Canna360

INTERVIEWS

Diagnosing Cannabis Cultivation Issues Through AI

In this episode of High Fidelity we speak with Daniel Lirette, CEO of GrowDoc, a revolutionary app that utilizes artificial intelligence and academic research to quickly diagnose unhealthy cannabis plants.

Daniel recognized a lack of available resources for accurately diagnosing issues with cannabis plants, leading him to discover an app designed for .....

How Pay-to-Play Schemes are Hurting Independent Retailers

Data deals are becoming increasingly common in the cannabis space, but retailers are starting to raise the alarm that these pay-to-play schemes are violating the inducement rules set forth by the AGCO.

In this episode of High Fidelity we speak with Owen Allerton, CEO of Highland Cannabis, a top 10 cannabis retailer located in Kitchener, Ontario.

Creating Operational Efficiency Through Technology

The entourage effect has become widely adopted by the cannabis industry with proponents insisting that cannabinoids work along with terpenes to create certain effects associated with cannabis consumption. However, scientific evidence for the entourage effect is limited and further research is still required. In this panel, our panelist will provide a comprehensive breakdown this often-misunderstood phenomenon.

Terpenes and the Entourage Effect: Separating the Science from Marketing Buzz

The entourage effect has become widely adopted by the cannabis industry with proponents insisting that cannabinoids work along with terpenes to create certain effects associated with cannabis consumption. However, scientific evidence for the entourage effect is limited and further research is still required. In this panel, our panelist will provide a comprehensive breakdown this often-misunderstood phenomenon.

Psychedelic Therapy: Harm Reduction, Risks and Ethical Concerns

As interest in the promise of psychedelic therapies continues to increase across the globe, there are concerning reports of abuse and ethical misconduct happening within psychedelic practices. As a result, there is a clear need to integrate a harm reduction approach and develop a stringent code of ethics and training programs for therapists while also acknowledging the voices of survivors raising these concerns. Panelist will cover these issues in detail and discuss how psychedelic therapy can be improved moving forward to establish safe and effective ways these substances can be integrated within a therapeutic context.

Enabling Transparency in the Cannabis Supply Chain

Seed-to-sale tracking has played a pivotal role in the cannabis supply chain since the inception of the legal industry. As the technology has evolved, so to has its application, with new integrations and services being introduced at a rapid pace.

In this episode of High Fidelity we speak with Dallas Devam, CEO of Cropsify.

Since 2008 Dallas has operated within the MMAR, MMPR, ACMPR, and Cannabis Act regulatory environments creating a specialized cannabis .........

Psychedelics: Market Potential and Opportunities

While psychedelics continue to gain momentum as a legitimate medical treatment, access to psychedelic therapies remains restricted in most parts of the world. Despite the difficulties in accessing psychedelic medicine, opportunities still exist from a business perspective for prospective companies looking to join this exciting new space. In this panel, learn about the different regulatory framework and licensing processes needed to start a psychedelic business, in Canada and abroad.

International Cannabis Markets and Business Opportunities: UK, Europe, and Asia

The international cannabis market is heating up, with new developments in countries such as Germany, Thailand, Spain, Switzerland, and the UK happening on a regular basis. As the cannabis industry matures, understanding where the biggest opportunities exist is critical. In this panel, hear from industry leaders on the recent developments happening in the key markets around the world, the different licensing processes, frameworks, and overall potential in these new markets.

The Importance of Quality in the Cannabis Supply Chain

Producing quality cannabis is no easy task, and companies have struggled to meet the high standards that some consumers demand. Fortunately, we are seeing a growing number of companies refocus their efforts and ensure they are producing top-shelf cannabis products that appeal to long-time consumers.

In this episode of High Fidelity we speak with Matt Jerome, Founder and Chief Consultant of Meristem Cannabis Consulting.

With over 15 years of experience in the cannabis industry and Canada's first certified Ganjier, Matt provides systematic cannabis assessments to .....

How to Leverage Legacy Knowledge and People

Making the transition from the legacy market to the regulated cannabis industry can be a huge challenge for companies as well as their employees. However, leveraging the decades of experience that have been gained pre-legalization can provide a massive advantage for cannabis companies.

In this episode of High Fidelity we speak with Velvet Kavanagh, Founder of Phenologic.

With decades of business ownership, management, and agricultural experience, and over 5 years as a ground-level cannabis contractor..........

ECO Canadian Organic

Cannabis is a crowded market in Canada, whether you are producer or retailer. This is why having a unique business model is so critical for success.

In this episode of High Fidelity we had the pleasure of speaking with Denise Hannay (CEO) and Kevin Clark (QAP) of Eco Canadian Organic.

Based out of Rexton, New Brunswick, we discuss Eco's path to licensing and its specialized approach to producing high-quality, organic, and pesticide-free cannabis. We also touch on their highly successful farm-gate model and its unique product offerings, such as clones and cultivation equipment.

CCTA: The Future of Cannabis Tourism in Canada

Tourism is becoming a prominent topic of discussion recently in the Canadian cannabis industry. Due to the damaging effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on tourism, proponents are now arguing for the positive contribution cannabis tourism could make to the economy.

In this episode of High Fidelity we speak with Anthony Carnevale - Co-founder of the Canadian Cannabis Tourism Alliance (CCTA)

Anthony discusses current initiatives that the CCTA is working on, the different models of cannabis tourism including consumption lounges and how he sees the cannabis tourism market developing over the next few years in Canada.

Spiffy: Empowering Budtenders Through Product Knowledge

Budtenders are often considered the most important roles in the cannabis industry, assisting customers navigate an endless assortment of products available in a crowded market that's been difficult for brands to stand out.

In this episode of High Fidelity we speak with Jenna Perry - Customer Success Manager at Spiffy.

Jenna discusses how Spiffy collaborates with cannabis brands to create engaging content that deepens budtender product knowledge, reinforce brand messaging and unique product offerings and can even help create operational efficiencies within the retail store environment.

cannachange: Incentivizing Sustainable Cannabis Consumption

Reducing cannabis packaging waste and the quest to incentivize environmentally-friendly solutions are essential in the push towards a more sustainable cannabis industry.

In this episode of High Fidelity we speak with O'Neil Rudolph - Founder and CEO of cannachange.

O'Neil discusses how cannachange incentivizes consumers and retailers through the apps credit system and waste tracking capabilities, the challenges working across state lines with multiple waste haulers and provides examples of how companies can create a closed-loop system for cannabis packaging.

The Importance of Corporate Social Responsibility

Corporate Social Responsibility, also known as Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) is increasingly being discussed by those shaping the industry who are highlighting, amongst other things, the broader implications of cannabis cultivation and packaging waste.

In this episode of High Fidelity we speak with Mika Unterman - Founder and President of Apical Ethical Cannabis Collective.

Mika provides an overview of corporate social responsibility, how consumer values have shifted based on demographics of cannabis users and covers the major challenges implementing sustainability practices in the cannabis industry. Mika highlights how taking an ethical approach will have a positive impact on a company's bottom line and can help them save money long-term.

To connect with Mika and register to the Apical Cohort here.

The Cannigma: Fact-Based Cannabis Education

With a lack of education and abundance of misinformation surrounding cannabis, it's critical to separate fact from fiction.

In this episode of High Fidelity we speak with Elana Goldberg- Co-Founder and CEO of The Cannigma.

Elana discusses how she started The Cannigma, the importance of fact-based education and the current state of scientific research when it comes to cannabis.

You can download The Cannigma's new cannabis cookbook featuring recipes from Chef Jordan Wagman for free here.

Sanitation Guide for Cannabis Facilities

Sanitation remains one of the most critical aspects of maintaining a healthy cultivation space and meeting the compliance requirements set forth by Health Canada.

In this episode of High Fidelity we speak with Matthew Buccioni- Infection Prevention and Biosecurity Specialist for Virox Technologies.

Matthew covers the key aspects related to cleaning, sanitation and disinfection, and the steps producers need to follow in order to optimize the sanitation program within their production facility.

You can download the Virox Infection and Prevention Guide for Cannabis Facilities for free here.

Cannabis Retail Inventory Management Techniques

The cannabis retail environment has matured significantly over the last year, with hundreds of SKU's now available and new product introductions happening at a frenetic pace.

In this episode of High Fidelity we speak with Francesco Caruso - Director of Retail for Stok'd Cannabis.

Francesco goes over some of the challenges retailers face managing a large assortment of cannabis products and some of the critical techniques needed to be effective in your operations.

Cannabis Licensing Update

Looking for a breakdown of the recent announcements by Health Canada?

Check out our newest interview High Fidelity: Episode 2 - Cannabis Licensing Updates featuring Vasiliki Koutsandrea - Lead Project Advisor for AAPS.

In this episode, hear from Vasiliki where she discusses these new changes including processing licence holders no longer requiring a sales amendment for dried and fresh flower.

From Budtender to Territory Sales Manager

Starting off as a budtender is one of the most common ways for people to enter the cannabis industry. As they progress in their career, budtenders are often recruited by Licensed Producers to act as Brand Ambassadors and Sales Representatives. In our first episode, hear from Joel where he discusses how he got into the cannabis industry, some of the fundamental aspects of working as a brand ambassador and territory manager, and how to be successful in the role.

Cannabis Edibles Processing – The Need for Preventative Control Plans and The Case for HACCP

Cannabis Edibles Processing Cannabis edibles and derivatives have finally arrived, with the market continuing to expand with new and innovative product offerings. This has also created a more complex regulatory system to navigate, which includes the requirement by Health Canada for cannabis processors to implement a Preventative Control Plan if they plan on producing cannabis edible products. This panel will take a deep dive into this essential topic, covering the important regulatory considerations when implementing a Preventative Control Plan as well as outlining the essential steps of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points and differences between the two.

Analytical Testing – Changes and Challenges

Cannabis testing is an integral part of meeting the regulatory compliance requirements from Health Canada. Analytical testing is vital in determining the product's potency and presence of contaminants like pesticides and heavy metals. Although cannabis has now been legalized for almost 3 years, industry standards are still being established and we continue to hear about issues around “lab shopping” and other major challenges. In this panel, we hear from Ashton Abrahams, an esteemed expert in the cannabis testing space, and his perspectives on how labs can address these challenges and how to ensure better testing practices.

HR Challenges in the Cannabis Industry

The job landscape has undoubtedly changed tremendously in the last few years. What does this mean for employers? How can they adapt to this changing environment? Hear from HR professionals as they discuss issues related to scaling your business, recruitment, developing an inclusive company culture, addressing Covid-19 in the workplace, and ensuring HR is being considered from the beginning.

Cannabis Extraction – Contamination Concerns and Remediation Methods

Cannabis extraction remains an integral aspect of the cannabis industry that continues to grow and evolve as the market matures. Beyond traditional concentrates like shatter, budder, and wax are becoming more prevalent in the industry, several products rely on extraction, such as infused beverages, vaporizer cartridges, and cannabis oil. In this panel discussion, extraction specialists will discuss manufacturing standards, quality assurance considerations, compliance requirements and potential remediation methods available to processors.

Achieving Operational Excellence in Cannabis Retail

The cannabis retail market is developing at a rapid pace, with competition growing in what is beginning to look like a crowded market. It is more important now than ever for companies to focus on operational efficiencies and distinguishing themselves from the competition. Panelist will discuss pertinent topics in the cannabis retail space including oversaturation, discount retail brands, product differentiation, and hiring and training.

The Path to EU GMP Certification

The global cannabis industry continues to push forward with exciting new markets opening up across the world. In this panel, you will learn from industry leaders in the international cannabis space where they will discuss the different business opportunities in Europe, why Canadian companies are looking to obtain EU-GMP certification, and how to access these emerging markets.

State of the Industry 2021

Since the legalization of cannabis in Canada in 2018, the industry has seen a tremendous number of changes in a short period of time. From provinces establishing their own retail framework, hundreds of stores opening across the country, and the introduction of product categories like edibles and concentrates, the industry continues to evolve at a frenetic pace. What opportunities still exist in the market? What resources can prospective license holders turn to assist them in their licensing journey? What regulatory and market challenges are producers still facing? This panel will tackle these pertinent questions and provide a detailed overview of the current state of the industry.

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