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.
