Ask the Experts: Extraction, Part IV: What Is the Most Important Thing that Newcomers to the Field Would Need to Learn?
John A. MacKay, Synergistic Technologies Associates and Brian C. Smith, Big Sur Scientific offer advice on the most important thing newcomers to cannabis extraction need to learn.
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 on extraction. This month they offer advice on the most important thing newcomers to cannabis extraction need to learn.
If you were teaching a class on cannabis extraction, what is the most important thing that newcomers to the field would need to learn?
John A. MacKay: I teach people how to make a Vermont breakfast from the ingredients found on the farm or purchased at the store. Coffee, tea, juices, eggs, bacon, sausage, quick versus steel oatmeal, different types of pancakes and varieties of apples. Knowing how maple syrup and corn syrup differ is important. The differences between whole reduced fat and skim milk production. IF you can grasp the basics of the source of the natural ingredients, the tools needed to cook the breakfast, the size of the tools, and the processes of heating and cooling, and the solvents needed you will be further than 71.0% of those in the cannabis field today. Spoiler alert: That number is part pun and part cow pie, with a generous sprinkling of truthful sarcasm.
Brian Smith: Since large multinational corporations are now investing millions of dollars in the cannabis space, the day of large, fully automated cannabis extraction facilities will soon be upon us. These companies will be able to make product for a fraction of the cost that small operators do now and put them out of business. Anyone new to the business either needs to find a niche market to serve, grow big to compete with the multinationals, or go home.
Click here to read part I, part II, or part III of the "Ask the Experts: Extraction" series. Part IV of the "Ask the Experts: Cultivation" series will appear in our January 2020 newsletter.
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.
