Innholdsfortegnelse for Summer 2018 i Cannabis & Tech Today

When we launched our first national publication Innovation & Tech Today over five years ago, we wanted to focus on life-changing technologies, revolutionary business ideas, and the people that have reshaped the world. And, with our brand new publication Cannabis & Tech Today, we get the opportunity to take this focus and apply it to the ever-growing world of cannabis and hemp. With Cannabis & Tech Today, we have a mission: to take a detailed look at the burgeoning cannabis industry through a lens of science and technology. While there is no shortage of marijuana-related publications on the market, I noticed that most of them focused purely on the lifestyle side, ignoring some of the major business innovations and scientific discoveries taking place. In a true celebration of the rapidly…

Legal cannabis is one of the fastest growing industries in North America. New Frontier Data, a cannabis analytics firm, recently reported there will be more than 250,000 jobs for American workers in the cannabis market by 2020. The potential for Canadian job growth will be even larger, as Canada is soon to become the first G20 nation to legalize recreational consumption on a national level. Careers in STEM will see the most growth as cannabis companies scramble to find qualified applicants to fill a diverse array of challenging positions. Professionals with backgrounds in STEM will be entering a high-paying and expanding market. Many employers are willing to pay more than $150,000 a year for applicants with the right skill set. Current listings mention preferred experience in such fields as: plant…

The cannabis industry isn’t always the “greenest” in terms of environmental impact. Exorbitant energy consumption, excessive water usage, and a reliance on pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers can make cannabis cultivation appear somewhat unsustainable. This realization spurred Jacob Policzer and his team of experts to develop The Cannabis Conservancy, an international organization focused on providing sustainability certifications to cannabis cultivators worldwide. From fostering genetic diversity to nurturing living soils, cannabis growers are changing their approach to agriculture. In this exclusive interview, Policzer tells us why cannabis has the potential to become a leader in global sustainability and why we should care about its genetic heritage. Cannabis & Tech Today : What was your inspiration to start The Cannabis Conservancy? Jacob Policzer: Once cannabis took hold in the legal markets in…

Mr. Wonderful gives his brutally honest take on the modern state of cannabis. Throughout his illustrious career, Kevin O’Leary has invested in a wide array of industries, including fitness, tech, food delivery, and many more. However, one sector that has piqued the interest of “Mr. Wonderful” is the billion-dollar business of marijuana. O’Leary has strong opinions regarding the booming world of cannabis, with a sobering focus on the importance of resolving legislative issues unique to the space. The Shark Tank star, who has invested in companies across multiple continents, will be giving his heavy takes on the business side of marijuana as the keynote speaker for MJBizConNEXT in New Orleans in May. In this exclusive interview, O’Leary gives his patented honest opinions on the unique nature of the cannabis industry,…

Chris Driessen is focused on passion, preparedness, and planning. President of the world’s largest cannabis brand O.penVAPE, his enthusiasm for the brand as well as his devotion to family have been key motivators for building an international cannabis empire. As he seeks to bring the brand to international markets, including Europe and the Caribbean, Driessen is focused on market domination and maintaining his company’s “ride-or-die” close-ness. In this candid interview, Driessen shares how he has found success and how newcomers to the scene can hope to replicate it. #1. Get involved because it’s your passion. The money is a symptom of living your passion. If you’re getting into it just to make money, I’m going to eat your lunch because me being very passionate about this plant, being very passionate…

On November 6, 2012, Colorado voters officially passed Amendment 64. Enacted as Article 18, section 16 of the state constitution, the new law addressed the use and regulation of marijuana for consumers 21 and over, as well as commercial cultivation, manufacturing, and retail. The recreational sale of cannabis began just over a year later on January 1, 2014. The new legislation made Colorado the first state with completely legal recreational cannabis, marking a shift in public opinion. While there were some uncertainties and concerns at the time, over five years later, legalization in Colorado has brought with it economic prosperity, increased education and research, and some incredible innovations. In 2014, Colorado’s first year of legal cannabis, the state gained $76 million in revenue, $35 million of which went directly toward…

“It’s a weird thing; it’s just a form of close-mindedness and, trying to control other people’s free will. I’m not into it.” Whether you know him from his comedic musical performances on IFC’s Comedy Bang! Bang!, his role as bandleader for The Late Late Show With James Corden, or his hilariously bizarre TED Talks, there’s a good chance you’re familiar with comedian/musician Reggie Watts. Named one of High Times’ “100 Most Influential People in Cannabis,” Watts has long been an advocate for the substance, with an original song about Marijuana Day, an appearance on Viceland’s Bong Appétit, and even social media posts about legislation. In this exclusive interview, we discuss breaking the stigma around cannabis culture, his new collaborative album, and his creative strain name ideas. Cannabis & Tech Today…

Time Needed: 30 minutes hands-on // 1 hr inactive Serves: 4 4–2oz servings at 8 mg of THC per serving Ingredients: 16 Tbsp (2 sticks) unsalted butter (room temperature) 2 tsp Clean Cannabis Butter (room temperature) 4 oz poached lobster meat 1/4 tsp saffron powder 2 cloves garlic, minced 1/2 tsp garlic powder 1/2 tsp onion powder Pinch of salt Plastic wrap On low heat, add cannabis butter and saffron in a small saucepan. Cook until saffron is fully incorporated. Add minced garlic, garlic powder, and onion powder. Cook until garlic is soft. Remove the saucepan from the heat and fold in the poached lobster meat. Season with salt to taste, and set aside to chill in refrigerator. Once the lobster is cool, gently fold into the unsalted room temperature…

Food, fiber, fuel, renewability, and sustainability. These five components are the foundation of Colleen Lanier’s industrial hemp campaign. For the past five years, Lanier has worked tirelessly to advocate on behalf of the Hemp Industries Association (HIA) and Vote Hemp to build awareness and acceptance for this versatile crop. From her early work with the Tennessee HIA helping to pass the The Agricultural Act of 2014 (a.k.a. the Farm Bill) to her current endeavors to have hemp removed from the Controlled Substance Act, Lanier’s passion has led to some incredible advancements for the industry. In this exclusive interview, Lanier discusses why hemp should be used as a primary commodity for everything from biofuels to housing and how domestic cultivation could change the landscape of American industrial farming. Cannabis & Tech…

Jeremy Heidl’s endeavors in the cannabis industry have been a struggle, often dealing with antiquated stigmas and restrictive regulations to build his brand. In this revealing interview, Heidl explains why working in cannabis is like signing up to be repeatedly punched in the face and how his team is working to overcome a nationwide epidemic of outdated ideologies. Cannabis & Tech Today: How does this business compare to your previous ventures? Jeremy Heidl: Working in this industry is the most difficult thing I’ve ever done. It’s the most difficult business I’ve ever been involved in. It’s the most difficult day-to-day that I’ve ever had. It’s the most difficult relationship – be it with my kids, my wife, my crazy family. It is the hardest thing I’ve ever done.…

Anthropologists have yet to discover a culture where mind or mood-altering substances weren’t present. Drugs have been with us since the beginning, for better or worse. The challenge for any user is to achieve its mood and health benefits while being able to regulate its use, but many struggle. Repeated drug use can trigger a shift in our brain chemistry that promotes addiction, a chronically-relapsing disease in which users seek and use drugs despite harmful consequences to their own health, compromised social and family relationships, and impaired work performance. It’s a tragic state that is estimated to cost the United States nearly $700 billion annually. It’s no wonder that the government has an interest in reducing drug addiction. Unfortunately, their strategy of limiting access has failed. Nearly 10 percent of…

“We knew we could bring our pharmaceutical and scientific expertise to the cannabis industry…” The small town of Pueblo, Colorado is bisected by Interstate 25, a pulsing current of new talent carrying eager transplants from the south to the thriving metropolis of Denver in the north. Most tourists aren’t interested in the Pueblo Heritage Museum or the historic riverwalk (though they should be) as much as they’re interested in where they can find a rest stop and something to eat. Were they to look closer they would realize this little town is the Napa Valley of cannabis cultivation. Just outside of the city, away from the red brick of crumbling factories and historic storefronts, sit the manufacturing centers for some of Colorado’s largest cannabis distributors. This is the home of…

Restrictions for cannabis companies are nothing new, but growing a business when laws and cultural stigma place strict limits on advertising is a different realm. Facebook and Google — the largest online advertising platforms — have blocked paid social ads, restraining a market that requires education and whose progression is dependent on untapped business. But the result has forced cannabis companies to think outside the box, forming partnerships and deploying experiential marketing techniques that are turning heads. Association as an Influential Tool A California dispensary, Alternative Herbal Health Services, partnered with streaming giant Netflix to produce marijuana product lines inspired by popular shows Orange is the New Black, Arrested Development, and Bojack Horseman. The marijuana is sold in sleek, candle-shaped jars packaged with bright neon labels, making their appearance in…

When it comes to running a licensed cannabis business, data security may or may not be a top priority among all of the different things licensees need to consider. But when it comes down to it, securing your data is arguably your biggest priority next to selling products. So what exactly makes data security so important in the cannabis industry? HIPAA Compliance Cannabis businesses are not currently covered by HIPAA because it’s a federally operated program and cannabis is still a federally illegal, Class I substance. However, you’re still collecting information for medical patients. When the day comes that cannabis businesses are covered by HIPAA, you’ll want to be well ahead of that change. Data security as it relates to HIPAA and patient privacy should not be underestimated. Any compromise…

Organa Brands is the largest cannabis-oil-based consumer products company in the United States. Its founder and former CEO, Ralph Morgan, is transitioning into a CBD-based business centered around the medical applications of cannabinoids. In this exclusive interview, Morgan shares his insights on the state of the industry and reveals how cannabis is quickly becoming the safest product ever made. Cannabis & Tech Today: How do you describe the cannabis industry’s working culture as it stands right now? Ralph Morgan: It’s in transition. It’s definitely a hybrid. You know, you have this counterculture industry. Marijuana’s been underground for a long, long time, and you have that weaving into real serious business. We’ve seen this very interesting kind of change of the guard and dichotomy here where you’ve got the…

The East Coast is the next frontier in the development and growth of the medical and legalized cannabis industry. The 5th Annual Cannabis World Congress & Business Exposition (CWCBExpo), held May 30 – June 2 at the Javits Center in New York, is the premier event for entrepreneurial and educational opportunities. All under one roof, in the financial and media capital of the world, attendees will gain unprecedented knowledge, discover essential products and services, and establish solid business contacts to grow their existing business or enter this emerging market. Educational Programs that Cover Everything From A to Z • In-depth workshops on Opening a Cannabis Business; Advanced Cannabis Investment Workshop – Beyond the Basics; NJ Cannabis Workshop; The Secret Sauce: Developing IP and Production Best Practices with the incredibles Kitchen…

At the time of this writing, I have spent over a year in the cannabis industry. My first experience came in February 2017, coinciding with the launch of Sesh Technologies Manufacturing. Since that launch, I have seen the company grow exponentially, making appearances at major cannabis events and releasing revolutionary products such as the STM RocketBox and STM Rosin Press. And, while I’ve only spent a little over a year in the business of cannabis, there are three major lessons I’ve learned from my time in the industry: The cannabis workforce and those who partake in cannabis aren’t who you think they are - There is an idea that people working with cannabis are lazy, apathetic, or “potheads.” That’s one hundred percent untrue. It takes a lot of hard work,…

Former NFL star Ricky Williams discusses how he’s using his extensive cannabis knowledge for the purposes of healing Throughout his career as a football player, Ricky Williams broke a decades-old NCAA rushing record, won the Heisman Trophy, was part of a monumental trade going into the NFL Draft, and amassed over 10,000 yards as a professional. And, despite having achievements that most athletes could only dream of, it is not what he wants to be remembered for. A longtime advocate for cannabis usage, Williams wants to be known for his work as a healer rather than his work on the gridiron. This is hardly the first time the name Ricky Williams has been connected with the world of cannabis and healing. After a number of marijuana-related drug tests threatened his…

Your pet is a part of your family. When they’re sick it can be a stressful and costly experience, particularly when attempting to treat long-term illnesses. Arthritis, seizures, anxiety, and even diabetes are all common disorders for domesticated animals. Chronic ailments can lower your pet’s quality of life and treatment options can be limited. However, recent research into the efficacy of cannabidiol (CBD) for treating these conditions is giving new hope to pet owners. In a recent study, “An Update on Safety and Side Effects of Cannabidiol: A Review of Clinical Data and Relevant Animal Studies,” researchers Kerstin Iffland and Franjo Grotenhermen found strong correlations between CBD treatment and better overall health. Some of the well-known ailments that proved responsive to CBD treatment include anxiety, diabetes, arthritis, and cancer. Anxiety…