The Cannabis Science Conference Continues to Grow
The Cannabis Science Conference, which took place August 28–29, 2018 in Portland, Oregon, saw another year of record-breaking attendance and exhibitors.
The Cannabis Science Conference, which took place August 28–29, 2018 in Portland, Oregon, saw another year of record-breaking attendance and exhibitors.
The conference drew in a large crowd with its high-profile plenary speaker, Fran Drescher, who addressed a packed room on Tuesday. Drescher discussed the Cancer Schmancer nonprofit she runs and the movement for cleaner living that is the basis of their message. She also explained her involvement with the cannabis industry and how its use as a medicine has helped her heal.
Many attendees also came to hear world-renowned scientists speak about their research such as Dr. Dedi Meiri of Technion Israel Institute of Technology, Dr. Sue Sisley of Scottsdale Research Institute, Dr. Ethan Russo of the International Cannabis and Cannabinoids Institute (ICCI), and Dr. Bonni Goldstein of Canna Centers. Other prominent leaders in the cannabis industry also gave exciting talks: Tracy Ryan of CannaKids and Saving Sophie; Dr. Jahan Marcu of the International Research Center on Cannabis and Mental Health; Dr. Ralph Peroli of the National Research Council Canada; and Dr. Uma Dhanabalan of Uplifting Health & Wellness & Global Health & Hygiene Solutions-just to name a few.
In addition, a new cultivation track was added to the conference this year featuring keynote talks from Dr. Jacklyn Green of Agate Biosciences, Autumn Karcey of Cultivio, Inc., Dr. Roger Kern of Agate Biosciences, and Ed Rosenthal of Quick Trading Company.
Finally, there were several popular panel discussions throughout the two days as well. On the analytical side, there was the “Doc & Jocks Panel” presented by Athletes for CARE and moderated by Dr. Uma Dhanabalan. The panel featured several high-profile former professional athletes from the NFL, NHL, NBA, and one current player on the U.S. Women’s Rugby team. On the medical side, there were several panel discussions: “Treating Pediatric Patients-A Parent’s Prospective” moderated by Michelle Dumay of CannaKids and Saving Sophie and featuring several parents that are active in the fight for medical cannabis for their children and others; “International Cannabis Updates” moderated by Sharlene Mavor of Australia and featuring panelists from Colombia, Jamaica, Israel, Germany, and Australia; and “Cannabinoid Research in Pharmaceuticals” moderated by Tracy Ryan and featuring Dr. Sue Sisley, Dr. Ethan Russo, and Dr. Dedi Meiri.
For more information on the key take-aways from this year’s conference, please look for the review article by Josh Crossney, president and founder of jCanna, Inc., and the Cannabis Science Conference, in our September issue.
Ep 24, Part I: Data Transparency in Cannabis Testing with Yasha Khan
November 21st 2024Evan Friedmann interviews Yasha Khan, co-founder of MCR Labs, about his journey into the cannabis industry and his efforts to promote transparency and integrity in laboratory practices. Yasha discusses the origins of MCR Labs, which began in Massachusetts to meet the needs of the soon-to-be legal medical cannabis market. He explains the challenges faced, including result manipulation by labs and the impact on public health. Yasha's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) project aimed to gather testing data from 37 states, revealed significant discrepancies in potency and mold results. Despite some states' reluctance to share data, Yasha has made much of this data public, leading to collaborative research and publications on various aspects of cannabis testing.
Assessing Cannabis as a Harm Reduction Strategy: Insights from a Large-Scale Study
November 19th 2024A New Zealand study aimed to assess cannabis use as a harm reduction tool. Findings highlight lifestyle factors, and suggest cannabis-focused harm reduction strategies in reducing other substance use such as alcohol.
Ep 23, Part III: Accreditation in the Cannabis Industry with Susan Audino
October 24th 2024In Part III of this episode, host Evan Friedmann is joined by Susan Audino, PhD, founder of S.A. Audino & Associates, LLC, and co-founder of Saturn Scientific, LLC, to examine the complexities of sampling in the cannabis industry, emphasizing the need for proper sampling plans, and methods.
