CannMed Coffee Talk

Dr. Sherman Hom is the Director of Regulatory Affairs at Medicinal Genomics where he provides recommendations to regulatory officials that are tasked with drafting or modifying microbial testing regulations for cannabis, hemp, and psychedelic mushrooms to ensure safe products for patients and consumers. Before Medicinal Genomics, he was at the New Jersey Department of Health, where he led teams that started the Cannabis Testing Laboratory, the Cannabis Microbial Testing Unit, and created the “All States Medical Cannabis Program Required Testing Compendium”.

At CannMed 23 Sherman will share the latest update to the “All States Cannabis Microbial Required Testing Compendium” to elucidate the present landscape, and identify a consensus set of required tests to lower public health risk.

During our conversation we discuss

How concerned cannabis consumers should be about microbial contamination How microbial regulations differ from state to state How growers in certain jurisdictions struggle to meet microbial regulations The difference between presence-absence and total count microbial tests qPCR vs platingand more

Thanks to This Episode’s Sponsor: Labware

Labware is recognized as the global leader in providing enterprise-scale laboratory automation solutions with over 40 offices across 6 continents. LabWare’s Enterprise Laboratory Platform is a unique and proven suite of product capabilities that encompass LIMS, ELN, LES, method execution, and SDMS in an integrated and enterprise-ready solution.

Learn more at labware.com. 

Additional Resources

Cannabis Microbial Testing Regulations by State [Interactive Tool]Request an Invitation to CannMed 23Review the Podcast!CannMed ArchiveCannMed Community Board [Facebook Group]Healthcare Provider Medical Cannabis Research Study

Lauren is a Senior Laboratory Technician at SafeTiva Labs in Westfield, MA. She works in both the biological and chemical side of operations, utilizing PCR and chromatography to test cannabis products. Lauren recently obtained her M.S. in Plant Science with a focus on cannabis molecular biology at the University of Connecticut where she focused on how hormones affect cannabinoid production. 

During our conversation, we discuss: 

The process for how plants create cannabinoids What role hormones play in the cannabinoid synthase process Whether a hormone treatment could increase cannabinoid levels The ethics around treating plants with exogenous hormones How understanding hormones can help guide breeders to creating new cannabis varieties 

Thanks to This Episode's Sponsor: Farmer Freeman

Farmer Freeman is a plant genetic testing laboratory serving homegrowers and commercial cultivators. Farmer Freeman offers plant sex testing, hop latent viroid testing, and more to customers around the world. Founded in 2015 in Washington DC, Farmer Freeman is one of the oldest and most trusted laboratories in the cannabis industry. Use Farmer freeman’s genetic testing services to save time, money, and resources in your grow.

Learn more at farmerfreeman.com. 

Additional Resources

Analysis of hormonal regulation of promoter activities of Cannabis sativa prenyltransferase 1 and 4 and salicylic acid mediated regulation of cannabinoid biosynthesis SafeTiva Labs University of Connecticut CAHNR Cannabis ProgramsRequest an Invitation to CannMed 23 Review the Podcast!CannMed ArchiveCannMed Community Board [Facebook Group]Healthcare Provider Medical Cannabis Research Study

Dr. Adie Rae is a neuroscientist known for her extensive expertise on cannabis. She is an Assistant Scientist at Legacy Research Institute, and adjunct faculty at Washington State University. Her human and preclinical research is focused on pain management, addiction, and harm reduction. Adie has published in top academic journals under the surname Wilson-Poe, and she is passionate about the interaction between cannabis and opioids. Adie serves as the Vice-Chair of the Oregon Cannabis Commission, and she is a long-standing member of the International Cannabinoid Research Society. Dr. Rae also co-founded the consulting and technology firm Smart Analytics. Follow her on Instagram: @dr.adie

Our conversation focused on a paper Adie recently co-authored called,  “The Nose Knows: Aroma, but Not THC Mediates the Subjective Effects of Smoked and Vaporized Cannabis Flower”.  As the title suggests, the study found that a user’s subjective enjoyment of a cannabis flower’s aroma was correlated with that flower producing a pleasant effect for the user. Or more simply put, if you like the way a cannabis flower smells, you are going to like the way it makes you feel. 

During our conversation, we discuss,  

The subjectivity of cannabis aroma Whether the ability to predict a positive experience through aroma is learned or intuitive How closed container markets do a disservice to consumers How the study found that the amount of THC in a cultivar did not correlate with a positive user experience and what that means for the industryThe difference between feeling “high” and feeling “good” The importance of tolerance breaks 

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

The Nose Knows: Aroma, but Not THC Mediates the Subjective Effects of Smoked and Vaporized Cannabis FlowerFollow Adie on her Instagram: @dr.adieReview the Podcast!CannMed ArchiveCannMed Community Board [Facebook Group]Healthcare Provider Medical Cannabis Research Study

The CannMed Coffee Talk Podcast is taking the month of December off. We will be back with new episodes starting January 4th. 

We are taking this break so that we can focus on processing our CannMed 23 abstract submissions and laying out the program for the summit in May. We received a lot of great submissions, and we expect the CannMed 23 Innovation and Investment Summit will be our best event yet! Thanks again to everyone who sent in an abstract. Our advisors are reviewing each of them now. We plan to make our final decisions later this month and announce our first round of speakers in the new year. 

Make sure you are signed up for email alerts so you don’t miss that announcement!

Also be sure to purchase your CannMed Ticket Package before the Early Bird Deadline, which is January 20th. If you have already received an invitation to CannMed 23, you can register directly using the link that was included. And if you haven’t gotten an invitation yet, you can complete our Request an Invitation form. 

On behalf of everyone at Medicinal Genomics and CannMed Events, we wish you and yours a safe and happy holiday season. We hope to see you on Marco Island this May for CannMed 23, and we hope you will join us for the next CannMed Coffee Talk!

Dr. Ziva Cooper is the Director of the UCLA Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoids. She is also an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences and Department of Anesthesiology at the David Geffen School of Medicine. 

Her current research involves understanding variables that influence both the therapeutic potential and adverse effects of cannabis and cannabinoids through double-blind, placebo-controlled studies. 

One of the variables Ziva and her team are studying is the differences between men and women in their response to the abuse-related and pain-relieving effects of cannabinoids, and the role that circulating hormones and endocannabinoids contribute to these differences, 

We discuss:

Key differences in how cannabis affects males vs. femalesFemales metabolize THC differently than malesCannabis use tolerance differences in males vs. femalesFemale reproductive hormones play a role in sensitivity to THCThe importance of placebo-controlled studiesMale vs. Female differences in self-reporting pain, side effects, etc.

Thanks to This Episode’s Sponsor: Planetarie

Planetarie is the first & only organic-certified water-extracted CBDa. Female founded Planetarie is truly plant based wellness designed to keep you moving and playing. As the only company to use water extraction, Planetarie keeps CBDa in its raw living form, the way it is actually grown in the hemp plant. CBDa is 18x more bioavailable than CBD and is a powerful anti-inflammatory, acting on the same pathway as NSAIDs (like ibuprofen). Certified USDA Organic. Small batch. Vertically Integrated in our cGMP facility. Transparent. Socially responsible. Unique and powerful to give you the better balance and relief you deserve. 

Additional Resources

UCLA Cannabis CenterSex-Dependent Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids: A Translational Perspective Review the Podcast!CannMed ArchiveCannMed Community Board [Facebook Group]Healthcare Provider Medical Cannabis Research Study

Dr. Swathi Varanasi is a bilingual pharmacist specializing in integrative and preventative health. Dr. Swathi has paved the way for other healthcare professionals to pursue non-traditional career paths through creating postdoctoral training programs, industry internships, and online courses focused on integrative medicine and patient-centered shared decision-making. She co-founded and serves as Chief Scientific Officer of the international award-winning clean beauty and wellness brand, Elēment Apothēc.

We discuss:

How Dr. Swathi found cannabis medicine How pharmacists can help cannabis patients with potential drug-to-drug interactions The lack of education about the endocannabinoid system for pharmacists The difficulty healthcare professionals have finding trusted sources of cannabis information Whether pharmacists should be accessible in cannabis dispensaries Canabimimetics, the things we do that improve our endocannabinoid tone 

Thanks to This Episode’s Sponsor: Medicine Women Health

Medicine Women’s team of specialists includes Medical Doctors, Naturopaths, Medical Cannabis Experts, Nutritionists and Alternative Health Practitioners. These integrative teams evaluate health issues and design targeted protocols to promote personal healing. Medicine Women’s Protocols have successfully alleviated symptoms of Cancer, Auto-Immune Diseases and Neurological Conditions, as well as providing overall Health Rejuvenation.

Learn more at www.medicinewomenhealth.com. 

Additional Resources

DrSwathi.comElēment Apothēc websitePatient Perceptions on the Efficacy and Safety of Cannabidiol Products and the Role of the Pharmacist: A Cross-Sectional Study [Peer-Reviewed Study]Submit an Abstract for CannMed 23Review the Podcast!CannMed ArchiveCannMed Community Board [Facebook Group]Healthcare Provider Medical Cannabis Research Study

Allison Justice is the Founder and CEO of The Hemp Mine, a 30-acre hemp farm in South Carolina that supplies premium hemp genetics bred in-house across the US. The Hemp Mine produces a wide array of consumer products ranging from smokable flowers to topicals to tinctures of different concentrations for humans and animals. Allison also co-founded the Cannabis Research Coalition, a professional group dedicated to addressing the cultivation and postharvest issues that challenge today’s cannabis industry.

Allison recently co-authored an article in Cannabis Science and Technology titled “Reading the Leaves: Adventures in the Leaf-level Physiology of Cannabis” which takes a deeper look into how cannabis plants respond to light and CO2. 

We discuss: 

The difference in cannabis photosynthesis rates during vegetative and flowering stages  The possibility that during flowering, leaves in the cannabis flower take over the photosynthesis Why cannabis growers may want to reduce light intensity and duration 6 weeks into flower How maximizing light during flower can increase yield but reduce quality Possible varietal differences in photosynthesis rates  

Thanks to This Episode’s Sponsor: Cannabis Science and Technology

Cannabis Science and Technology is your educational resource for all things on the legal cannabis industry. It covers the latest developments and trends in analytical testing, quality control/assurance, extraction, cultivation, and processing/manufacturing. The brand furnishes all this information into a monthly print magazine and also on their website that includes webcasts, eBooks, podcasts, and more. You can subscribe for free on CannabisScienceTech.com

Additional Resources

Reading the Leaves: Adventures in the Leaf-Level Physiology of CannabisThe Hemp MineThe Cannabis Research CoalitionSubmit an Abstract for CannMed 23Review the Podcast!CannMed ArchiveCannMed Community Board [Facebook Group]

Nathaniel Pennington is the Founder and CEO of Humboldt Seed Company. He has been supplying high-quality cannabis seeds to growers since 2001. In 2018 they hosted the World’s Largest Phenotype Hunt, teaming with local farmers, industry experts, and top researchers, many of whom are CannMed alumni. We talked about the Mega Phenohunt Project as well as Nat’s process for breeding consistent and reproducible cannabis seeds. Topics include: 

The Phenotype Rating Sheet used to evaluate plants The process of creating stable, purebred lines Why Humboldt Seed Company chooses to sell purebred linesBenefits of growing from seed rather than clone Benefits of autoflower varieties and common misconceptions The importance of legacy growers collaborating with academics and researchers 

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

Phenotype Mega Hunt VideoPhenotype Rating Sheet FormHumboldt Seed Company YouTube Channel@thehumboldtseedcompany on InstagramSubmit an Abstract for CannMed 23Review the Podcast!CannMed ArchiveCannMed Community Board [Facebook Group]

Pam Miles is the CEO and founder of Apothercare, a company that partners with scientists performing women's health research. Cindy Orser, PhD is currently Chief Scientific Officer at CLIP LABS, a cannabis testing laboratory in California, and she has more than 25 years of experience innovating technologies related to cannabis, human diagnostics, and even detecting biothreat agents. Cindy is also a member of the CannMed 23 Advisory Board, and she has been a panelist at several past CannMed events. 

As you will hear in the interview, Pam and Cindy met at CannMed 2019, which is great example of how attending a CannMed event can lead to important professional partnerships. We talked about the work Pam and Cindy have done to understand how cannabis affects the human microbiome, specifically the vaginal microbiome. Other topics include: 

Why a healthy reproductive microbiome is important for women's health The antimicrobial activity of cannabinoidsThe lack of safety testing around women’s health products How cannabinoids affect the gut microbiome How bacteria communicate with the human body and affect mental health 

Thanks to This Episode’s Sponsor: Medicine Women Health

Medicine Women’s team of specialists includes Medical Doctors, Naturopaths, Medical Cannabis Experts, Nutritionists and Alternative Health Practitioners. These integrative teams evaluate health issues and design targeted protocols to promote personal healing. Medicine Women’s Protocols have successfully alleviated symptoms of Cancer, Auto-Immune Diseases and Neurological Conditions, as well as providing overall Health Rejuvenation.

Learn more at www.medicinewomenhealth.com. 

Additional Resources

Intimate Care Products with Cannabinoids Need More Safety Data [Cannabis Industry Journal]Apothercare websiteSubmit an Abstract for CannMed 23Review the Podcast!CannMed ArchiveCannMed Community Board [Facebook Group]Healthcare Provider Medical Cannabis Research Study

David Traylor is Senior Managing Director at Golden Eagle Partners, a firm he originally founded in to advise life science companies. After advising on various transactions in the life science sector, he took an interest in the cannabis sector and started advising cannabis companies before eventually re-founding Golden Eagle Partners in 2014 to focus on advising companies across the cannabis sector. Before Golden Eagle Partners, David served at leading investment banking firms including Pacific Growth Equities, Caris & Company, and Headwaters MB. During his banking tenures he has advised private and public biotechnology and medical device companies in various transactions including IPOs, public offerings, private offerings, mergers and acquisitions totaling over $500 million in value.

During our conversation we discuss: 

The current cannabis investment outlook Challenges cannabis innovators face when raising capital How federal prohibition affects innovation and investment into cannabis technologies Emerging international markets that may eventually outpace the US Preview of the Capital Markets Workshop taking place at CannMed 23 

Thanks to This Episode's Sponsor: Golden Eagle Partners

Golden Eagle Partners are transactional experts that have combined experience in the early stages of the cannabis and life science sectors, which help them to confidently close strategic and financing transactions that match the near- and long-term goals of their clients. They specialize in mergers, acquisitions, reverse mergers, financings, and incremental transactions such as licensing, joint ventures, and co-development arrangements. 

Learn more at goldeneaglepartners.com

Additional Resources

A Weed Grows in Davos [Rolling Stone]Golden Eagle PartnersSubmit an Abstract for CannMed 23Review the Podcast!CannMed ArchiveCannMed Community Board [Facebook Group]Healthcare Provider Medical Cannabis Research Study