We Grow Cannabis: Uniting Community Through Marijuana Horticulture with Jorge Cervantes | BTS 81
In this behind-the-scenes interview we meet up with legendary Cannabis cultivator, educator and author Jorge Cervantes. We talk about his new book We Grow Cannabis, his mission to update and revise the classic Cannabis grower’s bible Marijuana Horticulture, how Cannabis cultivation has changed over the years, common mistakes new Cannabis growers make, the problem with fertilizers, how to start growing organically, and more!
Learn more about Jorge’s work and download a free copy of We Grow Cannabis at:
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Harnessing AI for Sustainable Agriculture and Cannabis Education with Matthew Gates | BTS #80
In this behind-the-scenes conversation we drop in with integrated pest management specialist Matthew Gates to talk about his thoughts for this upcoming pest season before we spin off into a philosophical conversation about the impacts of AI and other technological advancements on Cannabis science education, regenerative agriculture, and more! We also throw in some anime references along the way to make for a great conversation.
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This is Matthew’s third appearance on the podcast. If you are new to Matthew’s work, I recommend going back to listen to his first two episodes (BTS #68 and BTS #71) on the podcast to learn a ton about some of the science associated with integrated pest management and Cannabis cultivation.
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Matthew’s consulting services: https://www.zenthanol.com
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Zenthanol YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Zenthanol
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What’s In a Toke? Exploring the Chemistry of Cannabis Smoke and More with Dr. Riley Kirk | BTS #79
Why does smoking Cannabis deliver unique effects compared to vaping or ingesting Cannabis? Why are social media platforms banning Cannabis educators from talking about the science of Cannabis? We have questions!
In this behind-the-scenes episode I sat down with Dr. Riley Kirk (@cannabichem) from Real Isolates, the company behind the Cannabis smoke extract product called Smokenol, to talk about the chemistry of Cannabis smoke (and lots of other cool natural products science!). In this conversation we discuss some of the unique cannabinoids that show up in Cannabis smoke and what Dr. Kirk has learned during her time studying the transformations of cannabinoids like CBD.
We also discussed her struggle to share Cannabis science education with the world due to the antagonistic nature of social media toward Cannabis content. Dr. Kirk has been shadow banned and de-platformed from social media sites like Instagram and TikTok for discussing basic Cannabis science and cannabinoid pharmacology. We dive into why these issues have real-world adverse effects for anyone curious about Cannabis and what Cannabis educators should know before they rush to their Reels or Stories to talk about Cannabis.
The conversation rounds off with a dive into Dr. Kirk’s love for plants where we talk about her favorite non-Cannabis medicinal plants and the exciting things we can learn when we apply the lens of Cannabis science to other natural products.
Profound Naturals: https://www.profoundnaturals.com/
Smokenol: https://smokenol.com/
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Cannabis Quality is More Than THC or Terpenes with Adie Rae PhD | BTS #78
What does Cannabis quality mean to you? Is it all about THC? Is it all about the terps?
In this behind-the-scenes episode we caught up with pharmacologist and researcher Dr. Adie Rae from Oregon, USA to talk primarily about the results of her recent publication “The Nose Knows: Aroma, but Not THC Mediates the Subjective Effects of Smoked and Vaporized Cannabis Flower” which revealed that subjective aroma enjoyment correlates more with positive Cannabis experiences than THC or terpene concentrations. We also discussed Dr. Rae’s prior and current research on the interactions between the endocannabinoid system and opioids, the need to re-evaluate how we define “quality” in the Cannabis industry, the importance of organoleptic training for medicinal herbs, and more!
Adie Rae is a neuroscientist known for her extensive expertise on cannabis. She is an Assistant Scientist at Legacy Research Institute, and adjunct faculty at Washington State University. Her human and preclinical research is focused on pain management, addiction, and harm reduction. Adie has published in top academic journals under the surname Wilson-Poe, and she is passionate about the interaction between cannabis and opioids. Adie serves as the Vice-Chair of the Oregon Cannabis Commission, and she is a long-standing member of the International Cannabinoid Research Society. Dr. Rae also co-founded the consulting and technology firm Smart Cannabis. Follow her on Instagram: @dr.adie
You can learn more about Dr. Rae and her work at https://www.smartcannabis.life/
Link to “Nose Knows” study: https://www.mdpi.com/2813-1851/1/2/8
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The Science of the Cannabis Plant with Allison Justice PhD | #77
In this behind-the-scenes episode we meet plant scientist Dr. Allison Justice. Dr. Justice is the founder of the vertically integrated hemp company The Hemp Mine, located in South Carolina. She is also the founder of the Cannabis Research Coalition – a research organization formed in partnership with Clemson University that is dedicated to pursuing practical agricultural research on Cannabis to provide answers relevant for farmers, extractors and product manufacturers.
In this conversation we explore Allison’s own research into the Cannabis plant, ranging from studies on light intensity, photosynthetic rates, harvest techniques, drying parameters, curing and more. We also discuss the challenges that Cannabis cultivators in the southeastern United States are facing when trying to utilize plants sourced from places with very different climates like California, Oregon or Colorado.
We cover a lot of ground in a short amount of time, so get ready to take notes, buckle up, and let’s learn together!
The Hemp Mine: https://www.thehempmine.com
Cannabis Research Coalition: https://www.cannabisrc.org/
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Jeff Lowenfels is Teaming with Bacteria (From Isn’t Life Curious?) | #76
In this feature from the Isn’t Life Curious? podcast, we meet virtually with gardener and author Jeff Lowenfels to discuss the magic that occurs in the microscopic world just beyond our eyes. Jeff just published a new book, Teaming with Bacteria, that unveils the incredible role of the Rhizophagy cycle by which plants act as “ranchers” to tend bacteria, bring them in for shearing, and then send them back to pasture for a time before the process starts again. Jeff explains how plants feed on these bacteria in a mutually beneficial way to get nitrogen and growth hormones while the bacteria get a safe space to exist with minimal competition.
But what does all of this mean for the common gardener or farmer? It means we can grow plants in an even smarter, mindful manner that takes advantage of the Rhizophagy cycle to reduce the need for fertilizers and excess inputs!
Check out Teaming with Bacteria (as well as the other three books from the “Teaming…” series) from Timber Press: https://www.workman.com/products/teaming-with-bacteria/hardback
Life is a curious thing. Let’s explore it together! Subscribe to Isn’t Life Curious? and learn more about the show at http://www.isntlifecurious.com
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Catching Up with Murphy Murri on Benzene, Medusa Stones, and Owning the Quality of Your Lab | BTS #75
In this behind-the-scenes episode we caught up with Murphy Murri for an extended discussion about the current state of the Cannabis industry, extraction supply chain quality issues, medusa stones, mushroom extraction and more.
Medusa stones are concentrated lumps of cannabinoids that, rather than having a clear “diamond” appearance, has a chalky appearance. And like you might expect, the “diamond” disintegrates after being handled, turning into a sticky, chalky mess. So what causes the medusa stone phenomenon in Cannabis extracts? During this conversation, Murphy breaks down the phenomenon and the controversy surrounding the hunt for the cause behind these disappointing creations.
Due to some technical difficulties on the day of recording, this discussion was recorded on Zoom instead of our usual platform, resulting in some compromised audio quality.
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Sniffing Out the Skunk in Cannabis with TJ Martin of Abstrax Tech | BTS #74
In this behind-the-scenes episode we caught up with TJ Martin of Abstrax Tech to discuss their research into Cannabis extracts and the chemistry that impacts the plant’s aromas and flavors. We talk about their discovery of a family of sulfur compounds in Cannabis that are largely responsible for the skunk smell of Cannabis. We also discussed their prior research into vape pen additives and what kinds of compounds may be emitted from heated vape pen additives.
To learn more about Abstrax Tech, visit www.abstraxtech.com
Abstrax is a flavor and fragrance manufacturer that specializes in cannabis and hop raw materials, terpenes, and aroma compound research to innovate terpene driven product formulations that shape consumer packaged goods. Abstrax specializes in botanical research, ingredient manufacturing and formulation science with a specific focus on terpene research.
T.J. Martin graduated with a B.S. in Chemistry from CSU Polytechnic Pomona. He gained experience with a wide array of analytical techniques and research applications by collaborating with groups in the fields of chemistry, solid state physics, green chemistry, materials science, and polymer science. Currently T.J. is the VP of Research and Development at Abstrax where he creates custom flavor solutions and research fundamental and applied facets of cannabis science via Abstrax Labs.
Research Articles Mention in This Episode:
Identification of a New Family of Prenylated Volatile Sulfur Compounds in Cannabis Revealed by Comprehensive Two-Dimensional Gas Chromatography
Iain W. H. Oswald, Marcos A. Ojeda, Ryan J. Pobanz, Kevin A. Koby, Anthony J. Buchanan, Josh Del Rosso, Mario A. Guzman, and Thomas J. Martin. ACS Omega 2021 6 (47), 31667-31676. http://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.1c04196
Characterization of Vaping Emission Products from Commonly Used Vape Juice Diluents
Huanhuan Jiang, C. M. Sabbir Ahmed, Thomas J. Martin, Alexa Canchola, Iain W. H. Oswald, Jose Andres Garcia, Jin Y. Chen, Kevin A. Koby, Anthony J. Buchanan, Zixu Zhao, Haofei Zhang, Kunpeng Chen, and Ying-Hsuan LinChemical Research in Toxicology 2020 33 (8), 2157-2163. http://doi.org/10.1021/acs.chemrestox.0c00174
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Cracking the Cannabis Enigma with Elana Kirsh Goldberg CEO of The Cannigma | BTS #73
In this behind-the-scenes interview we speak with Elana Goldberg, CEO of The Cannigma, an educational website focused on bringing readers scientifically-backed and reliable information about Cannabis. In our discussion we talk Elana’s history as a content creator and journalist working for The Jerusalem Post, the early days of The Cannigma and how the platform has evolved, lessons learned regarding Cannabis content creation and science reporting, core understandings about Cannabis that stand out to Elana after years of creating Cannabis content, and more! We also spin out into a discussion about Elana’s interests in mindfulness meditation and how Cannabis can sometimes be a tool for mindfulness.
About Elana: Elana is the CEO of The Cannigma. Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, she currently lives in Israel with her two kids and neurotic dog. She has 15 years of experience developing online content products, including publications such as JPost.com, Goodnet.org, and Top10.com, and is passionate about delivering clear, compelling messages that anyone can understand. When she’s not in front of the computer or pacing around on the phone, you can find her meditating, lifting weights, or camping with her family.
Learn more about The Cannigma here: https://www.cannigma.com
Use discount code “cannigma” for 1 FREE month access to The Curious About Cannabis Membership Platform at http://member.cacpodcast.com/
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Want a Successful Cannabis Business? Be a Crock Pot, Not a Microwave! with Alisia and Chris Ratliff | BTS #72
In this behind-the-scenes episode we join up with Alisia Ratliff once again, this time joined by her husband Chris as we catch up and learn about the work they are doing in their consulting agency, Victus Consulting Ventures. We dive into a number of topics including the science of surfactants for Cannabis products, lessons learned from years of Cannabis business consulting, issues facing Cannabis cultivators that try to scale, and more!
The takeaway? Be a crock pot, not a microwave.
Learn more about Victus Consulting Ventures at https://www.victus-cv.com/
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