Cannabis Testing Gone Wrong? (IV) feat. Kyle Boyar
By cacpodcast.comDo we even test for the right things?
Now that medical and adult-use cannabis programs have been around for some time, and with them mandated lab testing of products – we have a lot of data that we can begin to review in order to assess how well we are managing the quality of cannabis in the market.
In this episode we are joined by microbiologist and analytical technologist Kyle Boyar to confront the idea that there may be some things that regulators require testing for that will almost never show up in a sample, while there are certain toxins that show up more often than we might expect which are NEVER required for testing in any state in the country.
What’s going on? Let’s dive in and find out!
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Cannabis Testing Gone Wrong? (Part III) feat. Dr. Josh Swider of Infinite Chemical Analysis Labs
Continuing our series on the issues facing the Cannabis testing industry, we sit down with Josh Swider of Infinite Chemical Analysis Labs to discuss the ways that he and his lab have felt the effects of potency inflation and lab shopping over the past several years. One by one Josh has watched clients disappear after complaints that his THC potency numbers were not high enough compared to his competitors. This is a story all too familiar to most labs that have ever operated in the space. Eventually the requests to boost THC results became much more direct as clients started offering bribes including outright briefcases full of cash. When he denied these advances, he began receiving death threats.
In an effort to understand just how bad the problem was, Josh and his team began collecting products off the shelf and testing them in the lab to see how the results compared to the original test results on record for the product. The results were alarming. Not only did he find evidence of potency fraud, but he also ended up finding evidence of various contaminants in products that somehow originally tested “clean.”
In this episode Josh and I take time to discuss his journey, how the industry has gotten into the situation it is in, and some potential solutions for moving the industry in a positive direction.
Learn more about iCAL: https://infinitecal.com/
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Cannabis Testing Gone Wrong (Part I) with Yasha Kahn of MCR Labs
This is the first of a series of conversations with lab owners and industry experts revolving around the topic of fraud, mismanagement, and poor regulations facing Cannabis testing labs. With issues ranging from THC potency inflation, under-reporting of contaminants, perverse incentive structures promoted by regulations, market manipulation, and more – this series dives deep into a very controversial issue to try to understand the problem at its foundation and find meaningful and practical solutions forward to restore trust and bring greater transparency to the Cannabis industry.
Yasha Kahn is one of the co-founders of MCR Labs and spends much of his time diving into data. Over the past several years, Yasha has been on a mission to collect publicly available Cannabis testing data and make it accessible to the industry in hopes of promoting fruitful research, discussion, and regulatory changes to positively impact the industry. In this episode we dive into some of the data that Yasha has gathered and start to unpack the story that it tells.
Link to the raw data: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1IIlgudS3b1rvxbupeMaR_BdeUQmz3pOZ?usp=drive_link
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Why Does My Weed Smell Like Cheese? and Other Funky Mysteries with Twinkle Paryani of Abstrax Tech
There is no doubt that when it comes to aroma, the Cannabis plant is LOUD. Depending on the variety, a host of smells can be found in Cannabis ranging from the sweet and floral to the funky, gassy, savory, and beyond. Chemist Twinkle Paryani has been trying to understand the chemistry behind the spectrum of aromas found in Cannabis and recently unearthed some interesting findings.
Abstrax Tech: https://abstraxtech.com/
Twinkle’s publication “Nonterpenoid Chemical Diversity of Cannabis Phenotypes Predicts Differentiated Aroma Characteristics“: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/acsomega.4c03225
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9+ Hour Extraction Deep Dive w/ Murphy Murri (CAC Sessions)
Session Time Stamps
2:17 – Extraction Basics, Hydrocarbon Safety (2019)
1:35:18 – Remediation, CRC, Chromatography (2021)
3:17:16 – State of Industry in 2022, Medusa Stones, Gas Quality
5:40:33 – Lecture: Extraction Fundamentals (2021)
7:38:06 – Lecture: “Liquid Diamonds” and Product Terminology (2024)
Turn a long drive or your lab’s downtime into a masterclass in extraction and lab safety with extraction technologist and natural products formulator Murphy Murry in this special 9-hour mega-compilation!
CAC Sessions present compilations of conversations with guests through the years of the CAC podcast. The Murphy Murri Sessions presents 9 hours of conversations and lectures featuring extraction technologist and natural products formulator Murphy Murri. This mega-compilation starts with Murphy’s first appearance on the podcast in 2019 where we discuss extraction basics, hydrocarbon safety, and lab quality. This is followed by several additional podcast appearances where we dive into extract remediation, medusa stones, CRC, chromatography, and more. The Sessions are then capped with two previously unreleased lectures focusing on extraction fundamentals and product terminology.
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CBD and the CB1 Receptor: A Look at Allosteric Modulation with Rob Laprairie, PhD + Liz Thompson, MS | #102
How does CBD affect the CB1 receptor, really?
Rob Laprairie is a cannabinoid researcher out of the University of Saskatchewan who was involved in the discovery of CBD’s allosteric binding activity on the CB1 receptor – leading to a host of speculative theories about how CBD influences the activity of THC. In this conversation, continuing our Train with Mary Jane series, we sit down with Rob and discuss his work studying the CB1 receptor to better understand how CBD and “minor” cannabinoids from Cannabis affect the body. Rob helps break down common misunderstandings about CBD’s effects, explains how our understanding of chemical receptors is evolving, and what the future of cannabinoid research may look like.
“Allosteric and orthosteric pharmacology of cannabidiol and cannabidiol-dimethylheptyl at the type 1 and type 2 cannabinoid receptors”: https://bpspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/bph.14440
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Hidden Threats: Exploring Viruses and Viroids with IPM Specialist Matthew Gates | #101
In this episode we sit down with Integrated Pest Management (IPM) specialist Matthew Gates to delve into the often-overlooked world of cannabis viruses and viroids. In this episode, Matthew brings his extensive expertise to the table, shedding light on the insidious pathogens that can silently wreak havoc on cannabis crops.
As the cannabis industry continues to grow and evolve, understanding the hidden threats posed by viruses and viroids becomes paramount. Matthew explains the various types of viruses and viroids that can affect cannabis plants, their symptoms, and the potential economic impact on growers. He also shares insights into the latest research and diagnostic techniques that can help detect these pathogens early, enabling proactive management and prevention.
But it’s not all doom and gloom. Matthew provides practical, actionable advice on how to implement effective IPM strategies to mitigate the risks. From cultural practices to biological controls and cutting-edge technologies, he covers a comprehensive range of tools and methods that can help protect your cannabis crop and ensure its health and productivity.
Whether you’re a seasoned cultivator, a novice grower, or simply interested in the science behind cannabis cultivation, this episode is packed with valuable information that you won’t want to miss. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges posed by cannabis viruses and viroids and learn how to safeguard your plants against these unseen adversaries.
Learn more about Matthew at www.zenthanol.com
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Concussions and the Endocannabinoid System with Patrick Neary, PhD and Liz Thompson, PhDc, MSc | #100
Dive into a journey of discovery with our latest episode of the ‘Train With Mary Jane’ mini-series, where we delve deep into the pioneering research funded by the NFL on Cannabis and its potential to revolutionize the treatment of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) in athletes. This episode welcomes the return of clinical physiologist Liz Thompson and introduces a new, distinguished guest, Dr. Patrick Neary, PhD – a researcher in the realm of kinesiology from the University of Regina, Canada, with a passion for unraveling the mysteries of concussions and TBIs.
Join us as we embark on an exploration of Dr. Neary’s experience in concussion research, unlocking the intricate science behind concussions, the profound long-term effects of TBIs, and the promising intersection of TBI treatment with the endocannabinoid system. Discover the potential of cannabinoids in altering the landscape of TBI therapy and much more!
For those eager to learn more about the ‘Train with Mary Jane’ initiative and the NFL’s foray into cannabis research for athlete care, visit Mary Jane Athletics or Train with Mary Jane. Don’t miss this captivating episode that bridges the worlds of sports, science, and hope through the lens of cannabis research.
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BONUS: Will Insurance Companies Ever Cover Cannabis Expenses? with Liz Thompson PhDc, MSc
After our initial episode concluded with Liz Thompson, we decided we had more to talk about so we hit record! Enjoy this bonus conversation where we explore how Canada handles insurance coverage for Cannabis expenses and what the future of health insurance coverage for Cannabis could look like in Canada and the US.
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Train with Mary Jane: Inside the NFL’s Quest to Research Cannabinoids for Athletic Injury with Liz Thompson PhDc, MSc | #99
Elizabeth Thompson is a researcher at the University of Saskatchewan currently working on a project that has started to get international attention – the National Football League’s (NFL) million dollar research project to understand how cannabinoids could impact the health and safety of athletes. In this behind-the-scenes conversation we hear Liz’s story about her personal connection to professional sports, her journey to understand molecular mechanisms of the body, links between the endocannabinoid system and sports injury recovery, and how a moment of inspiration snowballed into the clinical trial now titled “Cannabinoids for Pain Management and Neuroprotection From Concussion” (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT06204003).
If you are an athlete, athletic trainer or sports healthcare worker, you have an opportunity to contribute to the NFL research project! Visit www.maryjaneathletics.com to complete a survey so that your experience and voice can be represented in this groundbreaking project!
Learn more at:
https://www.maryjaneathletics.com/
https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06204003
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