Industry Expert Insights: A GMP Collective Webinar on Navigating Risks in Cannabis Processing

For episode 15 in the When Things Go Wrong Webinar Series, the GMP Collective presented "From Regulation to Reality: Navigating Risks in the Cannabis Processing World," an hour-long dive into the importance of safety, how to build and design successful facilities, and guidance for collaboration between regulators and stakeholders. The webinar was introduced by GMP Collective founder David Vaillencourt; moderated by Alexa Wilson, director of sales for Omega Equipment; and the two industry expert panelists were Sean Winfield, Chief Marketing Officer and ExtractionTek Stainless and Chris Witherell, CEO of Pressure Safety Inspectors (PSI).

To begin, the panelists shared their years-long journeys into the cannabis industry, the challenges facing facilities, and the disconnect between regulators and end users. They also covered topics including industry landscape, regulatory hurdles, operational challenges, financial implications, and safety and quality control. Viewers had the opportunity to ask questions directly to the panelists.

Winfield discussed navigating challenges in the economy, new opportunities, and changing regulations. “It’s an ever-evolving process. We are 10 years into a novel industry…We’re just past infancy at this point and we still have a long road in front of us when it comes to both the regulatory committee community as well as the design community. We still have a lot of progress to be made.”

Witherell addressed engineering aspects of facilities, including codes, cost, equipment, and accountability. “It’s important that everybody buys into the accountability in the process when it comes to extraction…Creating that accountability is good for everybody in the industry. And the client in the end is really the one that benefits.”

To conclude the webinar, Vaillencourt left attendees with a message encouraging a collaborative spirit within the industry because of what is at stake and how much there is still to learn.

To view the recording or learn more, view the When Things Go Wrong Webinar Series on the GMP Collective website.