Kim Stuck

Articles

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.

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

Aspergillus is a genus of mold that is commonly found in the environment, including soil, plants, and decaying organic debris. In fact, there are several hundred species of Aspergillus! Aspergillus species produce aflatoxins, which are a family of mycotoxins produced by certain fungi. These aflatoxins are known as cancer-causing substances and pose a dangerous threat to humans and livestock. Although this type of mold is commonly grown underground, the release of its spores into the air is the route of the problem in terms of contaminated product. Given there are many species of Aspergillus that are not harmful, a select few can cause life threatening issues. We aim to cover short Aspergillus topics in hopes to educate and clarify conversations surrounding this fascinating fungus. As cannabis products become increasingly popular for both medical and recreational purposes, understanding the potential health issues associated with Aspergillus contamination is crucial.

Aspergillus in the Cannabis Industry: Understanding Potential Health Issues and Pain Points

Selecting a co-manufacturer for product manufacturing can be a tough decision. Using a co-manufacturer is an interesting combination: it is your brand and reputation, yet another company makes the product. Because quality and product safety is out of your control, companies must select their co-manufacturer wisely. If you choose the wrong manufacturer and something goes wrong, it is your brand that will be affected negatively. The worst things to happen to a brand are making a consumer sick, going through a recall, or losing reputation due to poor quality assurance. Below are a few steps to help companies confidently select a co-manufacturer.

Selecting a Contract Manufacturer

Third party certifications have become increasingly popular amongst cannabis and fungi cultivators and manufacturing companies. Receiving and maintaining certifications is a worthwhile endeavor that will set up your business for long term success, give you a competitive edge, and ensure a safe product for customers. Whether you’re seeking organic, current good manufacturing practices (cGMP), good agricultural and collection practices (GACP), International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and other certifications, you will be tasked with deciding which certifying body to work with. 

Selecting a Certifying Body

Consumers want options, especially when purchasing products, and organic seems to be a popular selection. It makes sense really: people eat all organic foods, why wouldn’t you want your cannabis to be organic too? Organic items are widely available and can be purchased at any grocery store, farmers market, and online. Most people associate “organic” with healthy foods that were grown using safe and sustainable agricultural methods and fewer chemicals. Organic certified products are typically pricier compared to conventionally grown crops—this can be attributed to the cost of the organic certification from an accredited third party, required use of costly organic approved chemicals, special handling practices, potential lower yield, lack of government subsidies, and so on. With organic products being sold at a higher price than conventional products and with the high consumer demand for organic products, does this combination open the door to fraud?

USDA Cracking Down on Organic Fraud

The cannabis industry has experienced rapid growth over the past few years with the legalization of both medical and recreational cannabis use in numerous countries and states in the US. As the industry expands, the need for effective packaging and proper labeling has become increasingly important to ensure consumer safety, brand recognition, and compliance with regulations. Let’s explore the significance of packaging and labeling in the cannabis industry and discuss the key considerations for businesses operating in this space.

The Importance of Packaging and Proper Labeling in the Cannabis Industry

Workplace safety procedures help companies be the best they can be, especially when it comes to ensuring your staff goes home the same way they arrived. These are just a few ways to begin your safety journey!

Workplace Safety Compliance in the Cannabis Industry

This blog is in response to the January 26th, 2023 announcement from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in regards to regulatory oversight in the cannabidiol (CBD) market.

Update from the FDA: Not Adopting Existing Regulations for the CBD Industry

Creating a “culture of compliance” is a buzz phrase that you have probably heard before when speaking to regulators, lawmakers, auditors, and compliance consultants. At Allay Consulting, we have worked with a multitude of companies, and we have found that creating a compliance culture alone is not enough to keep your employees happy enough to follow all compliances. I would argue that creating a “culture of excellence” that includes compliance is the best way we have seen to mitigate risk and decrease revenue lost due to employee turnover and lack of employee engagement. This article is meant to encourage our industry to create a culture of excellence at the workplace. I hope our tips and hands-on experience shed light into creating the culture you want at your workplace.

Creating a Culture of Compliance in the Workplace

The beginning of 2023 will be a huge step to the US’s legalized psilocybin industry! Oregon Psilocybin Services (OPS), a new section housed within the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), will begin accepting license applications January 2, 2023. Oregon’s legalization and implementation of regulations will take three years altogether—several years may seem too long for the legalized psilocybin roll out, but better late than never. This should give the department plenty of time to draft, edit, edit some more, then implement the nation’s first regulatory framework for psilocybin. 