Periodic Effects: Cannabis Business Podcast

How is science different from technology? And why are these merging around cannabis to usher in the new frontier? Our guest is Ruth Fisher, Ph.D., Author of “The Medical Cannabis Primer” and Co-Founder of Cann Dynamics. We discuss the potential futures of cannabis and what it will take for the adoption and use of cannabis to move into the mainstream. INVESTOR OPPORTUNITY: Discussed at end of episode.

Oregon responded to the vaping crisis by banning all flavored vaping products, giving companies 2-weeks’ notice to get them off the shelves.  Only 2 days after the ban took effect, nicotine companies have already been granted an appeal - but flavored THC products are still prohibited. We discuss the reasoning behind this ban appeal, what was wrong with the ban from the start, and why Oregon seems to be prioritizing profits over public health. One Article Discussed [1] “Oregon appeals court halts governor’s vaping ban on flavored tobacco products” from The Oregonian

In the wake of the vaping crisis, several states have rolled out very different bans against ingredients & vaping as a whole. Critics of these bans say that they don’t address the real problems. Colorado, the most mature legal cannabis market in the US, is working on a ban of the 3 most commonly identified problem additives in cartridges - and leaving flavored products alone.  Is this the best approach to protect public health?  We discuss the current state of the vaping crisis in this quick episode. One Article Discussed [1] “Colorado proposes rules to ban additives in cannabis vape products” from Marijuana Business Daily

In the world of High-THC cannabis, "hemp" is often considered chemically inferior. While cannabis and hemp are technically the same plant, the terpene production on historically industrial hemp is not nearly as broad as its psychoactive cousin - but hemp breeders are working to change that.  This article reviews a scientific study of the major terpenes in most hemp varieties used in CBD products, and how the boom in craft hemp may greatly expand the profile of terpenes available in future hemp & CBD products. One Article Discussed [1] “Terpenes in Hemp” from Terpenes & Testing Magazine

A lot of insights in this episode. How small businesses can win as big money moves into cannabis. What’s wrong with the Vaping Crisis Bans. Defining “Craft Extracts” and what Dispensaries & Budtenders should consider for vape products on their shelves. Our guest is Mitra Sticklen, COO & Co-Owner of Om Extracts. JOB OPPORTUNITY: OM Extracts & Farms is looking to hire in Southern Oregon, discussed at end of episode. RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY: OM is also looking for Scientists interested in research projects, discussed at end of episode.

No article discussed, just a rant

We must eventually get to Federal Legalization and access to cannabis for all! But how we get there will determine if small and medium size businesses can not only survive, but thrive. Interstate Commerce & Exporting isn’t all sunshine and rainbows, we discuss some of the downsides to prepare for in this episode. One Article Discussed [1] “The Problem with Oregon’s Plan to Export Marijuana to Other States” from Marijuana Business Daily

As the cannabis industry continues to expand exponentially, companies are looking for ways to produce cannabinoids cheaply & quickly.  This has led to a boom in synthetic cannabinoid production - but will legacy cannabis consumers accept cannabinoids made in a lab? We discuss the pros and cons of synthetic cannabinoids, and how they stand to reshape the cannabis industry. One Article Discussed [1] “The Battle is Set: Man-made vs. Natural Cannabinoids” from Marijuana Business Daily

More states have taken action to protect public health against the growing vaping illness reports. Governor Kate Brown has banned the sale of flavored vaping products in Oregon - but a new study by the Mayo Clinic suggests that flavoring agents & oils may not be the sole culprit. We’ll review what the Mayo Clinic found in the lung tissues of those sickened by vaping, and how it could impact the bans going into effect. Two Articles Discussed [1] “New Study Provides Clues Behind The Vaping Illness Outbreak” from The Fresh Toast [2] “Oregon bans flavored vape products, including those with marijuana, for six months” from MJ Biz Daily

Should you invest in cannabis? If so, where in the industry? Or if you’re trying to raise money or sell your business, how do you “value” your company? It’s not an easy question to answer, but we provide some clarity in this episode. Our guest is Lincoln Eckhardt, Managing Director for FTI Consulting.

As more illnesses are attributed to cannabis vaping devices, the FDA and other governing bodies are starting to get involved. The cannabis industry needs to respond to protect consumers, and testing labs are leading the charge before new regulations make it mandatory. We’ll cover two articles looking at the current state of the vaping crisis, including actions from regulators to identify the culprits behind these illnesses and what labs are doing to increase transparency on cartridge ingredients. Two Articles Discussed [1] “FDA discloses criminal probe into vaping health crisis, putting added scrutiny on cannabis industry” from MJ Biz Daily [2] “Marijuana labs adding tests targeting vitamin E acetate in response to vaping health scare” from MJ Biz Daily

Budtenders have a duty to help customers find the cannabis products that meet their wants & needs. Getting your customer to try several products is ideal, but sometimes upselling & cross-selling can feel uncomfortable. We’ll dive more deeply into the psychology of when, how, and why to upsell in the dispensary, including a good set of considerations before you upsell, how to incentivize buyers to add purchases through science-backed tactics, and tips for when to avoid upselling to the wrong customers. One Article Discussed [1] “How to Upsell and Cross-Sell in Retail” from Vend HQ

The cannabis industry is evolving faster than ever and consumers have many options to choose from. Unless you want to compete on low price, there are other types of value you must provide as a business. Our guest is Max Simon, CEO & Founder of Green Flower Media, a cannabis education platform for universities, businesses and consumers. We discuss what Max learned working with Deepak Chopra on building a community of raving fans & loyal customers.   JOB OPPORTUNITY: Green Flower is hiring for multiple positions, discussed at end of episode.

We further expand on recent reportings of vaping illnesses and deaths by discussing what consumers should look out for, considerations for processors, questions Budtenders might get asked, different cannabis extraction methods and full spectrum vs distillate vs isolate for vaping with Emma Chasen.