CannMed Coffee Talk

Kevelin Barbosa-Xavier is a PhD student in Plant Biotechnology at Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro (UENF) where she conducts research under the supervision of Thiago Motta Venancio. She is a computational biologist, investigating the genes and gene networks involved in plant secondary metabolic pathways and fiber production, specifically in the Cannabis sativa species.

Kevelin and her team recently published a study titled Cannabis Expression Atlas: a comprehensive resource for integrative analysis of Cannabis sativa L. gene expression, along with a free online tool to help researchers analyze genomic sequence data.

We discussed:

Thanks to This Episode’s Sponsor: Medicinal Genomics

Medicinal Genomics (MGC) uses its unmatched knowledge of the cannabis genome and the microbes affecting cannabis plants to create diverse testing solutions that improve crop yield, accelerate breeding programs, and ensure product safety. Growers and breeders use MGC’s cannabis genome sequencing services to identify novel traits, stabilize genetics, and protect intellectual property. Additionally, Kannapedia.net provides bioinformatics and blockchain certification for cultivar authenticity.

Learn more at medicinalgenomics.com

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Laura Barrett, MBA, BSN, RN, known as “Nurse Laura,” is the Founder and Executive Director of the National Clinical Director Consortium and the Owner and Operator of Ask Nurse Laura. She serves on the boards of several non-profits, including the Connor Sheffield Foundation. Nurse Laura is dedicated to educating individuals and groups about cannabis and psychedelic medicine options, whether in small settings or large conference auditoriums. 

Additionally, she is part of the teaching faculty at the University of Maryland’s School of Pharmacy and New York University’s Business School where she teaches multiple courses – including the collaborative development of a psychedelic elective course for the Masters of Cannabis Science and Therapeutics program. She also conducts training sessions with healthcare provider groups and nursing organizations, delving into state-specific regulations, products, and access for providers. Collaborating closely with pharmacists, providers, and fellow nurses in the cannabis industry, Nurse Laura promotes valuable educational resources for healthcare professionals, patients, and dispensary staff. Her mission is to enhance consistency and reliability in the educational opportunities available, specifically in healthcare.

Nurse Laura has hands-on experience in various aspects of the cannabis industry, including cultivation, processing, dispensary operations, sales, marketing, and compliance. She emphasizes the importance of understanding laws and regulations, reviewing scientific research, and gathering patient data to create accessible presentations that support public health. Her balanced approach to cannabis and hemp integrates them into a holistic view of wellness. 

Nurse Laura stays informed about current research on the medicinal use of cannabis and psychedelics to help patients and her peers assess the benefits and risks unique to everyone. She crafts tailored care plans incorporating well-established practices that she and her industry peers aim to standardize. Beloved by her patients for their improved health and respected by fellow practitioners for her perseverance and dedication, Nurse Laura is committed to advancing the evolving field of plant medicine therapeutics.

Laura is currently working with the Connor Sheffield Foundation on an observational research study about the use of cannabis to treat symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). 

During our conversation we discuss: 

Thanks to This Episode’s Sponsor: McKinney RSA

McKinney is made up of regulatory science veterans who apply lessons learned in the nicotine space to help cannabis manufacturers better understand the toxicological and societal implications of their product.  They do that by Identifying base compounds, extracts, flavors and terpenes, understanding how they interact, and ensuring effectiveness for the intended use. They also provide dosing recommendations and establish guidelines for product consistency. 

Learn more at mckinneyrsa.com 

Additional Resources

With a BSc. in molecular biology and an MSc. in physiology, Liz has studied the human body through many lenses. The focus of her PhD program (Pharmacy) is to explore disorders that have directly impacted her life in the world of professional contact sports, and how cannabinoid products could potentially play a role in these. 

As a member of the clinical trial team that was recently awarded funding from the NFL to study cannabinoids in concussion and pain, she is excited to bring new data to the literature exploring cannabinoids and athletics. Liz and her team recently published an extensive literature review titled Cannabinoid Therapy in Athletics: A Review of Current Cannabis Research to Evaluate Potential Real‑World Cannabinoid Applications In Sport, which establishes a foundation for their future research.  

During our conversation, we discussed: 

Thanks to This Episode’s Sponsor: The DENT Institute

With more than 300,000 patient visits per year, the DENT Neurologic Institute ranks among the largest neuroscience centers in North America. Its 24 subspecialty clinics often treat the most challenging neurologic conditions including but not limited to Migraine, Chronic pain, ALS, MS, Parkinson’s, Dementia, and Neuro-Oncology. With their mission of advancing neuroscience, the Dent Institute established a cannabis clinic in 2016 to aid in the treatment of these chronic conditions seen throughout the institute.

Learn more at dentinstitute.com

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Megan Mbengue is the revolutionary force behind Trusted Canna Nurse. With over 10 years of nursing experience in diverse fields like oncology, labor delivery, and hospice care, she brings a unique perspective to her practice. She also holds national certifications in three nursing specialties and a Master of Science degree in Medical Cannabis Therapeutics.

Codi Peterson is the Chief Science Officer at The Cannigma and a practicing pharmacist with a passion for cannabis-based medicine. Given his diverse pediatric pharmacy experience and knack for educating, he aims to educate as many as possible about the medicinal potential of cannabis

Codi and Megan have launched a new IRB-approved survey through the University of California that aims to better understand the signs, symptoms, and challenges of CHS. They want to understand the key indicators of this condition, hear about any remedies that work, and learn more about navigating healthcare as a CHS patient. 

If you or someone you know has suffered from CHS (and are over 18), please take a moment to fill out their survey. Not only will you be helping this vital research, but participants will be entered into a drawing to win one of three $100 gift cards. I’ve put a link in the show description so it’s easy to find. 

During our conversation, we discuss: 

Thanks to This Episode’s Sponsor: Trusted Canna Nurse

Trusted Canna Nurse was founded by Megan Mbengue and Ariane Williams, two nurses who are dedicated to bridging the gap between traditional medicine and the world of cannabis and psychedelics. They specialize in creating evidence-based treatment plans for all ages that address chronic illnesses, treatment-resistant conditions, mental health, autism, and more. 

Learn more at trustedcannanurse.com 

Additional Resources

Justin Esquivel is CEO & Geneticist, Green Luster Phenos™ and has been an influencer and leader in the cannabis industry for 15 years. Esquivel was the head grower and geneticist of an indoor commercial-scale cultivation operation back in 2012.  Justin has consulted with over 100 cannabis facilities, 72 of which operate commercial canopies.  Esquivel provides home growers with pest and bacteria-resistant genetics in seed and breeders’ cut form on a global scale!  He brings standard operating procedures to a gold standard.  His one-of-a-kind approach to plasticity breeding has sparked tons of interest across the globe.  Esquivel also specializes in Cannabis Tissue Culture & Selective Homozygous Breeding, enabling his company to bring exotic tailored offspring to growers globally!

During our conversation, we discuss: 

Thanks to this episode’s Sponsor: Rare Earth Genomics. 

Rare Earth Genomics is a dynamic partnership formed with Texas A&M AgriLife, one of the world’s leading research institutions, to accelerate hemp research and create tools for farmers. Their mission is to increase the likelihood of a successful harvest for farmers through genetic analysis and rigorous environmental testing of vigorous cultivars. 

Learn more at rareearthgenomics.com 

Additional Resources: 

Dr. John Streicher is a Professor in the Department of Pharmacology in the College of Medicine at the University of Arizona. He has built a long-term research program focused on finding improved treatments for pain. This has encompassed multiple approaches over the years, including testing cannabinoid and non-cannabinoid constituents of Cannabis sativa, identifying new ways to target opioid receptor signaling, and identifying new receptor targets in the body for pain relief. His lab works on both the basic science knowledge of how these systems work and also works to create new drugs for human therapy.

During our conversation, we discussed:

Thanks to This Episode’s Sponsor: Healer

Healer is a trusted, physician-developed medicinal cannabis brand founded to address the challenges of helping people and health providers get the best results with safe, reliably dosable products and education on how to best use them. Healer Hemp products are available nationwide and include a step-by-step usage guide and response tracker. Healer’s distinctive product formulations and education are based on the latest research and work of leading cannabis clinician, Dr. Dustin Sulak, D.O.

Visit Healer.com or HealerCbd.com

Additional Resources:

Dr. Harold Han is Chief Science Officer and co-founder of Vertosa, and the pioneer in water compatible cannabinoid ingredients for infused products.

Harold designed the industrial leading cannabis emulsions that are widely applied in the cannabis beverage brands. Harold holds 16 patents in emulsion applications, and prior to founding Vertosa, he led a team that developed the emulsification oil for Bio Rad’s Digital Droplet PCR system.

Harold also publishes a regular series explaining the science of cannabis for product makers under the monicker “The Happy Chemist” — a nickname you’ll understand after you watch the interview.

One of his recent articles describes the different factors that contribute to cannabis beverage potency loss, which is a challenge for beverage brands. In fact, in regulated markets it’s common to see a 10-15% variation in potency compared to the label claim. In unregulated hemp-derived beverages, it can be even higher.

During the conversation we discuss

Thanks to This Episode’s Sponsor: Vertosa

Vertosa creates industry-leading active ingredients for infused product makers. Their patent-pending nano- and micro-emulsions are carefully designed for the specific needs of each customer, and their pre-suspended aqueous solutions empower them to create incredibly homogenous and stable products while maximizing bioavailability, clarity, and taste.

Learn more at Vertosa.com

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Dr. Deb Kimless has been in the medical cannabis field since 2013 where her diverse involvement spans many areas including cannabis cultivation, processing, formulation, testing, patient care, and conducting research. She consults within the industry as an advisor for companies who are interested in novel formulations specific to medical conditions, develops protocols, obtains IRB approval, conducts clinical trials, and helps to publish the results.

At CannMed 24, Deb presented a poster that shared data from an open-label clinical trial investigating using a cannabinoid-enhanced topical cream for alleviating Restless Leg Syndrome. RLS is condition that affects up to 10% of the US population, including Deb. She found relief using a CBDA-based topical cream and is working with the product manufacturer to conduct clinical trials that demonstrate its effectiveness. 

During our conversation, we discuss: 

Thanks to This Episode’s Sponsor: Trusted Canna Nurse

Trusted Canna Nurse was founded by Megan Mbengue and Ariane Williams, two nurses who are dedicated to bridging the gap between traditional medicine and the world of cannabis and psychedelics. They specialize in creating evidence-based treatment plans for all ages that address chronic illnesses, treatment-resistant conditions, mental health, autism, and more. 

Learn more at trustedcannanurse.com 

Additional Resources

David Aronson is a cannabis educator who since 2018 has directly educated more than 5,000 health professionals nationwide on the medical applications of cannabis. He is on the faculty for PESI, one of the nation’s largest providers of professional continuing education, and he independently provides seminars for health professionals nationwide.

I learned during our conversation that David also has post-treatment Lyme disease, which is a condition that causes fatigue, neuropathic pain, brain fog, forgetfulness, and other chronic symptoms that he treats with cannabis. His experience made him curious whether others have found success using cannabis to treat persistent Lyme. He shared his findings at CannMed 24 as a poster presentation and with me in the conversation you are about to hear. 

We covered: 

Thank You to This Episode’s Sponsor: McKinney RSA 

McKinney is made up of regulatory science veterans who apply lessons learned in the nicotine space to help cannabis manufacturers better understand the toxicological and societal implications of their product.  They do that by Identifying base compounds, extracts, flavors and terpenes, understanding how they interact, and ensuring effectiveness for the intended use. They also provide dosing recommendations and establish guidelines for product consistency. 

Learn more at mckinneyrsa.com 

Additional Resources

Zac has been involved in the cannabis industry since 2005. He has had experience with all kinds of growing environments. From outdoor plots in Northern California to warehouses throughout the United States, his journey has taken him to almost every corner of the country.

Zac worked at some of the most reputable supply companies and cultivations before landing his job at BioSafe Systems. He is the National Cannabis Specialist for the company, a position that did not exist before Zac was hired.

He has comprehensive knowledge of all aspects of cultivation but specializes in integrated pest management (IPM). He has even written the book “Clean Growing: Integrated Pest Management for Cannabis Growers: The Ultimate Guide to Clean Crops & Safe Cultivation Practices That Protect Growers & Consumers” that is available to growers on Amazon.

During our conversation we discuss:

Thanks to This Episode’s Sponsor: Advanced Nutrients

Founded in 1999, Advanced Nutrients was the first to develop a complete nutrient system that unlocks the true genetic potential of the cannabis plant. Since its inception, the brand has introduced more than 50 innovations to the cultivation community, and continues to revolutionize the space through proprietary scientific discoveries. 

Learn more at advancednutrients.com 

Additional Resources