Cannabis Industry Continues to Provide Aid to Communities in Need Amid COVID-19 Pandemic
Personal protective equipment (PPE) has been a difficult item to track down during the COVID-19 global pandemic. Extract Consultants, a provider of terpenes, flavors, and effects blends that are specifically designed for the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and hemp industries, recently saw the need and urgency for PPE materials in their Denver communities.
In May, Extract Consultants published a press release informing the public that they had donated 700 KN95 masks to Denver Health’s Ernest E. Moore Shock Trauma Center, which is reportedly one of the highest volume trauma centers in the nation, managing trauma cases from Colorado and six neighboring states. Extract Consultants said they were honored to donate masks to this facility in their press release (1).
“Treating COVID-19 patients while safely providing ongoing medical care for other conditions requires Denver Health to think creatively, act fast and take extraordinary measures at great but necessary expense,” said Linda Ford, Denver Health Executive Director (2). “Extract Consultants’ generous contribution of face masks makes that a reality.”
Their thoughtful gesture did not end with PPE donations. With the COVID-19 pandemic, many are out of work and unable to provide for their families. Extract Consultants provided a financial contribution to the Food Bank of the Rockies, which will contribute to approximately 12,000 meals to its Denver communities facing food insecurities (2). The Food Bank of the Rockies is the largest private hunger-relief organization in Colorado and Wyoming.
“This crisis has brought to bear the ever-present need for goodwill and generosity in our local community,” said Extract Consultants President Maxwell Brown (2). “We’re grateful to be able to support these vital organizations serving the most vulnerable here in Denver.”
From Extract Consultant’s press release, the company commented further on the amount of donations and other assistances being performed by other cannabis establishments (1): “We continue to be awed by the incredible acts of compassion and generosity shown by those within and without our industry. We are all truly in this together.” Businesses in the cannabis industry continue to pursue ways on how to aid each other and their communities to get through these difficult times (3,4).
References:
Ep 24, Part III: Data Transparency in Cannabis Testing with Yasha Kahn
December 26th 2024In the final part of this episode, Evan Friedmann and Yasha Kahn discuss the need for a national entity to centralize cannabis data collection, moving from snapshot data to continuous updates. They emphasize the importance of accurate lab data and adverse event tracking, suggesting QR codes on packaging to report issues. Yasha suggests harsher consequences for result manipulation and suggests collaboration between state departments and federal entities to support underfunded regulators. They also discuss the potential benefits of off-the-shelf testing and the importance of stability testing. Finally, Yasha shares his top three reading recommendations for the audience.
Ep 24, Part II: Data Transparency in Cannabis Testing with Yasha Kahn
December 12th 2024Evan Friedmann and Yasha Kahn, co-founder of MCR Labs, discuss the discrepancies between current regulations and data on mycotoxins and pesticides in cannabis products. They highlight the need for updated regulations based on new data, emphasizing the importance of accurate testing and labeling. They also discuss the issue of result manipulation, particularly in THC content, and the need for public health officials to address this. Yasha suggests making testing data public to enhance oversight and suggests a national entity to manage this data for better consistency and public safety.
