Ask the Experts: Extraction, Part I: What Is the Biggest Challenge in Cannabis Extraction?
John A. MacKay, Synergistic Technologies Associates and Brian C. Smith, Big Sur Scientific discuss the biggest challenges in cannabis related to extraction.
Leading extraction scientists and researchers from the cannabis industry-John A. MacKay, Synergistic Technologies Associates and Brian C. Smith, Big Sur Scientific-participate in this round-table discussion series. This month they discuss the biggest challenges in cannabis related to extraction.
What is the biggest challenge in cannabis extraction?John A. MacKay: The BIGGEST challenge is:
Botanical integrity is always first. Respect the plant and the compounds that it naturally produces. The anecdotal evidence is from the “whole plant,” not individual compounds. Cannabis includes hemp plant definitions.
Investigate every facet of science. You cannot be an expert in all facets of the plant or the phases of the extraction and separation process, but you need to know enough about each and the interactions between them.
Goals and motives need to be defined. The bigger the boat, the less speed and maneuverability, however also the less it gets affected by the little winds of whim. Know which facets can be varied and which are “non-negotiable.” Motive versus mission versus money.
Get prepared for delays. Licenses, land, electrical, embargos, people, and the unknown are known to be driven toward extending every initial schedule.
Egos and extremism is poison: “this is the only way” or “that never works.”
Solubility. It is all about solubility. Two things to remember: “like dissolves like” and “oil and vinegar salad dressing.” Molecules and compounds do not respect opinions; they adhere to the laws of thermodynamics and mass transfer. It is that simple. It is that complicated-chemistry, physics, and mathematics. You want to have some compounds dissolve in a solvent preferentially over others (laws of thermodynamics), and move them to another vessel for collection (mass transfer).
Test and test and test. Analytical instruments for in-house testing. Good is not a number. You need to know the theoretical yield and the actual yield. You need to know the rate of extraction. You need to know the entire cycle of the process from seed to shelf, and the cost of manufacturing.
Brian Smith: I think the biggest challenge to cannabis extractors right now is the difficulty we have getting consistent analytical data from cannabis analysis laboratories. Some colleagues and I recently did a round-robin study, which was published in Cannabis Science and Technology, comparing potency and pesticide results across five different labs. The measured THC concentration in the same distillate batch varied from 77% to 94%. Samples spiked with six pesticides were submitted, and the false negative rate was 78%. Two of the labs completely missed all the pesticides.
It is impossible to make rational business decisions about how to process extracts, and what material is or isn’t legal to sell, in the face of this much unreliable and conflicting data. This problem will probably not resolve itself until appropriate standard reference materials are available, and governments step up and require all laboratories use the same analytical method.
Look for part II of "Ask the Experts: Extraction" in our June 2019 newsletter. Our series with experts on cultivation will be launching in April, and part II of our analytical methods/cannabis testing series will appear in May.
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.
