Safeguarding Consumers in the Era of Intoxicating Hemp and Synthetic Cannabinoids: A GMP Collective Webinar
On January 31, 2024, the GMP Collective presented the seventeenth episode in their ongoing webinar series, When Things Go Wrong.
Hosted by David Vaillencourt, CEO of the GMP Collective, the webinar, “Intoxicating Hemp and Synthetic Cannabinoids: Insights into Lab Testing,” provided an in-depth discussion on the latest information and complications arising from synthetic cannabinoids available to consumers without undergoing the same testing requirements or being subjected to the same regulations as other cannabis products. Contributing to the discussion were two guest speakers, Chris Hudalla, PhD, founder and Chief Scientific Officer of ProVerde Labs, and Jeffrey Williams, Manager of Phytocannabinoid Research and Development with Cayman Chemical. The webinar was moderated by Bethany Moore, Director of Content Strategy and Market Growth for the GMP Collective.
During the hour-long webinar, the panel discussed cannabis compound productions, risks from contaminants, and current regulations. They provided analyses of natural and synthetic cannabinoids, decarboxylation, the process of converting cannabidiol (CBD) into tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and laboratory testing processes. Also discussed were the legal status of cannabis compounds, especially when comparing state and federal regulations, and how regulators and lawmakers should approach these nuances and loopholes.
Consumer safety was also highlighted using examples of the percentage of unknown synthetic compounds typically found in Delta-8-THC gummies and the increase of ingesting synthetic cannabinoids leading to adverse events reported after the passing of the 2018 Farm Bill.
Solutions to providing more consumer safety and legal clarity included the implementation of basic safety standards, universal legal standards, label standards, and a better understanding of production processes.
The webinar concluded by discussing a question from an attendee: “Do you feel, believe, or think, that intoxicating cannabinoids—whether they’re derived, synthetic, or otherwise—should be made available in the stream of commerce exclusively through adult use and/or medical cannabis dispensaries?”
Find more information on GMP Collective webinars here or watch the full recording of this episode here.
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.
Work Smarter, Not Harder: How ASTM Standards for Cannabinoids Improve Your Operations
December 3rd 2024ASTM Standards D8557-24 and D8556-24, provide unified guidelines for GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) and QMS (Quality Management Systems) in cannabis operations. These standards enhance compliance, product safety, and operational consistency across the industry for the benefit of operators, consumers, and other stakeholders in the industry.
