Tabla de contenidos para Winter 2018 en Cannabis & Tech Today

For cannabis companies, the potential for technological integration is limitless. Nearly every aspect of the business can be streamlined and optimized with innovative tech solutions. One startup that’s curating efficiency is BulbTech, a cannabis ecosystem connecting sellers with consumers in an easy-to-use interface. BulbTech is an online store, a delivery app, and a CRM all rolled into one intuitive platform. As the cannabis sector grows, so too will the demand for tech-enabled solutions. According to BulbTech CTO and Founder Tiffany Burtt, “This is an emerging industry and one that will be worth almost $150 billion by 2025. None of us will ever see another industry emerge like this.” With so much money on the line, partnering with the right technologies now could add up to significant savings later on. We…

The legal cannabis industry is rapidly expanding across the U.S. In fact, it generated more than $8 billion in 2017 and is expected to surpass $23 billion by 2025, according to a 2018 industry report. This is critical information for investors, operators, and policymakers involved in the sector. Further, it’s information that is only available thanks to the rigorous studies conducted and compiled by New Frontier Data (NFD), an independent, technology-driven analytics company. NFD is providing detailed analytical data on nearly every segment of the cannabis industry. Their insights have been shaping policies, changing business strategies, and influencing investors since their debut in 2014. Now, nearly five years later, NFD is reporting on cannabis markets across the globe. Their latest reports, such as the Asia-Pacific Hemp Brief, the Oceania Cannabis…

In today’s world, cannabis business operations are complex, multifaceted affairs – this notion is heightened with the nuances of transport in the industry. With cannabis products still demanding a large price on the black market, and business operating in a “cash only” industry, cannabis companies have plenty to protect. As such, forward-looking security technology companies are implementing mobile surveillance systems for transporting sensitive assets. While mobile surveillance systems are not required for the transport of cannabis products according to most state compliance standards, they can still prove quite valuable. This is namely because, if a delivery is compromised, a cannabis company can easily lose its operating license, or simply go out of business. Mobile surveillance can also be used to monitor the behavior of employees working remotely. Safety Vision is…

In the U.S., 99 percent of companies are private, with 3,000 going in and out of business every day. Access to information on these companies has been a challenge with traditional sources. “We were born out of a frustration with the lack of good insight into private companies,” explained Jim Swift, CEO of Cortera. “It’s really hard to make decisions when you don’t have any data to go on.” Because of this, Cortera set out to make business easier by helping supply chain industries understand the various companies they interact with in order to manufacture and sell their products. Of course, the business of cannabis falls under this umbrella of “supply chain industries,” and as the sector has expanded, Cortera has been an early player, helping owners put in place…

On October 17th, 2018, Canada joined Uruguay as the second nation in the world to legalize adult-use cannabis. It won’t take long for the nation to feel its effects. Projections from CIBC this past spring suggest that the Canadian market could take in $6.5 billion in retail sales by 2020. To put this further into perspective, Canada’s legalized marketplace is set to rival California’s. That demand will include 800,000 kilograms of product valued at around $6.8 billion. Of that amount, it is believed that 95 percent will be for recreational use. If projections prove true, Canadian cannabis will eclipse spirits sales. With Canada’s legalization era now underway, key regulations vary from province to province. With the market heading into the winter, it is best to stay abreast of current regulations…

Even with all the big steps CBD has made over the past few years, professional sports as a whole appear to be behind the curve. Despite stars such as NFL wide receiver Deandre Hopkins voicing the benefits of the substance and leagues such as the UFC and BIG3 allowing it to be used legally, CBD has held this stigma. For mixed martial artist Liz Carmouche, CBD is much more than medicine, it’s a major part of her MMA routine. A former Marine Corps aviation electrician, Carmouche (also known by her nickname “Girl-Rilla”) launched her MMA career in 2010, eventually compiling an 11-6 UFC record, gaining wins over fighters such as Kaitlin Young and Jan Finney while rising to the rank of sixth in UFC’s women’s flyweight division. The first openly…

After working as a veterinarian for the military, Dr. Casara Andre turned her focus to holistic medicine, with the hopes of achieving a more balanced approach to wellness than that provided by pharmaceuticals. This idea lead her to found Veterinary Cannabis Education & Consulting, which helps to educate both veterinarians and pet owners about the potential of CBD and cannabis-based medications. Her robust resume also includes: owner of Cultivate, a veterinary coworking community; director of the Colorado School of Animal Massage; and manager of Scheduled Relief, a networking service connecting veterinary clinics and relief veterinarians. In this exclusive interview, we discuss with Dr. Andre her switch to holistic medicine, how to choose the right products for pets, and how to best educate the public on cannabis-based medication. Cannabis & Tech…

As with any business, the bottom line often hinges directly on the quantity and quality of a product. Nowhere is this more true than in a facility where growers often face the quandary of successfully cultivating a large harvest that produces a high-quality yield within a limited area. From irrigation and light to soil and layout, a lot of factors can impact the cultivation process, especially as plants transition through their growth cycles. Today, in creating a next-generation grow facility, cultivators have unprecedented technologies and methods at their fingertips to transform their operations into high-yield, high-quality production venues, while maximizing efficiencies. The flower-in-place method and vertical racking are two of the simplest ways to improve yield and quality. Reaping the Benefits of the Flower-in-Place Method Perhaps one of the most…

Demographics of Consumption As the cannabis industry continues to grow, stigma is down and sales are up. Even conservative projections see national marijuana sales hitting $21.6 billion by 2021, up from $6.73 billion in 2016. That number is then projected to hit $57 billion by 2027. It begs the question: “Who exactly is purchasing all of this cannabis?” Data shows that while the largest consumer group is millennials (those under 35), the older generation is willing to spend a bit more money on their products. Share of U.S. Consumers who Currently Smoke Marijuana, by age Source: Statista Average age of cannabis users (2017) Source: Cannabis Consumer Coalition Average Item Price Per Generation Millennials (<35) Percentage of total sales across generations Millennials (<35) Percentage of Total Sales For Each Generation by…

This past spring, ZipRecruiter’s CEO, Ian Siegel, revealed that cannabis is the fastest growing job category in the United States. With 445 percent year-over-year growth in job listings, cannabis is far outpacing tech and healthcare career growth (245 and 70 percent, respectively). Data released by Mordor Intelligence suggested that the country’s market value could reach $65 billion by 2023. Potential supporting evidence comes from cannabis staffing agency Vangst which reported a 690 percent jump in job listings since 2017. The hottest job markets continue to be notable cities and states with recreational and medicinal use. Job seekers are finding the most opportunities in California, Colorado, Washington, Nevada, Oregon, and Florida. However, opportunities should continue to expand further into emerging markets in the U.S. soon enough. Until recently, those seeking an…

In the near future, cannabis consumers and medical patients will very likely find themselves purchasing cannabis products that were not derived from the marijuana plant. Instead, the cannabinoids could be derived from yeast, gene graphing, or even moss. If all the quality control, consumer safety, and satisfaction boxes get checked, does the source of the cannabinoids really matter? There are seemingly endless varieties (strains) of cannabis plants found around the globe, the quality of each being greatly impacted by soil, climate, and weather conditions conducive to maximum botanical potential and crop yield (WeedMaps and Leafly list over 500 different strains of cannabis currently marketed to medical patients and recreational consumers). However, there are effectively only eight components of the cannabis plant that humans most likely benefit from. The major psychotropic…

The modern cannabis space is marked by an ebb and flow of business opportunities within specific market locales; opportunities that arise out of market demand and operational requirements. This notion informs technological innovations in security, including the advent of biometric identification. As the industry continues to mature, business owners in cultivation, processing, and retail environments are entertaining the use of this technology once reserved for such applications as national security. According to SearchSecurity, biometric identification is defined as any form of biological trait that uniquely identifies a person. For example, fingerprints are the original form of biometric verification, used to identify people in law enforcement and security applications. As biometric identification technology has advanced, it has started to utilize other genetic identifiers, such as retina shapes, iris profiles, DNA sequencing,…

Tribal populations are in dire need of a cash infusion. Most are too isolated to bring in tourists, others lack the infrastructure to bring in new business. Some forward-thinking tribes are capitalizing on the cash crop of the future and investing in cannabis companies that could revitalize their lagging economies. However, tribal lands are designated federal property, which means tribes must obey federal laws despite their distinction as sovereign entities. The contradiction is forcing some tribes out of the cannabis conversation and leaving billions of would-be dollars on the table. Barriers to Entry The Cole and Wilkinson memos issued by the Obama administration were meant to protect cannabis businesses from federal interference. After their rescission in January 2018, legal marijuana businesses were susceptible to federal raids, particularly those operating on…

The wave of cannabis legalization exposes many to its therapeutic benefits, but it also promotes a healthy discussion of its risks. The heightened risk for cannabis users to develop schizophrenia is a common fear among those skeptical of cannabis’ safety. After all, since the 1960s, scientists have described numerous cases of cannabis-induced psychosis, and this has been extended to suggest that cannabis can even cause schizophrenia. Yet, many push back, touting cannabis’ therapeutic potential to treat psychotic symptoms. How do we reconcile these arguments? Can cannabis be both a gift and a curse? Several recent scientific studies suggest that cannabis may be an unjustified villain in the schizophrenia scare. Instead of cannabis causing schizophrenia, those at risk for developing schizophrenia are more likely to use cannabis, which in part may…

Are you moving to a place with legalized marijuana and wondering what it’s going to be like? You have probably heard a few things from friends, social media, and online articles, but what is it really like? Here are a few tips for adjusting to life in a green city. It’s Everywhere Just kidding, it’s not everywhere. That is a common misconception about cities with legal and decriminalized cannabis. People who are afraid of weed freak out, thinking, “I can’t trust any baked goods in this city because there’s pot in everything!” I can assure you that everything is clearly marked and packaged. I promise that no one is bringing a tray of weed cookies and not telling anyone that there are drugs in them. This isn’t a lame sitcom.…

Cannabis is taking a turn. While the industry has been in a state of growth for awhile, in just the past few months some key stories have caused much volatility. The substance became recreationally legal in Canada this year. Despite U.S. federal regulations, this has caused huge brands like Constellation Brands (which owns Molson Coors) and Coca-Cola to take a look at the cannabis industry. Even in the U.S., the Drug Enforcement Administration has rescheduled some forms of CBD, allowing doctors to prescribe certain CBD-based medications. However, U.S. laws classifying most cannabis products as Schedule I drugs leave a lot unknown for the industry. For example, Canadians who have invested in the marijuana industry risk being banned from the U.S. at the border. At the same time, the recent midterm…

In recent years, the idea of the youth being adversely affected by the legalization of marijuana continues to be a common refrain of those in opposition. As recreational marijuana has existed in several states for nearly half a decade, we have the benefit of hindsight and can know with a reasonable degree of certainty if the voters that approved the legalization of marijuana thought of the youth of America. Today, the concept of legal marijuana seems to be the domain of liberal states, but this hardly describes the state of Colorado, a mostly red state with two large blue splotches in Denver and Boulder. Colorado Amendment 64 quickly gained traction and there was little doubt as to its passage in 2012. The support for legalization spanned the political spectrum: liberals…

As the industry continues to charge forward at a neck-breaking pace and more states and countries implement legal cannabis programs, businesses and regulators are looking beyond the early-stage issues of our industry and are beginning to factor long-term sustainability into their decision-making. Though the product is plant-based and commonly thought of as “green,” producing and distributing billions of dollars worth of cannabis inherently creates significant environmental impact. Governments and businesses are now seeking ways to mitigate that impact by focusing on resource consumption, energy usage, and waste management. This brings into question a key component of many state-operated cannabis programs: one-time use radio frequency identification (RFID) tags composed of plastic. The damage to the environment caused by plastic waste cannot be overestimated. Several states have banned one-time use plastic bags…

When founding the International Cannabis Business Conference in 2014, Alex Rogers had a vision that cannabis legalization would move state by state and that we’d see similar progress around the world. Four years later, Rogers’ vision has become a reality – and at a faster rate than anyone expected. With ten states and Washington, D.C, having legalized cannabis, 30-plus states that have voted to legalize medical use, medical programs taking off around the globe, and Uruguay and Canada ending prohibition, it is now easy to see that the future of the industry is bright. Rogers, building upon his background as an activist and businessman, was a few years ahead of the curve. His team has turned the ICBC into a preeminent global marijuana business event, with events in San Francisco,…

When his uncle was dying from stage four lung cancer, Vince Sanders looked for anything that could possibly help save his life. In his research, he came to discover CBD and cannabis, leading him to develop a CBD oil specifically designed for his uncle’s condition. After a month of using the oil, the cancerous tumors not only stopped growing but began shrinking, and after three months, they were nearly gone. “It was a miracle, truly a miracle,” Sanders expressed. This experience inspired Sanders to pursue CBD-based medications to hopefully cure other people’s ailments as well. The end result was CBD American Shaman, one of the only CBD-based companies to ship products nationally. In this exclusive interview, Sanders highlights the science behind CBD, his company’s patented nanotechnology processing, and the future…

With more than 1,500 inventions and over 40 cannabis-related patents, it’s not surprising that ebbu was recently acquired by powerhouse Canopy Growth for more than $330 million. Some of the biggest names in cannabis are choosing ebbu to formulate their products because the company is doing something very few others in the space are able to do: create customized formulations for consistent user experiences. We spoke with ebbu Founder and CEO Jon Cooper to learn how his company is doing such innovative work and discover his secret for formulating impactful cannabinoid combinations. Cannabis & Tech Today : How does ebbu create consistency in their formulations? Jon Cooper: To create consistency, we first had to think, could we create consistency from the plant? In other words, what most people do…

Entrepreneurship and activism can be looked at in a very similar vein. Both take courage, both take determination, and both come from the desire to change and disrupt the established order. Nina Parks is the perfect example of someone who exemplifies the best qualities of both, with her passion and drive showing throughout her ventures. Parks is the founder and CEO of Mirage Medicinal, a cannabis delivery service based out of San Francisco. Additionally, she is the co-founder of Supernova Women, an organization that supports women of color within the world of marijuana entrepreneurship, combining her passions for activism and business. This passion has clearly been recognized, with Parks being featured in The Huffington Post and Women of Cannabiz, as well as being named on High Times’ “Top 100 Influential…