Joseph Calderone

Follow the journey of a THCA hemp flower from sprout to sale! I spent way too long trying to explain this to a Canadian friend because this is an "only in America" story. THCA hemp is just weed. But it takes quite an adventure! It begins as all weed - growing "somewhere" (I'll get to this). At week 3-4 in flower it's supposed to have a USDA pre-harvest test, but no one actually does that because it's biologically impossible for THCA-dominant weed to pass the 0.3% TOTAL THC requirement. Instead it magically appears - or rather is immaculately conceived into the market. Either from a black market grow or backdoored from a legal grow. Like all weed, it's been producing THCA. This is where it gets tricky. You see, normal weed will have a bit of THCA decarboxylated over time to more than 0.3% THC. THCA is harvested early so not much THCA has decarboxylated. Some will even freeze dry the test batch sent to the lab to prevent it. Samples get lab shopped until they find a lab that says under 0.3% THC. (0.29% is just fine). This is despite the previous USDA test they were supposed to have passed total THC - now only THC matters for some reason. At this point the buds are brokered and they are ready to be sold. By the time the flower hits a store or online distribution center, it has decarbed so most of it is over 0.3% THC. By the time it's in the hand of the consumer it's definitely over 0.3% THC and can put them at risk of law enforcement action if dispensed in a non-legal marijuana state. If law enforcement tests it they again use TOTAL THC. Clear as mud? Many THCA sellers blame customers that get in trouble - after being told it's legal - because they claim the consumer should understand all this. "Ignorance of the law is not a defense". Did I miss any parts of the THCA adventure? #onlyinamerica (I promise this will be my last hemp post for a while. I do want to talk about some new science this week 😎)

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Now that we have the new proposed text for the Farm Bill, the bifurcation of hemp interests me. Thanks for the break down Michelle Bodian. HEMP GROWN FOR CANNABINOID EXTRACTION.—The term ‘hemp grown for cannabinoid extraction’ means any hemp grown for purposes of extracting cannabinoids intended for human or animal consumption, inhalation, or topical use INDUSTRIAL HEMP.—The term ‘industrial hemp’ means hemp— (A) grown for the use of the stalk of the plant, fiber produced from such a stalk, or any other non-cannabinoid derivative, mixture, preparation, or manufacture of such a stalk; ‘‘(B) grown for the use of the whole grain, oil, cake, nut, hull, or any other non- cannabinoid compound, derivative, mixture, preparation, or manufacture of the seeds of such plant; ‘‘(C) that is an immature hemp plant intended for human consumption ‘‘(D) that is a plant that does not enter the stream of commerce and is intended to support hemp research at an institution of higher education (as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)) or an independent research institute; or ‘‘(E) grown for the use of a viable seed of the plant produced solely for the production or manufacture of any material described in subparagraphs (A) through (D). It made me think about the last Policy and the Plant with Steven Philpott Jr., MS, CSCS, where he talks about natural vs. synthetic cannabinoids, which I think is going to be a BIG conversation with this new proposed language. If you haven't had a chance to watch the last episode, what are you doing with your life? Get the scoop now. cc: Frederika M. Easley #thepeoplesecosystem #thepeopleareblunt #cannabispodcast #cannabis #cannabisculture #cannabiscommunity #cannabisindustry

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The market goes where Curaleaf goes. It seems Curaleaf is signaling to its shareholders in a big way that Hemp isn't going anywhere. Does this mean the fight is done? Curaleaf stated that they would differentiate from the "unregulated" market. Some active measures that Curaleaf is taking to differentiate its current product portfolio from the largely unregulated hemp marketplace include: Age-gating: Selling to adults 21+ only with age confirmation, requiring verification at purchase Quality: Offering products containing only naturally derived THC from hemp Manufacturing: Made in a certified cGMP facility with high standards Labeling: Transparent package labeling listing ingredients, potency and a QR code that links customers to certificates of analysis from independent testing labs, in addition to other important product-level information. Thoughts? https://lnkd.in/gR5r2BpF

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A follow-up to yesterday's post on the unsustainability of cannabis cultivation: "whenever possible, grow outdoors" This is a passage from famed indoor breeder and grower DJ Short's book. Seems simple right? Just replace indoor grows with outdoor grows and problem solved? Unfortunately it isn't that easy. The main issue is unintentional genetic effects from the war on drugs. Allow me to explain. The drug war drove breeding indoors. Rounds and rounds and rounds of selective breeding under highly controlled environments means outdoor adaptive traits were lost (read: pest/disease resistance, drought and stress tolerance, ect). It's not the plants' fault. It's not breeders' faults. It is what it is. However, don't expect to plant acres of Cali dispo hype strains outside and be successful. Add the complexity of states outright banning anything but indoor, or microbial tests that essentially prohibit outdoor. Add the perceived quality differences in grow styles ingrained in the culture and the consumer. THIS is why we desperately need genetic improvements. This is why we need S3 Genetics This is why we need #BetterCannabisThroughScience

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As we enter croptober, those of us who grow cannabis outside will find out if our plants got pollinated by males on the wind. Stray pollen - which means seed formation - can range from low density nuisance to downwind of a hemp farm and complete crop loss. New research from Virginia Tech mapped the US areas of most concern (attached figure) based on hemp planting records and wind modeling data. Pollen can travel tens of miles. Hundreds of miles In extreme cases, like Morocco to Spain across the Mediterranean. Of note, this doesn't take into consideration outdoor cannabis grows (legal or not). How would the map change if that was added? For instance I notice a distinct lack of shading in the Emerald Triangle. It would also be awesome to hear Triploid grow reports, and if this is promising for high pollen areas. I'll drop anecdata from my triploids this year in a couple months. #BetterCannabisThroughScience Full article link in comments

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Hemp flower, biomass, and cbd isolate prices have dropped significantly over the last few years. Brands who use these and other isolated or converted cannabinoids as ingredients have become accustomed to lower and lower prices. These products can be sold DTC, in retail stores, and in the licensed cannabis industry making the total addressable market substantial. Some of the best selling infused products are created with ratios of CBD as well as minor and rare cannabinoids. As education and access increases consumers have developed a taste for these products which means its reasonable that we could expect to see more of these products created and more brands jumping on the band wagon. -Demand for products made with these ingredients is increasing -Access to these products is increasing -Production of the hemp starting material is at an all time low - Supply and Demand is changing $$$$ Do we think there will be an inevitable price increase due to limited supply and growing demand? Will demand outweigh supply and create a more profitable hemp farming industry? Will more farmers go back to growing hemp now that toll processing fees have come down and more demand exists? All questions I have no answers to, but they are exciting none the less.

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Did you know that BioWorks Experts contributed to Cornell Cooperative Extension's New York State Cannabis sativa L. Guidebook? Designed with New York cannabis growers in mind so they can grow high-quality cannabis while managing a pest-free, regulatory-compliant facility. Find BioWorks Expert IPM recommendations on ideal usage of biological controls, application timing, how to apply, and more. Download the guidebook for free: https://lnkd.in/eNxpNAzR #cornelluniversity #bioworksipm #cannabiscultivation #indoor #outdoor #RegulatoryCompliance #cornellcce #ipmbestpractices

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As the founder of Advanced Nutrients, I’ve seen countless growers choose cheap nutrients, only to pay for it later. Cutting corners like this doesn’t work. Here’s what it leads to: 👎 Lower Yields & Quality ⚠️ More Labor & Time 🚨 Long-term Plant Health Issues 🆘 Hidden Costs of Poor ROI Instead, focus on Total Cost of Ownership (#TCO). Our premium nutrients deliver results that are so efficient, even if you got others for free, it still wouldn’t be as profitable as growing with Advanced Nutrients. Invest in your grow. Check out our full article to learn more about maximizing your yield and quality. Earn the reputation you deserve. #AdvancedNutrients #cannabisnutrients #cannabiscultivation #cannabisindustry 

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A quick reminder for New York: BioTrack’s Seed-to-Sale (STS) system is a requirement for compliance in New York. On November 18, the OCM released its BioTrack API, complete with a sandbox environment, offering operators the opportunity to ensure integration readiness​. Additionally, December 9 marked the release of BioTrack’s first training schedule, providing 3rd Party Integrators, Cultivators, Testing Labs, Manufacturers, and Retailers with an invaluable resource to not only meet compliance requirements but also optimize system usage​. As we close out the year, it’s an opportune time to assess operational systems and compliance protocols—particularly for license renewals and audits. Identifying and resolving record-keeping discrepancies or ensuring inventory management systems are API compatible are key steps to staying ahead. For more details, check out the link below! https://lnkd.in/ePRdADK8 And as we reflect on tools that keep us efficient and compliant, what are your favorite inventory management and point-of-sale systems? Comment your favorites!

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I submitted my abstracts to present #Industrialhemp focused presentations at the 2024 #CannabisResearchConference. If you have been thinking about it, but have not had time... Great news! The deadline has been extended to May 10th. There are quite a few hemp focused sessions and #animalfeed is well represented. The CRC is a great chance to meet and learn from other researchers, regulators and industry experts who are expanding our understanding and the applications of #hemp. #research #science #chemistry #globalregulations #climatesmartag #sustainability #supplychain #standards

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The Future of Cannabis Growing: Seed Versus Clone At Atlas Seed, we're witnessing a transformative shift in cannabis cultivation, putting an end to the sunk cost fallacy embraced by many large-scale growers. Instead of relying on high-cost, labor-intensive clonal propagation and mother stock maintenance, our customers are reaping the benefits of true-to-type, uniform F1 seed production. Moving to seed-based production has proven to lower costs and maintain the quality of the harvest. Precision, quality, and efficiency are at the heart of our genetics. By relying on extensive breeding practices, we ensure that each seed carries 50% genetic composition from top-performing parental lines, leading to consistent, high-quality harvests. Learn more about our high-potency, reliable cannabis seeds and get started with Atlas Seed today. https://lnkd.in/eBSZAkmk

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The comment period just ended for the recent Cannabis Species Inflorescence Proposed Draft Monograph from the USP. The newest proposed monograph tightened the range of THC and CBD to 90 - 110% of the labeled amount. This is in alignment with most drug products but could be a challenge with the inherent variability of plant material. Another change to the monograph is the addition of a second option for microbial limits. The second option has significantly tighter limits for at risk populations such as immunocompromised patients. Not sure if the intent is to label product for different patient populations. Curious to hear thoughts on how this would be implemented! https://lnkd.in/gfGE6F6p

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Cannabis Pangenome conclusion 1: Importance of Asian Landrace diversity The study uncovered at least five general cannabis populations, which support what is generally known and accepted about current genetic makeup. And the North American gene pool has large variation despite repeated bottleneck events. Despite it's variation, we North Americans are working with a limited global genetic diversity. "Importantly, the deep k-mer-based divergence between the single available wild Tibetan assembly and all other domesticated and feral lines supports that wild Cannabis sativa relatives still exist in remote regions of Asia, despite other reports unable to find support for this idea." Meaning that there exists much more diversity to be discovered, and potentially solve existing problems in current strains - disease/pest resistance, agronomic traits to help move indoor cannabis back outside, ect. It is imperative that these true landraces be protected. They are the source of diversity that the plant has evolved over millions of years. The paper's closing sentence wraps it up well: "In particular, utilization and conservation of Asian hemp and Asian wild cannabis remain an important next step toward normalizing and modernizing cannabis science and agriculture." #BetterCannabisThroughScience

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An even canopy is critical to maximizing yield and quality in cannabis horticulture production. Ensuring that all plants receive uniform light exposure, growers can optimize photosynthesis across the entire crop, leading to healthier plants and higher cannabinoid and terpene production. Uneven canopies can result in overshadowing, where larger plants block light to smaller ones, creating inefficiencies and reducing overall yields. Maintaining an even canopy also helps manage humidity levels and airflow, reducing the risk of mold, mildew, and pest issues. Techniques like topping, low-stress training (LST), and scrogging (screen of green) can help achieve a balanced canopy, ensuring consistent bud development and maximizing the plant's potential. For commercial cannabis cultivators, this level of attention can significantly impact the final product's quality, offering a competitive edge in the marketplace. An even canopy equals uniformity in your crop, and that uniformity drives success in the cannabis industry. Who else share these cultivation sentiments? #cannabis #cannabisindustry #cannabiscommunity

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This is an interesting article on technology for growing plants without fertilizers, pesticides, or fungicides. Perhaps this is where agriculture is headed: investing in healthy soils and alternative soil substrates where needed. Thoughts from Tim Hyde, Jairo Trad, Noah Zelkind, and Dane Hague? #sustainableagriculture #nature #water #healthysoils #coloraodriverbasin Imran Jaferey Tom Freyberg Sonya Bengali Water Foundry Earth Finance, Inc.David Grant Michael Alexander Alex Mung https://lnkd.in/ehR5-ppP

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Why are so many industry leaders bothered by pesticide contaminated products, but not by hemp-derived THC products? Both are produced by operators who work with the distinct understanding that their manufacturing methodologies could easily result in contaminated products. If you don’t believe me, ask yourself: How do hemp brands distinguish between naturally produced THC v. THC produced from CBD via chemical synthesis, when sourcing for their products? The honor system?! Oh, that’s right, I forgot. Everyone is just using mother liquor, right? Nothing to see here, just turning waste into gold for pennies. But any claim to this type of chromatography scale is too preposterous to entertain, even in hypothetical scenarios. The biomass and equipment scale needed to sustain hundreds of kilos of THC from CBD processing waste defies any reasonable or financial logic when it can be produced synthetically for much cheaper. But really, how do brands determine what methodology was used to produce their sourced THC, and does it result in a reliably safe ingredient? What’s actually in your product beyond the detected cannabinoids? Does anyone else find it disheartening that no one outside of analytical testing has an answer for this? And for all the hemp-derived THC CPG brands out there: Can anyone produce independent COAs that analyze foreign substances beyond basic environmental contamination controls? NMRs? Just one, even to confirm the process? Is it not extremely worrisome for consumers that these companies often have no idea about the true nature of the ingredients they’re selling? I know there are ethical cannabinoid manufacturers out there that truly care about active ingredient purity and safety. It’s amazing they’re still able to operate in this type of competitive landscape. But for every one of them, there’s one hundred backyard chemists trying to replicate Future4200 blog formulas. How does an industry address such supply chain naivety issues? It’s as if people don’t want to ask the question, let alone think about it. The fact that chemically synthesized compounds aren’t as inherently safe to manufacture as purified natural ones, especially in completely unregulated environments, upsets a lot of people in the industry. They see the word cannabinoid and automatically think natural and plant-based, when it’s anything but. I wish cannabinoid chemical synthesis was highly regulated so we could see safe, pharmaceutical-grade cannabinoid products responsibly available to the public. But that’s not the reality of the situation, and the don’t-ask-don’t-tell policy of ingredient sourcing is pushing the entire industry in the wrong direction. How long can this can go on without some serious product scrutiny and honest hemp industry introspection? If you find yourself upset by potential pesticide contamination but not this, where do you draw the boundaries of your acceptable product contamination limits?

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What in the world do I do? In addition to cultivation and post-harvest (dry/cure) research projects voted on by our supporters at Cannabis Research Coalition , we also provide contract research. Above you see a sample of one of our current projects. This client has a biostimulant product which has proven benefits in other horticultural crops and is used widely. They wanted unbiased data to understand how their product may be used in “our” industry and how to form a sales strategy around it pending positive results. This client specifically wants rooting data so we will be using one of the most handy tools in the plant scientists tool shed… imaging software. This gives me quantitative data without having to count 🙏. I am a farmer’s daughter and I was/am a grower. I know the importance of making science digestible and how it needs to be practical for implementation, not only discovery. Let me test your product. 🤘🏼🤓💃🏼 #horticulture #womenfarmers #plantbiotechnology

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New Jersey’s New Hemp Bill 3235: Changes, Issues, and Potential Impact: Senate Bill 3235 was introduced in response to the growing availability of intoxicating hemp products in New Jersey. While these products meet the legal definition of hemp due to their low delta-9 THC content, many contain other forms of THC like delta-8 and delta-10. Although these alternatives have given consumers more choices, the need for clearer regulations to ensure safety and transparency has become apparent. However, the government’s approach has sparked concerns about excessive regulation. At Nothing But Hemp, we believe this government overreach is excessive and threatens to harm small hemp retailers in New Jersey. https://lnkd.in/gyr6bn6F #hemp #newjersey #hempissues #smallbusiness #mos #bigcorporationswin #liquorstores

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New article of mine out in Fast Company on how Chapul Farms is accelerating the composting process and making organic fertilizer through the use of one particular insect that can eat through nearly any organic waste. With all the ecological harm that chemical fertilizers do, we need more and more solutions to enrich our soils naturally. Excited to see how their work continues to grow!

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