Landmark Congressional Hearing On CBD Discusses 2023 Farm Bill

Yesterday, July 28th, at 10 AM EDT, the first-ever congressional hearing on the current and future state of CBD regulation took place at the behest of the House Agriculture Committee Subcommittee on Biotechnology, Horticulture, and Research.

The hearing, entitled “An Examination of the USDA’s Hemp Production Program,” saw the testimony of five prominent witnesses across multiple facets of the CBD industry, including the following:

• Dr. Brandy Phipps, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Agricultural & Life Sciences, Central State University, Cedarville, OH
• Mr. Marcus Grignon, Executive Director, Hempstead Project Heart, Green Bay, WI
• Mr. Eric Wang, Chief Executive Officer, Ecofibre, representing the U.S. Hemp Roundtable
• Dr. Ryan F. Quarles, Ph.D., Commissioner, Kentucky Department of Agriculture
• Ms. Kate Greenberg, Commissioner, Colorado Department of Agriculture, Broomfield, CO

As chairwoman Stacey Plaskett (D-VI) explained at the beginning of the hearing, the purpose was to provide, “An overview of the hemp industry and insights towards the 2023 Farm Bill.”

Before the experts took the floor to provide their insights on how congress should approach CBD regulation in the 2023 Farm Bill, Committee Ranking Members like Rep. Jim Baird (R-IN) and Glen Thompson (R-PA) laid the context by calling out some of the major stumbling blocks affecting the industry to date.

“I am disappointed we’re having another hearing where USDA—and in this case, the FDA too—are missing in action,” said Thompson, and as Baird stated, “It’s important to note that we have many challenges leading to a significant decline in the number of hemp acres planted since 2019.”

But the witnesses did not disappoint in their offerings of hemp-based solutions to these woes, intended to benefit all sides of the industry while promoting economic growth in a sustainable manner.

As Dr. Brandy Phipps, Ph.D. stated, “In order to become a stable component of the agricultural economy, the nascent U.S. hemp market needs diversification and a robust establishment of the grain sector.” 

Hempstead Project Heart Executive Director presented an optimistic outlook on the viability of hemp production in the United States, explaining that “Three-fourths of the land in the US can grow hemp. Hemp grows well with crop rotations. Hemp’s long taproot penetrates the soil and loosens the undersoil layers.” 

Representing the U.S. Hemp Roundtable, Mr. Wang justified his “disproportionate investment” into the U.S. industrial hemp market with the bipartisan support he sees powering the industry forward, going on to say that the hemp industry in the states could achieve “net zero carbon solution” if properly maintained and regulated.

Specifically, Wang and the U.S. Hemp Roundtable are asking the committee to co-opt language from HR 841 into the 2023 Farm Bill that would see CBD and other non-intoxicating cannabinoids regulated as dietary supplements. 

The hearing can be viewed in its entirety on the U.S. Hemp Roundtable website. 

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Is Automation the Future of Cannabis Dispensing?

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Is Automation the Future of Cannabis Dispensing? by Johnny Green

Before legal dispensaries existed in Oregon, I had to make my purchases from the unregulated market where options are limited and customer service is basically nonexistent.

Being able to walk into a fixed storefront that has set hours and choose from a buffet of cannabis products is an amazing thing that every consumer and patient should be able to legally do.

New technology is on the horizon that will make the purchasing process even easier.

There’s one major hiccup to the dispensary model that exists in most places where cannabis commerce is allowed to operate.

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For those who have never visited a dispensary, it can prove to be a very time-consuming ordeal, especially on a busy day.

If I had to estimate it, from the time that I pull up to a dispensary until I finalize my purchase it takes anywhere from tens of minutes all the way up to an hour. I have family in Las Vegas that go to very popular dispensaries that tourists shop at, and they have told me that their purchasing experiences take well longer than an hour from start to finish.

Part of what takes so long is waiting in line, however, at the heart of the issue is how inefficient the storage and retrieval of cannabis products is at virtually every dispensary. To be clear, I am not talking about the decision-making process.

I am referring to after the decision is made regarding what to purchase, how long it takes for a budtender to compile everything, and if it’s flower having to weigh it out and package it all. If it’s a product that isn’t in the display case and the budtender needs to go to the back to a secure area to retrieve something, that just makes things take even longer.

Not only does all of that take a long time, speaking from personal experience, it is kind of awkward standing there at the register in silence waiting for what was purchased to be handed to me.

It’s definitely better than living under prohibition, however, there is clearly plenty of room to boost efficiency when it comes to storing and retreiving cannabis products.

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With that in mind, I am really impressed by a new invention that is debuting at the International Cannabis Business Conference this week in Berlin, Germany.

The Cannastore is the first automated dispensing system specifically designed for cannabis products and is sure to revolutionize the cannabis dispensing process.

The hardware system in its standard design is already used in several thousand German pharmacies. However, this new version is even more impressive.

The Cannastore was tested and developed over two years, and is capable of dispensing products within 6 to 12 seconds.

That works out to 500 units in an hour. The Cannastore can hold up to 40,000 units before needing to be restocked.

The timing of the Cannastore’s debut is in itself very significant given the current political and industry context in Germany.

It is no secret that Germany is going to launch an adult-use cannabis industry in the near future, and whether that is this year or next year one thing is for sure – once sales do launch a lot of people are going to be purchasing cannabis in Germany, and being able to serve up cannabis in as efficient of a way as possible is vital to helping prevent bottlenecks at the point of purchase.

Cannastore is not only going to help customers’ purchasing experiences, but it is also going to directly contribute to helping Germany’s cannabis industry reach its full potential and the significance of that cannot be overstated.

This article first appeared on Internationalcbc.com and is syndicated here with special permission.

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Efficiency And Sustainability Through Automation With AI Grow

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Efficiency And Sustainability Through Automation With AI Grow by Rachelle Gordon

Cultivating cannabis can be a challenge. In addition to being a fairly resource-intensive process, the plant itself is quite sensitive to its environment. With operators facing slim margins in many markets, it’s imperative to be as efficient as possible.

Enter AI Grow. A technology company providing automation and data analytics solutions for controlled agriculture, AI Grow was founded with the intention of helping cultivators maximize profitability and performance. Offering custom modular-controlled software for facilities of any size, AI Grow’s one-stop-shop system has the ability to regulate and monitor lights, water, pH levels, nutrients, and environmental conditions with extreme ease.

Founder Chris Ellis has an extensive background in industrial automation, with over two decades spent automating processes in manufacturing, aggregate mining, and other heavily regulated sectors. A number of experiences in cannabis grows led Ellis, a nearly lifelong devotee of the plant, to an “aha” moment nearly ten years ago.

“I kept saying why aren’t we automating this industry? There are so many controllable devices,” said Ellis, who also serves as AI Grow’s president and CEO.

As it turned out, the mainstream firms simply weren’t ready for what the future held. “I pitched the concept to my old bosses, and they laughed at me,” Ellis recalled.

HMI screen

The engineer didn’t give up. He decided to form his own firm called Assured Integration in 2017 along with partners Daryl Denison and Chris Gibbs. It wasn’t until two years later, however, when the trio officially launched AI Grow that Ellis’s cannabis dreams were fully realized.

While searching for the perfect space to develop his automated grow technology, Ellis and his wife, Shelli, came across an apple orchard for sale just a short drive from Minneapolis. They decided to set up a prototype grow room inside one of the barns, with Ellis playing mad scientist at the helm to perfect his processes. The venture paid off, and AI Grow was soon setting its sights on large-scale commercial cultivation facilities throughout the country.

Cutting-Edge Technology Made Simple

Ellis and the AI Grow team aim to develop and implement systems that are extremely precise and innovative yet so easy to understand that an individual with little to no training could operate them. They do not require the use of proprietary hardware, guaranteeing integration with their software regardless of what type of valve or pump is being deployed. Cultivators can opt to automate certain processes and scale up as they see fit — AI Grow evolves with its customers’ businesses.

A large-scale electrical panel is custom designed by the AI Grow team according to each client’s specific needs. Once manufacturing is completed by a vendor partner, Ellis and his fellow engineers proceed to program and test every touchpoint in the system before it’s delivered. All equipment deployed is best-in-class, industrial-rated to ensure peak performance. 

Birdhouse sensors

“We prefer to be involved right from the start of a project when the facility is being designed, so we can assist with creating efficiencies within the design that make sense in terms of automation process flow,” explained Daryl Denison, AI Grow’s chief operating officer.

Each control touchpoint on every plant is represented on a flow pattern that is simple to discern. Alerts can be set to notify operators of any issues, both within the facility and via remote access in case of staff shortages or after-hours emergencies. This reduces the risk of catastrophic failures that can put entire crops at risk.

Stored data can be compiled to analyze growth cycles or for compliance purposes. AI Grow uses technology typically only seen in large-scale commercial settings to help set cannabis cultivators up for success.

“We use PLC, short for programmable logic controller. These are the exact same systems that are running your mega manufacturing facilities,” Ellis noted.

Proprietary “Birdhouse” Sensors and Fertigation Systems Round Out AI Grow’s
Full Suite.

Constantly innovating, the team at AI Grow has already developed two standalone product offerings that can integrate with their software with more in the works.

The company’s patent-pending Birdhouse is an aptly-named hanging sensor mechanism that monitors environmental conditions throughout grow facilities. It contains sensors for lights, CO2, temperature, and humidity levels which all feed information into the PLC. The 3-D printed Birdhouses provide additional data touchpoints crucial to ensuring conditions are ideal at all times and are especially useful in dry/cure rooms.

Another AI Grow innovation is their customizable fertigation system which allows cultivators to create their own nutrient blends. Programmable pumps automatically add precise ingredients to water in a solution tank which can then be administered to plants within the larger AI Grow system. Recipes can be stored in a database and used cycle after cycle.

“Instead of buying the cake mix off the shelf, you’re baking your own — it offers total flexibility and cost-savings since you’re using the raw ingredients,” Ellis said.

Sustainability is a Key Driver of AI Grow’s Mission

AI Grow prides itself on helping cultivators be efficient, but the company also strives to make the industry more environmentally friendly while simultaneously reducing bottom lines. Call it automation with a conscience.

“Automation delivers the same amount of resources consistently to the plants, whether it is water, CO2, nutrients, or environmental controls,” noted Denison. “This eliminates the overuse and as an added bonus, the plants will respond very positively to this stability,” Denison noted.

“This precision ties into profitability on both ends, both by reducing the costs that go into production and by maximizing yield to a level that could not be achieved manually.”

As a passionate supporter of the cannabis plant, Ellis genuinely wants to see the industry thrive. And after spending so much time working in other resource-intensive sectors, he is excited to put more time and effort into a more regenerative space. “This is growing — we’re giving back to the planet.”

This article was first published in the spring 2022 issue of Cannabis & Tech Today. Read the full issue here.

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Why is the NFL Spending Big Money on Medical Cannabis Research?

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Why is the NFL Spending Big Money on Medical Cannabis Research? by Chris Mellides

By Chris Mellides

In early February, the National Football League (NFL) awarded both the University of San Diego (UCSD) and the University of Regina $1 million. Each university received $500,000 in a joint effort to study the effects of cannabis use among NFL players. 

The universities’ studies focus on two target groups that could benefit from cannabis for pain management. Researchers are assessing current NFL players after on-field injuries and retired pros who suffer the long-lasting effects of physical trauma.

In an interview with Cheddar News, NFL Executive Vice President Jeff Miller claimed concussions among the league’s player population were down 25% over the last few years. He said the NFL is pursuing new technologies in player equipment and medical innovations for the sake of its players’ well-being. 

“Pain relief, obviously, is another application of the cannabinoid research,” said Miller. “And we’ll look at all opportunities to make the game safer for the players.”

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“When we learn more, we’ll come back and have an ongoing conversation with our players around that,” he added. “We’re looking to improve pain management and looking for opportunities for our players to have another alternative…”

These independent studies will provide valuable information that may well outline the benefits of THC, CBD, and a combination of the two. For research purposes, athletes are vaporizing the substances after suffering game-related injuries.

Before the NFL settled on UCSD and Regina in the Summer of 2021, the NFL-NFLPA Joint Pain Management Committee (PMC) reviewed some 106 submissions. Along with the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the NFL narrowed the research grant applicants’ proposals down to 10 finalists before selecting the approved colleges and awarding the combined $1 million.

“Our team is excited to receive this funding to conduct a systematic, ‘real-world, real-time’ study with professional athletes which should shed further light upon the many anecdotal reports that cannabis is helpful in reducing post-competition pain,” said Dr. Mark Wallace, director of the Center for Pain Medicine at UCSD Health.  

UCSD will create a research team to test and monitor NFL athletes’ outcomes after vaporized inhalation of THC, CBD, and a mix of the two substances. There will also be a placebo group for comparison, based on a statement released to the NFL by the UCSD.

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According to the UCSD’s Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research, findings from the study will provide the foundation of key data that will set the pace for future large-scale studies in sports-related injuries. 

Working closely with the NFL, Dr. Patrick Neary, a physiologist and professor at the University of Regina, said the defining characteristic of his research is for the “prevention and treatment of concussions.” He and his colleagues at Regina are working to determine just how effective THC and CBD are in treating the symptoms associated with concussions.  

“Our interdisciplinary research team believes that different cannabinoid formulations found in medical cannabis have the potential to benefit athletes suffering from the acute and long-term chronic effects of concussions,” Neary said. 

“Our research will also work to show that cannabinoids can be used as an alternative to opioids for pain management. Ultimately, this study has the potential to change not only the lives of current and former NFL players but also the lives of anyone who may suffer from a concussion,” he added.  

Before 2001, athletes who tested positive for cannabis consumption often dealt with catastrophic consequences from the NFL. Athletes were swiftly penalized, which shook the league’s players — some of whom were unceremoniously fired. 

One such player was Ricky Williams, former running back for the Miami Dolphins. He tested positive for cannabinoids during mandatory drug screenings issued by the league. 

During an appearance on HBO’s Real Time With Bill Maher, Williams recounted the events which lead to his quitting the NFL. He emphasized cannabis helped treat his physical trauma and anxiety. 

Williams now owns a startup called Highsman, a clever twist on the Heisman Trophy associated with the highest accolade a player can receive in the sport. His company sells cannabis strains like ‘“Pregame,” a sativa, and “Postgame,” an indica, along with various merchandise and accessories. 

Williams has carved out his own slice of what used to be a niche market to one that is booming throughout North America, thanks largely to the loosening of state regulations and the general acceptance of cannabis.  

“As with the league’s broader approach to health and safety, we want to ensure that our players are receiving care that reflects the most up-to-date medical consensus,” said Dr. Allen Sills, NFL chief medical officer.

The NFL’s view of cannabis use among its players has softened since 2001, and while drug testing players continues, their consumption of THC and CBD is less likely to cause a stir within the league. 

Pro athletes can now mitigate the pain associated with the raw physicality and trauma of playing football without being on the receiving end of punitive actions by the NFL.

While medical researchers at the UCSD and the University of Regina continue to study the effectiveness of cannabis products in treating common sport-related injuries, the implications for the study of concussions, in general, are massive and will benefit individuals outside the world of sports.

“While the burden of proof is high for NFL players who want to understand the impact of any medical decision on their performance,” said Sills, “we are grateful that we have the opportunity to fund these scientifically-sound studies on the use of cannabinoids that may lead to the discovery of data-based evidence that could impact the pain management of our players.”

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10 Years Into Legalization and We Still Cant Get Social Equity Right

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10 Years Into Legalization and We Still Can’t Get Social Equity Right by Sarah Ratliff

On Feb. 7, 2022, New Jersey publication The Patch ran a story with the headline: “NJ Hasn’t Licensed Any Black Owners Since It Legalized Marijuana.” The next day, journalist and civil rights activist Shaun King picked up the story. If this were true, any backlash the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) received would have been justified. The mistake highlights the problem the industry still has with social equity.

Susan Nickelson of Holisitic Solutions, LLC

“All the writer had to do was ask someone in the industry,” retorted Suzan Nickelson, a Black woman with majority ownership in retail shop Holistic Solutions, LLC. 

“I received approval for my license in December 2021. And I’m not alone. I think we should focus on what regulatory agencies are doing right while holding them accountable to write legislation to change what’s wrong,” Nickelson said. “Lowering application fees for social equity applicants is a great start and New Jersey does that. Inflammatory and baseless claims don’t do the industry or our communities of color any good,” she said. 

Veteran, cannabis activist, and partner of Heart Community Capital, Leo Bridgewater concurs. “Former Governor Chris Christie never wanted legal cannabis, so to be where we are under Governor Phil Murphy’s vision and leadership is amazing,” he said. “The CRC was formed in the summer of 2021. They’re moving in the right direction. There are many states doing a terrible job with social equity. New Jersey isn’t one of them.” 

Why Assume All Social Equity Programs Are Performative?

Kika Keith is the co-founder of the Los Angeles-based Social Equity Owners and Workers Association (SEOWA). She feels the knee-jerk reaction to hearing that yet another state’s cannabis regulatory board failed to uphold social equity is justified. “These programs are designed to fail. Legalization on the recreational side was a Trojan horse for multi-state operators (MSOs), and the 81% of white men who own existing dispensaries, they needed to do a play of compassion for voters,” Keith said.

Co-Founder of Social Equity Owners and
Workers Association Kika Keith

“We all know by now the war on drugs decimated communities of color,” she added. “We need to repair the harm and prioritize creating Black and Brown jobs. And ‘community reinvestment’ is often a pretext to get it legalized. Once legalized, and it’s happened in most cities, they say, ‘well, we have to establish the marketplace.’”

In April 2020, SEOWA filed a lawsuit on behalf of 226 social equity applicants. The crux of the lawsuit is that an independent audit released a month earlier proved that all 226 applicants submitted their paperwork before the Los Angeles Department of Cannabis Regulation’s (DCR) 2019 “first come, first serve” deadline. 

“It’s a stall tactic. One of the requirements is to have already leased a retail space before submitting the application. If the regulatory board holds up the process, most in our community can’t afford to pay on a space that’s not bringing in money, so eventually, they drop out of the running,” Keith said.

“And those investors and MSOs are waiting. For the few of us who make it, the hope is that three years later, we’ll sell our licenses for pennies on the dollar. They have money to wait it out. It’s a tremendous miscarriage of justice.”

By summer 2021, SEOWA settled its lawsuit when the DCR agreed to issue 200 social equity retail licenses. 

Devin Alexander, founder of Rolling Releaf

Sometimes lawsuits are filed to keep social equity out of legal cannabis. Arrested in high school for cannabis possession, Devin Alexander knew the only way he could own a plant-touching business was through social equity. In 2020, Alexander applied for a license allowing him to purchase cannabis from cultivators and manufacturers and deliver it directly to consumers. 

The Commonwealth Dispensary Association (CDA) filed a lawsuit against the Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) to prevent the creation of the Marijuana Delivery Operator Licenses (which were always earmarked for social equity applicants).

The CDA later dropped it, conceding to the need for more diversity in the industry. In November 2021, Alexander’s Rolling Releaf became the first and only Black-owned delivery operator that is provisionally licensed in Massachusetts. “Everything happens for a reason. It’s been a wild ride, but it’ll be worth it,” Alexander said.

Desperate Times Call for Creative Measures

Revisiting the reality that 81% of plant-touching businesses are owned by white men, combined with several pending lawsuits to hold states’ elected officials accountable to right legislative wrongs, it might seem hopeless for anyone with a record, or with dark skin, to break into the industry. However, there may be two avenues that while very different, could help Black and Brown people carve out a niche for themselves. 

Derrell Black, chapter president of
Massachusetts for Minorities for Medical Marijuana hosting the community forum Let’s Talk Weed.

Let’s Talk Weed is a series of community forums in Boston, MA, founded by Derrell Black, chapter president of Massachusetts for Minorities for Medical Marijuana. In October 2021, they held their first event, moderated by Jeff Similien, CEO of the forthcoming Lowkey Dispensary in Dorchester, MA. 

Black and Brown members of the community came seeking guidance from the panel comprising five Black CEOs in retail, cultivation, and delivery services. All attendees reportedly walked away feeling hopeful. If a community forum doesn’t exist, create it yourself. 

Patricia Patton, founder of the Cannabis Business Alliance

Solopreneur Patricia A. Patton wanted to be in the industry. Instead, she owns an ancillary business at the intersection of cannabis and health and wellness. As a wellness practitioner and longtime advocate for older adults, Patton’s focus is on health disparities. In 2021, she founded the Cannabis Business Alliance, a membership hub for small entrepreneurs in the cannabis supply chain. 

“While I believe the industry is big enough for anyone who wants to be part of it, there are innumerable opportunities for ancillary businesses to support plant-touching businesses. We should use our imaginations to fill the needs.”

The fact is most states have fallen woefully short in prioritizing social equity. As with everything in life, Black and Brown people are ready, able, and willing to create our own legacy.

This article was first published in the spring 2022 issue of Cannabis & Tech Today. Read the full issue here.

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World Athletics President: Reconsider Cannabis Policies

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World Athletics President: ‘Reconsider Cannabis Policies’ by Johnny Green

Athletics plays a huge role in society across the planet. Some sports are more popular than others in any given part of the world, however, you will be hard pressed to find a part of the world that doesn’t have athletes competing in some fashion, as well as fans watching them do it.

With that in mind, it’s not a coincidence that professional athletes, including Olympic athletes, have been used for cannabis prohibition propaganda purposes. Prohibition in sports serves the purpose of perpetuating support for cannabis prohibition in society. Anyone that says otherwise hasn’t paid attention. Professional sports leagues and regulatory bodies are starting to reform their cannabis policies, yet historically that was not the case.

Growing Calls For Reform

Late last week, the President of World Athletics, Sebastian Coe, indicated support for reviewing the sports regulatory body’s cannabis policies. The hinting at a cannabis policy review came right before the beginning of the track and field World Championships.

“I have actually encouraged our own Athletics Integrity Unit to enter into discussions with the World-Anti Doping Agency, and obviously the national anti-doping agencies, to look at this and to come back with some thoughts and suggestions,” Coe said according to Insider.

It makes no sense why track and field athletes, or any other athletes, would be penalized for simply having cannabis in their system. After all, no one is advocating that athletes should be able to compete while intoxicated by cannabis (or anything else for that matter).

Cannabis is not “bad for athletes” as some prohibitionists claim, and while cannabis does provide wellness benefits, those benefits do not rise to the level of it warranting continued prohibition under the premise that ‘cannabis is a performance-enhancing substance.’

Making An Example Out Of Athletes

If you have followed sports long enough, then chances are you have seen an athlete fail a drug test for cannabis at least once. That is what happened to my hero multiple times, former NBA player Clifford Robinson, during his 18-year playing career. Each time he failed a league drug test it wasn’t just the penalty of getting fined or missing games that he had to deal with.

Robinson was consistently subjected to enormous and unjust stigma each time, being described by the media and league officials as “having let his team down” and having “off the court problems” that “makes it hard to have him be a part of the franchise.”

In every measurable way Robinson, who I would later become friends with and help with his pursuits in various manners, was the target of a relentless smear campaign because the league wanted to make an example out of him, and to some extent that targeting involved prohibitionists outside of the league.

It’s a stigma that followed him well into retirement, preventing him from ever getting coaching positions he wanted, from being invited to various league functions, and many other things. I know that to be true because I witnessed it firsthand while helping him.

To hammer home the point, the team Cliff was an all-star for, my beloved Portland Trail Blazers, does not have his number hanging in the rafters and I have yet to find any pictures or references of him at the Blazers’ arena, despite Robinson being the only ‘6th Man of the Year’ recipient in the team’s entire history.

As far as I am concerned, not only does the NBA need to recognize Clifford’s contributions to the league during his historic career, the league also needs to issue a formal apology to him and every other athlete that was subjected to inhumane cannabis policies. The same needs to happen in every other major sports league, the Olympics, and by other athletic entities that enforced cannabis prohibition policies, including World Athletics.

This article first appeared on Internationalcbc.com and is syndicated here with special permission.

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Pre-Rolls Are Taking Off. Heres How The Industry Is Driving Their Growth

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Pre-Rolls Are Taking Off. Here’s How The Industry Is Driving Their Growth by Aron Vaughan

Technology in the cannabis industry has advanced leaps and bounds since medical legalization passed in California back in 1996. New strains, devices, and data have poured into the mainstream cannabis community.

Even the oldest and most simple method of consumption has benefited from new technology. Rolled cannabis cigarettes, or joints, have been the preferred way to consume the plant since the 1920s. While Americans have largely moved to using tobacco-based materials to roll up their cannabis, in Europe, joints that use paper as a base are still the most popular method of consumption. 

The act of rolling a joint is therapeutic in itself for many cannabis users. However, it can be time-consuming and inefficient. Fingers become sticky from handling a large amount of flower, and some medical conditions such as arthritis make it difficult to roll and close the paper. Because of these inconveniences, pre-rolled cannabis cigarettes have become increasingly favored by consumers. 

New Tech for a Time-Honored Tradition

Individual pre-rolled cones come in a variety of strains and strengths, and buyers have the choice of pre-rolls that contain delta-8, CBD, or THC. Each pre-roll also has consistent shape and weight, so dosing is more accurate than self-rolled joints.

For people looking to fill their own cones using their favorite strains, several options have emerged on the market in the last few years.
The OTTO by Banana Bros. is a grinder and automatic cone-roller hybrid. It even has built-in AI. What a time to be alive. 

“The OTTO’s patented AI milling system analyzes your material and automatically adjusts the direction, speed, and pressure of its precision-engineered milling blades to create the perfect grind every time,” according to OTTO’s website. 

While it may not be the most important use of AI technology, it is certainly a few steps up from the old hand-crank cigarette roller your uncle used. 

The STM Atomic Closer is Changing the Game

Pre-rolled cones have become so popular, new machines have had to be created specifically to facilitate mass production of them. Enter the STM Atomic Closer, an automatic cone-closing machine that can pack down and close 68 pre-rolls in one session. For companies looking to cut down on the time it takes to get individual cones rolled, packed, and shipped, the STM atomic closer is a game-changer. 

All Pre-Rolls are Not Created Equal

Consistent shape and weight are some of the positive aspects associated with cones, but consistent quality is not always guaranteed. Josh Kesselman, founder of Raw rolling papers has been striving to help companies and consumers create a consistent, sustainable, and evenly burning product since the company’s inception in 1995. 

“There’s lots of testing involved, a lot of production,” said Kesselman. “I’ve seen lots of people try to find ways to make them cheaper and easier like spiral wrapping, which makes them, in my experience, burn terrible.”

The key to buying quality pre-rolls is to know the company and know the product. RAW uses unrefined paper from natural plants with zero burn additives, ensuring that the rolling medium is environmentally sound and as healthy as possible.

Pre-rolls are one of the most convenient and popular cannabis products on the market today, and companies like Banana Bros., Raw, and STM are making production for consumers and distributors easier, safer, and more efficient. 

This article was first published in the spring 2022 issue of Cannabis & Tech Today. Read the full issue here.

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Is the Medical Cannabis Industry Failing Patients?

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Is the Medical Cannabis Industry Failing Patients? by Tami Kamin Meyer

“Consistent results from medical marijuana do not exist,” said Sami Spiezio, founder and CEO of Canna Group Consulting LLC in Columbus, Ohio.

According to Statista, the medical cannabis industry in the United States is exploding. Whereas Americans spent nearly $5 billion on medical marijuana in 2019, sales are expected to reach nearly $12 billion by 2024. It’s no secret more states are permitting medical marijuana sales within their borders each year, while the recreational use of cannabis is also gaining legislative and societal acceptance.

Heather Jackson, founder of Realm of Caring

“Educating medical patients is a challenge faced by the medical cannabis industry in large part due to gaps in our understanding of the health effects of cannabis,” said Matthew Lowe, PhD, the research director at Realm of Caring, a Colorado non-profit that focuses on cannabinoid therapy access and research. Completing that necessary research is a monumental undertaking complicated partly by the bureaucracy the industry faces at organizational, state, and federal levels, he said.

However, since marijuana is still not legal under federal law, each state permitting medical and recreational cannabis sales within its borders has enacted its own set of laws governing it. For example, every jurisdiction instructs how the cannabis is to be grown, harvested, transported and sold on the market while also controlling how much product a patient may purchase. 

Because no federal law governs how medical marijuana patients are to be educated about the cannabis they purchase to treat their ailments, that job is left to the states to legislate. Some have, while some haven’t. That means, in large measure, that the knowledge imparted on patients is only as thorough and accurate as is the training of budtenders, the clerks filling patient orders.

Who Is Minding the Budtender?

When a medical marijuana patient is issued a prescription for medical cannabis in a jurisdiction permitting its sales, they then register that status with the state agency overseeing the medical cannabis industry. Meanwhile, the general rule in the medical cannabis world is that budtenders tending to medical cannabis patients are not required to undergo specific training or possess a modicum of knowledge regarding which strains and products would best treat what ails the client. Colorado is an exception, where budtenders who assist recreational and medical cannabis users are required to secure a Marijuana Enforcement Division occupational license.

Caleb Chen, founder of Higher Critic

Budtenders, who tend to be hourly employees, may even have a covert financial interest in promoting a certain product, said Caleb Chen, founder of The Highest Critic, a review website of many products, including cannabis.

Medical marijuana patients should “be careful the budtender knows what they’re talking about because, at the end of the day, they may get a kickback for selling a product,” Chen said.

So, he cautions, “Buyer beware.”

The medical cannabis community isn’t receiving the most accurate assistance. This is partly due to the general disconnect in educating budtenders on products and their potential effects.

“Budtenders … should not be advising people with medical conditions what they should be using and how much. Only a doctor should be giving medical advice,” said Heather Jackson, founder of Realm of Caring. Consumers are being put at risk by budtenders distilling medical advice without proper certification or knowledge. 

To counter that, Realm of Caring operates a free call center that uses published research and its own published registry data to guide individuals in finding quality products aimed at treating particular ailments. According to Jackson, the call center has logged more than three million minutes on the phone counseling cannabis consumers since 2015. 

Meanwhile, they’re not the only dispensary focused on patient education. 

The National Holistic Healing Center in Washington, DC, the leading medical marijuana dispensary in the district, doesn’t refer to its client-facing personnel as budtenders. Instead, “we refer to them as Wellness Consultants,” said Dr. Chanda Macias, the dispensary’s founder.

Chanda Macias, PhD, CEO of the National Holistic Healing Center

Armed with a PhD in Cell Biology, Dr. Chanda, as she is affectionately referred, imparts her vast experience with cancer and infectious disease research on her company’s Wellness Consultants. The enterprise trains its Wellness Consultants on various matters that will assist them in suggesting the best cannabis product for a specific ailment, Chanda said. 

“We train employees on strain alignment, terpene profiles for certain conditions, and which cannabinoid profiles are good for certain conditions,” she said.

Education is “our fundamental platform,
so the patient is educated to make an informed decision about their healthcare,” Chanda said.

She laments the medical cannabis community as a whole has yet to embrace higher standards for employee awareness about the products they are selling. 

A Patient’s Responsibility

“The biggest issue is where the medical patient is receiving their information,” Spiezio said.

In the Buckeye State, for example, a consumer applying to receive a medical cannabis card must demonstrate they are afflicted by one or more of the 22 ailments for which the state permits such a license to be granted. A person can either visit one of the 615 Ohio physicians permitted to write such a prescription or visit what is referred to in the state as “Card Shops,” explains Spiezio.

In Spiezio’s mind, since Ohio patients are not required to maintain an ongoing relationship with the medical professional who wrote their cannabis prescription, the consumer is not receiving consistent medical advice as to what cannabis to purchase to treat what ails them.

That troubles him. It is partly due to the vast potential for misinformation that Spiezio has developed a unique relationship and trust with his medical advisor. That way, Spiezio can be assured he purchases the correct medical cannabis to treat his particular conditions.

“Most people chose to take the other route and rely on the budtender at their local dispensary to make these suggestions based on little to no background on the patient. Not only is this providing a disservice, it could also be the complete opposite of what the patient needs to help with their condition,” he said.

Dr. Chanda agrees. “If a doctor recommends you to be in the program, why aren’t they also prescribing specific strains?” she said. “It should never be the responsibility of the patient to decide their medical treatment.” 

Jackson disagrees, contending patients are not as powerless as it may seem when it comes to purchasing the right cannabis products to treat what ails them. 

“The consumer has the power with their purchase. Close your pocketbook to products that are not consistent and not of high quality,” she said. “It is the industry’s and consumers’ job to raise the tide.” 

This article was first published in the spring 2022 issue of Cannabis & Tech Today. Read the full issue here.

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Know Before You Throw: How to Properly Dispose of Cannabis Vaporizers

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Know Before You Throw: How to Properly Dispose of Cannabis Vaporizers by Patricia Miller

Vaporizers are increasingly popular, quickly becoming many cannabis enthusiasts’ go-to method for medicating. From the Volcano vaporizer to the PAX pen and recently disposable pens, vaporizers are taking the market by storm.

Vape pens work by heating cannabis flower or concentrate to 302-446°F, a temperature high enough to activate THC and CBD, but low enough that no combustion occurs. The result is a vapor that contains active substances without the potentially harmful smoke produced by traditional inhalation methods. 

Vaping is also more discreet than smoking, producing almost no visible clouds and significantly reducing cannabis’ immediately identifiable aroma. 

The Downside

While vaporizers have solved many of the problems cannabis users run into, one aspect of the device has been largely overlooked: its impact on the environment. The rise of disposable CBD, delta-8, and THC vape pens has resulted in a lot of hazardous material being thrown away. 

Lithium-ion batteries are typically used to power vape pens, as they produce slim, lightweight products that last a long time between charging. However, the same technology that allows you to conveniently fit a vape in your pocket is contributing to chemical pollution. Each battery contains hazardous, toxic, and corrosive materials like mercury, cadmium, lithium, and lead. Disposable cartridges also contain hazardous materials.

“Nickel and chromium components were detected in all devices, and others contained copper, lead, tin, gold, silicon-rich rubbers, or fluorinated microplastics,”  said California Department of Public Health scientists Jeff Wagner and Wenhao Chen, in a recent article published by PLoS One. 

While many people are aware of the dangers vape pen components pose to the environment, information on how to responsibly dispose of them is not always easy to find. Here are a few tips on how to properly discard vape pen cartridges and batteries and find alternatives to disposables:

Resolve to Recycle

Vape batteries are defined as “electronic waste.” Check with local municipal authorities on where the nearest electronic waste recycling centers are located. Often, local dispensaries and smoke or vape retailers have information on the nearest recycling center. Some shops even have a designated area to drop used devices.

Choose Reusable Devices

Rechargeable vape pens are a great solution for users looking to minimize their environmental impact. Many rechargeable devices use flower instead of concentrates, but both are available. Instead of reaching for the cheaper and sometimes more convenient disposable pen behind the counter, opt for a reusable, rechargeable device. It may cost a few extra dollars for the initial purchase, but you will save money in the long run. 

Go for Gummies

There are a plethora of options when it comes to choosing how you medicate. Edibles come in a variety of strengths and mediums and are available in CBD, THC, delta-8, or a mix. Edibles also allow you to choose your exact dose and are even more discreet than using a vape.   

The way people consume cannabis has, like most things, changed due to technological advances. Now is the time to take stock of the potential impact those advances have. A move toward more sustainable use is possible, and the more we collectively consider responsible disposal and medication methods, the closer sustainability comes to being a reality. 

This article was first published in the spring 2022 issue of Cannabis & Tech Today. Read the full issue here.

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Lets Get LOWD: Jesce Horton Talks Sustainability and Diversity

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Let’s Get LOWD: Jesce Horton Talks Sustainability and Diversity by Patricia Miller

There was a time, not so long ago, when cannabis was a culture rather than an industry. It inspired kinship between people — a bond over a shared pastime. This comradery is partially what inspired Jesce Horton to launch LOWD, one of Oregon’s most respected craft cannabis companies. LOWD is an acronym for Love Our Weed Daily. It’s a motto the company instills into all of its award-winning flower, which is lovingly tended with custom lighting and racking systems before hitting the curing room for preservation in glass jars. 

Horton has a passion for cannabis and “stoner culture,” as he refers to it. As cannabis trends toward becoming an industry, full of professionals peddling a sterilized version of what was once a beloved counterculture, Horton wants to represent the “real connoisseurs and stoners” like himself. While this desire to preserve the culture is commendable, he’s doing it in a notably non-stoner way. 

Photo: Sam Gehrke

He majored in industrial engineering and minored in mathematics and physics at Florida State University. He co-founded the Minority Cannabis Business Association (MCBA), the first and largest non-profit organization devoted to creating equal access and economic empowerment for those most impacted by the war on drugs. Horton is on the Board of Directors for the Resource Innovation Institute (RII), a platform that creates energy efficiency solutions and standards for the global cannabis industry. 

His work in the cannabis ecosystem is expansive. He has served as an advisor for federal, state, and local cannabis regulatory committees. He’s working with Ben’s Best, a funding venture for Black-owned cannabis companies led by Ben Cohen of Ben & Jerry’s. 

Horton is a renaissance man. He can do it all and he’s helping others as he climbs the ladder of cannabis success. He and his wife Jeannette Ward Horton launched the Nu Leaf Project in 2019 to deliver grants, loans, and educational resources to cannabis business owners and career hopefuls throughout Portland, Oregon. For this issue’s Innovator Profile, Cannabis & Tech Today spoke with Horton to better understand the state of sustainability in the cannabis sector.

Cannabis & Tech Today: What inspired you to start working in this industry?

Jesce Horton: Really, passion. I’ve been a stoner since I was 16 years old. I always felt out of place as a result of being in the Southeast, where that’s a lot more taboo than it is in the west. But also being in the professional atmosphere in engineering. Even though a lot of people did smoke and did consume, it’s never anything that you would want people to know. So just really always feeling out of place for having a love for it. Ultimately, finding myself in Portland, Oregon at the start of the medical and recreational cannabis revolution was just a perfect alignment for me to be doing what I enjoy, but also find ways to add a lot of value to the industry.

C&T Today: What makes LOWD unique in the cannabis space?

JH: LOWD, is first and foremost here to represent stoner culture. To put it on a pedestal, in a time when it’s seeming more taboo with the growth of the industry and the professionalism of the industry. We’re here to represent that culture — legacy growers, real connoisseurs, and stoners like myself and people who work here. 

C&T Today: What are some of the biggest barriers preventing growers from embracing environmentally-friendly practices?

JH: The biggest barrier is a willingness to change procedures. Even in some of the best cannabis cultivation spaces, indoor, you may have six harvests a year right in one room. Because it’s such a high-dollar crop, changing a procedure can sometimes really be scary. There’s so much at risk. There are so many things happening. The industry is so competitive that you may tell me I can improve my efficiency by 20%. But if I fear that even one time, I’m going to lose 30% in my harvest, then I’ve just erased all of those gains that you’re telling me about.

That’s where organizations like Resource Innovation Institute are important. [It] brings all the stakeholders together by having the data — and not just opinions — to help people to make these decisions.

C&T Today: Why don’t we see more wind- and solar-powered cultivation facilities?

JH: When you look at solar, when you look at wind power, even though it is a smart move, these are typically longer payback periods. Maybe a year, two years, five years, 10 years before they can truly realize that investment. Government incentives have a lot to do with dropping those payback periods down.

We have to understand the industry is very young. People are still trying to compete and stay alive. They’re going to be slow in that period versus a more mature industry. So there are a lot of things that make it less prevalent but still smart depending on where people are.

C&T Today: How does automation play a role in the efficiency of a cultivation facility?

JH: There’s a line to walk I think in any industry as it relates to how you implement automation and robotics. It’s going to hopefully supplement what a person is doing. A lot of times it’s going to replace people. There are a lot of places for more automation and more intelligent computers in grow facilities. Primarily as it relates to data collection,
human-machine interface. How do we make sure that we’re collecting the data and then getting it to people in a way that is not just a spreadsheet — getting it to them in a way that has actionable steps?

There is a big space for the implementation of computers and data assessment and technology and automation. But there is only so far that can go, ultimately, when you’re trying to optimize the growth of a plant.

C&T Today: In our last issue, we had two different articles about the future of agriculture for cannabis. One argued that cannabis grown outdoors is more environmentally friendly as it requires fewer inputs. The other argued indoor cultivation is the future because you can be so precise with resources because of advances in automation. As someone who’s had an up-close view of the industry and sustainability, do you feel there’s space for both? Or is the future of the industry leaning one way or another?

JH: Wow, I wish I had a canned answer for that because it’s such an important question. And I think it’s really simple, in that we must have both. Outdoor cultivation is so limiting and becoming even more limiting for several reasons. One, because depending on the part of the country you’re in, it severely limits your ability to produce quality flower. Two, because of the climate changes we’re experiencing. We saw so many farms wiped out by forest fires and typhoons that ultimately decimate the value of the crop for our entire community … If I could concisely answer that, I would say without a doubt we need all forms of cultivation to fuel the demand for our industry. 

C&T Today: Co-founding the Minority Cannabis Business Association and working with so many different companies, what do you see most cannabis businesses get wrong when it comes to diversity in the workplace?

JH: I think what people get wrong with diversity in general, is that this is about morality or primarily about doing the right thing. I think that’s how people tend to look at it. As a result, it tends to fall to the wayside. I think what people have to view it as is the most important business decision that companies can make right now. As you’re trying to develop a brand with a product that is used across every demographic, every race, every age, every background, to not view building that brand and not view making that product in a way that appeals to as many as possible, is a big mistake. It’s something that is limiting a lot of companies.

C&T Today: Do you feel a lack of cultural diversity has an impact on the sustainability and longevity of this sector?

JH: Oh, certainly, without a doubt. When you look at the illegal market, it will always exist. It has always existed. And if people don’t see a place for themselves in the newly formed industry, they will support the traditional means. They will support their friend who’s selling cannabis. They will support their cousins, people they know, people who they know where their dollars are going. [They want to be] feeling good about where they’re spending their dollars and feeling like they can talk to someone who understands how they want to consume, the products they want to consume, and the methodologies that they’re consuming, which are still very cultural. So it’s something that has to take more priority if companies want to develop a sustainable brand — one that will last and one that will demand some loyalty. 

This article was first published in the spring 2022 issue of Cannabis & Tech Today. Read the full issue here.

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Driving Excellence With NACBs Sustainability Standard

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Driving Excellence With NACB’s Sustainability Standard by Deneka Scott

Our world is straining under the pressures that have resulted from unsustainable practices. We must build systems in the emerging cannabis industry that promote environmental, social, and economic sustainability.

In collaboration with industry experts, the NACB used our common-sense approach to create a Sustainability Standard which provides guidance and a framework for three key areas — corporate governance, social and human impact, and the environment.

Opportunities for Sustainability Excellence

Cannabis generates waste — about 150 million tons per year according to data from GAIACA Waste Revitalization. Cannabis waste presents both a challenge and bold opportunities for driving excellence in protecting our planet and building a more sustainable and inclusive industry. 

The Environmental Focus (section 3) of this standard provides a holistic approach to addressing the challenge, including considerations for land management, energy, water, and waste. It also provides guidance for cultivation, manufacturing, retail-specific operations, and distribution and transport. 

Our focus on sustainability is comprehensive and it requires bold action. 

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NACB’s Sustainability Standard Is:

Transparent — Members and the public now have greater opportunities to use the standard to develop internal programs and systems, including our self-audit checklist, to promote a culture of excellence in this area. 

Compliant — A handful of forward-thinking states have already enacted cannabis waste management regulations and guidance. The Sustainability Standard represents best practices common to many industries as well as cannabis-specific practices and policies. By developing, documenting, and complying with this standard, NACB members put themselves in a stronger position to comply with current regulations and anticipate those that have yet to be enacted. 

Inclusive — NACB members must encourage the participation and inclusion of underrepresented groups by providing relevant opportunities, activating diversity, and elevating equity. By addressing these areas of employee engagement, diversity and inclusion, and workers’ rights, NACB members are held accountable to the highest professional standards.

“In particular, people of color have faced obstacles in joining the burgeoning legal cannabis industry. Regardless of bearing the brunt of marijuana arrests from the United States’ war on drugs, many entrepreneurs are now making social justice a standard — even a necessity — in approaching the growing field,” said Chriscilia Cox, Suma Consulting, NACB member, and industry expert who helped to create this standard.

NACB members are committing to making a difference in people’s lives. We encourage you and your organization to join us in adopting this new Sustainability Standard. You may read the standard and get a copy of our Sustainability Self-Audit Checklist by visiting our website at NACB.com. We are all in this together, and it is our duty to care for our planet and each other.

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Lazarus Naturals CBD Gummies Review

Welcome to our Lazarus Naturals gummy review!

These 25mg CBD gummies—enhanced with L-theanine, caffeine, and more—aim for a clean energy boost that steers around the pitfalls of energy drinks while providing the wellness-affirming benefits of CBD.

Where they perhaps miss a bit of potential in the supporting cannabinoids department (by the way, they’re THC free), these gummies open up completely new avenues for CBD users looking for a product they can use earlier in the day to soldier through a busy schedule.

Our team found the gummies to be effective and tasty in this regard—here’s everything else we learned in our experience with Lazarus Naturals CBD Energy Gummies.

Table of Contents

1. Pros and Cons
2. Quality
3. Concentration
4. Value
5. Packaging
6. Ingredients
7. Flavor and Texture
8. Effectiveness
9. Conclusion

Check Price

Lazarus Naturals CBD Energy Gummies

Concentration

25mg CBD x 40 gummies (1,000mg total)

Ingredients

Organic Tapioca Syrup, Sucrose, Water, Organic Blackberry Juice Concentrate, Pectin, Organic Pear Juice Concentrate, Organic Clarified Lemon Juice Concentrate, Yuzu Flavor, Yuzu Juice, CBD Isolate, L-Theanine, Sodium Citrate, Blackberry Flavor, Taste Modifier (Propylene Glycol, Glycerine, Natural Flavor, Monoammoniated Glycyrrhizin), Natural Masking Flavor Powder (Salt, Maltodextrin, Natural Flavors, Food Starch Modified, Silicon Dioxide), Caffeine, Vitamin B12

Coupon Code

Use code CBDINSIDER for 10% off

Pros and Cons

Let’s start with the pros

• Great taste and texture
• Superior value
• Sustained energy boost
• Quality sourcing, manufacturing, and testing standards

And now the cons

• Higher added sugar content per gummy
• No supporting cannabinoids
• One concentration/size offered

Quality

Lazarus Naturals sources their hemp from partner farmers in Oregon, all of which are registered with the state department of agriculture.

They use organic methods to grow the hemp and employ multiple rounds of testing (pre-harvest and afterwards) to ensure the safety, quality, and potency of their products. 

Lazarus Naturals hemp products are extracted using ethanol, which is considered the gold standard of the hemp industry alongside CO2 for its safety and efficiency. 

Possibly the greatest quality differentiator at Lazarus is their flower-only extraction—as the flower is the most cannabinoid- and terpene-dense part of the hemp plant—which the majority of CBD brands still don’t do. 

Regarding our review of the CBD Energy Gummies specifically, the savvy formulation (incorporating adaptogens and nootropics) reflects a high-level of understanding of the synergy between the CBD and other enhancers. 

Overall, Lazarus Naturals as a company and their CBD Energy Gummies make a solid showing on the quality front, sticking stubbornly to industry gold standards in several areas of operation.

Concentration

Our Lazarus Naturals CBD Energy Gummies come in a single concentration and size: 25 milligrams a gummy at 40 gummies, providing a total of 1,000mg of CBD.

The good news as far as the lab test for these gummies is concerned is that there were no measurable amounts of pesticides, microbes, residual solvents (other than ethanol), or other contaminants.

However, if you’re looking for a harder-hitting CBD gummy that synergizes the cannabinoid with THC and/or other cannabinoids like CBG, CBN, etc., this may not meet your desired potency level as far as the hemp extract is concerned, since no supporting cannabinoids were detected.

Of course, the caffeine and L-theanine provide an entirely new use for this product, so if you’re more interested in a focused energy boost that doesn’t feel so jittery, this is the ideal formulation.

Either way, the concentrations on the lab report match the label, and 25mg per gummy is a solid step up from the slew of brands that infuse only 10mg or 15mg per gummy.

Value

Lazarus Naturals has long led the field of top-tier CBD brands when it comes to value, and this case is no different.

Their CBD Energy Gummies cost $38 on the Lazarus Naturals website, which reduces to $0.04/mg. 

Considering this price beats many non-targeted CBD oil tinctures out there, which are considerably cheaper, it’s safe to say these are the cheapest or close to it when it comes to CBD gummies from reputable brands.

As for product quality relative to value, the lack of supporting cannabinoids is largely offset by the enhancement with focus-boosting compounds, so $0.04/mg remains an excellent value for a widely trusted brand.

Packaging

Our Lazarus Naturals CBD Energy Gummies arrived in a clear plastic bottle with a threaded lid. 

The label provided a blurb about the brand, certifications (B Corp, vegan, gluten free, etc.), use instructions, supplement facts, ingredients, and more.

The containers were durable and easy to use—wide mouth helps—throughout our entire use of the product..

Finally, the label featured a QR code that leads you to the certificate of analysis from the lab test.

Overall, the packaging and labeling were consistent with every top-tier brand we have reviewed, with no major issues noted. 

Ingredients

Here is the ingredient list for Lazarus Naturals CBD Energy Gummies:

Organic Tapioca Syrup, Sucrose, Water, Organic Blackberry Juice Concentrate, Pectin, Organic Pear Juice Concentrate, Organic Clarified Lemon Juice Concentrate, Yuzu Flavor, Yuzu Juice, CBD Isolate, L-Theanine, Sodium Citrate, Blackberry Flavor, Taste Modifier (Propylene Glycol, Glycerine, Natural Flavor, Monoammoniated Glycyrrhizin), Natural Masking Flavor Powder (Salt, Maltodextrin, Natural Flavors, Food Starch Modified, Silicon Dioxide), Caffeine, Vitamin B12.

Organic sweeteners and juice are great to see, as is the complete lack of harsh additives, but 4g of added sugar is on the higher side.

Most gummies range between 2-3g of added sugar, and are still very sweet at that level, so we will count the sugar content as the one knock against the formulation.

Otherwise, the clean ingredients paired with savvy additions like L-theanine, vitamin B12, and caffeine for energy and focus make for a very strong ingredient list.

Flavor and Texture

Thanks to real blackberry juice and flavoring, these gummies actually tasted like blackberries, and were neither too tart nor too sweet.

As for how effectively the flavoring covered up the bitter undertones from the natural hemp taste, this gummy was moderately above average, leaving nothing but a mild aftertaste. 

The texture was consistent with most gummies we’ve reviewed, landing in the middle of the chewy (versus hard) spectrum.

The well-balanced flavor and texture made it easy to take 2-3 at a time.

Overall, we enjoyed both the flavor and texture of these Lazarus Natural CBD Energy Gummies, and have no major concerns to offer. 

Effectiveness

Similar to how CBD can significantly offset the effects of THC, the CBD (and vitamin B) in this case helped to focus the caffeine rush for a more productive, sustainable, and less jittery burst of energy that lasted for several hours after taking 2-3 gummies.

If you’re looking to get into a “flow state” for several hours without feeling completely zapped afterwards, these gummies offer a gentle alternative to energy drinks and other less carefully formulated alternatives.

We also noticed, albeit to a lesser extent, some of the other characteristic benefits of CBD when using this product, including elevated mood and relief from minor discomfort.

Overall, we were pleased with the effectiveness of these Lazarus Naturals CBD Energy Gummies, and at 25mg a piece, many people will be able to find the right balance at just one or two gummies. 

Check Price

Lazarus Naturals CBD Energy Gummies

Concentration

25mg CBD x 40 gummies (1,000mg total)

Ingredients

Organic Tapioca Syrup, Sucrose, Water, Organic Blackberry Juice Concentrate, Pectin, Organic Pear Juice Concentrate, Organic Clarified Lemon Juice Concentrate, Yuzu Flavor, Yuzu Juice, CBD Isolate, L-Theanine, Sodium Citrate, Blackberry Flavor, Taste Modifier (Propylene Glycol, Glycerine, Natural Flavor, Monoammoniated Glycyrrhizin), Natural Masking Flavor Powder (Salt, Maltodextrin, Natural Flavors, Food Starch Modified, Silicon Dioxide), Caffeine, Vitamin B12.

Coupon Code

Use code CBDINSIDER for 10% off

Conclusion

Lazarus Naturals CBD Energy gummies are a tasty, effective, and intelligently formulated option for anyone looking to calmly power through long work days or other intensive tasks.

As expected, these gummies are priced to lead the market, and the integrity-driven sourcing and manufacturing practices of Lazarus Naturals helps to build trust around this product and the rest of their catalog.

The gummies were just chewy enough, tasted great, and made good on their promise to provide sustained energy without the jitters or the crash.

We’d like to see the added sugar content come down, but the decent concentration of 25mg/gummy helps to somewhat mitigate that issue.

We will continue to recommend these Lazarus Naturals CBD Energy Gummies to anyone looking for a focused burst of energy along with the other benefits this hard-working cannabinoid can provide—see our latest Lazarus Naturals Coupon here. 

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Minnesota Hemp Market Buzzing After Legal Win

This month’s enactment of HF 4065, a Minnesota Bill that defines legal THC thresholds on a per-serving and per-package basis for “edible cannabinoid products,” has emboldened major actors in the state’s hemp industry to invest in expansion.

As Marijuana Moment reported, Governor Tim Walz (D) visited Hemp Acres—one of Minnesota’s largest cannabis processing centers—soon after HF 4065 was enacted, offering support to the farmers and expressing his hopes for the economic boon this new climate may provide.

The U.S. Hemp Roundtable celebrates on two counts, because the regulatory guidance they were hoping for in this case—guidance that would more clearly delineate which cannabinoids and/or products are subject to the new law—was delivered by the Minnesota Board of Pharmacy.

A FAQ document released by the Minnesota Board of Pharmacy on June 30th explains that the new law applies to “Any non-intoxicating cannabinoid product intended for human or animal consumption” and “Edible cannabinoids, which are defined … as products that are intended to be eaten or consumed as beverages by humans, contain a cannabinoid in combination with food ingredients, and are not drugs.”

The document also clarifies several important points relating to how cannabinoid products are approved and regulated, what the revised labeling and other requirements are, and more.

On a broader level, seeing finer lines drawn between non-intoxicating compounds like CBD and intoxicating compounds like THC within state legislatures signals a major stride in creating a less divisive, more incisive approach to these substances and products.

As always, we will continue to update you on how the situation unfolds in Minnesota, alongside state-level and national updates on all things hemp legislation. 

via The CBD Insider https://thecbdinsider.com/news/minnesota-hemp-market-buzzing-after-legal-win/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=minnesota-hemp-market-buzzing-after-legal-win

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New CBD Certification Rewards Social Impact and Sustainability Efforts

TESTSTSARDSAR

New CBD Certification Rewards Social Impact and Sustainability Efforts  by Tami Kamin Meyer

If cannabis and CBD enterprises hope to be successful, demonstrating social consciousness and long-term sustainability efforts will be key. That’s according to a survey conducted by Clutch of 420 consumers who shared their views on the importance of corporate social responsibility.

Fran Teplitz

More than two-thirds (70%) of Generation Xers (ages 35-54) said they would likely stop patronizing a company that supports an issue with which they disagree. A majority (54%) of participating Millennials (ages 18-34) agreed. Supporters among Baby boomers (ages 55+), an age group known to be more loyal than younger generations, numbered 37%.

Consumers and businesses concerned with the social impact and environmental pursuits of a CBD company can now rely on a recently established certification program at Green America.

According to Fran Teplitz, executive co-director of Green America and the organization’s director of its Green Business Network, there had been no certification as to the sustainability and social impact of the CBD industry until now.

What Does Certification Mean?

Earning a Green America certification for social action and sustainability translates into a report card for consumers and others involved in the CBD industry about the business practices of an entity, explained Teplitz. 

“Our certification seal informs consumers that businesses that earn it have high social and environmental standards,” said Teplitz. “Earning the seal is also a gateway to additional visibility for businesses through Green America because we tell the green business story through the members we certify,” she said.

Being certified ensures consumers, manufacturers, and others involved in the CBD industry that an entity “meets a certain threshold of social and environmental impacts,” Teplitz said. 

Any member of Green America may apply for Green Business Network Certification. Green America also certifies the green practices of businesses in over 40 other industries that similarly must meet rigorous Green Business Standards to gain the designation. 

A Green Business Network certification is based on a company as a whole, not solely on the product level. 

“Our strategy is looking at the overall business operations and their environmental and social impact pursuits,” Teplitz said.

Deepak Panjwani

A benefit of earning certification is recognition on a national level of meeting stringent industry standards, according to Deepak Panjwani, a consultant and brand developer in the cannabis industry for the past decade. His involvement with Green America began in 2015; he was named to its Board of Directors in 2018.

“There isn’t anything out there that emulates what Green America is doing for everyone in the cannabis industry (from a production-side business perspective),” said Panjwani. “This certification takes the industry all the way from seed to sales.” 

Criterion for Certification

Earning a Green America certification in social action and sustainability is not an easy feat. According to Teplitz, Green America’s certification program “looks at a wide range of issues.” They include:

• Does the applicant’s website include an environmental and social vision?

• Any other certifications the company has already earned

• Reviewing the entity’s business operations to determine, for example, whether the company recycles

• Where and how it does its business banking (for example, do they bank online? Can customers pay their invoices online?)

• Supply chain considerations

• An in-depth look at the company’s labor policies

• Inquiries into pesticides used on any products

• Questions about the source of their seeds

“We ask a lot of questions about being a green business, overall. Some questions are CBD-specific and some are directed at determining how environmentally friendly and socially responsible the business is,” said Teplitz. “It is a truly green certification that covers everything,” Panjwani noted. 

Who Benefits From the Certification?

In Gaither Whaley’s mind, anyone involved with CBD products, ranging from hemp growers to manufacturers to consumers and everyone in between, benefits from Green America’s certification program. Whaley, founder and president of Rohtah LLC, which provides wellness products for a holistic lifestyle, is all in favor of Green America’s certification of CBD companies. 

Gaither Whaley

“Currently, [the CBD industry] is like the Wild West,” he said. “Anyone can slap a label on a bottle that may contain CBD but this certification guarantees a quality that is helpful and not detrimental to a patient’s health. It holds the industry and anyone involved in it accountable to a standard and helps sustain the industry.”

Certifications like this also lend credibility to the industry it pertains to. That’s imperative, not only because it makes for sound business practices, it also reassures patients they may “rest easy and not worry about what they’re putting into their bodies,” Whaley said.

If a CBD company earns a Green America certification, it is then authorized to display an official seal from Green America highlighting the designation on its website. Consumers concerned with the social impact and sustainability successes and visions of a CBD company can click on a link to Green America’s website that is paired with the seal to read more about the certification process. 

Such certification was necessary for the CBD industry, said Teplitz, so consumers know and understand the products and companies that meet a certain threshold of social and environmental impacts. 

However, the certification’s purpose is not solely to reassure consumers about the ethics and social consciousnesses of a CBD business. “The Green Business Network certifies a business as a whole, not just at the product level,” said Teplitz. “Our strategy is looking at a company’s overall business operations and their environmental and social impact pursuits.”

This article was first published in the spring 2022 issue of Cannabis & Tech Today. Read the full issue here.

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