Potency

Brian C. Smith, PhD, is Founder, CEO, and Chief Technical Officer of Big Sur Scientific. He is the inventor of the BSS series of patented mid-infrared based cannabis analyzers. Dr. Smith has done pioneering research and published numerous peer-reviewed papers on the application of mid-infrared spectroscopy to cannabis analysis, and sits on the editorial board of Cannabis Science and Technology. He has worked as a laboratory director for a cannabis extractor, as an analytical chemist for Waters Associates and PerkinElmer, and as an analytical instrument salesperson. He has more than 30 years of experience in chemical analysis and has written three books on the subject. Dr. Smith earned his PhD on physical chemistry from Dartmouth College. Direct correspondence to: 

Articles

Here, we will introduce systematic error, discuss how to measure signal-to-noise ratios, and more.

Calibration Science, Part II:  Systematic Error, Signal-to-Noise Ratios, and How to Reduce Random Error

Here, we begin a new column series on calibration science. The goal of these columns will be to teach you the foundational theory behind how to calibrate analytical instruments that are used for quantitative analysis in the cannabis analysis industry, such as potency and pesticide analyzers.


Calibration Science, Part I:  Precision, Accuracy, and Random Error

It is impossible to obtain potency accuracy in cannabis analysis. Here, we suggest some solutions to the problem.

The Ongoing Myth of Potency Accuracy in Cannabis Analysis

In this Q&A, Lake Superior State University’s Ben Southwell and Agilent Technologies’ Jean-Francois Roy suggest that laboratories should network and share best practices to optimize analytical procedures and overcome the lack of standardization in the cannabis market.

The Future of Cannabis Potency Testing

Recently, Leafreport, an Israeli company that provides reviews and comparisons of cannabidiol (CBD) companies and products, released their 2022 report on their transparency analysis for 4384 CBD products.

Leafreport Releases Results of Transparency Analysis of Cannabidiol Products

Why are those extra decimal places possibly meaningless? How can you use significant figures to discern the true meaning of your cannabis analysis measurements?

Significant Figures and Margin of Error-Or Why the Fourth Decimal Place in Your Potency Reading is Probably Meaningless

Patricia Atkins is a Senior Applications Scientist with SPEX CertiPrep and a member of both the AOAC and ASTM committees for cannabis.

We once again go beyond cannabi¬noids and look at the importance and chemistry of flavonoids in cannabis.

Beyond Potency: Flavonoids-the Purples, Reds, and Blues 

The world of fungi, mold, and mycotoxins is explored and discussed.

Beyond Potency:  Fungi, Mold, and Mycotoxins

There are thousands of other potential analytical targets in cannabis that are relatively unexplored. Here, the author examines terpenes.

Beyond Potency: The Importance of Terpenes

Here we review the current and pertinent literature in utilizing cannabis derivatives in animals and discuss the future forecast of cannabis in veterinary medicine.