Cannabis and Hemp Experts
Cannabis and Hemp Experts? This sector entered an enormous boom phase with the legalization of cannabis for recreational use in late 2016 (other states have subsequently followed suit but products with >0.3%w THC remain illegal under federal law), legalization in Canada in late 2018 and the Hemp Farming Act of December 2018. While Hemp finds (and has found for decades and in some cases centuries) commercial application in textiles, clothing, paper, (biodegradeable) plastics, food, animal feed and more, the escalating interest (and principle value which is driving the market) is in the cannabis oils that can be extracted and their applications. These oils are rich in cannabinoids and terpenes/terpenoids. We find myriad claims of the healing properties of cannabis oils such as epilepsy/seizure remediation, pain-relief, anxiety reduction and anti-inflammatory effects as well as increased focus and sleep enhancement.
In terms of oil, Hemp is grown for its cannabidiol (CBD) content, while many other cannabis (Marijuana) strains are grown for their delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content. The most noteworthy difference between CBD and THC is the lack of psychoactive effects (or “highs”) for CBD and most other cannabinoids (up to over one hundred in the plant). Other cannabinoids (all of which have the potential to interact with the endo-cannabinoid receptors in the human body) are claimed to have many other benefits such as appetite suppression and much more. However, the cannabis oil is typically a “soup” containing MANY cannabinoids of which some are in extremely low concentrations – and the ratio of the different “actives” varies from strain to strain, harvest to harvest and upon the extraction protocols used. Terpenes and terpenoids add to the flavor, odor and taste of the final formulation (and many think therapeutic properties also) – whether an edible (e.g. gummi bears, brownies, beverages), topicals (e.g. pain formulation), tinctures or vapes and the like.
The extraction method (medium of choice, conditions and technology), plus any downstream steps such as winterization, fractionation (including distillation) and possible blending or formulation is critical to the performance, quality, market acceptance and value of the final product
Given the size, the history (it’s both BRAND NEW (since legalization) and ANCIENT (5 millenia of history)) and momentous anticipated growth of this sector, coupled with legality (state-to-state, federally and internationally), it is impossible for one person to be an expert across the board. Generally speaking though, an expert should have significant knowledge and experience across many disciplines including strain selection, grow, harvesting, drying, extraction methods (and selection thereof, batch/continuous/scale), fractionation and formulation, the concept of “full spectrum” and “full entourage” in addition to pure products and isolates, intellectual property (freedom to operate and patentability), chemistry, chemical engineering, regulatory (state, federal), compliance, analytical chemistry techniques (e.g. detection and remediation of fungicides and pesticides etc), pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, FDA aspects and clinical trials. Additionally an expert should be aware of developing technologies such as the (selective) growth of cannabinoids by fermentation using yeast, bacteria or other platforms to selectively generate (ideally) individual cannabinoids on demand, obviating the need to grow the plant itself.
LEC Partners is the world’s premier bioeconomy consulting group, with over 150 highly qualified experts serving in all these areas, including many cannabis and hemp experts. Take a look at our experts and the services we provide. Most of our experts are also available to advise and serve as expert witnesses in bioeconomy litigation matters. For the larger projects, we specialize in putting together full service, interdisciplinary teams with one point of contact. Call us at +1 (617) 444-8750 or email us for more information. See also: Best Way to Structure Your Cannabis or Hemp Business and A Stage Gate Approach to Completing Your Hemp Project.
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