Spotlight on Women Roundup
In this roundup article, we are excited to share with you our roundup of interviews with female leaders in the industry.
Image | adobe.stock/stokkete
In honor of International Women’s Day, Cannabis Science and Technology has compiled a roundup of articles related to our interviews with women industry leaders and experts:
Keynote presenters Drs. Allison Justice and Riley Kirk share how they have seen women effect change in the cannabis industry.
Patients on the Front Line: Nikki Lawley’s Insights on Medical Cannabis Today
In the ongoing dialogue surrounding cannabis, the testimonials of medical cannabis patients stand as crucial reminders of its impacts and benefits in the industry. For a deep dive into this topic, Cannabis Science and Technology sat down with Nikki Lawley, founder of Nikki and the Plant, LLC, for her take on the challenges patients face today in the midst of discussions of industry developments such as the rescheduling of cannabis. A traumatic brain injury survivor, Lawley now actively supports medical cannabis access and engages diverse audiences through her journey as a pediatric nurse-turned-patient-and-advocate. Here, she explains the importance of educating people about cannabis, the need for patient perspective in cannabis policy decisions, and the benefits of empathetic approaches to medical cannabis use.
Medical Cannabis Campaigning with Americans for Safe Access
As discussions about the federal scheduling of cannabis continue, efforts by medical cannabis advocates are intensifying. One such advocate is Americans for Safe Access (ASA), a nonprofit organization founded by patients for patients. Since 2002, ASA has been championing the rights of medical cannabis patients and has recently launched new campaigns and strategies to refocus attention on patient needs. In this interview, Steph Sherer, founder and president of ASA, reflects on past successes in medical cannabis advocacy, shares her perspective on recent cannabis and hemp policymaking, and outlines the next steps for advancing a unified medical cannabis message on Capitol Hill—a message that could bring about the changes patients have long awaited.
MM411's Journey: From Grassroots Beginnings to Global Cannabis Education Leader
MM411’s president and co-founder, Chris DeVol, discusses the evolution of the company, their most popular cannabis education courses, and their partnership with Cannabis Science and Technology.
Overcoming Challenges and Providing Advice for Female Scientists: An EAS Interview with Brandy Young
Brandy Young, CEO and Founder of Certainty Analytical Labs, recently presented at the Eastern Analytical Symposium (EAS) on the characterization of Δ9-THC Enantiomers in cannabis products. In this onsite interview, Young draws from her 15 years of experience as an analytical chemist and explains how others can overcome the unique challenges that cannabis testing laboratories and female scientists face.
Dispensary Co-Ownership with Gina Pakuris of Mother Earth Wellness
Filmed onsite at Mother Earth Wellness in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, Cannabis Science and Technology sat down with Co-Owner, Gina Pakuris. Mother Earth Wellness hosted the Canna Boot Camp during Cannabis Science Conference Fall 2023, and provided an unparalleled opportunity for a behind-the-scenes learning experience. In this interview, Pakuris shares the origins of Mother Earth Wellness, what it’s like being a woman in the industry, and more!
Ep 25: Cannabis Quality Differentiation Beyond Cannabinoid Content
February 28th 2025In this latest installment of Noid Knowledge we are joined by Julie Kowalski, a leading mind in analytical chemistry and cannabis testing. Julie has arranged a very compelling symposium for Pittcon entitled Cannabis Aroma: Advances and Challenges in Determining and Commercializing Cannabis Product Quality Attributes. It is taking place on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, starting at 9:30 AM in room 209. The session features top notch speakers, including several previous guests of this show, and yours truly, discussing the next generation of quality assessment in cannabis.
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.
A Call for More Representative Horticultural Lighting Metrics for Cannabis Cultivation
March 5th 2025This article explores fundamental principles of photobiology, including Photosynthetically Active Radiation, photoreceptor-mediated responses, and the spectral influences on plant morphology and development.
