noticeable increases in bite forces while the placebo group did not (1).

Side effects associated with the CBD groups but not with the placebo group included sedation, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, yet there were no instances of psychotropic effects or mood changes (1).

Researchers cited the limited options for nonopioid pain relievers and stated that this study provides the first clinical evidence of the effectiveness of CBD as a dental pain reliever (1). “This novel study can catalyze the use of CBD as an alternative analgesic to opioids for acute inflammatory pain conditions, which could ultimately help to address the opioid epidemic,” the researchers concluded in the Discussion (1).

Chrepa, V.; Villasenor, S.; Mauney, A.; Kotsakis, G.; Macpherson, L. Cannabidiol as an alternative analgesic for acute dental pain. 

A recent study tested the safety and efficacy of cannabidiol in relieving emergency dental pain.

Study Finds CBD to Be Effective Dental Pain Reliever

In a recent press release, Curio Wellness, announced that they had received their Good Agriculture Collection Practices (GACP) certification (1). The organization which is located in Maryland (2), is a current good manufacturing practices (CGMP) certified, “vertically integrated cannabis company” (1), creates wellness and health products. The GACP certification is backed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and was created to form safety, quality, and efficacy standards for plant medicine enterprises (1).

One of the reasons Curio Wellness went to complete the GACP certification was to show their dedication to the quality of their products for consumers, this includes both adult-use and medical consumers (1). The company encountered audits, which specifically investigated their agricultural practices, quality, operational systems, and maintenance practices (1). After undergoing these audits and GACP certification procedures, Curio Wellness became the first CGMP-certified cannabis operator in the state of Maryland and “one of the only GACP-certified cannabis manufacturers in the industry,” (1).

“For the advancement of the cannabis industry, we must continue to hold ourselves to the highest standard," Joseph Martin, SVP of Operational Excellence at Curio Wellness commented (1). "Our adult-use consumers and medical patients deserve the best and safest flower products available and we are committed to meeting their needs. We are proud to have completed the rigorous GACP certification process and will continue to regularly seek ways to precisely assess and improve our practices.”

Additional developments taking place, is Curio Wellness’s new partnership with VMO-Ops, Inc. located in Missouri. VMO-Ops provides knowledge on the cannabis industry, as well as, products to over 200,000 adult-use users and medical patients throughout the state of Missouri (1). The organization is working on launching a new 130,000-square-foot cultivation facility which will offer Curio Wellness’s GI products, Good Night Line, and their patent-pending Terpene Chews (1). To learn more about Curio Wellness’s products, please visit (1,2): 

Curio Wellness. Curio Wellness Certified Through Good Agriculture Collection Practices (GACP) 

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/curio-wellness-certified-through-good-agriculture-collection-practices-gacp-302000112.html

Curio Wellness recently obtained their Good Agriculture Collection Practices (GACP) certification.

Curio Wellness Receives Good Agriculture Collection Practices (GACP) Certification

In a report published earlier this year in the 

, researchers from the University of Milan and the Foundation IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico di Milano discovered cannabis in bones samples from 17th century (1). The remains came from the Ca’ Granda crypt for the Ospedale Maggiore in Milan, Italy; the crypt was a place of burial for hospital patients from 1638 to 1697 (1).

Samples from nine femurs were taken, tested, and two of the samples—one from a female estimated to be 45-54 years old, and one from a male estimated to be 16-20 years old—contained both delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol (CBD) (1). "This is an important finding, because there are very few laboratories that can examine bones to find traces of drugs," stated Gaia Giordano, with the Department of Biomedical Science for Health at the University of Milan (1,2). She also explained that methods of cannabis consumption were probably in cakes and infusions (2). The timeframe of cannabis exposure for these samples was suggested to be anywhere between a short amount of time and years up until the death of the patient (1).

The purpose of the investigation was to detect recreational or medicinal plants administered to patients in the hospital (1). However, according to the hospital’s pharmacopeia, cannabis was not found to be one of the substances administered to patients during this time period (1). Researchers hypothesized several alternative methods of cannabis exposure including that cannabis was used recreationally, by the patients self-medicating, or by doctors unaffiliated with the hospital (1).

“These results, to the best of our knowledge, constitute the first report on the detection of cannabis in historical and archaeological human osteological remains,” stated the researchers in the Discussion section (1). “Indeed, according to the literature, this plant has never been detected in ancient bone samples.” Additionally, the researchers stated these findings are the first evidence of cannabis use in Europe in the Modern Age, explaining that its use was common during Greek and Roman times, but decreased after the 12th century (1).

Future studies on the remains in the crypt will investigate the frequency of cannabis use (2).

Giordano, G.; Mattia, M.; Boracchi, M.; Biehler‐Gomez, L.; Cummaudo, M.; Porro, A.; Caccianiga, M.; Sardanelli, F.; Slavazzi, F.; Galimberti, P. M.; et al. Forensic toxicological analyses reveal the use of cannabis in Milano (Italy) in the 1600’s. 

Williams, M. Traces of cannabis in human bones suggest 17th-century Italians were recreational pot users | CBC News 

https://www.cbc.ca/news/science/cannabis-bones-milan-italy-1.7020809

Researchers analyzed several bone samples from a hospital crypt and detected two cannabinoids.

Cannabis Unearthed: Forensic Analysis Reveals Cannabis in 17th Century Human Bones

The latest development on hemp coming from Cornell University (Ithaca, New York) (1), is that cannabinoids derived from the plant may be the new foundation for natural pesticides. Research conducted by Larry Smart, a plant breeder and professor at the Cornell AgriTech’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) (Ithaca, New York), showed that there was fewer damage caused from pests due to the higher cannabinoid concentrations found in hemp leaves (1). The study was published in the journal Horticulture Research in November 2023 (1).

Data from this study will inspire further research to be done on natural pesticides which would be utilized only on non-edible plants (1). According to 

’s article (1), “That restriction is due to the pharmacological properties of the compounds, which include CBDA, THCA and their precursor CBGA. These compounds are naturally produced by hemp plants and convert to more commonly known cannabidiol (CBD), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabigerol (CBG) when heated.”

Research over the years has investigated the cannabinoids found in the cannabis and hemp plants. The theory from researchers is that these cannabinoids may help and provide plants protection from herbivores, ultraviolet light, and pathogens (1).

“It has been speculated that they are defensive compounds, because they primarily accumulate in female flowers to protect seeds, which is a fairly common concept in plants,” said Lawrence Smart, the senior author of the study (1). “But no one has put together a comprehensive set of experimental results to show a direct relationship between the accumulation of these cannabinoids and their harmful effects on insects,” Smart added (1), “Cannabinoids Function in Defense Against Chewing Herbivores in 

“The study gives us insight into how cannabinoids function in natural systems, and can help us develop new tetrahydrocannabinol-compliant (THC-compliant) hemp cultivars that maintain these natural built-in defenses against herbivores,” George Stack explained, a postdoctoral researcher who works in Smart’s lab (1).

CALS researchers of the study are looking to explore how sap-sucking insects, for example aphids, are affected by cannabinoids (1). 

’s article also reported that the researchers are also investigating the South African woolly umbrella plant to see if there’s any gain to be made from the plants properties (1).

“The potential use of cannabinoids as a pesticide is an exciting area for future research, but there will certainly be regulatory barriers due to pharmacological activity of the compounds, and more studies are needed to understand what pests cannabinoids will be effective against,” Stack commented (1).

HempToday. Research Shows Hemp-Derived Cannabinoids Could Be Basis for Natural Pesticides 

https://hemptoday.net/research-shows-hemp-derived-cannabinoids-could-be-basis-for-natural-pesticides/

Stack, G. M.; Snyder, S. I.; Toph, J. A.; Quade, M. A.; Crawford, J. L.; McKay, J. K.; Jackowetz, J. N.; Wang, P.; Philippe, G.; Hansen, J. L.; Moore, V. M.; Rose, J. K. C.; Smart, L. B. Cannabinoids Function in Defense Against Chewing Herbivores in Cannabis Sativa L. 

https://academic.oup.com/hr/article/10/11/uhad207/7311041?login=false

Recent research from Cornell University is hinting that hemp-derived cannabinoids may be the latest development in natural pesticides.

Hemp-Derived Cannabinoids May Be New Foundation for Natural Pesticides, According to New Research

Taking place at the 2023 American Epilepsy Society (AES) annual meeting, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, a global biopharmaceutical company, disclosed that there will be nine company-sponsored presentations which include five late-breaking abstracts covering Epidiolex® data in a recent press release (1). The meeting will be taking place in Orlando, Florida, on December 1-5, 2023.

Epidiolex® (cannabidiol [CBD]) is a drug used for treatment-resistant epilepsy such as those seen in patients who have Dravet syndrome (DS) and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) (1). Presentations at AES will showcase long-term and real-world results from the Expanded Access Program (EAP), GWPCARE6 Open-Label Extension (OLE) trial, the BECOME-TSC (BEhavior, COgnition, and More with 

) (tuberous sclerosis complex [TSC]), and more (1).

"Multiple presentations at the 2023 AES meeting continue to build the scientific evidence in support of Epidiolex and improve understanding around the treatment's full impact," Kelvin Tan, MBBCh, MRCPCH, senior vice president and chief medical officer of Jazz Pharmaceuticals mentioned (1). "In addition to seizure outcomes, the BECOME studies are also designed to assess non-seizure benefits of Epidiolex, such as cognition and executive function, emotional and social function, and language and communication. We are determined to not only address seizure outcomes for patients living with rare epilepsies, but also improve the day-to-day lives for both patients and their loved ones."

In Jazz Pharmaceuticals press release, they announced a few of the data highlights which will be shared during the meeting (1):

A post-hoc analysis of patients diagnosed with treatment-resistant focal epilepsy within the EAP that demonstrated 

 was associated with a sustained reduction in focal-onset seizures through 144 weeks. Notably, a second post-hoc analysis investigated the effectiveness and safety results of 

 in adult patients from the EAP which found similar outcomes among patients with treatment-resistant epilepsies, including focal seizures. The EAP was an initiative launched in 2014 to provide add-on 

 to patients with treatment-resistant epilepsy at 35 U.S. epilepsy centers.

A post-hoc analysis of the GWPCARE6 OLE trial evaluating the effectiveness of 

 as add-on therapy against focal seizures in TSC. At least 50% reduction was reported by the majority of patients across focal seizure types through 144 weeks. Additionally, responder rates for focal seizure subtypes were consistent with the overall focal seizure responder rates, and the safety profile observed in the analysis was consistent with that observed in its overall clinical development program.

Interim results of the BECOME-TSC survey, in which the majority of caregivers reported patient improvements in overall seizure frequency and severity, as well as improvements in patients' cognition, emotional functioning, and communication domains.

To view the AES abstracts, please visit (2): 

https://aesnet.org/education/annual-meeting/aes-abstract-search

Jazz Pharmaceuticals. Jazz Pharmaceuticals to Present Long-Term and Real-World Data Emphasizing Commitment to Treatment-Resistant Epilepsy at the 2023 American Epilepsy Society Annual Meeting 

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/jazz-pharmaceuticals-to-present-long-term-and-real-world-data-emphasizing-commitment-to-treatment-resistant-epilepsy-at-the-2023-american-epilepsy-society-annual-meeting-302002714.html

https://www.aesnet.org/education/annual-meeting/aes-abstract-search

Jazz Pharmaceuticals revealed that presentations taking place at the 2023 American Epilepsy Society (AES) annual meeting will include long-term and real-world data about treatment-resistant epilepsy.

Jazz Pharmaceuticals Showcasing Long-Term and Real-World Data on Treatment-Resistant Epilepsy at 2023 American Epilepsy Society Annual Meeting

 (1), can you tell us a little bit about yourself and how CARE Waialua was started?

: My name is Jason Hanley. I am a 20-year retired US Fish and Wildlife Service basis and business biologist, a 10th mountain Army veteran, and an eight-year cannabis advocate. CARE Waialua started in 2016 in an attempt to to provide a place to grow and get affordable medicine to the patients of Hawaii. We have more than 1000 patients on our farm that are all compliant with our site and listed on the Grow Site, which is on the Hawaii 329 card medical cannabis program.

In October 2023, CARE Waialua was raided by federal authorities. What is your side of the side of the story? Do you think your case is being fairly represented by other media outlets?

 On Tuesday, October 24, 2023, federal authorities, including Homeland Security investigations and the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), raided our medical-compliant farm as well as my household. More than 70 agents were involved and the results were that they took everything from our farm, including cannabis and cannabis paraphernalia, computers and phones, and at my home they took all of my computers and cell phones. My side of the story is that we have been operating for six years with no non-compliance reports to the Department of Health (DOH) who runs the cannabis program in Hawaii, so we had no reason to fear either state or federal authority. Our doors were wide open, and we were very transparent. We have had very little representation by media at this point, but it just happened. We did get some great input from Last Prisoner Project, which will be covering our lawyer fees if I do get charged and we had a couple news media stories that happened quickly after through Hawaii News Now and KITV.

Can you explain how this has affected your business as well as the patients and caregivers that rely on your farm?

The impact on our business has been devastating in a few ways. Of course, financially because they took everything we had, which we have been building for six years. This includes Rick Simpson Oil (RSO) capsules and other cannabis products which all were to provide our patients the exact medicine they needed. As far as the patients on our farm, it has been devastating. I think the most improper thing was done after the raid when the Department of Health sent out mass emails to our patients stating they should change their Grow Site because we are under investigation. Please remember no charges were brought against me and still haven't been.

What are the next steps for you to resume operations or ensure this does not happen again?

Currently, we have resumed our operations and I'm very confused why we were raided in the first place. Secondly, if we are not in compliance what do we need to change so we hold steady and move forward in the model we have right now? I would like to add that this type of federal intervention is happening all over the United States—basically the feds show up and raid places that are in compliance and don't provide any charges. I can also add to this that there are strict rules within the Supreme Court that prevent federal intervention into state compliance programs. This has been spelled out in the Cole Memorandum (2), and other cases that are pertinent to this. We are astounded by these behaviors, as there has been no federal intervention on cannabis since the Ronald Reagan days in the Operation Green Harvest days. I would also like to add that we have had more than 20 politicians on our farm, including the current governor Josh Green, DOH, sheriff’s department, and more—they've all been to our site and we were never cited. There are many theories as to why this happened, but right now the most important thing is the dispensers are trying to pass a legalization bill and they are trying to do anything to get farms like mine out of their way. So, there is a lot of data that suggest the dispensaries came together with funding and brought in the federal government.

What challenges do you experience in Hawaii, particularly related to growing and offering support to medical cannabis patients?

The challenges that we experience in Hawaii are that the medical cannabis program was legislatively passed in 2000 and the state has done very little to protect cannabis patients’ rights. Although this was a federal raid, there have been thousands of state raids on medical cannabis farms, small and large, that are never documented or recorded. Many would call this compliance, but they come in with no education and don't know what they're doing, so we all consider those raids. I might add the DOH, who is responsible for the medical cannabis program has also been missing. An action has been on our site and does nothing to support us whatsoever, and it's very antagonistic as I work through the legislator right now which I've been doing for three years to pass better bills. It is very obvious that Hawaii has a vice against cannabis as law-enforcement and attorney generals are very against cannabis, even as bad as going on TV and saying the cannabis is stronger now and it's a dangerous drug. In Hawaii’s 329 law there is language written out for the dispensaries and there's language written out for the medical patients. A good question is why weren't dispensaries raided if they're going after farms like ours? That answer is easy: they have multi-million dollar investors and strong lobbyist behind them.

What are you hoping to see change in the Hawaiian cannabis industry?

The things we are hoping to see the change are the same as the overall cannabis industry. Currently, we have a medical bill that we have drafted in the legislators’ hands right now that would provide a strong medical-based program to protect our patients against federal intervention and state intervention. The State of Maine has built a legacy medical program for the world to follow and can be adapted to fit any state. This bill can be found on my Instagram, Care_Wailua, in the bio. Our biggest fear is that they are working on legalization bills, which failed in all states in our current dual use program. The bill was written by the attorney general of Hawaii. Yes, I repeat: the Attorney General of Hawaii, with no input from the local people, but dispensaries are at the table, so our fight is to prevent legalization from happening until a strong medical program is built. Once the strong medical program is built that supports the local people and there are cultivation license all over Hawaii, then we can move the legalization.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

 My last comment to share is we continue to manifest good energy and move forward. We are providing compassionate medicine and education to thousands of people across the way to the medical 329 card program. We are supported by all our patients and not supported by the dispensary program. We are barely supported by legislation, which continues to go online and an interview saying it's a dangerous weed and it needs massive testing, and so on.

Colli, M., Veterans Farming at CARE Waialua, 

https://www.cannapatientcare.com/view/veterans-farming-at-care-waialua

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cole_Memorandum

Despite widespread legalization in the US, many legal cannabis operators can still be subjected to raids and government interference. In 2021, when we first met Jason Hanley, owner of CARE Waialua, he shared his passion for helping patients on his medical cannabis farm on Oahu, Hawaii and explained the rules and operation there. Recently, his farm was raided by the federal government reportedly for no stated reason, and he has yet to be charged with any crime or citation. Here, Hanley shares his story of what transpired, how it has impacted his farm and the patients he serves, and what he hopes to see change in the future.  

The Fight for Medical Cannabis and Patient Rights in Hawaii

In Part III, Jeremy Robbins and David Benedicktus share some example of the impact they've made over the years through leading educational classes, support groups, dispensary tours, plus future ways their nonprofit, 

, can help address the unmet needs of medical cannabis patients.

Cannabis Patients Pacific Northwest co-founders share the ways their nonprofit addresses the unmet needs of medical cannabis patients

Empowerment through Education: ‘It’s Not Food Science, It’s Cannabis Science'

Read a partial transcription of the interview below.

 Can you tell us about Cannabis Patients Pacific Northwest (CPPNW) and why it was created?



 What I was doing was, I was already networking and trying to figure out how people that live in our local area, in our kind of grassroots way, could connect and find greater access. Medical marijuana in the state of Washington is a little dispersed in the sense that we have the Puget Sound area, the Seattle area, where there's the greatest population concentration and also the greatest number of patients and users. Up in the sound area, there's a lot of options. There were a lot of patient resources, resource groups, there were patient dispensaries that had opened pre-legalization and there was just a lot more going on. We live 150 miles south of all that, and it's kind of a little bit of a desert here. And so, like, you know, there were cannabis delivery services, but there were no brick and mortar places. And there was no place where people can kind of get together and socialize and talk about cannabis. And so I was actively seeking out groups of people that were involved with that sort of stuff. And I had been involved in Portland. But I really wanted to focus here in southwest Washington and so I happen to meet farmer Tom. Kind of through the webs of cannabis, the big webs that they are and former Tom was actively going up to the legislator to do advocacy work on a pretty regular basis. He was going to farmers markets in Olympia to sell direct to patients and he kind of took me under his wing and we started this momentum, but didn't really have like this kind of this formal model of educating people. We've all been involved in, in education in one way or the other teaching classes and/or by showing people how, you know to grow things or to extract things and so it kind of fell in with our ethos anyway. Then the key component really was finding David, who had already done kind of the groundwork to get into the cannabis program that David offered really was one of the very, very first ones in the nation. And even above and beyond that, being offered in a community setting at a community college was really unique and so I hopped on it, I signed up for the first class and then you know, we started talking and, and found out that it would be really great to collaborate together and that just led to bigger and better ideas. I think the peak was when we had probably like close to 30 people that would come to my home, to my living room, and we you know, we were meeting and talking about cannabis and you know, a very exciting but also not, we didn't really have the space and the infrastructure that we wanted. And so yeah, that just led to more conversations. In really figuring out how we could use a nonprofit model to organize this group and to continue to educate outside of the community college setting where we were having a lot of success, but also could only really, you know, each term was kind of the limited duration. We wanted to do things all of the time.

The other thing is we started at least I started having people kind of come out of the woodwork and so I was at the county fair at a cannabidiol (CBD) booth. And I met a woman that had cancer, and she thought that she was going to cure her cancer using CBD products, which there's some research around. There's more research around using tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) products to cure cancer. But that didn't. That didn't that didn't matter. This was a woman that was genuinely seeking help and needed support and didn't know where to go, didn't know how to get information. I became kind of her de-facto caregiver. I gave her a full RSO or FECO treatment, that that protocol, that 60 day protocol of a gram a day of FECO and, she came to a couple of meetings, which was great because you know, that's the other thing that David and I have is our background in mental health. We can run support groups, we can run groups around people that have experienced loss and are trying to figure out where to go and so the support part of it. It was just as important as the medication part of it. And so yeah, that was going on.

That first protocol didn't work for her and so I gave her a second protocol. And we had some really great conversations and I said, “you know, it doesn't seem like this is working for you. Although I wish it was the silver bullet. It isn't and so, you know, I think you need to work with your doctors and figure out what the game plan is.” She ended up having to have chemotherapy and radiation and surgery. But I can tell you today she is cancer free and she's leading a great life. She lives 50 miles away from me. She's got grandkids, she's super involved. She is a great Christian and that was a really big part of her recovery too. I just rose to the occasion, and we just rolled with whatever came up and offered her support. It was really well received. And so what that told me, her husband was really indebted to me. Yes, so that just that just told me you know, this is legitimate. We are on the right path. We can do this for more people. This can make a bigger, bigger impact. And so let's grow this. Let's figure out how we can how we can make it even better and so with the careful guidance of our board, we have had a rock star board, we've had really good people and really good OG’s, some wise, some wisdom, and good direction and so they shepherded us into how to apply for this stuff, how to have all the financials and all that sort of stuff. I am extremely proud of the fact that we that I'm a co-founder of a nonprofit with David and that we continue to grow and figure out how we're going to make an impact in this cannabis space. I still think you know, education, access, and normalization which are kind of our key things are really legit and they continue to hold all that legitimacy even as we are 10 years past legalization here in Washington State. And so I think our future is open I don't think we're, we're quite sure which direction we're gonna go. But it's been really, really exciting to get to this point and to have made a big impact already.


Videos

Join us for part III of this multipart interview series as we go in-depth into the accomplishments and goals of the non-profit, Cannabis Patients Pacific Northwest.

Quality control is the linchpin of a thriving cannabis industry. As cannabis gains broader acceptance for both medicinal and recreational use, consumers rightfully demand products that meet high safety and efficacy standards. Making sure your products are consistent from one batch to another is incredibly determinative of consumer loyalty and overall brand success. Quality control encompasses a series of processes and procedures implemented at various stages of the cannabis supply chain to guarantee product integrity. For most companies in the industry, current good manufacturing practices (cGMP) certification is the best standard to follow. Whether you want to follow Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 111 (supplements), CFR 117 (food/food ingredients), or CFR 211 (pharmaceutical) requirements is up to you at this point, since there are no GMP guidelines or requirements on a federal level. Most of our clients decide this based on the kind of product they are making and what we suggest at this time. But following and preparing for federal legalization, along with protecting your company through risk mitigation, is the best course of action to prepare your company for long term success.

One of the fundamental aspects of quality control is potency testing. This crucial step ensures that cannabis products consistently deliver the intended levels of cannabinoids, such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). Proper potency testing not only satisfies regulatory requirements but also provides consumers with accurate information for informed decision-making. As regulatory frameworks evolve, businesses must stay abreast of any changes in potency testing standards to maintain compliance. When it comes to flower potency in the industry, we encounter some issues. Because testing laboratories are not standardized, 

can be an issue (1). That being said, potency testing is required to ensure consumers will be able to manage the effects of any product they decide to consume. There is not a state that doesn’t require this at this point, for obvious reasons.

Contaminants pose a significant threat to consumer safety, which makes thorough contaminant testing a cornerstone of quality control. This includes screening for pesticides, heavy metals, residual solvents, and other harmful substances that may compromise the safety of cannabis products. Continuous advancements in testing technology contribute to the industry's ability to detect contaminants at lower concentrations, ensuring a higher level of product safety. In many states the regulations regarding contaminate testing are updated based on risks found throughout the growth of the industry. New products and processes pose different risks, and it has been challenging for regulators to keep up with this innovative and fast-moving industry. Always make sure your company is keeping up to date with changes in contaminate testing requirements in the state you are in.

Microbial Testing: Guarding Against Infections

Microbial testing is vital in preventing the distribution of cannabis products contaminated with harmful bacteria or fungi. This aspect of quality control protects consumers, particularly those with compromised immune systems, from potential infections. As the industry matures, testing standards for microbial contaminants are subject to refinement, emphasizing the need for businesses to stay informed and compliant. In many states, new changes have been made regarding 

 (2). This is another part of the industry that is constantly changing. Always pay attention to your current state regulations so that you aren’t caught off guard when changes are made.

As stated many times in this blog series, the cannabis industry is dynamic, responding to both scientific advancements and regulatory developments. Stakeholders in the industry must remain vigilant about changes in testing standards to adapt their practices accordingly.

Emerging Cannabinoids: Expanding the Scope of Testing

Beyond THC and CBD, the cannabis plant contains myriad cannabinoids with potential therapeutic effects. Recent updates in testing standards reflect a growing interest in expanding the scope of cannabinoid analysis. This includes assessing minor cannabinoids like cannabigerol (CBG), cannabinol (CBN), and tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), providing consumers with a more comprehensive understanding of product composition. There are also a number of hemp-derived cannabinoids that are joining the market, such as delta 8 THC (

), delta 10 THC (D10), and hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) (3). The processes and chemicals to make these cannabinoids are different than previously regulated cannabinoids, therefore adding to the list of things regulators and law makers need to pay attention to when deciding how testing standards should be written. Cannabis is a complicated plant and this makes it a complicated thing to regulate.

Terpenes, the aromatic compounds in cannabis, play a crucial role in the plant's effects, taste, smell, and therapeutic properties. In some states testing standards have evolved to incorporate terpene profiling, allowing consumers to choose products based on their desired flavor profiles and potential synergies between cannabinoids and terpenes. This is not the case in all states. In many, terpene testing is a company preference, but more and more companies are seeing the benefit of informing consumers of the terpene profile of their products. This kind of testing helps consumers understand their own preferences and gives another way for consumers to choose their products other than just knowing the potency of them.

Standardization Across Jurisdictions: Toward Consistency

The lack of standardized testing protocols across different jurisdictions has been a challenge for the cannabis industry. However, there is a growing movement toward establishing uniform testing standards to enhance consistency and facilitate cross-border trade. Businesses operating in multiple regions must navigate these evolving standards to ensure compliance and product quality. Standardization groups like 

 International are working on standardization standards across the entire industry already (4). Eventually federal regulation of the cannabis industry will happen and many times the federal government adopts ASTM standards as their own. If this is the case, then this gives industry leaders an opportunity to be prepared before they are regulated at a federal level. Becoming compliant with already existing cGMPs, becoming cGMP certified by an accredited third party, or becoming compliant with ASTM standards is the best way to prepare yourself for the future of the industry.

Quality control and testing are non-negotiable elements in the cannabis industry's pursuit of legitimacy and consumer trust. Rigorous testing for potency, contaminants, and other quality measures not only ensures regulatory compliance but also safeguards public health. As testing standards continue to evolve, businesses must stay informed and invest in third parties to maintain a competitive edge. By prioritizing quality control, the cannabis industry can continue to thrive, providing consumers with safe, reliable, and effective products in this rapidly changing landscape.

Schaneman, B., How the marijuana industry can shift its focus away from THC potency, 

https://mjbizdaily.com/how-cannabis-industry-can-shift-its-focus-away-from-thc-potency/

Cornelius, H., Kim stuck of allay consulting discusses preventing aspergillus in cannabis, 

https://mogreenway.com/2023/10/25/kim-stuck-of-allay-consulting-discusses-preventing-aspergillus-in-cannabis/

Cazentre, D., What is Delta 8 THC? it’s not marijuana, but it is creating a buzz in New York State, 

https://www.syracuse.com/marijuana/2021/05/what-is-delta-8-thc-its-not-marijuana-but-it-is-creating-a-buzz-in-central-new-york.html

ASTM International, Committee D37 on cannabis, 

https://www.astmcannabis.org/committee-d37-on-cannabis/

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

The cannabis industry has experienced a paradigm shift over the past few years, with legalization sweeping across various states. As the market expands, so does the need for stringent quality control and testing measures to ensure the safety and efficacy of cannabis products. In this blog, we delve into the critical importance of quality control in the cannabis industry, focusing on testing requirements for potency, contaminants, and other quality measures. Additionally, we explore the dynamic landscape of testing standards, highlighting any recent updates or changes that businesses and consumers should be aware of. 

Elevating the Green: The Crucial Role of Quality Control and Testing in the Cannabis Industry 

A study published on November 24, 2023, in the 

, tested the effect of recreational cannabis legalization on cannabis use and other substance use in young adults (1). The study, titled “Pre-Post Cannabis Legalization for Adult Use: A Trend Study of Two Cohorts of Young Adult Cannabis Users in Los Angeles,” was funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and conducted by researchers from Drexel University and the University of Southern California, Los Angeles (1).

In 1996, California became the first US state where medical cannabis was legal, and cannabis for recreational use became legal in the state in 2016 (1,2).

Citing the lack of data around the impact of recreational cannabis legalization on this age range, researchers studied survey data from cannabis users, either medical or recreational, ages 18-20 in two groups: one group of 172 in 2014-2015, and the second of 139 in 2019-2020 (1). The group studied after 2016 reported an average of fewer days using alcohol and cigarettes, though they did report more use of edibles (1). In both groups—both pre- and post- legalization—medical cannabis patients were more likely to self-report their medical cannabis use (1).

The study also pointed out a significant finding on the overall effect of legalization. “Notably, frequency of cannabis use (days or hits per day) did not significantly differ between the pre- and post-AUL [adult use legalization] cohorts, except for greater use of edibles, despite potentially greater access to cannabis,” the researchers stated in the abstract (1).

In another study published earlier this year comparing cannabis use in a larger population of young adults after cannabis legalization, researchers found that increases in cannabis use and overuse were seen most in individuals who were ages 21-23 years and not enrolled in college; the study called for a closer look at how cannabis legalization affects this age group and where prevention efforts could be directed (3).

Fedorova, E. V.; Mitchel, A.; Finkelstein, M.; Ataiants, J.; Wong, C. F.; Conn, B. M.; Lankenau, S. E. Pre-post cannabis legalization for adult use: A trend study of two cohorts of young adult cannabis users in Los Angeles. 

https://cannabis.ca.gov/cannabis-laws/laws-and-regulations/

Kerr, D. C. R.; Levy, N. S.; Bae, H.; Boustead, A. E.; Martins, S. S. Cannabis and alcohol use by U.S. Young Adults, 2008–2019: Changes in prevalence after recreational cannabis legalization. 

 A study of a small sample of young adults compared cannabis, alcohol, and cigarette use before and after recreational cannabis became legal.

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