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Growers Luncheon: Meeting of the Minds (Invite Only)

Private Event

We are bringing the best in cannabis growing minds together for a networking, idea-sharing, meeting of the minds luncheon. The idea of the inaugural and annual Grower’s Luncheon is to foster conviviality amongst growers. A panel of diverse growers will share their thoughts on some of their biggest challenges growing in a regulated system, share some of their trials and tribulations as they immersed themselves in their position, as well as share some their wishes on what Health Canada can do to better the growing experience and the quality of cannabis. The overall goal is to bring together a nationwide informal network of growers with a yet to be determined purpose – be it social, technical, or advocacy.

Sponsored by: Medz Cannabis Inc. and Grow Opportunity

Moderator: Randy Flemming, Flemming & Singh Cannabis Inc.

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It’s a Bong Show

Keynote  Presentation

Tony Chapman believes we are squandering first-mover advantage with cannabis, the most significant consumer product launch in our history,  and at a time when Canada’s economy is starving for growth.  Instead of unleashing free enterprise to cultivate, invest in science, file patents and create brands we handcuff them and turn a blind eye to the black market which generates more cannabis revenue in North America than McDonalds and Starbucks combined.

In this keynote, Chapman shares what he would do to set Canada up for sustained success in this once in a lifetime opportunity.

 

Nano-Cannabis: The Future of Medical and Edible Marijuana

Presentation

The commercialization of medical and edible cannabis are limited by the current delivery and consumption methods. The plant oil extracts are hydrophobic in nature, which limits their application in water-based systems. Furthermore, cannabis oils have a very low oral bioavailability. Nanotechnology is a promising strategy address theses issues. There are two different approaches to produce nano-sized oil droplet in water phase. A mechanical approach in which high shear or high intensity ultrasound waves are used to breakdown oil droplets to 100-500 nm. However, this approach is energy-intensive and the finished products are not stable in long term. Microemulsions are the most advanced approach for creating stable, nano-sized droplets (10-100 nm), water-soluble and bioavailable products. A team of U of T researchers have developed a delivery system made with FDA-approved ingredients that can enhance the absorption of drugs 4 folds. Therefore, 1/4 drug per dose is needed compared to conventional methods and hence it is a cost-saving strategy. The platform can also be used to extract cannabis oil from the plant tissues much more effective than using the traditional solvents.

 

Tissue Culture: Quality Assurance to Maintain a Healthy Cannabis Supply Chain

Presentation

A crucial and often underestimated aspect of the cannabis industry is the necessity for a clean, efficient supply chain. In industries such as food production and drug development, Quality Assurance systems are used to ensure established standards are met throughout the supply chain. GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice), ISO (International Organization for Standards), and HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points) are all QA systems that have been developed to maintain quality, mitigate risk at potential failure points, and improve consumer safety. With the exploding demand for CBD, THC, and other cannabinoid-based products, there is a significant need for QA systems throughout the cannabis supply chain.

The challenge with implementing a QA system starts at the very beginning of the supply chain. The potential for disease to wipe out a harvest, or for plant material to be deemed unsuitable for human consumption due to pesticide use, can significantly set back growers, processors, and manufacturers throughout the supply chain. Tissue culture is one of several tools used to support a reliable QA system for early stage plants at the beginning of a cannabinoid-based product lifecycle. Tissue culture is used to propagate plants in a sterile environment, remove pathogens, and maintain the highest quality nursery standards with certified disease-free, pesticide-free, genetically consistent plants. This process ensures that plants do not carry on diseases and hereditary defects, creating a strong foundation for large scale production of uniform product.

 

The Self-Regulation Panel: Taking Care Of (Our Own) Business

Panel Discussion

The government has its standards. But to stake its identity, the industry must self-regulate. And it’s responding on multiple fronts, adding consumer-first issues like quality claims and standards to the government’s priority of safety issues. There’s the CannabisWise certification, a voluntary testing program announced by the National Institute for Cannabis Health and Education. And with an eye on the world market, testers are seeking ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation, from the International Organization for Standardization. There’s even an emerging GQA (Growers Quality Assurance) based on the wine industry’s Vintners Quality Alliance (VQA). This panel features key players in quality control and testing, who envision a future where “buyer beware” is not an option.

Moderator: Barinder Rasode, Niche Canada

 

Good Neighbours: Cannabis Scent Control Regulations

Presentation

Cannabis scent control regulations present a unique challenge for entrepreneurs that might be otherwise unfamiliar with the engineering required to meet regulatory standards. Dan Gustafik, President and Founder of Hybrid Tech, will provide an overview of relevant scent control regulations and the techniques and equipment which can help ensure that your facility meets and exceeds requirements