
Interviews with thought-leaders across a wide range of topics in the cannabis industry including analytical methods, extraction, biopharma, legal issues, and more.

Cannabis Voices

Articles

This interview discusses how laboratories can share best practices and overcome the lack of standardization in the cannabis market.

The Future of Cannabis Potency Testing

The cannabidiol (CBD) market reached a saturation level in recent years with products popping up around every corner—from the local gas station to the neighborhood market and more. How can consumers know which of those products are safe and reliably labelled? It is an unfortunate fact that there are bad products on the market, some that have no CBD at all despite label claims. Despite these bad actors, many companies are striving to do better and even set higher standards for the industry. For instance, Vantage Hemp Co. has made it their mission to go beyond current state requirements and produce pharmaceutical-grade CBD. Here, Deepank Utkhede, Chief Operating Officer at Vantage Hemp Co., discusses his role with the company and their goals to elevate this market to create a safe place for consumers and manufacturers. 

Pharmaceutical-Grade CBD: Elevating the Industry to the Next Level

The field of cannabis horticulture is ever-evolving and offers many opportunities for innovation and experimentation. In this interview, Jessica Lubell-Brand, PhD, professor of horticulture at the University of Connecticut with the Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture provides insights into the findings of her laboratory’s recent studies of the “retipping” method of propagating cannabis. She also shares details on her current research with cannabis breeding techniques and how studies like these can benefit the future of cannabis growing. 

Areas of Growth: A Closer Look at Research on Cannabis Propagation

While many psychedelics are classified as Schedule I drugs under the federal Controlled Substances Act, the recent resurgence of interest in their potential therapeutic benefits means the landscape around psychedelics is rapidly evolving. New laws and regulations are proposed and passed at the local, state, and federal levels. Research continues to increase as well, contributing to the questions and perspectives surrounding the various uses of psychedelics. In this interview, Dustin Robinson, Esq., CPA, Managing Principal of Iter Investments; Co-Founder of Nucleus; Founding Partner of Mr. Cannabis Law; and Co-Founder of Mr. Psychedelic Law explains how he navigates the complex legal landscape of psychedelics, the surprises and challenges he encounters, and how he envisions psychedelics in the United States in the near future.

Exploring Psychedelics with a Legal Mind

Dr. Anthony Macherone of Agilent Technologies shares what he learned at Cannabis Science Conference East 2022.

Dr. Macherone on Cannabis Science Conference East Education and Future Growth Areas

Dr. Anthony Macherone of Agilent Technologies discusses what he hopes to see change in the future regarding cannabis regulations and testing guidelines.

Dr. Anthony Macherone Calls for More Comprehensive Pesticide Testing for Safer Consumer Cannabis Products

In Part II of this interview, Jaqueline McGrane, Senior Vice President of Business Development at Boulder Creek Technologies (BCT) explains the importance of consumers being able to recognize the differences between acidic and neutral cannabinoids, especially when considering current product labelling practices.

Acidic and Neutral Cannabinoids Explained: An Interview with Jaqueline McGrane of Boulder Creek Technologies, Part II

In part I of this interview, Jaqueline McGrane, Senior Vice President of Business Development at Boulder Creek Technologies, gives an in-depth description of the unique functionality of their extraction system and the advantages it provides to clients in terms of efficacy, quality, and safety. 

A New Technology Offers a Solventless Alternative for Efficient Extraction: An Interview with Jaqueline McGrane of Boulder Creek Technologies, Part I

In this interview, Donaghue Woodman, Head of Research and Development and Chief Medical Information Officer at Cannsun, provides an in-depth look at their current clinical trial on the effects of psilocybin in treating a prevalent yet unresolved issue in South Africa. 

A New Clinical Trial in South Africa Aims to Study the Effect of Psilocybin on HIV Positive Women with Major Depressive Disorder

Cannabis testing laboratories play an important role in ensuring consumer safety and quality throughout the industry. These laboratories face many challenges—from the variety of samples in the industry to changing regulations and testing requirements and everything in between. In this interview, Sarah Ahrens, Founder and CEO of True Labs for Cannabis LLC, explains her philosophy and approach behind building her cannabis analytical testing laboratory in New Jersey. She also covers current developments in the cannabis testing industry and what needs to be done to ensure it has a transparent and productive future that benefits producers and consumers alike.