2020 Medical Cannabis: What Does the New Year Hold?
We recently spoke with Josh Genderson, CEO of Holistic Industries, to get his insight on what we can anticipate for medical cannabis in 2020.
It’s the start of another exciting year for the cannabis industry as more states look to expand their medical programs or create new legislation for legal cannabis. We recently spoke with Josh Genderson, CEO of Holistic Industries, to get his insight on what we can anticipate for medical cannabis in 2020.
What do you foresee as the biggest prediction for medical cannabis in 2020?
Josh Genderson: We will see the expansion of medical programs all around the country to include new conditions, which will lead to an uptick in medical patients in 2020. This increase will lead to greater patient access to medical cannabis, but in the short-term, we will see the industry experience supply and demand issues.
Do you think there will be an increase in doctor education related to cannabis as medical treatment? How about educating patients?
Genderson: Today, there is a big gap in information between cannabis science, legislation, and the medical communities. Unfortunately, without legalization at a Federal level, many academic institutions are hesitant to add cannabis to their curriculum. Only about 13% of medical schools offer instructional material on the human endocannabinoid system and that’s simply not enough. We are seeing cannabis training programs for doctors and nurses pop up around the country from cannabis brands and trade groups, but we hope to see more in 2020. In addition to helping educate the medical community, my company puts a huge emphasis on patient education. We have a national director of outreach, Rabbi James Kahn, who travels around the country educating patients about medical cannabis.
What role to you think data will play in the cannabis industry in 2020?
Genderson: Everyone inside and outside of the industry agrees that we are lacking critical data and information. We expect to see major players across the industry invest in research from clinical trials to DNA testing to help fill the data void that currently exists in cannabis. From a marketing standpoint, as the industry matures, we’ll have more consumer data to better understand customer preferences and buying behavior which will help us give our patients and customers the best experience possible.
Are there are other predictions you see coming into play in 2020?
Genderson: As brands look to position themselves as innovators and long-term players in the cannabis space, I believe we’ll hear more from companies about their IP and R&D efforts. People are looking at new form factors, processes, and techniques that will differentiate them from other brands in the space. We will also see more mainstream businesses crossing over into cannabis via partnerships and acquisitions. As demand increases across the country and we see revenues starting to soar, I predict we’ll see the entrance of a Fortune 500 beverage or consumer packaged goods (CPG) company into the cannabis space in a big way this year.
Cannabis, US Presidential Election 2024, and Beyond: A Roundtable Discussion, Part II
December 17th 2024With the recent 2024 presidential election behind us, the future of cannabis still has many unknowns moving forward and questions still to be discussed. In this roundtable discussion with four knowledgeable industry leaders, we explore the nuanced political landscape of cannabis legalization and rescheduling in the context of the election, including state and federal policies and possible paths forward for testing standardization. Join us in the second part of a compilation of responses from Kim Anzarut, CQA, CP-FS, CEO of Allay Consulting; Susan Audino, PhD, founder of S.A. Audino & Associates, LLC; Zacariah Hildenbrand, PhD, research Professor at the University of Texas at El Paso; and David Vaillencourt, CEO of The GMP Collective.
Cannabis, US Presidential Election 2024, and Beyond: A Roundtable Discussion, Part I
December 16th 2024With the recent 2024 presidential election behind us, the future of cannabis still has many unknowns moving forward and questions still to be discussed. In this roundtable discussion with four knowledgeable industry leaders, we explore the nuanced political landscape of cannabis legalization and rescheduling in the context of the election. We discuss what drives support or opposition from both sides of the aisle, the complexities of balancing state and federal priorities, and more. Join us in the first part of a compilation of responses from Kim Anzarut, CQA, CP-FS, CEO of Allay Consulting; Susan Audino, PhD, founder of S.A. Audino & Associates, LLC; Zacariah Hildenbrand, PhD, research Professor at the University of Texas at El Paso; and David Vaillencourt, CEO of The GMP Collective.
Empowering Women in Cannabis: Susan Audino, PhD, on Inclusivity, Integrity, and Industry Challenges
December 11th 2024Founder of S. A. Audino & Associates, LLC, Susan Audino, PhD, recently co-founded Saturn Scientific, LLC, a collaboration of five experienced individuals providing unbiased evaluations on the data and science for stakeholders in the cannabis industry. In this interview with Cannabis Science and Technology, Dr. Audino shares her unexpected path into analytical science and the cannabis industry as well as the obstacles she’s faced throughout her career. She highlights the gender bias she’s observed, such as unequal recognition of credentials and workplace challenges, while advocating for inclusivity and mentorship to empower women in science. Additionally, Dr. Audino recounts her experiences of navigating the male-dominated cannabis space, pushing for transparency, collaboration, and integrity in laboratory practices. Ultimately, Audino believes fostering mutual respect and knowledge-sharing is vital for the industry’s growth and resilience.
Collaboration, Gender Diversity, and Progress: Julie Kowalski on Advancing Cannabis Science
December 10th 2024In this interview with Cannabis Science and Technology, Julie Kowalski, an experienced analytical chemist, discusses her path into the cannabis industry, starting with early work in gas chromatography. Kowalski reflects on her perspectives as a female scientist, highlighting biases she’s experienced and the benefits of gender inclusivity in the cannabis space. Greater unity and professionalism could benefit the industry as a whole, she explains. She also encourages collaboration and more women in leadership positions in order to build a stronger scientific community, and also urges women to advocate for themselves, noting that women in cannabis face unique obstacles but often demonstrate consensus-building strategies and solutions.
Gender Diversity and Innovation in the Cannabis Space: Insights from Tess Eidem, PhD
December 9th 2024Cannabis Science and Technology sat down with Tess Eidem, PhD, PCQI, member of Saturn Scientific, LLC, to discuss her journey from antibiotic research to cannabis microbiology and her observations throughout her career. Dr. Eidem highlights challenges women face in this male-dominated industry, including limited representation in leadership roles and frequent experiences of bias and discrimination. She emphasizes the importance of gender diversity in fostering innovation, improving product safety, and addressing women’s health needs in cannabis applications. Her advice to women scientists is to build strong professional relationships and carefully evaluate work environments to advance their careers in this evolving and often challenging space.
Inside the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy’s Graduate Program in Medical Cannabis
September 16th 2024Leah Sera, PharmD, MA, the co-program director for the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy’s Graduate Studies in Medical Cannabis program sat down with Cannabis Science and Technology to discuss higher education in medical cannabis.
