Can Cannabis Ease Chronic Itch?

Medical marijuana (cannabis) may offer a promising option for patients with chronic itch, according to a new case study.

Chronic itch — known clinically as chronic pruritus — is characterized as an unrelenting and sometimes even debilitating sensation to itch, and often lowers the quality of life for those who have it.

Treating the condition has proved difficult because there are few Food and Drug Administration-approved therapies.

“Chronic itch can be an especially difficult condition to treat, with off-label therapeutics often utilized,” says Shawn Kwatra, assistant professor of dermatology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. “With the increased utilization of medical marijuana and our knowledge of the role of the endocannabinoid system [a complex cell-signaling system that regulates a variety of functions in the body] in chronic itch, we decided to try medical marijuana with a patient who failed several therapies and had few options left.”

Kwatra and colleagues examined an African American woman in her 60s with a 10-year history of chronic itch. The patient initially arrived at the Johns Hopkins Itch Center with complaints of extreme pruritus on her arms, legs, and stomach. A skin examination revealed numerous hyperpigmented, raised skin lesions. The patient tried several treatments — including systemic therapies, centrally acting nasal sprays, steroid creams, and phototherapy — but they all failed.

Kwatra says that using medical marijuana — either by smoking or in liquid form — provided the woman with nearly instantaneous improvement.

“We had the patient rate her symptoms using a numerical rating scale, where 10 is the worst itch and zero is no itch at all,” Kwatra says. “She started at 10 but dropped to 4 within 10 minutes after initial administration of the medical marijuana. With continued use of the cannabis, the patient’s itch disappeared altogether.”

The researchers believe that one of the active ingredients in medical marijuana, tetrahydrocannabinol — commonly known by its abbreviation THC — attaches itself to brain receptors that influence the nervous system. When this occurs, inflammation and nervous system activity decrease, which also could lead to a reduction in skin sensations such as itchiness.

Although conclusive studies have yet to be done to validate medical marijuana as an effective measure for the relief of previously unmanageable itch, Kwatra believes it warrants further clinical trials.

“Controlled studies are needed to determine dosing, efficacy, and safety for medical marijuana in the treatment of various human itch subtypes, and once those are performed, we will better understand which patients are most likely to benefit from this therapy,” he says.

_{A report on the new findings appears in JAMA Dermatology. Source: Johns Hopkins University. Original Study DOI: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2021.1194. This article shared under the Attribution 4.0 International license; originally published on Futurity.}

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Italys Government Will Not Block Cannabis Legalization Referendum

Cannabis reform is sweeping the European continent, as evidenced by the fact that Malta recently passed the continent’s first-ever adult-use legalization measure.

A number of other countries have made it public that their current lawmakers have plans to do the same in the somewhat near future.

Italy is a European country that has been on the cusp of legalization for a handful of years now. Voters are likely to see a legalization referendum on the ballot next year.

Fortunately for the hardworking activists who pushed for the referendum, Italy’s Prime Minister indicated this month that the government has no plans to stand in the way of the referendum moving forward.

2021 Signature Drive

Earlier this year cannabis activists in Italy turned in roughly 630,000 signatures in an attempt to get limited cannabis legalization in front of voters.

The signature drive was originally launched in September 2021 and it only took a handful of weeks in order to get to the 630,000+ mark, thanks largely to new digital signature gathering provisions in Italy.

Activists around the globe were worried Italy’s government would try, at the very least, to slow down the process of the vote. Italy’s Prime Minister indicated otherwise.

“The government will not be constituted against the admissibility of referendums,” Prime Minister Mario Draghi said at a recent press conference (translated from Italian to English). “The government could in some cases have created conditions whereby the presentation would be postponed to next year and it has not done so.”

Building On Case Law

In late 2019, Italy’s Supreme Court determined that cannabis prohibition as it pertains to personal cultivation was unconstitutional, paving the way for adult-use legalization in Italy, at least to some degree.

The Court decision provides some protection. It also leaves more questions than answers, which is why the referendum measure is still necessary.

Since the 2019 ruling, lawmakers in Italy have tried to pass a comprehensive adult-use legalization measure. Passage of such legislation has remained elusive.

Thankfully, Italy has the referendum process in place so that the voters in Italy can do something that apparently the Supreme Court and lawmakers in Italy cannot do: end cannabis prohibition once and for all.

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Extracting Answers with Huber CEO Georg Kiefer

Isolating and refining cannabinoids is an exact science. There are thermodynamics and a lot of chemistry involved that, frankly, fly outside of this writer’s depth. To understand the role of accurate temperature control in reducing process times, recovering solvents, and improving purity, Cannabis & Tech Today spoke with Georg Kiefer, CEO of Huber.

His company pioneered the development of closed loop systems for creating concentrates. These systems prevent solvents from being exposed to the air, allow them to be reused, and reduce the risk of explosions.

Huber has been specializing in high precision temperature control solutions for more than fifty years. 

Huber CEO George Kiefer. All photos courtesy of Huber.

Cannabis & Tech Today: What are some of the major challenges facing extractors? 

George Kiefer: Long process times, low solvent recovery, and product impurities are some of the challenges faced by many extractors. Stable, accurate temperature control helps resolve these issues and allows precise, repeatable methods to be developed.

C&T Today: Labs and extractors use containers of hot water, known as open baths, to enable certain chemical reactions to occur at high temperatures. Huber created Unistats as an alternative to open baths. How are they unique?

GK: We have a saying, no matter where you are in your process, we have a Unistat for that!

Unistats are circulation thermostats without a temperature control bath. A much smaller internal tank replaces the conventional bath and an expansion vessel compensates for volume changes occurring due to thermal changes for externally connected systems.

The Unistat is therefore hydraulically sealed and can be located under the table without incurring any level problem.

In practice, there are other concrete advantages which arise in your result: tangibly shorter heating up and cooling down times, improved stability and reproducibility of the whole processing chain, more security for expensive glass reactors and the substances contained in them, as well as comfortable operation.

They are one of a kind with no alternatives, thermodynamically speaking.

C&T Today: Extraction equipment can be expensive and time-consuming to repair. How can processors get the most value from their technology?

GK: Be sure providers offer a warranty and responsive customer service. Huber offers a standard three-year warranty.  Just this year, we upped it to 4 years on our open baths and circulators purchased after January 1, 2019.

Many cannabis companies shuttered in 2020 and we hoped to alleviate some economic burdens some are still facing by adding an additional year to these lines commonly used in the industry.

C&T Today: What’s the next big transition that needs to happen for temperature control solutions?

GK: Eco-friendly refrigerants. We offer a large part of our product range with environmentally-friendly refrigerants as standard.

The extraction industry is moving towards sustainability and this is an area we have always found key to growth on a global scale. More than anything, we want to help our partners and customers grow into entities that shape the world.  ϖ

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International Social Use Cannabis Reform Will Be a Popular Topic in 2022

For centuries, cannabis prohibition did not exist at all. Thankfully, things are trending back in that direction, albeit slowly. In addition to the dozens of countries with medical cannabis laws, there are now three countries that have legalized cannabis for adult use.

Malta became the latest country to do so when lawmakers passed an adult use measure in recent weeks. Malta was the first in Europe to legalize.

Uruguay was the first on earth to legalize back in 2013 and Canada followed suit in 2018. Social cannabis use is permitted in some forms in all three nations.

Will Social Cannabis Use Become the Norm?

When people think about legalizing cannabis they often think of possessing, cultivating, and selling cannabis. While those are certainly components of full legalization, there are also other facets.

Social cannabis use is one of those facets. Social cannabis use is essentially when cannabis use occurs at a venue or an event.

It can either be an actual part of the business model, such as at a cannabis social hall where people pay to get in, or it can simply be allowed to occur on the property, such as a cannabis smoking section outside of a restaurant.

A “one-size-fits-all” approach to describing what social use is can be tough because social cannabis use can come in many forms.

If people can legally purchase cannabis, they need to be able to legally consume it somewhere, which can be tough at hotels and rental properties. Consuming openly in public is still taboo everywhere. 

It’s why social use is a vital plank in the greater cannabis reform platform.

Industry Opportunities

Few sectors of the cannabis industry, if any, possess as much potential as social cannabis use. Cannabis tourism, which is going to be huge in the future, is just one component of social use.

Imagine a social business model and then apply cannabis to it. For example, many people like to play Bingo or video games. Now imagine a Bingo hall or arcade that also allows cannabis consumption.

Social cannabis use has the potential to make so many current businesses better, and lead to the creation of completely new businesses.

Obviously, there will be some limitations for safety reasons. Just as alcohol is not permitted to be combined with any and all activities, the same will be true for cannabis.

With that being said, many social use business models are straightforward and fairly cheap to start, which will lower the barrier of meaningful entry to the cannabis space for many people, and that is always a good thing.

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Progress Report: Cannabis Legalization

Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has made one thing very clear: he’s pro-weed. In a fundraising email to his supporters in March 2021, he was very transparent.

“Voters in four more states this election voted to legalize adult recreational use of marijuana, and that proves once again it’s past time to work to undo the harm done by misplaced priorities, particularly in the Black and brown communities,” he wrote. “It’s time to decriminalize marijuana nationally.”

Those are bold yet unsurprising words from the senator who has been voicing his opinion on cannabis legislation for years. Let’s see just how close the U.S. is getting to legalization.

The New Road to Legalization

The good news for cannabis patients and enthusiasts is that Schumer’s words are being backed up by action.

In the spring, Schumer started working with Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) to release a draft bill to end federal marijuana prohibition.

As this is written, Schumer has claimed the bill will be on the floor soon but has not indicated how soon that will be.

It’s also unclear at this time what specifically this bill will entail; however, there is speculation that it will establish decriminalization before enacting full legalization.

It’s expected to remove cannabis from the list of federally controlled substances as well as promote social equity.

Schumer has claimed the bill will specifically seek to restrict the ability of large alcohol and tobacco companies to overtake the industry and instead prioritize small businesses, particularly those owned by people from communities most impacted by prohibition.

In the House, Judiciary Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) said he plans to reintroduce his legalization bill, the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment, and Expungement (MORE) Act, which cleared the House last year but did not advance in the GOP-controlled Senate.

With Democrats controlling the majority of both chambers, as well as the White House, there is a sense of optimism that comprehensive reform is achievable.

Step by Step, State by State

The 2020 election had four wins when it came to state-level legalization of marijuana. Arizona, New Jersey, South Dakota, and Montana all gathered enough votes to legalize recreational cannabis in their respective states, bringing the grand total of recreationally-legal states to fifteen.

Also, during the 2020 election, Mississippi voters approved a statute to legalize medical marijuana, a significant step for conservative states. However,
in May 2021, the effort took a step backward when the state’s highest court shot down the referendum, citing the fact that it did not meet a provision in the state’s Constitution requiring that 20% of signatures come from each of the five congressional districts (an impossible feat given that Mississippi went from five to four districts after 2000 and has failed to update the language in its Constitution). It’s believed to be the first time a medical marijuana initiative has been overturned after residents approved it at the ballot box. It remains to be seen if the issue will appear once again on 2022 ballots. 

Minnesota and Nebraska are also expected to hand the issue over to voters in 2022 after their legalization bills failed to make it through their respective legislatures. To end on a positive note, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey signed a medical marijuana legalization bill into law in May 2021, marking another important step forward for conservative states.

Giving Hemp a Boost

Hemp was legalized under the 2018 Farm Bill, but the Food and Drug Administration has still not finalized the process to allow derivatives such as CBD to be used in consumable products like food, drinks, and dietary supplements. A new Senate bill hopes to change that.

Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) (the same Senator working with Schumer on cannabis decriminalization), Rand Paul (R-KY), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) have introduced the Hemp Access and Consumer Safety Act, which would exempt “hemp, hemp-derived cannabidiol, or a substance containing any other ingredient from hemp” from certain restrictions that have blocked the emergence of legal consumable hemp products.

The bill also states that officials may establish labeling and packaging requirements for hemp-derived products.

In a press release, Wyden explained, “CBD products are legally being used and produced across the nation. Yet because the FDA has failed to update its regulations, consumers and producers remain in a regulatory gray zone … It’s long past time for the FDA to get with the program, for the sake of the American consumers and farmers.” As this is written, the Bill has not yet passed. However, if or when it does, it would provide relief to hemp farmers, processors, and merchants all over the U.S. ϖ

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Why Midwest Farmers are Counting on Crop Insurance

In late August 2020, a storm howling with hurricane-force winds swept through the Midwest, damaging nearly 40 million acres of farmland.

Illinois farmers watched helplessly as 6.95 million acres of corn endured wind speeds above 100 miles per hour.

Unpredictable weather patterns are becoming more frequent, and the agriculture industry is facing more instability as a result.

For hemp farmers in the Midwest, the only guarantee against crop loss is insurance.

It’s not just storms growers have to prepare for; it’s all varieties of weather.

If yields are lower than expected or a heatwave stunted growth, there’s insurance for that. What if the cannabinoid levels aren’t within the desired thresholds?

That’s something crop insurance can cover as well.

Illinois hemp farmers, more than many other regions, are dealing with large-scale production.

They’re working with bigger yields and, as such, greater risks. 

John Read, the founder of Hempsurance, is a fourth-generation Illinois farmer who understands the state’s unique advantages.

“We see large production agriculture being the leader in making hemp a mainstay crop in the U.S. When you farm in the Midwest, as opposed to other areas of the country, we’ve got large equipment and we understand how to farm at scale. We have rich soils which drive large yields quickly over a large scale of acres.” 

This economy of scale makes the need for insurance even more pronounced, as a loss of even a small portion of one’s harvest could have huge financial implications.

Read says the biggest hurdle for farmers is understanding what they need to protect.

“We help the grower understand what his true costs are so we can make sure he’s insured to break even or ultimately even insure some type of profit on an annual basis.”

Read’s Hempguard program can insure up to $15,000 an acre, a unique advantage of being the nation’s first private outdoor hemp crop insurance program. 

Losses endured by the farmer impact more than one person’s livelihood.

Each year, agriculture contributes $17 million to the state’s economy. Everyone benefits when farmers are protected.

These days, it seems like there’s a lot to insure against. Insects are always a threat. Disease can rear its ugly head at any time.

Plus, with hemps’s relatively recent arrival to the domestic agriculture scene, there’s still a lot to learn about how it performs and which threats are most pressing.

“As this is a new crop, we simply do not know what is and is not working in the Midwest,” said Philip Alberti, an Illinois Extension commercial agriculture educator. Hempsurance also protects against mold, leaf spot, and other quality concerns. 

The most important aspect of finding an insurance agency is making sure the company understands the farmer’s needs.

“Our company is completely hemp-focused. We understand the market from the grower side all the way through the distribution channels to help ensure farmers are properly protected,” said Read. ϖ

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Holiday Gift Guide 2021: The Best Cannabis Books For Jólabókaflóð

Jólabókaflóð or “Christmas/Yule Book Flood,” is an Icelandic holiday tradition consisting of exchanging books with friends and loved ones on Christmas Eve, then spending the evening reading them aloud to one another, while gathered in front of the fireplace, or curled up in bed with a partner and perhaps some chocolate and cozy drinks.

The tradition is similar to the Danish philosophy of Hygge.

While giving books as holiday gifts is not unique to Iceland, their tradition of exchanging books on Christmas Eve and then spending the evening reading is becoming a cultural phenomenon and a practice worth passing along.

The tradition derives from a scarcity of Christmas gifts during WWII, making books the most practical gifts, and has evolved to eagerly anticipated catalogs of Jólabókaflóð circulating for advanced ordering.

In the spirit of the Jólabókaflóð (phonetically pronounced yo-la-bok-a-flot.) tradition, the following are some selections for the cannabis curious on Christmas Eve. 

The Little Book of Cannabis: How Marijuana Can Improve Your Life is a nonfiction book about cannabis by Canadian journalist Amanda Siebert, published by Greystone Books. It was the bestselling nonfiction book about cannabis in Canada in early 2019. 

Written by award-winning cannabis journalist Amanda Siebert, with a foreword by Dr. Rav Ivker, this fun, illuminating book outlines 10 evidence-based ways cannabis can help with everything from decreasing anxiety to increasing one’s libido to motivating weight-loss to improving sleep.

In it, Siebert delves deep into cannabis research, interviewing some of the world’s top researchers, medical professionals, and consultants to separate marijuana fact from fiction.

She also offers practical advice for enjoying its benefits, including easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions for consumption and dosage, as well as examples of real people who have used this drug to enhance their lives.

Cannabis, it turns out, could be life-changing: it can enrich any diet, slow down aging, and even spice things up in the bedroom. It is a perfect guidebook for the canna-curious person on your Christmas list. 

Cannabis and Sustainable Development: Paving the Way for the Next Decade in Cannabis and Hemp Policy, published by FAAAT Editions. by Kenz Riboulet-Zemoulii, Michael Krawitz, et. al. explains how cannabis cultivation aligns with the United Nation’s sustainable development goals.

Two of the most extraordinary things about this well-researched book are 1) It comes in English and Spanish and 2) It is absolutely free; although I recommend that people be kind and make a donation to FAAAT, the non-profit organization of activists who published the book, to at least cover postage and support their excellent mission! 

The Sustainable Cannabis Policy Toolkit is a comprehensive report analyzing the opportunities and challenges of cannabis & hemp regulations under the policy framework of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.

It compiles the findings of an international multi-stakeholder working group (2016-2019).

It includes a series of action-oriented recommendations to align cannabis & hemp laws and policies with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The work is a significant contribution to post-prohibition studies.

According to one of the authors, Kenzi Riboulet-Zemouli, “The toolkit assists decision-makers, scholars, policy advocates, as well as curious minds and the general public, in adopting a regulatory approach to cannabis & hemp that balances health, profits, peoples, societies, and the environment.”

Oh, the Places You’ll Go Oh Oh! by Nicolle Hodges is a book about the power of pleasure, written in Dr. Seuss style verse. 

Hodges says, “I wrote this book because it’s what I wish I had growing up. 

I wrote this for anyone who wants to escape The Shaming Place. 

I wrote it for mothers and fathers who want to open a conversation with their daughters (and sons) around virginity – a concept that we are collectively rebranding as a sexual debut. Let there be cake!

It’s my hope that this light-hearted book opens up a world of possibility. 

I hope that all women today remember their power, and the women who come after us are never made to forget it. 

I wrote it for you because you are worthy of pleasure. You ARE pleasure.” 

High as a Kite is a collection of decade-defining, kitschy ’80’s tattoo flash, paintings, illustrations, photography, and memorabilia assembled by Houston tattoo artist, Danny G.

The book features an assortment of original flash – the sheets of designs that tattoo artists draw up – by some of the top names in traditional American tattooing today, including Florian Santus, Ivan Antonyshev, Austin Maples, Nate Hudak, Ryan Cooper Thompson, Joe Tartarotti, Becca Genne-Bacon and many more.

Some of the artwork is cannabis-related, in the traditional style. 

WEED: Everything You Want to Know But Are Always Too Stoned to Ask by Michelle Lhooq is bursting with helpful advice and yummy cannabis-infused recipes.

WEED contains smoking, cooking, and cultivation tips, as well as proper stoner etiquette and a guide to must-see destinations around the world.

As legalization sweeps the globe, a whole new generation of younger millennials and Gen Z benefit from the advocacy and revolution enacted by their Boomer, Gen X, and elder millennial forebearers.

Unfortunately, a whitewashed, legal weed bro culture is evolving simultaneously with broccoli heads. WEED is the antidote to that. 

Journalist Michelle Lhooq lives in Los Angeles, California, the first state to legalize cannabis via Prop 64. 

Through her interviews with weedfluencers and personal experience, she presents a guidebook with valuable tips on smoking joints, vapes, and concentrates; making edibles and infused cocktails, cultivating at home, and locating dispensaries.

It also imparts the genius of renowned, pioneering dub music producer Lee “Scratch” Perry. 

Complete with vibrant, kitschy hand-drawn illustrations by the artist Thu Tran, Weed is a cool coffee table book for people who need a book to roll weed on while couch-locked because they are too stoned to find their rolling tray.

The Marijuana Grower’s Handbook, by Tom McCarthy, is written by an off-the-grid outdoorsman under a pseudonym.

This book is a practical growing guide for those curious about learning the art and science of cannabis cultivation.

Cultivation enthusiasts who are not as knowledgeable as Danny Danko and do not own a BiFarm will find this handbook helpful.

The Official High Times Cannabis Cookbook: More Than 50 Irresistible Recipes That Will Get You High, by Elise McDonough.

Back in the day when High Times was the leading authority on everything weed before legalization began sweeping the globe, legacy cannabis chef Ms. McDonough wrote the infused version of The Joy of Cooking.

More recently, McDonough created cannabis-infused beverage line Jem + Jane before becoming brand manager at Binske while still cooking up a storm. 

This classic, enduring cookbook is always an appropriate gift for edibles aficionados.

The book’s highlight is its chapter on holiday fare, featuring a THC turkey injected with a “magic marinade” that, in conjunction with tryptophan, could mellow out the most dysfunctional family gatherings. 

Runner’s High: How a Movement of Cannabis-Fueled Athletes Is Changing the Science of Sports by Josiah Hesse. 

Think Michael Pollan’s How to Change Your Mind meets Christopher McDougall’s Born to Run in this immersive, investigative look at the hidden culture of cannabis use among elite athletes (as well as weekend warriors).

The surprising emerging science behind the elusive, exhilarating “runner’s high” they all seek goes beyond endorphins.

The premise of this book is that cannabis makes exercise fun.

The link between performance enhancement and cannabis was used to expel athlete Sha’Carri Richardson from an international competition on the premise that she took a “performance enhancer” on her days off. 

If using cannabis enhances one’s athletic performance, why is there still a skewed perception that herb only produces lazy, couch potato stoners?

Scientists have conducted extensive research that uncovers the power of the “runner’s high” – the true holy grail of aerobic activity that was long believed to be caused by endorphins.

In an extraordinary reversal, scientists believe marijuana may actually be the key to getting more Americans off their phones and on to their feet. 

However, before you jump-start your new year with a resolution to exercise more, snuggle up with a good cannabis book and hygge the holidays on Christmas Eve’s Jólabókaflóð. 

_{Lead image: Cannabis and Related Books – Suggested Reading for Jólabókaflóð. ©SARA BRITTANY SOMERSET}

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Is This Cannabinoid Being Overlooked as a Treatment for Autism?

The World Health Organization estimates that as many as 1 out of every 160 children has some level of Autism spectrum disorder.

Autism spectrum disorder is a developmental disorder that affects communication and behavior, with varying levels of severity. 

Difficulty with social interactions and restrictive or repetitive patterns of behavior are common characteristics of autism spectrum disorder.

Researchers around the globe have investigated whether the cannabis plant may be able to treat the condition, with differing results depending on the study.

CBD Versus THC

The cannabis plant contains dozens of cannabinoids, with CBD and THC being two of the most well known examples.

CBD is a particularly popular cannabinoid for research that involves children, including adolescent autism spectrum disorder, because CBD does not cause euphoria.

THC, on the other hand, does induce euphoria, which is a major taboo when it comes to treating children with any condition, no matter how debilitating the condition may be.

However, researchers in Israel recently determined that THC may be a better treatment for adolescent autism spectrum disorder.

“Studies that are underway mostly don’t focus enough on the details of what it is in the cannabis that may be helping people,” researcher Shani Poleg told The Times of Israel. “In our study, we looked at the details, and came up with surprising and interesting findings.

“THC was more effective. The main difference was that THC treatment also improved social behavior, not only repetitive compulsive behavior,” Poleg said.

Reducing the Stigma

One thing that is absolutely worth noting is that in a perfect scenario, no patient would ever be forced to choose between CBD and THC. 

Rather, they could use both if both cannabinoids are determined to be safe and effective for the particular patient and scenario.

Yes, THC does induce euphoria. However, so do many other medicines that are given to children every day across the globe, including non-cannabis medicines used to treat adolescent autism spectrum disorder.

Some day, hopefully, THC will not carry the stigma that it currently does, and parents and doctors will be able to base their treatment decisions solely on science and not have their decisions influenced by anti-cannabis propaganda.

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CBD in 2021: The 6 Top Trends

As many of us stayed sequestered in our home offices throughout 2021, constantly reminded of the importance of health and hygiene, the CBD industry shifted to address these and the other concerns brought about by the pandemic.

We saw a large pop in high-THC products throughout 2021, for example, and an equally significant shift towards immunity-focused CBD products featuring new botanicals.

Large CBD research initiatives took aim at anxiety and sleep, which were fitting targets in 2021 for reasons we’re all tired of hearing; plus, our 2021 US CBD Consumer Report that surveyed over 3,500 people nationwide rolled out as well.

All the while, individual consumers and the organizations that represent them continue the seemingly endless effort to goad the FDA into stepping up the state of hemp regulation.

There was plenty of good, bad, and “what, why?” when all of the industry is taken into account; here’s a look at some of the most important trends we observed across the CBD industry in 2021.

Table of Contents

1. The Delta-8 Can of Worms
2. Pressure on FDA Continues to Rise
3. A Shift Towards High-THC Products
4. Gummies Gain Ground
5. Synergistic Products Take Hold
6. New Studies and Delivery Methods
7. 2022 and Beyond

The Delta-8 Can of Worms

Perhaps delta-9 THC is receiving less skepticism because of the favorable comparison to delta-8 THC, which has been a regulatory mess for everyone involved.

Delta-8 THC is a close “relative” of delta-9 THC in that its composition and effects (intoxicating, like delta-9) are very similar.

Earlier in 2021, several brands began offering delta-8 THC products as a “legal high” that worked around delta-9 THC restrictions.

The rift was clear early on; some brands opted to give delta-8 a very wide berth, while others embraced the cannabinoid.

Though there were other reasons, regulators were mostly riled up because, in order for a CBD product to contain more than a negligible amount of naturally scarce delta-8 THC, the manufacturer had to synthetically derive the cannabinoid from CBD.

Hence, the middle and latter half of 2021 saw vehement warnings from the FDA and CDC as well as plenty of legislative scrambling on the state level to ban or restrict delta-8 THC.

We’ve been closely monitoring the delta-8 THC situation, which isn’t quite over yet—we will continue to follow up as more developments surface. 

Pressure on FDA Continues to Rise

Exactly three years after the 2018 Farm Bill—which effectively ended the federal ban on hemp by defining legal “industrial hemp”—was enacted, the US Hemp Roundtable released this statement entitled “It’s Been Three Years and FDA Still Refuses to Regulate CBD.”

The irony of the release date is not lost on this battle-worn pro-consumer group, which has stepped up to the plate repeatedly to enhance the state of CBD regulation so that consumers can stop playing Russian roulette with CBD products. 

Though the House of Representatives has proposed multiple actions this year that would pressure the FDA to regulate CBD (HR 841 and the CBD Product Safety and Standardization Act) and several in the years prior, nothing comes to fruition.

Even with largely bipartisan support, each effort seems to fizzle out and loop back to no avail.

Though we’re all waiting, we’re not waiting idly—thanks to the U.S. Hemp Authority and other certifying bodies, customers at least have some assurances that the products they’re buying are tested and manufactured in compliance with high standards. 

Supporting these pieces of legislation and the US Hemp Roundtable is a win-win for both hemp supporters and opponents because the industry is already here—it’s now about consumer safety. 

A Shift Towards High-THC Products

Industry mainstays and smaller brands alike took a much more liberal approach to delta-9 THC in 2021 than we have seen in previous years.

Up until 2021, the vast majority of CBD brands were still pretty tentative, often disclaiming more than once on the labeling that their products were either THC-free or well below the legal limit.

Now, brands like PlusCBD, Five, Cornbread, and others are more boldly advertising the (considerably higher) THC content, even advertising the milligrams per serving on the front of the label.

From Five’s Daily Buzz Gummies to a selection of tinctures from Cornbread, we see as much as 5 milligrams of THC advertised per serving.

To be clear, all of the cases mentioned are still compliant with the 2018 Farm Bill, as these brands have ratcheted up the overall hemp concentration so that 5mg/serving is still below the 0.3% line.

Interested in the best full-spectrum CBD oil? See our Best CBD Oil of 2021 award winner.

Gummies Gain Ground

On a much less contentious note, CBD gummies were by no means the new kid on the block at the beginning of 2021, but their steady climb seemed to accelerate into a run as brands read the writing on the wall.

According to our 2021 consumer report, gummies are the preferred product by nearly 1 in 5 current CBD consumers.

A huge swath of CBD industry frontrunners like CBDistillery, Lazarus Naturals, Cornbread Hemp, Five, Charlotte’s Web, Receptra, and PlusCBD launched new gummy lines and/or reworked their existing CBD gummies in 2021.

Beyond the sheer volume, we were also pleased to see ample attention to making improvements in ingredient and formulation quality, extract availability, taste and texture, variety, and more.

Suffice it to say, the bar has officially been raised; it is now much easier to find a potent, synergistically formulated CBD gummy filled with organic ingredients and far less sugar.

See our Best CBD Gummy award winner of 2021.

Synergistic Products Take Hold

Like the “gummy boom,” we were also privy to the synergistic formulation trend well before 2021 rolled around, but it certainly picked up throughout the year.

On both the cannabinoid front (expanding beyond the big three: CBN, CBG, and CBD) and the supporting botanicals front, the industry observed a sweeping effort to back up CBD with dozens of new ingredients.

Where before you may have seen “melatonin” or “valerian root” slapped onto a label as more of a marketing ploy, we are now seeing research-driven formulations that integrate L-theanine, elderberry, vitamin B, ashwagandha, Lion’s Mane, manuka honey, mushrooms, and dozens of other botanicals.

Most importantly, these formulations are actually aimed at immunity (relevant much?), focus, and other functional targets.

As always, we’ll maintain a critical approach when evaluating these products to weed out hacky marketing tactics from the real research-backed formulations, but in 2021, we saw more of the latter.

Check out the winners for the Best CBG of 2021 and Best CBN of 2021.

New Studies and Delivery Methods

Gone are the days of the 10-person qualitative CBD trial; CBD companies and partnering laboratories are seriously stepping up their research efforts as the FDA continues to ask for more data.

Once again, we have to applaud CBDistillery for their massive strides in this direction throughout 2021 and before.

Dubbed “pathfinder missions,” CBDistillery pledged earlier in the year to embark on 8 studies in partnership with the Releaf App, a cannabis use tracking app that allows people to log their dosage, experiences with products, and more.

These studies will assess the impact of (CBDistillery) CBD products on sleep, anxiety, and much more, while also illuminating general use habits among large pools of participants.

We’ve also seen bioscience developers like Lexaria ambitiously pitting their proprietary CBD formulations against FDA-approved Epidiolex, a CBD-based drug used for seizures.

Finally, we’re seeing CBD brands make actual consumer-facing changes in lieu of positive research results, like nanoemulsion or liposomal delivery systems, as modeled by Elixinol.

Want to be a part of furthering the science behind CBD? See if you qualify for a CBD study here.

2022 and Beyond

Based on our observations throughout 2021 as well as conversations with well-positioned advocates and brand representatives, here’s what we believe will happen (or not happen) within the CBD industry in 2022 and beyond:

As per our illuminating conversation with the US Hemp Authority President Dr. Marielle Weintraub, we agree that states will continue to reconcile differences in hemp labeling laws and other regulations to allow for smoother interstate commerce as the FDA continues to make everyone wait on federal regulation.

On that note, it’s highly unlikely that either side of the hemp consumer advocate/lobbyist coin (industry self-regulation and pressuring the FDA) will ease up in their pursuit for greater safety and transparency standards.

Another important interview we held this year—a look under the National Hemp Association’s hood with executive director Erica Stark—revealed that the hemp fiber industry is probably going to advance with less of a rocky takeoff than we’re seeing with consumer products.

“In 5-10 years we’re going to see industrial hemp become as traditional row crops like corn; we’ll see lots of processing centers pop up, paper products, and bioplastics,” Erica told us. 

Finally, though high-THC products and the greater focus on gummies isn’t likely to go away anytime soon, we are curious as to whether or not the new delivery methods (like nanoemulsion and liposomal) and synergistic products prove to be trend-proof.

From the CBD Insider editorial team, we’d like to wish everyone a happy and safe holiday—we’ll see you next year!

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High-End Holiday Gifts for the Cannabis Lover in Your Life

If luxurious baubles and sensational scents, rather than snackable edibles, are the way to your significant other’s heart this holiday season, below is a list of exquisite gift ideas for the cannabis consumer in your life. 

If diamonds are a bit out of your budget this Christmas, delight the cannabis cutie on your naughty or nice list with these faux leather, vegan, and cruelty-free, forest green earrings.

Polished off with gold plated brass studs, each pair are handcrafted by a female-owned-and-operated business, Camera line in Los Angeles. 

“As seasoned cannabis enthusiasts and artists, we are loud and proud of this magical plant,” says Camera line designer Caroline Murphy. 

There is no better way to support an artisan’s small business and proudly let your cannabis flag fly than by picking up a pair of these beauties to wear to the Emerald Cup. 

Jan Leslie’s hand-painted cannabis cufflinks retail for $450 and are made from 925 sterling silver with a hand-painted enamel overlay detail. The cufflinks are 0.7″W x 0.78″H.  

From Italian luxury perfumer Bois 1920’s cannabis collection comes Cannabis Fruttata.

With top notes of origan, rosemary, and fig leaves; heart notes of Cannabis, Blueberry, and Lily of the Valley; and base notes of patchouli, ambergris, and Cedarwood, this delicious complex perfume is a journey unto itself. 

For those who prefer the more traditional, straightforward scent of Cannabis, this earthy, classic scent is a modern twist of the expression of cannabis flower.

A slightly impudent perfume, surprisingly seductive and intriguing with a top note of cannabis, heart notes of cannabis and patchouli, base notes of light woods, and – you guessed it – even more cannabis!

Both scents retail for $185 and are made in Italy. 

Cannador is a swank stash box that functions as a humidor to keep smaller amounts of cannabis separated and fresh. It includes glass cups that contain adjustable, ventilated lids and airtight lids.

The box set includes four 0.25 ounce glass cups (or up to 1/2 oz ground), adjustable ventilated lids, airtight lids, lock, and key.

It has a double-fitted rim and tight seal to prevent odor leakage, a nook to hold accouterments, and a hidden magnet closure. Cannador retains for $219 but is currently on sale at Bloomingdale’s. 

A traditional rolling pin with a cheeky pot leaf pattern makes a unique, funny gift for the baker in your life. Baking with an embossed rolling pin is fun!

The rolling pins are an optimum size with a large engraving surface.

They measure 15.8” (40 cm), including the handles. The embossing part is 7.5” (19 cm),  and the diameter is 2.4” (6 cm).

This laser engraved, hand-polished rolling pin is made of beech wood. It is sealed with a protective wood conditioner made from organic food-grade oil.

Because this is a natural wood product, color variations might differ from what is depicted. 

There might also be visible wood rings on the engraved surface.

Different sizes of this baking staple are available on Etsy from multiple sellers. 

Nannette de Gaspé’s Bain Noir Cannabis Sativa Bath Soak Treatment is a 16-ounce bath soak that relaxes, soothes, and hydrates the skin.

With key ingredients of cannabis Sativa oil and meadowfoam seed oil, this luxurious, cruelty-free bath soak is free of parabens. This gooey, jet-black product is strangely evocative of S&M play anal beads and retails for $275.00. 

Cannabis Santal by fresh is a sensual woodsy fragrance that “captures the raw energy of desire,” according to fresh.

Retailing for $90, with top notes of bergamot, Brazilian orange, black plum, middle notes of patchouli, cannabis accord, rose and bottom notes of chocolate, vetiver, vanilla musk, this cloying scent will not be easily forgotten.

Rumor has it that Bruce Willis orders this scent by the case.

Lev Glazman, fresh’s co-founder, likens the smell of Cannabis Santal to the feeling of hating to tear yourself away from your sleeping lover. 

Even the most bougie, discerning person on your list will love one of these cheeky cannabis-inspired products. 

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The Dutch Cannabis Experiment Is Expanding

Momentum for adult-use cannabis reform on the European continent is stronger now than ever before, as demonstrated by lawmakers in Malta passing a legalization measure this month.

Malta’s president recently signed a measure that legalizes cannabis for adult use in Malta for possession, cultivation, and consumption.

Unfortunately, the measure does not include legalized sales, although the public policy change does afford for non-profit cannabis clubs which will provide some level of additional access.

The Netherlands has long been touted as the “cannabis capital of Europe” and while the nation will never become the first to legalize in Europe now that the ship has sailed, legalization in a limited form continues to move forward in the Netherlands.

Netherlands Pilot Program

Lawmakers and regulators in the Netherlands previously set up an adult-use cannabis pilot program in which certain jurisdictions will allow legalized commercial cannabis production and sales to adults.

The goal of the pilot program is to allow the limited rollout of a regulated adult-use industry so that lawmakers and regulators can study any potential effects and be better suited to craft national policies and regulations.

The Netherlands is not alone in implementing such a program. Switzerland also has a similar pilot program underway.

In late 2020 the Netherlands granted 10 licenses to entities for the purpose of allowing them to grow commercial cannabis to supply to the adult use market.

The government in the Netherlands recently announced that another “big city” will be added to the pilot program, however, the specific city was not named in the announcement. 

With that being said, it’s a good sign to see that the pilot program is expanding, as it provides some level of proof that the experiment is working.

An Incremental Approach to Legalization?

Cannabis has long been ‘tolerated’ in the Netherlands, with cannabis being commonly bought and sold at world-famous cannabis cafes for many years in the country, especially in Amsterdam.

Because of so much rich cannabis history and a thriving unregulated market in the European country, implementing a regulated adult-use industry in the Netherlands is no easy task.

The pilot program approach provides for an incremental strategy that could very well speed things up in the country. After all, if you live in a city that is part of the pilot program, cannabis is effectively already legal in the Netherlands.

If the Netherlands continues to expand the pilot program, eventually it will become a nationwide program and essentially cannabis prohibition will be over. 

Being that a regulated framework will already be in place in that scenario, all it will take is a formal announcement that legalization is implemented in the Netherlands, and that could be a much more efficient way to legalize nationwide rather than waiting on lawmakers to work out all of the details before anything can proceed.

Via https://cannatechtoday.com/the-dutch-cannabis-experiment-is-expanding/

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Top 10 Celebrity Cannabis Lines We Would Like to See

What do celebrities like Megan Rapinoe, Snoop, Kristen Bell, Martha Stewart, and Nathaniel Rateliff all have in common?

No, they are not collaborating to make Frozen 3: Olaf Gets Some Funk.

They all have a cannabis or cannabis-related brand. Because you know, why work for another World Cup when you can hawk CBD?

As the cannabis movement continues to become more mainstream, celebrities are looking to add their names to a cannabis deal, so we came up with the top 10 celebrity cannabis lines we would like to see.

Kamala’s Kush — A hard-hitting cultivar so uplifting you’ll shatter every glass ceiling from California to Washington D.C. Makes you feel strong and powerful like you can take on the world.

Marjorie Taylor’s “Green” — A cheap ditch weed that leaves a bad taste in your mouth. Side effects include delusions, hallucinations, and loss of the ability to make any sense at all.

Regé-Jean’s-Edibles — You’ll burn every bridge to get your hands on these sumptuous candies. Just a little bit will leave you feeling warm inside and happy all over. 

Greta’s Gummies — Completely organic gummies. A great head high that will open up your creative side. Side effects may include not being able to stop talking, even when nobody is listening.

Barack’s Brownies — Gives you a cool mellow high that leaves you inspired to do good things. 

Fauci’s Flower — An odd little strain that is outstanding for helping you concentrate. Great for anxiety, gives you a sense of calm even when things seem hopeless.

Bloomberg’s Bud — Mostly marketing hype behind this bud. Super expensive with the promise of a great high, but burns out quickly and leaves you wanting more.

Macchio’s Munchables — An old idea born again. The basic pot brownie from the ’80s re-packaged to look a little different, but very familiar at the same time. Macchio’s Munchables will make you smile and give you a nostalgic feeling without actually doing much at all. Like an old pair of 501’s, basic but good. 

Brady’s Baked Goods and Gronk’s Gummies — A limited-run gift bag that will be out of stock soon. An uplifting sativa. It gives you a Deja vu kind of high like you have been someplace several times before. When combined, you get a feeling that anything is possible. Also great for old, tired bones.

Billy B’s Pre-Rolls — One hit and that’s it. You feel fabulous! You’re ready to hit the town and strut your stuff. These pre-rolls will make you feel strong, proud, and very loud. Some people have reported seeing a rainbow haze while using, but say it adds to the full experience.

Legal Note — You know, so we don’t get in trouble. None of the above-mentioned celebrities had or have anything to do with this list, we made it up as satire. That being said, if they do decide to make any of these, we call dibs! ϖ

What celebrity cannabis brands would you like to see? Tell us @cannatechtoday with the hashtag #celebcanna and we’ll share our favorites in the next issue.

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You Will Crave These Cannabis-Infused Stocking Stuffers for Under $25

Traditionally, Christmas stocking stuffers are small, inexpensive tchotchkes that fit inside an oversized knitted sock.

Over the years, stockings have been stuffed with everything silly and valueless, from promotional key chains to complimentary hotel toiletries, to perfume sample vials. 

More practical stuffers such as batteries accompany the larger battery-operated items wrapped under the tree to provide instant gratification. (There is nothing worse making a kid caterwaul like Yoko Ono from receiving a toy they can’t play with until you get some batteries.) 

No matter how you choose to stuff your stockings, these suggested sweet and savory cannabis-infused snacks will delight the adult cannabis consumer on your Christmas list.  

Kosmik Edibles

For those who like to pack their stockings with sweeties and candies, winners of Oklahoma’s Cowboy Cup cannabis competition, Kosmik, took home the gold.

Kosmik’s best-selling, high-dosage edible, the Black Hole, offers a whopping 100mg per piece. (You read that correctly, not 100mg per bag, but an off-the-charts 1000mg per bag!)

Kosmik’s Black Hole won first place in the High Dosage category.

Moments later, Kosmik won third place in the Hard and Soft Candies category with its crazy delicious Peanut Butter & Jelly grape gummy with a genuine peanut butter center.

Perfect for blasting off into the cosmos, Kosmik gummies take the cake. 

Sugar Plum by PLUS

PLUS does it again with strain Sugar Plum. Containers are available in California for $18.

Highlighting the effects of Berkley Blues and Hawaiian Haze Plum strains, this limited-edition Sugar Plum strain presents a magical mix of linalool, limonene, and b-caryophyllene terpenes, plus blood orange citrus and toasted cinnamon flavors.

Pop a couple of PLUS gummies during the day to lift your spirits and bring joy to the world, or before bedtime to dance with the sugar plum fairies in your dreams.

High Life Farms’ Infused Nuggies

Nuggies are High Life Farms’ product line of bite-sized pretzel cores with THC-infused outer shells that are available in Michigan and California for $10.

Nuggies THC-infused, chocolate-covered pretzel bites are sold in various delicious flavor combinations. They contain 10mg THC per bite and 100mg per container. 

Chocolate Peanut Butter is the original Nuggies flavor.

It is creamy chocolate- and peanut butter-coated crunchy pretzel balls lightly dusted with salt for the perfect sweet and savory combination.

Peanut Butter and Banana are creamy chocolate- and peanut butter-covered crunchy pretzel balls with banana flavoring, lightly dusted with salt.

Strawberries & Cream is a pretzel core surrounded by a milk chocolate coating with strawberry and cream flavoring. 

Papa & Barkley Wild Strawberry Releaf Gummies

These treats are “for sweeter times and wilder adventures.”

Papa & Barkley’s THC gummies combine the delicious flavor of wild strawberries with a splash of cannabis hash to help you simply unwind and enjoy.

The holidays can be a stressful time. Relax, relate, and release with these moderately-infused gummies.

Available in California in a 20 pack of 5mg per gummy costs $16. 

Papa & Barkley uses solventless kief hash – the cannabinoid-rich fruit of the cannabis flower – to ensure each delicious bite maintains the plant’s full spectrum of cannabinoids, terpenes, and phytonutrients.

Made in small batches in Humboldt using natural ingredients and chemical-free processes, Releaf Gummies are vegan, gluten-free, sugar-free, zero-calorie, and keto-friendly, so that everyone can enjoy an epic, true-to-the-flower edible experience.

Chewee’s Infused Caramels

Chewee’s Caramels infused caramels are available in Washington and Massachusetts for $15 in classic caramel and green apple flavors, reminiscent of caramel candy apples from a holiday fair.

Chewee’s used a grandmother’s recipe to maintain a timeless simplicity that uses only eight ingredients.

Each of Chewee’s caramels is vegetarian and gluten-free.

SprinJene CBD Toothpaste

Once you’re done consuming all of that Christmas candy, don’t forget to brush your teeth! Good oral hygiene is a must.

Available nationwide, SprinJene toothpaste costs $18.

Ingredients include broad-spectrum, THC-free, hemp-derived CBD distillate, patented black seed oil, and zinc for fresh breath and a squeaky clean smile. 

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Youll Love This Canna-Oil Mango Smoothie

What’s more refreshing than a succulent, juicy mango? A juicy, crave-worthy mango paired with uplifting cannabis oil, delicate coconut milk, and ripe cantaloupe. Careful, it might just become part of your morning routine. Do I hear post-workout snack? Dive into this fruit-forward recipe from cannabis chef Laurie Wolf.

Mango and coconut are two foods that may intensify your high. And they are beautiful together. Finding a good ripe mango can be difficult, kinda like finding a ripe avocado, but persevere, both are well worth the effort.

Serves 2

What You’ll Need:
1 ½ cups coconut milk

1 mango, peeled and pitted

1 frozen small banana, peeled and sliced

1 cup cantaloupe, peeled and cut in chunks

2 tablespoons agave or honey

2 teaspoons canna-oil

Pinch cinnamon

Directions:
Combine all the ingredients in a blender and puree. Divide between the two glasses. 

Laurie Wolf is the author of such cannabis cookbooks as Marijuana Edibles, HERB, The Medical Marijuana Dispensary, and Cooking with Cannabis. Her recipes have been featured in High Times, Dope Magazine, Culture, and more. She is also the founder of Laurie + MaryJane, an edible company offering everything from almond truffle bites to vegan chocolate cookies.

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CBDistillery and Releaf App Recruiting Volunteers for Anxiety Study

As part of their ongoing campaign to closely study the effects of hemp-based compounds like CBD, CBG, and others on sleep, anxiety, and more, CBDistillery and the Releaf App are currently taking volunteers for their “anxiety pathfinder mission.”

Eight pathfinder missions were announced earlier this year, of which the anxiety pathfinder mission is the third.

The Releaf App—a free mobile app that allows users to log their hemp product usage, dosage, experiences, and more—acts as the data collection arm of these studies, providing simple questions for participants to answer throughout the trial period. 

To participate in this pathfinder mission, participants will purchase and use CBDistillery’s 30mg Broad-Spectrum CBD Softgels and Regular Strength Daytime Synergy 500mg CBG + 500mg CBD tincture for $65 in total, which is discounted from $105 (the softgels are free).

Participants will then take the softgels for half of the 30-day trial window, followed by the CBG/CBD tincture for the second half.

Throughout the trial, participants will use the Releaf App to answer prepared questions that assess their experiences with the products as well as their usage habits (dosage, frequency, etc.).

If you’re interested in advancing the state of hemp research while receiving discounted CBD products from an industry-leading brand, you can answer the qualification questions on the sign-up page.

More About CBDistillery

Formed in 2016 as a subsidiary of Balanced Health Botanicals, CBDistillery is well known for their vocal opposition to CBD industry gimmicks and misinformation (hence the continued commitment to research). 

The #CBDMOVEMENT the brand launched in 2019 spanned several months, culminating in several Times Square billboards decrying CBD gimmicks and a CBD User Guide that has been downloaded more than 40k times. 

The second prong of this approach was mindful, evidence-based product development, an effort CBDistillery is currently engaged in.

Since their inception, the brand has amassed a catalog of CBD tinctures, softgels, gummies, and more incorporating a broad host of cannabinoids and supporting botanicals.

CBDistillery also was named Best CBD Brand of 2021 by The CBD Insider in December 2021.

To learn more about CBDistillery, we invite you to check out our comprehensive brand review.

More About Releaf App:

The Releaf App was first developed by founder Franko Brockelman to help his mother track her dosage and other usage parameters while using medical cannabis.

Now owned by MoreBetter, the Releaf App is the highest-rated app in its category, still holding true to its original purpose while expanding its features.

CBDistillery isn’t the first party to use the platform as a vehicle for collecting and interpreting real-time cannabis use data; several peer-reviewed medical journals and organizations have levied the Releaf App for similar projects.

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Navigating Local Limitations and Looming Certifications in the Extraction Market

The cannabis extraction market is an exciting one. With the U.S. market predicted to hit $5,940 million by 2026 according to Facts and Factors, and the global market $28.5 billion by 2027 as reported by Grand View Research, everyone is getting in on the action. 

What these compelling numbers don’t describe are the continued volatility and real-world limitations cannabis extractors face scaling their production.

Growing isn’t always easy in the extraction space. Extractors must navigate the ever-changing landscape of new markets, regulations, and consumer demands, all while staying profitable. 

Growing an extraction business is about flexibility and future-proofing investments. Because pivoting as a processor isn’t always possible, planning for growth from the start is the key to success. 

So, what can a concentrate maker plan for today to ensure future growth is as smooth as possible?

Frustrations and Pain Points Common in the Extraction Industry

Photo courtesy of Nature’s Lab Extractions.

Cannabis processors each navigate unique sets of circumstances depending on the state and even the county in which they operate. Yet, despite the high degree of regional variability, there are several common pain points. 

First, is the astronomical start-up cost. Nearly everyone interviewed for this piece mentioned how tight budgets are, not only restricted to the initial build-out, but also to the future potential of a facility.

Cutting corners in the early days frequently places significant limitations on future expansion. 

Marcus Moates, owner and founder of Nature’s Lab Extractions, has set up operations across the country, including in California, Nevada, and Oklahoma.

In his experience, “most of the multi-state operators spend so much money that by the time they land with the right consultant group, they’ve already spent excessive amounts of money, and they just don’t feel like spending more.” 

If adjustments are needed, Moates has found these operators are tapped out and the capital has dried up. Facilities are forced to make current systems work, often to the detriment of product quality and future growth.

A second common frustration occurs during expansion into new markets.

Across the country, there is a patchwork of legislation and regulation covering all things cannabis. Most multi-state extractors face an entirely new set of challenges in every state and often in every county. 

For example, the local county fire marshal plays a significant role not only in determining how many (if any) cannabis operations exist in their district, but also in what sorts of operations they can run.

Not all counties are open to all solvents, with many placing restrictions on volatiles like butane.

Moates detailed how Nature Lab Extractions operates under a Type 6 Non Volatile Solvents Extraction License in California because securing a Type 7 Volatile is all but impossible.

He is not the only processor to have discovered that facility expansion is largely restricted by the local regulation on the solvents themselves.

Plan to Pivot According to Local Limitations

Backbone. Photo courtesy of Timothy Revenko.

What is clear for all extraction facilities is the limitations of the local environment. What are regional restrictions on volatile solvent-handling? What does the local landscape offer for raw material? Once the parameters are laid out, it’s possible to scale within them.

For example, if the plan is to expand a hydrocarbon extraction operation, there are likely regional limitations for on-site capacity. If there isn’t room to increase the physical infrastructure because the local fire marshall is wary of higher concentrations of butane on-site, what other options are there?

In this case, increasing production (and profits) may simply be a numbers game. Instead of new equipment, can new software help improve total system efficiencies across the supply chain? Backbone is one such option: a supply chain and compliance tracking software that integrates directly into the production floor. 

As Erika Tingey, Head of Product, explained, “Backbone specifically targets manufacturing and the whole supply chain” to reduce the burden of compliance data entry and help extractors make data-based adjustments across the full supply chain.

Erika Tingey, Head of Product for Backbone.

In another example, Moates opened up about another local limitation that forced a dramatic pivot. He strategically adjusted plans for Missouri because of the low quality of the local raw materials. 

He described how “the city is adamant about helping you get going. The state is adamant about helping you get going. But the problem is, as soon as you do get going, there is no material. And a lot of the material that is available is very, very low quality, we’ll say.” In this new market, Moates plans to focus on distillate, which doesn’t require top-quality inputs for purity of outputs. 

Although Nature’s Lab Extracts produces premium high-terpene, full-spectrum extract in other markets, cultivation is just getting started in Missouri. In this case, it’s not local regulations dictating his operation but the available product.

Future-Proofing Investments in Equipment 

Kellan Finney, Co-Founder and Chief Financial Officer of Eighth Revolution.

As the cannabis market explodes, many equipment manufacturing companies have pivoted their marketing to target the sector. There is big money to be made in cannabis, and these manufacturers are eager to get
on board. 

However, not all extraction equipment will work within a mature cannabis market. Very soon, regulators are expected to double down on specific equipment certifications for extractors.

Both Bryan Fields (Co-Founder and CEO) and Kellan Finney (Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer) of Eighth Revolution warn against cutting costs on cheap, non-certified equipment. 

Eight Revolution approaches the cannabis and hemp industry with an analytical mindset, to provide a quick-witted approach to an industry facing ongoing changes. Already, in their short two years of operation, they’ve helped several large extractors navigate many of these equipment challenges. 

Fields and Finney expect several layers of certification will be required on every piece of plant-touching equipment, including UI, NRDL, and GMP. Much of the current extraction equipment used across the industry will not cut it.  

As Finney detailed, “Equipment manufacturers saw [cannabis] as an exciting opportunity to sell equipment in the space.” Still, only experienced equipment manufacturers in food-related industries may understand how critical certain components are for safety standards. 

For example, certification can cover everything from the metal composition (grade 316 steel) to the welding maps, to clear displays of these features across every piece of equipment. 

In the very near future, Eighth Revolution predicts that all extraction equipment in mature markets will have high requirements for equipment certifications. As per Fields, “Misunderstanding of what that takes is going to be eye-opening to operations currently in the space.” 

Any processor looking to scale has to keep the looming certification requirements in mind. It’s often not possible to retroactively certify equipment.

Bryan elucidated, it’s not  “as easy as just putting a sticker on some of them. It will take a substantial amount of R&D in order to get these pieces of equipment ready and certified.” He has already witnessed one extractor find themselves with a costly, uncertified, six-figure paperweight on their hands.

Operators will need to plan to have current machines upgraded and ensure all new purchases fall within the expected parameters.

Takeaways on Scaling in Extraction from Industry Insiders

Whether starting out or preparing for growth, cannabis extractors face a complicated jigsaw puzzle of regulation, limitations, and future variability. There are three critical takeaways from many conversations with industry experts. 

First, cannabis extraction is a game best played by brands with deep pockets. Cutting corners in the early stages will not make it easier in the long run. No matter the solvent or process, making smart investments in certified equipment will pay off as the market matures.

Second, take the time to understand the local limitations and work within them. Working closely with the local fire marshall is only one example. It’s also critical to understand the local supply of raw materials. Implement a detailed data-analytics tool to scale within the parameters intelligently.

Third, plan for a future where cannabis extraction requires intense certifications, including UI, NRDL, and GMP. Purchasing interim and uncertified machines may save money today, but it could result in headaches and nightmare scenarios of the six-figure paperweight in the near future. 

Scaling in extraction is not as simple as adding more machines and more solvents. There are real, local limitations to navigate and looming regulation from a maturing market. Use all the tools available to operate a tight, efficient operation, and don’t cut corners on equipment investments.  ϖ

Via https://cannatechtoday.com/navigating-local-limitations-and-looming-certifications-in-the-extraction-market/

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