Join Master Hashishin Frenchy Cannoli in a guided tour of producing countries (India, Nepal, Afghanistan, Morocco, Lebanon) to better understand the history of cannabis concentrates and what their legacy of quality offers us. Frenchy will give an overview of the modern cannabis concentrate marketplace, and discuss the pressing need for a common professional vocabulary in our nascent industry, and an independent system to evaluate cannabis quality similar to the scoring system developed and used by the French wine industry.

This presentation will begin with an overview of the lack of standardization in cannabis testing and will take the audience on a global journey to understand why there is inconsistency and what new and existing management can do to ensure the laboratory is positioned to adapt to regulations. This presentation shall provide an overview of the testing regulations from the perspective of the FDA (USA), INVIMA (LATAM), Health Canada (Canada), EU (European Union), and African countries with cannabis programmes. This presentation will discuss the proactive approach that is needed to ensure all elements of the laboratory system are complyingfrom a pharmaceutical testing perspective with an application to cannabis testing. The integration of cGMP aspects during construction to be considered to ensure a controlled environment will be discussed in addition to the proper categorization of by cGMP status and by cGMP critical or noncritical use. Furthermore, the lecture will provide the management with an overview of User requirement specifications (URS) and functional requirement specifications (FRS) which are defined for design qualification (DQ) or for subsequent validation testing which play a critical role in Qualification (IQ/OQ/PQ). The final points that will be covered from an FDA perspective will be the integration of Q6A and 21 CFR 211 in the validation phase of testing.

The cannabis industry is currently facing a land grab for intellectual property surrounding prized cannabis varietals. The process of going through the patent office can be both time consuming and costly and there is no guarantee a patent will issue unless what is submitted is truly novel. Furthermore, the illegality of cannabis in many countries and lack of knowledge in this arena for patent examiners only further compounds this complex issue. In the absence of a clear path for obtaining IP surrounding cannabis cultivars alternative approaches are gaining momentum. This presentation will discuss one such alternative method for protecting the work of cannabis breeders that utilizes a combination of DNA sequencing and blockchain technology as a mechanism for demonstrating prior art.

The cannabis industry does a poor job at meeting the needs of the incoming mainstream consumer. Mainstream consumers expects a predictable product that is clearly labeled by effect. Instead, they are generally forced to choose a product based on unclear strain names. This selection often leads to unexpected and undesirable experiences that keep a novice user from returning to the cannabis space. Cannabis companies need to learn from other well-established CPG industries, and they can take the first step by creating precision formulations.

This presentation will explore the basics of a cGMP compliant system for food, nutritional supplements and pharmaceutical products and the necessity for cannabis products to meet these requirements now and moving forward. This presentation will also explore the paradigm of creating a comprehensive testing scheme that for product control and optimization in order to control risk while staying competitive in a highly regulated "Point-of-Sale" testing market. A discussion on the importance of understanding analytical data needs associated with each product as well as working with the laboratory to ensure accurate results. In the current market, litigation is uncommon, but many expect it will be one of the many things to ramp up quickly. In supply chain considerations, traceability and validated laboratory data is essential to manage risk in health events, recalls and lawsuits.

With any new industry, such as cannabis and hemp, the rollout of responsible regulations is an important first step. In the United States, each state has taken it's own approach to regulations with respect to sampling, testing, and reporting cannabis and hemp test results. This talk will highlight holes in regulations, the impacts these have on testing facilities, and examples of public health gains when regulations are done comprehensively.

In an ever changing regulatory landscape it can be challenging to know how to stay in compliance with your cannabis enterprise. Laws can seemingly change overnight and are often more strictly enforced than similar industries. Fines and closures are a tremendous liability that can be avoided with the right preparation. Learn what resources are available to help you get and stay in compliance.

The cannabis industry does a poor job at meeting the needs of the incoming mainstream consumer. Mainstream consumers expects a predictable product that is clearly labeled by effect. Instead, they are generally forced to choose a product based on unclear strain names. This selection often leads to unexpected and undesirable experiences that keep a novice user from returning to the cannabis space. Cannabis companies need to learn from other well-established CPG industries, and they can take the first step by creating precision formulations.

What are current assumptions around the capital needed to build a viable extraction operation? How well are we understanding consumer demand in a given marketplace, and the best ways to use the proper technology to lower the overall expense of an extraction system? The precision and efficiency of supercritical fluid extraction using CO2 provides under-appreciated benefits over other solvents. Consumers are getting smarter about the oils they put in their bodies at the same time that production efficiencies play more of a key role in profitability. Explore what it really takes to provide a dispensary with the extract they need, and why there's a host of factors that will drive the future of cannabis oil.

A diversity of commercial food products can be made from cannabis and hemp extracts, using both crude or winterized “oils”, distillates, and isolates, as documented in the literature. The manufacturing of these food-related end products involves processes such as extraction, phase separation, and distillation under vacuum. There is preference for consumer-friendly solvents that are generally regarded as safe (GRAS) such carbon dioxide, ethanol, water, and propane or butane; and triglyceride-based oils. Frequently CO2 is preferred as a solvent because it is environmentally-benign, consumer-friendly, and selective as an extraction solvent. Here we invoke solubility parameter theory (SPT) to explain the solubility/miscibility behavior of the above solvents towards cannabinoid, terpene, and non-polar contaminating solutes that must be removed using the above processes. This approach can also be used in formulating various food products in which cannabis extracts and distillated are infused into a food matrix. Note is made of the fact that the infused cannabinoids are converted under the influence of heat and over time to other cannabinoids. Due to the difficulty of retaining terpenes during the above processing steps, back-addition of terpenes is frequently practiced. Numerous examples are provided of foods that are infused with defined cannabis/hemp extracts and distillates, and an example of an appropriate analysis and requisite labeling associated with a cannabinoid-infused product provided.

Snap n’ Pull, Pie Crust, Terp Sauce… these are just three of the many terms used for different cannabis concentrates. In this track, educate yourself on what these various names signify: what is the product, how is it made, what is it’s chemistry, and how should it be ingested.

As concentrates overtake much of the cannabis market, it is no longer necessary to send only the waste to the extractor. As more people turn to cannabis, it has become increasingly important that extractors obtain quality cannabis flower and other plant matter for creating high-quality, clean products. This track will also provide discourse on effective ways for cleaning up concentrates after the extraction. Join in the conversation regarding keeping products safe.

Lunch Available for Purchase at the Hotel

The cannabis industry is no longer just about THC, or even CBD. As more of the plant’s secrets are unveiled, the interest in minor cannabinoids is becoming more meaningful. So is the addition of terpenes back into concentrates to provide enhanced entourage effects. Learn about how businesses are obtaining these minor cannabinoids, how researchers are investigating the medical power of different combinations of cannabinoids and terpenes, and what medical benefits have been proven for different cannabinoids, terpenes, or their union.

The diversity of the cannabis concentrates on dispensary shelves parallels the individual tastes of cannabis consumers. These days, the combination of unique cannabinoid and terpene profiles presents an exciting opportunity to evaluate all that can be offered from the wealth of phytomolecules native to the cannabis plant. Fractionating the medicine from the bulk of the biomass requires innovative technology capable of scale and speed, given the millions of people already experiencing cannabis, and the growing number of Earthlings casting stigma aside, to see how the cannabis plant can help them transcend imbalance and explore a better quality of life. This panel explores the latest in extraction technology, for separation and for purification.

With each state seemingly implementing varied and evolving regulations, it is paramount that cannabis extractors and analytical scientists understand what’s expected of them, how to ensure their business is in compliance, and how to remain compliant. Safeguard your business by attending this track.

One of the greatest results of cannabis legalization has been the implantation of current methods and technology from the scientific sector into the cannabis industry. That technology and human talent has driven great strides in cannabinoid production. One has been the incorporation of CBD into a water-soluble format, which allows greater integration into foods and beverages. Another has been the promising application in the incorporation of microbial cannabinoid expression vectors into the repertoire of manufacturing processes. The challenges with the last methods include specific enzymes necessary to synthesize the highly hydrophobic cannabinoid molecules, but these issues are currently being overcome.

In today's cannabis industry, concentrates dominate. Consumers, however, are often befuddled by marketing language that doesn't really clarify what they are ingesting, or what effects the product may have. The savvy consumer is ramping up their interest in the assortment of phytochemicals that define a specific cultivar and the products designed from those plants. And as more product manufacturers create customized formulations that target specific ailments, traditional marketing may no longer apply. So, how can you best develop and share your brand? Attend this panel for the answers.

In these 120 minutes you will receive an overview of the principles and practices of extraction. With many hands on demonstrations you will leave with an understanding how coffee, cannabis and clothes are similar. You will appreciate the vast number of ways to make eggs, tea, as well as cake and how you can increase your productivity with hemp and cannabis. Good is not a number. You will gain an understanding of measuring the potency at each stage of sample preparation, extraction and post processing; saving you thousands of dollars a week.

The cannabis industry does a poor job at meeting the needs of the incoming mainstream consumer. Mainstream consumers expects a predictable product that is clearly labeled by effect. Instead, they are generally forced to choose a product based on unclear strain names. This selection often leads to unexpected and undesirable experiences that keep a novice user from returning to the cannabis space. Cannabis companies need to learn from other well-established CPG industries, and they can take the first step by creating precision formulations.

At Vitalis, we desire to solve significant industry challenges while fostering an environment of ingenuity and curiosity. By observing and analyzing the industry landscape, we identify critical issues as opportunities, and bring relevant, innovative solutions to the market.

Mature cannabis markets are trending towards “terpier” products where taste and effect are key selling features. Products like Terp Sauce, HTFSE, Pure CDT (Cannabis Derived Terpenes), Live Resin, etc. all have one thing in common, they are all rich in extracted cannabis terpenes. Terpene extraction is a critical component of a cannabis extraction process that aims to preserve and extract the available spectrum of terpenoids for use in a variety of end products. Applications for CDT extracts range from inhalation extracts like vape pen oil or “dabbable” extracts, to edibles, topicals and beyond.

In the next 18 months, technology will leapfrog everything that’s in place today. It will move from horses to horsepower. It will transition from walking and paddling from New York City to Paris, to boarding a plane with a first class ticket in your hand. From plant to product, automation of processes, on-line monitoring of separation, and providing broad spectrum and contaminant-free ingredients; these once esoteric concepts are quickly coming into reality. Communication-centric technology amazes me. It perpertually seeps into the facets of my daily life. I know very little of the electronics and software that is needed to support the computers, telephones, headsets, and software that I commonly depend on to write emails, plan business, listen to sports, and talk on the phone with Bluetooth earplugs. Cannabis-centric technology has many parallels. There are exhibition halls filled with the latest “this is the BEST way” technology because of “x, y, z” in all industries. If you are like me in the communication-centric technology, then it must be overwhelming to your six senses and your common sense. Extraction in 2021 will come down to a simple principle: formulation-centric. Formulation-centric is based on products that have meaningful impacts on your health, wellness, and lifestyle. It is about having ingredients that are needed for the products you are making or the products you are using.

CO2 extraction yields vary on a number of factors, including starting material, material prep, grind size and consistency, and extraction parameters. In addition, data shows that the varying concentration of CBD and THC can significantly impact the overall time for complete cannabinoid extraction. This variation also opens the door to separate THC and CBD fractions during extraction.

The presentation will focus on how Evonik's OSN (Organic Solvent Nanofiltration) membranes are being increasingly applied to the CBD/THC extraction and purification processes. These polymeric membranes have a pore size in the range of 150Da (Molecular Weight) to 900Da. Membranes of particular pore size can be chosen to achieve a certain separation, e.g. a membrane of 500 Da MWCO (Molecular Weight Cut-Off) can be used to separate large molecular weight impurities from CBD. This eliminates the need for chilled ethanol extraction and also winterization. Additionally, it achieves substantial color reduction. Subsequently, a membrane of 200 Da MWCO can be used to concentrate (desolvate) the CBD solution. This membrane rejects (retains) CBD and allows ethanol and terpenes to pass through thus eliminating the need for using rotary evaporators. The OSN membranes are operated at ambient temperature thus saving substantially on energy and also ensuring heat sensitive molecules are not damaged. Evonik's OSN membranes are the only membranes in the market that are stable to the typical solvents used in the CBD/THC extraction

The current practice of removal of wax, lipids and free fatty acids currently requires the freezing of oil while dissolved in a solvent. The process is followed by reclaiming of the solvent by a wiped film evaporation. A process that saves 90% of the energy compared to these two steps and reduces operations cost >50% will be discussed. The process allows the solvent to be reclaimed at room temperature. Processing data will be reviewed on how the ecosce process was developed. The aforementioned current industry process economics will be compared to the use of size exclusion membranes adapted from the desalination industry. The economics of the two processes will be reviewed and compared as related to scaling of hemp and cannabis oil processing. A discussion of issues related to permitting and fire code will be discussed as many production facilities currently struggle with solvent storage limitations.

End-to-end harvesting automation is the future. The impacts of this technology on small, medium, and large scale producers will be explored. How to set up your processing from visual inspection systems, remediation, processing, trimming, sorting, solvent-less extraction systems, packaging, and batching, all the way through to labeling will be discussed. Creating a process that's efficient and appropriate for your specific needs is key. Documentation of a standard operating procedure (SOP) and risk assessment are integral to maintaining maximum efficiency and creating a road map for future operations. Market forces drive technology. Don't get left behind.

Extraction for the modern businessman in the most time-sensitive industry boom since BitCoin. How Phil got his start, the ups and downs, and the RAIDS! Phil wants to share his expertise in spotting the whales, taking on investors, and how marijuana conglomerated in 5 years. Hemponomics 101.

Navigating the complex regulations of cannabis manufacturing in California is no easy task. Dana Cisneros Esq., lead attorney with Cannabis Corporate Law Firm assists manufacturers with licensing, compliance and transactional issues throughout California. On this panel, she will share some of the most pressing and unique issues facing manufacturing operators today. This presentation will provide an overview of the key regulations for manufacturers, covering a broad range of issues relevant to the emerging cannabis manufacturing market, such as, application requirements, white labeling, standard operating procedures, closed loop certification requirements, good manufacturing practices, testing, product standards, concentration restrictions, packaging and labeling and changes to the license. The session will conclude with Q&A so come prepared with your questions!

Join Cannabis futurist and successful founder/investor Emmett McGregor on a trip into the future of cannabis processing. In a field that evolves new technology and procedures at a pace to match the most rapid and exciting, emerging markets in history, how can you gain an edge? Gaze into the next 5 years of industry growth with a well rounded and prescient survey of incoming technology, lessons from other industries, and disruptive forces of regulation and standardization. Topics covered: Pioneering Energy and Materials Efficiency, Defining Sanitary for the Cannabis Industry, the Looming Specter of FDA Regulation, Diversifying Separation Technology with Liquid/Liquid Extraction, Fractional Distillation, Membrane Technology, the Return of the Hydrocarbon Solvents, End to End Automation and In-Line Sensing, Quality Management (You Think You Do Paperwork Now?), and Process Intensification for Solvent Holding Limits and Workforce Safety.

At present, recreational cannabis markets are oversupplied with flower while consumer demand for concentrates, oils and distillates continues to outpace retailers’ ability to offer a diversified and high-quality set of extracted products. This shift away from flower and towards premium products like oils and distillates makes sense, as recent data projects that sales of oils will quickly outpace that of traditional flower sales, reaching $8.5 billion in retail sales by 2022. For their presentation, Gen X Biosciences will employ an interactive discussion that highlights key consumer data that shows swelling demand for premium cannabis products. In addition, Gen X will provide informative breakdowns of the varying extraction technologies available to cannabis business owners today, with an emphasis on how these new technologies are reshaping industry standards.

The cannabis plant offers a legitimate phytopharmacy, as there are said to be over 300 molecules comprising cannabinoids and terpenes alone. As these molecules become more readily available, the next step towards more targeted therapeutics would be to ensure the highest bioavailability of the product. Bioavailability refers to the amount of a drug that enters the bloodstream and can thus perform its task. This track will discuss how to ensure that novel formulations can have the highest possible efficacy once ingested.

The labeling of cannabis as medicine immediately necessitates defensible analytical data describing the potency of the plant or product, the safety of the product as contaminant- and toxin-free, and with increasing importance, the terpene profile of the product, and the genetics of the cultivar. It is paramount that manufacturers and consumers can trust the information on a product label, or perhaps more importantly, the data that the grower or manufacturer is privy to, but not the consumer. This panel provides insight into the analytical testing domain, including laboratory oversight, regulatory compliance, analytical technology, and the evolution of laboratory standardization.

The cannabis industry has a glut of negative stories all too handy for naysayers to build their foundations upon. Here’s the thing. Our manifesto needs to read: if cannabis and all of its downstream derivatives are going to be more universally accepted as medicinal, the plants being grown and the products being manufactured and rapidly consumed in this federally-illegal, yet increasingly ubiquitous community, need to be ethically-produced to be contaminant-free. It may seem nonsensical to even need to vocalize this. But product safety and compliance requires care, diligence, and expertise. This panel provides the insights of experts who understand how to better ensure that products start out clean, and remain clean, such that contamination becomes moot. The panelists will also divulge effective post-processing techniques to further refine and remediate.

The cannabis industry is no longer just about THC, or even CBD. As more of the plant’s secrets are unveiled, the interest in minor cannabinoids is becoming more meaningful. So is the addition of terpenes back into concentrates to provide enhanced entourage effects. Learn about how businesses are obtaining these minor cannabinoids, how researchers are investigating the medical power of different combinations of cannabinoids and terpenes, and what medical benefits have been proven for different cannabinoids, terpenes, or their union.

The cannabis industry is no longer just about THC, or even CBD. As more of the plant’s secrets are unveiled, the interest in minor cannabinoids is becoming more meaningful. So is the addition of terpenes back into concentrates to provide enhanced entourage effects. Learn about how businesses are obtaining these minor cannabinoids, how researchers are investigating the medical power of different combinations of cannabinoids and terpenes, and what medical benefits have been proven for different cannabinoids, terpenes, or their union.