Lo Friesen

Here, we review the major developments of 2025 impacting the legal cannabis and hemp industries, including state-specific hemp policies, the long-awaited 2024 Farm Bill, and the continuing federal process around cannabis rescheduling. It concludes with what stakeholders should expect as the stage is set for consequential policy activity in 2026.

Here, we explore the essence of cannabis flavor, which is defined by compounds like terpenes, terpenoids, and volatile sulfur compounds. These molecules shape the aroma and taste and also contribute to the plant's physiological effects through the "entourage effect." Advanced tools are used to analyze this complex chemical symphony.

The second half of this two-part series focuses on recent vape hardware innovation, as well as best practices in disposable vape pens and 510 cartridges that improve the user experience, preserve extract quality, and mitigate clogging, leaking, and degradation.

This two-part series outlines the essential factors to consider when selecting vapor cartridge, disposable vape, and battery hardware.

Nanoemulsion technology is poised to play a pivotal role in the future of cannabinoid delivery as it helps address challenges related to the solubility, bioavailability, and stability of cannabinoids.

This article examines what rescheduling cannabis would involve, the implications for various sectors, and the potential roadblocks that could arise along the way.

This article provides an analysis of current regulations and proposed changes that could impact the hemp industry.

This article will cover what the differences are between hemp and cannabis, the products that are on the market today, and why it is important to know where your product is coming from.

Decarboxylation is the process through which acidic cannabinoids, like THCA, convert to their neutral forms, like THC. In this article, other reasons to decarboxylate cannabis are explored.

The cannabis industry continues to demand high purity cannabis extracts at a low cost. Here, we investigate the opportunities and challenges as manufacturers implement automation and scaling up production.

This article explores chromatographic separation techniques for the efficient purification of cannabinoids along with the benefits and drawbacks of these separation methods.

This piece reviews the rise of distillate in the market, how this has helped and hurt manufacturers, and predictions for the future.

For cannabis processors that do not cultivate, sourcing biomass is critical to determining the cost and quality of the cannabis extracts that are produced. Here, we review the variables in sourcing cannabis biomass and the impact they have on extraction outcomes.

In this article, we explore how cannabis extraction technology can preserve the acidic cannabinoids in the process.

In this article, we explore the difference in chemical profile between fresh and dry cannabis flower and why manufacturers may choose to extract frozen or dry cannabis.

There goes another year in the books. This review of 2022’s extraction greatest hits takes a look at discoveries, advancements in technology, and other highlights from the year. This article also lays out some predictions for 2023, which is set up to be an interesting year with less access to funding that could slow the development of new technology or innovation in the extraction space.

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

The various extract types are defined so there can be some consensus once and for all.

Part II of this series reviews the history of vape products, producing cannabis vapes, the myriad of extract types, and how temperature and hardware impact the user experience.

In part one of this two-part series, we review the history of vape products and their obstacles.

Here we explore the evolution of solventless extraction methods and the differentiating characteristics that may be driving its market growth.

THC isomers are defined and discussed to better understand where they come from, how they are produced, and how they are being distributed.

Here, we explore the evolution and rise of color remediation methods in-line with extraction.

A review of the post-processing and refinement steps of producing cannabis extract and how data collected during the extraction and refinement phase can translate into higher profit margins.

A look at how extraction data can be harnessed to better understand strengths and weaknesses within methods, equipment, employee performance, and source material.

A review of the evolution of the ethanol extraction method within the cannabis industry, where it stands today, and the other alcohols that are being introduced to the cannabis extraction space.

A review of the general state standard quality control checkpoints and how companies can go above and beyond by applying federal requirements to their businesses.

Here we explore various refinement methods for removal of plant waxes from cannabis extract.

This article explores the pros and cons of grinding cannabis prior to extraction along with the effects of particle size.

A review of the chemical makeup of cannabis extracts and how they affect the human body. From terpenes to cannabinoids, this article takes a deep dive into the chemistry of cannabis extracts.