Regulations and Regulatory Issues

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

This column discusses where the USDA went wrong in their final rule regarding hemp and how the author thinks it can be fixed.

Hemp Testing Insanity III: This Time It’s the USDA!

Lo Friesen is the founder, CEO, and Chief Extractor of Heylo. With a background in chemistry and clinical research, Lo was inspired to explore cannabis as a medicine and to enter the emerging industry. She joined Eden Labs, a leading CO

 extraction equipment manufacturer to support and expand a Research and Development department. There she managed the development of their latest and greatest CO

 extraction system. In 2017, after working with Eden Labs and another cannabis processor, Lo launched Heylo with a mission to help people get more out of life with cannabis.

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.

Quality Control Checkpoints in Cannabis Processing

Gretchen Schmidt, Faculty Program Director Criminal Justice Programs & Cannabis Control at Excelsior College, discusses the graduate certificate program offered at her college.

Excelsior College’s Cannabis Education Program Strengthens Interest in the Industry

A discussion on how extractors need to monitor the chemical processes they perform.

The FDA is Coming…Will the Cannabis Industry Be Ready? Part III: Process Control for Extractors

How will the need for increased testing impact extractors?

The FDA is Coming…Will the Cannabis Industry Be Ready? Part II: In-House Testing for Extractors

This article intends to clarify the main goals of GACP and GMP guidelines, identify differences between the two, and also explore why it is important, when operating within the medicinal cannabis sector, that these two guidelines are complied with and their standards achieved.

GACP and GMP in the Medicinal Cannabis Industry—Is There a Clear Difference?

What does FDA oversight mean for cannabis businesses and the industry as a whole?

The FDA is Coming…Will the Cannabis Industry Be Ready? Part I

This article discusses the difficulties of reining in the intense energy use of the cannabis industry from the perspective of the most energy efficient state: Massachusetts.

How to Rein in Cannabis Industry Energy?

Highlights of the challenges facing the cannabis extracts industry and discussion about the need for standardized methods and the role of laboratory accreditation.

Cannabis Extracts: The Need for Standardization and Accreditation in Emerging Industries

An argument for moving away from traditional culture-based methods and towards employing methods with increased specificity and accuracy.