by Grow Up Conference | Nov 19, 2024 | Cannabis News Wire, Media Partners
A few months ago, the Department of Cannabis Control in the state of California issued 5 cannabis product recalls. The recalls drew attention to the presence of aspergillus, which brought the total number of recalls to twenty-one for the year.
The significant increase in recalls related to mold, in particular aspergillus, has made marijuana cultivators across the state to become more vigilant.
So, what do we know about aspergillus?
This mold can be found in decaying vegetation, soil and the air. It thrives in humid and warm environments, with its spores possessing the ability to travel long distances. This makes it hard to contain the mold in outdoor or even indoor cultivation operations.
While most strains of aspergillus are harmless, specific species can cause serious respiratory issues for individuals with underlying lung conditions, asthma, or weak immune systems. Other species can also cause infections, ranging from invasive aspergillosis to mild allergies.
Given that medical marijuana is used by patients with compromised immune systems, it is even more important to ensure that the products consumers have access to are mold-free.
What happens when a product fails a laboratory test?
States often carry out compulsory lab tests on marijuana products sold in their jurisdictions. Products that don’t pass these tests due to high mold levels are often turned into extracts or remediated, which decreases a cultivator’s profit margins.
For instance, the Metrc’s marijuana track-and-trace system in Florida usually flags remediated flower and labels it with an R. This negatively impacts the product’s market appeal and causes a decline in the average price of the product over time.
This approach isn’t sustainable for cannabis cultivators who’re trying to maintain profitability and a competitive edge.
How can marijuana decontamination help prevent this from happening?
Introducing a decontamination step in one’s cultivation process can substantially decrease the presence of mold before cannabis products are submitted for lab tests. The primary objective of this step is to reduce the levels of microbials present in the cannabis flower, normally through a sterilization or sanitization process.
By integrating this safeguard into one’s procedures, growers can avoid the reputational and financial damage associated with product recalls and failed laboratory tests.
What decontamination solutions can cultivators use?
- Ozone gas is known to decrease microbial levels on plants, including marijuana.
- X-ray radiation, which can help deactivate the DNA of harmful pathogens.
- Radio frequency treatment can also help eliminate pathogens.
One should keep in mind that these solutions don’t compromise the quality of the cannabis flower.
For companies like TerrAscend Corp. (TSX: TSND) (OTCQX: TSNDF) that have worked to build their reputation within the industry, every effort would be worthwhile if it helped to avoid harming what they have so far achieved.
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by Grow Up Conference | Nov 18, 2024 | Media Partners, The New Agora
Building a Bridge to The Overman
by Gary Z. McGee
“I want to teach men the sense of their existence, which is the Overman, the lightning out of the dark cloud man.” ~Nietzsche
What does it mean to become “the lightning out of the dark cloud man”?
It means becoming the personification of a shock and awe campaign. It means striking with white hot inquiry. It means harnessing your integrated shadow like a sword and using that sword like an existential Occam’s Razor slicing through certitude.
More importantly, it means realizing—balls to bones, ovaries to marrow—that everything is connected to everything else and that you alone are responsible for the universe becoming aware of itself.
The lightning out of the dark cloud man is a bridge to the Overman Ethos, inspired by Nietzsche’s philosophy. It involves a transformative process both personally and culturally. Here are seven steps that might guide you on this path.
1.) Confrontation with Nihilism:
“The power of the Void is the power of wombness in us all, the power of true creativity.” ~Peggy Andreas
Objective: Recognize the absence of inherent meaning or values.
Action: Deliberately explore the void where traditional values or gods no longer provide meaning. This isn’t to dwell in despair but to understand the freedom and responsibility it entails. Engage with existential literature, art, or personal meditation on life’s inherent meaninglessness.
When you embrace the void, you turn the tables on meaninglessness and create a platform whereupon you are free to create your own meaning. New meaning. Fresh meaning. Updated meaning. The void becomes a canvas where the art of your life can spill forth, a stage where the drama of your life can play out, a clean slate where your unique story can be authentically told.
Meaning, purpose, and higher values are the flowers that bloom from the mud of the void. It takes going through the underground of the soul, toiling through the muck and mire of the human condition, navigating the Underdark of your primal chaos, to discover loam rich enough to grow your unique meaning and purpose.
2.) Self-Reflection and Overcoming:
“All fixed set patterns are incapable of adaptability or pliability. The truth is outside of all fixed patterns.” ~Bruce Lee
Objective: To understand and surpass one’s current self.
Action: Engage in rigorous self-analysis. Identify limitations, fears, and outdated beliefs. Nietzsche’s concept of “self-overcoming” involves transcending these through will, discipline, and creativity. This might involve therapy, philosophy, or personal creativity projects.
Transcend the human condition through healthy nonattachment and achieve a self-actualized state of perpetual self-overcoming. Your nonattachment will keep you elevated above the battlefield of the human condition so that you can freely move in and out of notions of Self.
Self-overcoming becomes a chisel for the hardened beliefs within you. You use it to humble yourself, to destroy your illusions and murder your delusions, to unsettle your settled mind, to shock your chakras, and to recondition your cultural conditioning.
As Camus said, “The greatness of man lies in his decision to be stronger than his condition.”
3.) Creation of Personal Values:
“Continuous improvement is better than delayed perfection.” ~Mark Twain
Objective: Establish new values that affirm life and growth.
Action: Cultivate values that resonate with life-affirmation, creativity, strength, and joy. This might involve adopting new lifestyles, ethical systems, or artistic expressions that reject passive acceptance of traditional morality and embrace aggressive alignment with cosmic morality.
Question why you hold certain values. Are they yours by choice or by cultural imposition?
Realize that your true value is in your unique imagination. Everything else is moonshine. Your imagination is your potential. It’s your deepest longing to express your own values in the world. This uniqueness is your life’s purpose, your soul’s signature, your unmatched contribution to the human condition.
Live experimentally. Practice becoming over being. Self-interrogate. Self-actualize. Self-overcome. Keep the eight-spoked wheel of virtue (courage, moderation, wisdom, justice, curiosity, honor, humility, and humor) moving forward. Keep your values in sacred alignment with universal laws. Live in harmony with cosmic principles.
The process of revaluation is not a linear progression but a spiraling journey where each step might revisit previous ones with new insights.
4.) Embracing the Dionysian:
“These poor creatures have no idea how blighted and ghostly this so called ‘sanity’ of theirs sounds when the glowing life of a Dionysian reveler thunders past them.” ~Nietzsche
Objective: To integrate both Apollonian (order, beauty) and Dionysian (chaos, ecstasy) aspects of life.
Action: Live life with intensity, embracing both its highs and lows. Celebrate life’s passions, creativity, and even its tragedies. This might mean engaging in music, dance, or other forms of ecstatic expression, balancing order with chaos.
Practice Dionysian disobedience despite Apollonian obsequiousness. Be divergent. Practice Promethean audacity. Dance through the mannequin culture. Thunder past the status quo junkies. Live deliberately. Be a courage-enforcer, a mettle sharpener, a lion-awakener.
The key is courageously delving into the forbidden to discover hidden secrets otherwise unattainable. So as not to remain blinded by the light of outdated culture. So as not to get lost in the abyss of a thousand and one clashing dogmas. So as not to fall victim to the tyranny of reason at the expense of the vitality of imagination.
5.) Cultivating the Will to Power:
“We, half dust, half deity.” ~Lord Byron
Objective: To assert one’s creative force over life’s circumstances.
Action: Practice making decisions and taking actions that expand one’s influence over one’s life. This isn’t about power over others but power over oneself and one’s environment. It might involve leadership roles, pioneering projects, or personal development challenges.
The will to power is the will to self-mastery. It’s a health-based, body-based, earth-based philosophy. It’s going from being merely a self-forging independent force to becoming a self-overcoming force of interdependent fate.
Self-mastery is mastering mortality despite infinity. In the throes of self-mastery everything is a whetstone: pain, setbacks, tragedy, mistakes, loss. The obstacle is the path. Iron sharpens iron. Catharsis begets catharsis. Diamond cuts diamond.
Practicing the will to power is having the ability to use the hardships of life, the setbacks, the slings and arrows, the ups and downs, to make yourself stronger. It’s choosing to live life to the fullest, knowing mistakes will happen; rather than merely existing, fearful of making any mistakes.
Cultivating the will to power is about striving towards personal excellence, creativity, and resilience, not for the sake of power over others, but to master oneself and to live life with passion and purpose.
6.) Balancing the Will to Power with the Will to Humor:
“As soon as you have made a thought, laugh at it.” ~Lao Tzu
Objective: Live in such a way that your sense of humor rivals all other virtues.
Action: To allow the law of levity to supersede the law of gravity. To keep humor ahead of hubris.
The will to humor is the only thing more powerful than the will to power. With this power over power, those practicing the will to humor are compelled to turn their power outward. First as laughter, second as expiation, and third as prestige.
This presents an interesting challenge to the traditional understanding of power dynamics. While the will to power might drive creation, conquest, and personal growth, the will to humor operates in the realms of open-mindedness, resilience, flexibility, and catharsis.
Both can coexist, with humor offering a different kind of strength—one that might not dominate in the same overt ways as traditional power but perhaps influences on a deeper, more pervasive level through laughter, insight, and connection.
Ultimately, while power is about control, humor is about liberation—liberation from the seriousness of life, from oppressive structures, and from one’s own limitations.
Practice humor over hubris. Hang a question mark on all the things you’ve taken too seriously. Set a tripwire for your pride. Dangle a noose over your petty expectations. Take everything with a grain of salt and some things with the entire saltshaker. Have a laugh at the cosmic joke.
7.) Contribution to Cultural Evolution:
“Be extremely subtle even to the point of formlessness. Be extremely mysterious even to the point of soundlessness.” ~Sun Tzu
Objective: To influence the broader cultural narrative towards life-affirming values.
Action: Share your insights, creations, and life lessons through art, writing, teaching, or activism. Engage in public discourse, challenge prevailing norms, and inspire others towards their own self-overcoming. This step might involve community building or becoming a cultural figure who embodies these values.
Balance solitude and society. Nietzsche highlights the importance of solitude for self-discovery but also the necessity of returning to society to contribute and influence. Equilibrium is key. Stretch your comfort zone. Seek solitude and adventure. Discover the labyrinth and your very own Hero’s Journey. Just remember to return to the “tribe” and share your magic elixir.
Most important of all: avoid Dogma. Each step should be approached with a caution against creating new dogmas. The Overman Ethos is about continual overcoming, not static achievement.
Building this bridge requires continual engagement with oneself and the world, embracing both destruction and creation. It’s a path of becoming, not arrival, where each step challenges and expands the individual towards a fuller expression of human potential, resonating with the Overman—one who creates their own values, lives passionately, and contributes to the evolution of human culture.
Image source: Final by Stuz0r
About the Author:
Gary Z McGee, a former Navy Intelligence Specialist turned philosopher, is the author of Birthday Suit of God and The Looking Glass Man. His works are inspired by the great philosophers of the ages and his wide-awake view of the modern world.
This article (7 Steps Toward Building a Bridge to The Overman) was originally created and published by Self-inflicted Philosophy and is printed here under a Creative Commons license with attribution to Gary Z McGee and self-inflictedphilosophy.com. It may be re-posted freely with proper attribution, author bio, and this statement of copyright.
by Grow Up Conference | Nov 18, 2024 | Media Partners, The New Agora
Holy guacamole,
Apocatastasis Institute is going to Vegas!
… with your help.
I have lately been nominated, and won, an award from the EDUCATION 2.0 group for pedagogical leadership. This accolade will be given at their conference in Las Vegas, USA this March (’25). More important than receiving any plaudit, however, it is advisable I attend this event in order to network with other cutting-edge teachers and businessmen in the field of education.
With the greatest parsimony and thrift, this journey will take $3000 to complete between travel, room & board, and conference admission. Will you make it happen?
Apocatastasis Institute is your school. It was erected by the republic all those years ago, and it will serve the republic to its dying day. If you want your college to get to the next level, please consider donating, enrolling in our classes/tutorials, buying our books, book-markers, and pens, or attending our Open Events. You may consult OUR SITE for specifics on these points, or you may write us at our usual email address for guidance (n.b., including our Venmo and PayPal information).
This is an exciting opening God has put in our path. I have much to say about our opportunity, and thus I have recorded an A/V presentation HERE.
Amidst crunching leaves and silver linings,
John Coleman
P.S., Speaking of fundraising, clear out your garage and help the Institute get to Vegas HERE. JC
November Institute Feature
R. Michael Fisher has lately recorded a response to John Coleman’s essay To The Dead I Speak.
Apocatastasis: An Institute for the Humanities
“A proud product of public education, John Coleman received his undergraduate degree in history from Western Connecticut State University. Alas, that was to be the end of his flattering academic titles. Unwilling to once again become a debt slave to usurers, his graduate studies were scotched at the half-way point. John wasted over a decade of his professional life attempting to establish a high school for a community who took neither themselves nor their worldview seriously. Burned by these unseemly experiences, on Holy Saturday of 2013 Apocatastasis Institute was founded.“
by Grow Up Conference | Nov 18, 2024 | Media Partners, Stratcann
The Ontario government has introduced legislation that they say, if passed, will help tackle illegal cannabis sales by prohibiting advertising and promoting the sale of illegal cannabis through the province’s cannabis legislation.
The possible changes are part of a larger package of changes as part of new legislation, the Safer Streets, Stronger Communities Act, which includes targeted measures to help support public safety near supervised consumption sites, crack down on auto theft and careless driving, enhance the tools police can use to manage sex offenders, tackle illegal cannabis sales and support access to justice.
“Our government is keeping our communities safe and holding criminals accountable,” said Solicitor General Michael Kerzner. “Today, we’re proposing impactful changes to strengthen tools for police officers, improve access to justice and eliminate dangerous activity that puts hard-working people at risk. In Ontario, crime doesn’t pay.”
Targeting advertising with new legislation
The proposed change would amend the Cannabis Control Act, 2017 to add a new prohibition “respecting the advertisement or promotion of cannabis that is sold unlawfully, along with a related penalty if a person is convicted of contravening the prohibition.”
Current penalties for violating various aspects of Ontario’s Cannabis Control Act, 2017 can range from up to $100,000 for an individual and up to $250,000 for a corporation.
Many cannabis retailers in Ontario have expressed frustration at what they say is under-enforcement by police against unlicensed cannabis stores. This new legislation, if passed, could give bylaw officers more ability to penalize illicit operators without relying entirely on Toronto or Ontario police services.
StratCann reached out to representatives at the City of Toronto regarding a recent article about illicit stores in the province, and their response revealed a need for the province to review the Cannabis Control Act, which has not been updated since before legalization.
“In March, 2024 Toronto City Council requested the Province of Ontario undertake a comprehensive review of the Cannabis Control Act, 2017, in consultation with municipalities, including roles and responsibilities, funding, and enforcement, and addressing unlicensed cannabis establishments,” said Shane Gerard, Senior Communications Coordinator. “The Cannabis Control Act, 2017 has not undergone a comprehensive review since it was introduced seven years ago.”
Charging property owners in contravention
He added that the province is responsible for licensing and regulating private cannabis retail stores through the AGCO, which enforces the regulations. Further, Gerard said that the city does, in fact, go after property owners.
“The city can, and does, file charges against property owners who are in contravention of the Cannabis Control Act. Individuals charged can face fines of up to $250,000 and face imprisonment of two years (minus one day).”
The city also pointed out that the current Cannabis Control Act provides limited authority to municipal by-law officers.
“These officers do not have arrest powers and are not permitted or trained to use force while carrying out enforcement activities. This makes the enforcement of unlicensed cannabis dispensaries challenging and presents health and safety risks to officers.”
Bill 223, Safer Streets, Stronger Communities Act, 2024 was introduced and read for the first time on November 18, 2024.
by Grow Up Conference | Nov 18, 2024 | Cannabis News Wire, Media Partners
A recent study suggests that marijuana’s impact on sleep may differ depending on an individual’s mental health background.
The study, conducted by the University of Southern California’s Keck School of Medicine, revealed that marijuana enhanced sleep for young adults with anxiety or depression. In contrast, those without any pre-existing mental health issues experienced more frequent sleep issues when using marijuana.
The study analyzed data from the university’s Happiness and Health Survey, which tracked the health, emotional well-being, and substance use habits of 3,300 Los Angeles public high school students from 2013 to 2023.
Researchers compared sleep issues in individuals who used marijuana frequently (at least 20 times every month) with those who had never used it. Marijuana use corresponded to an average 1.18-point reduction in sleep problems for those experiencing anxiety or depression. In contrast, participants without anxiety or depression saw their sleep problems increase by an average of 1.66 points when using cannabis compared to non-users.
While the authors said they were unsure why marijuana affects individuals with depression or anxiety differently, they speculated that it’s because THC could temporarily suppress symptoms of depression or anxiety, which symptoms can negatively impact sleep. However, they cautioned that using marijuana this way doesn’t necessarily address the root of these mental health conditions.
Peter Grinspoon, a Harvard Medical School lecturer and physician, offered additional insight noting that marijuana affects the endocannabinoid system, which plays a role in sleep regulation. While scientists have yet to fully understand how marijuana interacts with this system to influence sleep, Grinspoon pointed out that people with pre-existing mental health issues like depression and anxiety may benefit more from marijuana for sleep because they often suffer from insomnia.
The study did not, however, examine marijuana dose or consumption method, which Grinspoon believes are crucial factors. He explained that individuals aiming to use marijuana as a sleep aid often opt for lower doses, as higher doses can be stimulating rather than sedating. He also suggested that some of the existing research may be skewed, as much of it was conducted with a focus on potential harms rather than benefits due to historical biases in marijuana research.
Using cannabis for sleep is not without risks. Like most sleep aids, marijuana can lead to dependence, and individuals may experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop its use. Additionally, researchers warn that marijuana use might reduce time spent in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, leading to fewer dreams.
As more studies are conducted on which particular people are more likely to benefit from medical marijuana for different symptoms, enterprises like Cronos Group Inc. (NASDAQ: CRON) (TSX: CRON) are likely to tweak their products in order to address the specific needs of their customers.
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by Grow Up Conference | Nov 18, 2024 | Extraction Magazine, Media Partners
Historically, many companies have failed to innovate when new technology becomes available, squandering their success. Even household names have fallen victim to this phenomenon.
Unfortunately, brands in the cannabis industry can face the same burden. Recent data has shown that new technologies in automation and AI are driving the industry forward, and companies that don’t embrace this movement are setting themselves up for failure.
Even though technologies are advancing the cannabis industry, many growers are using subpar processes and equipment. This could be because of misplaced beliefs surrounding AI and automation or an unwillingness to invest.
Regardless of what is holding back cannabis growers, this article aims to enlighten cultivators about the AI and automation equipment that can advance operations.
An Overview Of Automation In Cannabis Extraction
Automation is transforming the cannabis industry, especially extraction processes. Automated cannabis extraction systems improve the extraction process by using technologies like rectification columns, chromatographs, and precision valves.
This automated equipment makes cannabis extraction far more precise and reliable while ensuring high-caliber quality control. It also enables faster extracting times, increased consistency, and more efficient production.
Moreover, automated systems in cannabis extractions allow growers to cater crops to specific strains and help them handle larger batches with fewer errors, labor costs, and safety hazards.
How Can AI Be Used In The Cannabis Extraction Industry?
With AI advancing numerous industries, it’s no wonder that more and more growers are turning toward its expertise. However, how can AI be used in the cannabis extraction industry? Based on research and thought analysis on the topic, growers are using AI to enhance product quality, optimize growth, and streamline operations.
AI can process plant health and environmental data to ensure a crop experiences the best possible growing conditions, reducing resource waste and maximizing yields. In addition, AI’s predictive analytics also help cultivators identify issues such as pest infestations and diseases before a crop can be affected. This allows growers to implement measures to counteract the potential problem before it happens.
Yet, AI is not only assisting cultivators in the cannabis industry; it is also positively impacting retail dispensaries. Retail dispensaries use AI tools to analyze customer data and personalize marketing techniques and product recommendations, helping the shopper experience.
In addition, AI technology is also reducing the likelihood of errors and penalties, simplifying compliance procedures, and automating the reporting and tracking needed by regulations.
Why Is Automation In Extraction Necessary for the Cannabis Industry?
To some, automation isn’t a necessity in the cannabis industry. While this might be true for small cultivators, it is not for larger-scale cannabis production companies. Before automation, growers couldn’t achieve commercial success without countless workers continuously on the clock.
Nowadays, because of automation in extraction equipment, every part of the growing process is more streamlined and efficient. With automation, less manpower is needed, crop quality and quantity are improved, yields are more reliable and resilient, and cannabis growing is more eco-friendly.
What Equipment Is Automated In Cannabis Extraction?
Gone are the days when cannabis equipment was operated by hand. Smaller growers might not use automated or AI-integrated technology, but many commercial cultivators do. Some of the most commonly automated equipment in the cannabis industry includes:
- Centrifuges: These devices are used to separate and clarify extracts.
- Rotary evaporators: In the cannabis industry, rotary evaporators remove solvents and concentrate botanicals.
- Vacuum ovens: Many growers automate their vacuum ovens to dry their crops effectively while ensuring reliable removal.
- Pipettes: Pipettes are an automated liquid handling system that helps cultivators ensure accurate mixing and dosing.
- Distillation columns: Temperature control is vital for cannabis extraction, and automated distillation columns help with precise temperature control and extraction.
These are only a few examples of the equipment used in the cannabis industry. Far more equipment is involved in the extraction processes undertaken by companies producing cannabis products, but the above should give you an idea of what equipment is used.
What Can Be Automated In Cannabis Cultivation? – Extraction Equipment Processes
Intelligent technologies like AI and automation are not only for simple tasks like switching lighting at predetermined intervals or getting an irrigation system to water cannabis plants.
These technologies are complex and involve discovery, data collection, analysis, and action.
When done correctly, AI and automation can lead to massive returns in the cannabis industry, so more people are turning toward extraction equipment and processes that integrate AI and automation.
Closed-loop Hydrocarbon Extraction
Many growers use this specialized technique. It uses an extractor vessel sealed to the outside atmosphere. This vessel can be automated to ensure the safe use of solvents like , , and , which is vital if you want to keep a lab safe.
Solvent Recovery
After cannabis is extracted, solvents like CO2 and remain in the cannabis oil, which needs to be separated. Automated systems use vacuum pressure and heat to recover and recycle solvents.
Supercritical CO2 extraction
This unique method uses highly pressurized carbon dioxide to extract terpenes and . In the cannabis industry, CO2 extractors are being wholly automated to better manage precise pressures, temperatures, and flow rates, reducing human error and optimizing yield to ensure efficient and concise extraction.
Winterization
When fats and lipids are removed from extracted cannabis, this process is known as . Automated systems handle this process by controlling the filtration and freezing to speed up production and ensure growers are left with a more refined product.
Post-processing
After cannabis has been extracted, there are times when it needs to undergo further refinement. This is particularly true for cannabis oil. When cannabis oil needs to undergo post-processing, it will undergo distillation or .
These post-processing procedures are conducted by automated systems that apply the correct amount of heat to activate cannabinoids. At the same time, the automated system is also tasked with separating cannabinoids from impurities.
Does Automation and AI In Extraction Improve Safety?
Automation and AI in the cannabis extraction industry also keep human workers safe. With these systems in place conducting the above processes, humans are kept away from dangerous working zones. In addition, the benefits of automation in extraction extend far beyond safety.
Extraction systems can reduce human error by removing the need for mechanical valves. Moreover, these incredibly advanced extraction processes and equipment cut costs and increase throughput by lowering the time it takes to load and unload extraction vessels.
Sustainable Extraction Processes Achieved With Automation and AI
In the cannabis extraction industry, sustainability is becoming a priority. More and more companies are trying to minimize their environmental impact, which is challenging considering the many costs involved in extraction.
However, just because it is difficult does not mean it is impossible. With sustainability a priority, companies are striving to be the change the industry needs by driving the development of new sustainable extraction methods and equipment.
Some of these eco-friendly practices and types of equipment include:
- Microwave-assisted extraction: Although it might not sound real, microwave-assisted extraction is a newer technology that lowers the industry’s carbon footprint by consuming less energy during cannabis extraction.
- Supercritical and ultrasonic fluid extraction: Ultrasonic and supercritical fluid extraction are emerging methods that reduce solvent usage. These methods require significantly less solvent than traditional techniques, meaning less waste and curbing harmful pollution.
- Non-toxic solvent: Biodegradable, non-toxic solvents like CO2 are being adopted at an increasing rate since they support cleaner extraction processes and result in safer end products.
What Are The Challenges Of AI and Automation in Cannabis Extraction?
Although automation and AI in cannabis extraction equipment are integral players in the industry’s continued growth, there are challenges. For example, the initial investment in AI and automation is steep. Many companies don’t have the capital to invest hundreds of thousands of dollars in AI and automated equipment. In addition, automated machines require consistent maintenance, monitoring, and calibration. This in itself can be costly and time-consuming which can affect extraction processes.
Companies wanting to automate or implement AI technology into their cannabis extraction processes and equipment usage must carefully consider these challenges and if it is worth the risk.
The Wrap-Up On Automation and AI In Cannabis Extraction Equipment
It’s evident that the advancements in AI and automation in equipment and cannabis extraction processes are significant. Automation and AI also carry several benefits that companies want. However, these intelligent technologies also come with their challenges.
Yet, as is the case with most things, these challenges can be overcome. Should companies choose to incorporate automated equipment and AI into their cannabis extraction departments, they can continue to meet the demands of the rapidly growing industry and ensure long-term sustainability and success.
References:
- https://greenvaultsystems.com/guide-to-automation-in-cannabis-cultivation/
- https://solink.com/resources/industry-insights/ai-in-the-cannabis-industry/
- https://cannabisindustryjournal.com/feature_article/rise-of-the-machines-the-case-for-automation-in-the-cannabis-industry/
- https://www.azorobotics.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=613
- https://www.cannabisbusinesstimes.com/business-issues-benchmarks/automation/article/15687280/the-future-of-ai-in-cannabis
- https://www.cannabissciencetech.com/view/automation-and-all-in-one-systems
- https://roboticsandautomationnews.com/2023/04/27/exploring-the-latest-trends-in-botanical-extraction-equipment/67742/=
- https://preroll-er.com/data-confirms-automation-is-transforming-the-cannabis-industry/
by Grow Up Conference | Nov 18, 2024 | Grow Opportunity, Media Partners
(Globe Newswire) Toronto – Avicanna Inc., a commercial stage, international biopharmaceutical company focused on the commercialization of evidence-based, cannabinoid-based products, is pleased to announce results Q3 2024.
“We are pleased to report the results of another quarter showing progressive improvements across our four business pillars. Our continuous optimization efforts contributed to improvements in our overall financial performance, consolidated gross margins, and balance sheet. We are now better positioned to turn our attention towards our international growth initiatives and take further steps towards advancing our long-term business model.” stated Aras Azadian, CEO at Avicanna Inc.
Financial highlights:
- Revenue of $6.3 million and $18.8 million for the three- and nine-month period ending September 30, 2024, representing a 0.34% and 75% increase over the three- and nine-month period ended September 30, 2023, respectively.
- Improved consolidated gross margin percentage to 57% during Q3 2024, from 46% for the same period in 2023.
- Growth in gross profit of $3.7 million and $9.5 million, respectively, for the three- and nine month period ended September 30, 2024, compared to $2.9 million and $4.9 million for the same periods in 2023, an increase of 25% and 91%, respectively.
- Narrowed adjusted EBITDA loss for the three- and nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, narrowed to $293,931 and $719,347, respectively, a 38% and 76% decrease from an adjusted EBITDA loss of $473,650 and $3 million, respectively, in the corresponding periods last year.
- Fully repaid outstanding principle balance of approximately $1,300,000 owed under non-convertible debenture.
Other highlights:
- The United States Patent and Trademark Office granted the Company a Patent, Patent No. US 20230025693A1, covering deep penetrating topical cannabinoid composition and methods for treating musculoskeletal inflammation and pain.
- The Company completed Q3 2024 with 35 commercial SKUs and 136 commercial listings. The Company sold approximately 45,126 and 144,756 units, for the three- and nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, respectively, compared to 31,887 and 118,265 compared to the same periods in 2023. This represents an increase of 42% and 22% growth in total finished goods sold, respectively.
by Grow Up Conference | Nov 18, 2024 | Media Partners, Psychedelic News Wire
A new study has investigated how effective psychedelic-assisted therapy is in managing various treatment-resistant mental conditions. The researchers determined that these therapy sessions, particularly those that involved psilocybin or LSD, substantially improved symptoms of depression.
They also found that individuals who were relaxed during their sessions experienced noticeable effects. Prior to their study, the researchers posited that having a positive experience during one’s therapy session or feeling relaxed contributed to the therapeutic effects of psychedelic therapy.
For their study, the researchers obtained data from 2 groups; twenty-eight patients taking part in psychedelic-assisted therapy and twenty-eight healthy participants who were part of a separate trial. Individuals in the former group included those diagnosed with treatment-resistant mental health conditions like anxiety and depression who hadn’t benefitted from traditional treatments.
Prior to their therapy sessions, every patient met with their psychiatrist two times to discuss their psychiatric history, any complaints they may have had and their therapy goals. The psychiatrists also offered information on the negative and positive effects of consuming psychedelics as well as how any issues that arose could be managed.
For their psychedelic therapy session, professionals administered a dose of either psilocybin or LSD to patients in a comfortable, quiet room. Each was encouraged to relax, in addition to rating different features of their experience hourly. This included negative or positive feelings, overall intensity of effects, and relaxation levels.
After the sessions, their symptoms of depression were measured and compared to the before results, which allowed researchers to observe any changes in depressive symptoms or mood. Unlike this group, the control group wasn’t asked to rate their relaxation levels after their psychedelic therapy sessions.
In their report, the researchers explained that they recorded a decrease in symptoms of depression among patients.
The improvement was noticeable even a week after their sessions, which suggests that this therapy’s antidepressant effects may last even after the session. This offers hope to patients who’ve not benefitted from conventional treatments.
They also found the strongest forecaster of positive mental health outcomes to be relaxation, explaining that individuals who felt relaxed in their sessions demonstrated the highest reductions in their symptoms of depression. This, the researchers noted, suggests that the level of ease and comfort patients experienced as well as the quality of the therapy environment may be crucial to the treatment’s success.
In addition to this, the researchers found that this improvement wasn’t associated with the usual features of a psychedelic experience like ego dissolution or mystical insights. This, they theorize, could be because the patients experienced less intense effects due to the long-term impact of psychiatric drugs on brain function.
In their report, the researchers suggest looking into ways to increase relaxation during therapy sessions in a bid to boost the therapy’s benefits. The researchers’ findings were reported in the Journal of Psychopharmacology.
It would be interesting to learn how psychedelic drug development companies like Mind Medicine Inc. (NASDAQ: MNMD) (NEO: MMED) (DE: MMQ) think about the impact of set and setting factors like relaxation upon the effectiveness of the formulations they are working on.
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by Grow Up Conference | Nov 18, 2024 | Media Partners, Stratcann
Following a strike announcement by the union representing Canada Post workers, cannabis companies in Canada say they are taking steps to ensure customers can still receive their cannabis orders.
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) announced on November 15 that more than 55,000 postal workers in Canada were going on strike, asking for, among other things, fair wages and a safe working environment.
Canada Post will not be processing or delivering mail, and new items will not be accepted until the strike ends.
Impact on delivery
The shutdown will affect many businesses and services in Canada, including companies and retailers that ship cannabis products across the country. In Canada, the primary way people receive cannabis for medical purposes is by ordering directly from producers or third-party distributors who often use Canada Post or Purolator to get their products to medical patients.
Many non-medical retailers, including provincially-run cannabis stores, also often rely on Canada Post to deliver orders to customers.
A spokesperson for Tilray, a medical cannabis provider in Canada, tells StratCann that the company has plans to find new shipping options for patients.
“Tilray acknowledges the ongoing Canada Post strike and its potential impact on our patients’ access to medical cannabis. We recognize that our patients depend on a reliable supply of medicine, and we are taking proactive measures to ensure their well-being is prioritized during this time.
“To minimize any potential disruptions, Tilray will be utilizing alternative shipping methods to ensure that our patients continue to receive their much-needed medication. Our team understands the importance of timely delivery, and we are committed to ensuring that our patients receive their medical cannabis orders without interruption. We want to reassure our patients that there will be no incremental cost to them for this service.”
A media representative with the SQDC in Quebec, which is the only legal non-medical online cannabis seller in the province, says most of its customers can utilize same-day delivery to avoid any delays due to the strike.
“We hope Canada Post and their workers will find a settlement that will suit them both,” the representative tells StratCann, noting that only six percent of the SQDC’s sales are made online.
“Of those transactions, 20% of our delivery won’t be covered by other delivery options, but there still may be a store nearby….SQDC already offers a 90-minutes or same-day delivery service to several areas. We encourage our customers to rely on those services or to pick up their products at their nearest stores (click and collect).”
Chester Ku-Lea, the head of marketing at Herbal Dispatch, a medical cannabis provider located in BC, says the company is in the process of taking steps to create shipping alternatives, including using FedEx.
Nationwide job action
He says they were aware the strike was a possibility, but the company was caught off guard by the nature of the strike and its immediate impact across Canada. The expectation, he says, is that Canada Post would use rolling or rotating strikes. In the event of rotating strikes, Canada Post would continue processing and delivering packages in areas where there was no strike. Today’s announcement, however, was for a full nationwide job action.
“What caught us by surprise is that when there’s a strike notice it’s usually a rolling strike so services are delayed rather than closed, so that was news to us. We expected a rolling strike.”
A notice on Aurora Cannabis’ medical cannabis portal says that all patient orders have now defaulted to Purolator for delivery due to the strike. Patients will need to ensure they have a physical address to mail to, not a PO Box.
The union representing Purolator workers has said they will not handle mail that originated with Canada Post in an act of solidarity. However, shipments can be placed through Purolator without first going through Canada Post. Purolator is a subsidiary of Canada Post.
FedEx is not involved in the strike.
by Grow Up Conference | Nov 17, 2024 | Media Partners, The New Agora
Taylor Swift’s Land Acknowledgement
By: Johnny Hawke
Silly “Indians” always fooled and mesmerized by Whitemans Tricks. This ain’t Taylors Land Acknowledgement this Statement is from Roger’s Communications Inc where it is likely included in her contract for Roger’s to express its commitment towards Truth and Reconciliation.
This is considered an “exclusive advertisement” in a lucrative “real estate space” without a doubt valued at an estimated few million where Rogers Inc will write this up as a charitable donation and donate some funds to a charity engaged with Indigenous initiatives to get a tax break.
Corporations can claim a deduction for charitable donations of up to 75% of their net income for the year. Tim Hortons does this with it’s Trauma Donut Campaign on “Orange Shirt” Day.
Truth and Reconciliation is Big Business, an Industry where Yes! the system “Gives Back” after ensuring tax breaks to recover any loss. Donations go to the Non-Profit Industrial Complex of Charitable Orgs that are also huge Corporations. Funds then go through a bureaucracy to be finally distributed to smaller community non-profit orgs. Any effective projects of actual Truth and Reconciliation only receive crumbs as funds have to be spread out also the Non-Profit Industrial Complex will only fund Canada’s “Good Little Indian.”
At the end of the day, Corps like Rogers, the Oil and DeForestation Industries although they are funding and sponsoring things like INDSPIRE Awards, Powwows and giving charitable donations are still exploiting our territories, depleting resources and removing us from our Territories.
Reconciliation is not a word that was randomly chosen to reflect this initiative of Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission in 2008. “Reconciliation” is the “Sacrament of Penance” of the Roman Catholic Church. Reconciliation means “to come back under god” and penance means “voluntary self punishment”. The Sacrament of Penance is also the monetization of Sin and is the process of modern day Courts. The Roman Catholic Church claims to be the representative of God on Earth. There are many of our People prancing around in Ribbon Shirts and Ribbon Skirts employed under Truth and Reconciliation to help bring others back under God, “the crown” monetizing the sins of the Church. This is what is being accepted when Indians accept the scheme of Truth and Reconciliation.
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