Hemp

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/

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

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/

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

Unraveling the Mysteries of Integrated Pest Management with Matthew Gates | BTS #68

In this episode I cross paths with Matthew Gates, an Integrated Pest Management specialist with a passion for helping cultivators understand the ecology and biology of the grow environment to limit pests and help the overall ecosystem thrive. In this conversation we begin to unpack some basic concepts about IPM while highlighting important misconceptions. We discuss the basic philosophy behind IPM, the subtleties of symbiosis and mutualisms, common mistakes made when developing an IPM strategy, and more!

Check out Matthew’s YouTube Channel for more content from Zenthanol Consulting: https://www.youtube.com/user/Zenthanol

About Matthew:

Born and raised in San Diego, California, Matthew has consulted with various agricultural crops on IPM best practices since 2010 in crops such as Gerbera, Rose, Citrus, Tomato, Pepper, and Cannabis, focusing on the last crop more prominently for the latter half of this time. Related to this work is his science communication and educational endeavors on social media, where he shares useful pest prevention and curative strategies alongside academically-sourced information. Matthew is affiliated with the Cannabis Horticultural Association based in Humboldt, and regularly travels across the USA to evaluate cultivation sites for improved readiness against biosecurity threats. He is currently Staff Writer for SKUNK Magazine, has been featured in magazines such as Terpenes and Testing and 1000 Watts, and has spoken about rare and newly documented pests in the Cannabis cultivation industry, as well as novel treatments, using over 2000 academic sources composed in a personal database.

P.S.

This is our last episode of 2021! Thanks so much for being apart of our journey this year. We already have a lot of fun plans for 2022 and cannot wait to start bringing you more content after we take a short break for the winter holidays.

Delta-8-THC and Other Obscure Cannabinoids | Narcotica #63

Recently I spoke with Troy Farah on the podcast Narcotica all about cannabinoid science, delta-8-THC, issues around vaping and legalization, and more! Thanks to the team at Narcotica for allowing us to share this episode! I hope you enjoy! Stay curious, and take it easy.

About this Episode of Narcotica:

“Nearly half the U.S. population now have access to adult-use cannabis. Marijuana is a medicine, if it’s cultivated or extracted right, and millions of people find relief or pleasure from this fantastic plant. But as legalization accelerates, regulations have struggled to keep up. Most experts and maybe many consumers would agree that cannabis is not well regulated or could use some improvements.

Meanwhile, new cannabinoids like delta-8-THC, THC-O and more are hitting the streets, licit and illicit. This is a rapidly changing environment, which is far beyond THC and CBD, the two most well-known drugs in marijuana. It leaves a lot of questions: Are these ‘new’ cannabinoids safe? What do they do in the body? What about vaping them?

Narcotica co-host Troy Farah speaks with Jason Wilson of Medford Oregon, host of the Curious About Cannabis podcast, and author of the book of the same name, which can be found at CACpodcast.com. Jason is a biologist and science educator that has been studying the biochemistry of the cannabis plant and cannabis-derived products for nearly a decade. Jason has done work with groups like the International Institute for Cannabinoids (ICANNA) and serves as a member on the board of directors for the Oregon Cannabis Education and Resource Center.

Follow Jason on Twitter @AboutCannabis

If you liked this episode, here are others you might enjoy:
Episode 53: A Life of Getting Lit with Tommy Chong
Episode 49: Salvia: Psychedelic Oddity (Plus, Canada’s Emerging Psilocybin Scene)
Episode 25: Banning Kratom Will Escalate the Opioid Overdose Crisis with Walter Prozialeck

Producers: Christopher Moraff, Troy Farah, Zachary Siegel
Co-producer: Garrett Farah
Music: Glass Boy / Done With Fish
Intro voice: Jenny Schaye
Image: Flickr — Willpower Studios // edit: Troy Farah

Reflecting on the Hemp Industry Past and Present with David Heldreth, Jr. | BTS #65

The Farm Bill is due to be voted on again in 2022, and there are some significant updates that are expected to be included, like redefinitions of the term “THC”, limits on the amount of THC that can be in hemp, and more! Are you prepared for the potential changes that the hemp industry may face in the next couple of years? In this episode Founder of Panacea Plant Sciences and Ziese Farms, David Heldreth Jr., joins me for a candid discussion as we reflect on the past and present of the hemp industry.

Learn more about Panacea Plant Sciences at https://panaceaplantsciences.net/

Learn more about Ziese Farms at https://ziesefarms.com/

Stay curious, and take it easy!

BTS #52 Bryant Mason of Soil Doctor Consulting on Soil Considerations for Cannabis Cultivation

In this behind-the-scenes conversation we chat with Bryant Mason of Soil Doctor Consulting about the nuances of soil science in the context of Cannabis cultivation. We discussed his background in agriculture and edible landscaping, early lessons learned from cultivating Cannabis, common misconceptions about soil and soil science, unique considerations for soil mixes and amendment applications for Cannabis, and more!

Learn more about Soil Doctor Consulting at: www.soildoctorconsulting.com

Stay curious and take it easy!

BTS #49 David Heldreth Jr. on Cannabis Regulations, The Future of Commercial Cannabinoids, Hunter S Thompson

In this behind-the-scenes conversation we sit down with David Heldreth Jr. of Panacea Plant Sciences and Ziese Farms, based out of Washington, USA. Our conversation covered a lot of ground including the past, present and potential future of Cannabis and cannabinoid regulations, what people often misunderstand about rules regarding cannabinoids and other chemical constituents in foods, supplements, and cosmetics, how hemp companies should be preparing for the future of FDA, USDA, and DEA crackdowns, why regulations may be a thing to be celebrated rather than dismissed, what Hunter S. Thompson might have to say about the Cannabis industry, and much more!

This conversation was a long time coming, as David and I have been following each other’s work and talking via social media for several years. To learn more about David’s work, visit:

http://panaceaplantsciences.net/

https://ziesefarms.com/

Stay curious, and take it easy!

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