CBD,

CANNABIS
& HEMP
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 WELCOME

Cannabis around
the world
After its successful launch last year, our CBD, Cannabis &
Hemp supplement returns – and it’s no surprise that the
cannabis market is still thriving. Here, I offer you a brief global
update before inviting you to turn the page to enjoy some
CBD, richly informative and insightful features.
CANNABIS Alongside voting in the General Election, New Zealanders
& HEMP will also be casting their votes in a cannabis referendum, Bethan Grylls Editor
which could see the legalisation of recreational cannabis. bgrylls@russellpublishing.com

If this law is passed, those aged 20+ in the country will be

able to buy up to 14 grams of dried marijuana per day and grow two cannabis plants.
In this event, New Zealand would be joining the likes of Canada, Uruguay and 11 US
Founder:
CEO:
Ian Russell
Alison Russell
states – all of which have legalised recreational cannabis. For those keen to find out,
Managing Director: Josh Russell official results of the referendum will be released in November.
Commercial Director: Nic Losardo
Business Development Director: Dan Birchmore The US election may also hold further opportunity for the cannabis industries; if elected
Business Development Executive: Beau Bailey
Editor: Bethan Grylls over Donald Trump, Joe Biden has said he will decriminalise cannabis use at a federal level.
Sub Editor: Mandy Parrett
Marketing Manager: Lucy Bale Meanwhile, on not such a positive note, the European Commission made the surprising
Marketing Assistant: Karen Hutchinson
Design Manager: Brian Cloke announcement in July that it was suspending applications for CBD to be included within
To contact any of the New Food team, its Novel Foods catalogue. This is due to the Commission holding the opinion that CBD
use the format: initialsurname@russellpublishing.com
(ie, bgrylls@russellpublishing.com) should be considered a narcotic – a notion that many in the industry are rejecting.
Published by Russell Publishing Ltd, Court Lodge,
Some have openly warned that if hemp-derived products are classed as a narcotic
Hogtrough Hill, Brasted, Kent, it could invite grey market players; and with that comes the possibility of mislabelled,
TN16 1NU, UK
Tel: +44 (0)1959 563311 Fax: +44 (0)1959 563123 fraudulent and even harmful products.
Email: subscriptions@newfoodmagazine.com
newfoodmagazine.com Registered Office as above. Despite having its own set of Novel Food regulations, the future seems brighter for CBD
in the UK, which is coming ever closer to the end of its Brexit transition period. Right now,
Russell Publishing Ltd is registered as
a Limited Company in England, Number it seems that the UK is not defining CBD as a narcotic, but a recent announcement on the
2709148 VAT Number GB 577 8978 47
importance of toxicology data from the Food Standards Agency implies that achieving
COPYRIGHT validation will be a tough process.
ISSN 1461 – 4642 Copyright rests with the publishers. Still, I do wonder whether sometime in the future, the UK might follow the likes of
All rights reserved. ©2020 Russell Publishing Ltd.
© Images courtesy of Shutterstock.com Canada… probably a long way off, but not inconceivable.

Contents
02 CBD with your G&T
Silent Pool
10 Looking for answers
The Niva Labs
18 CBD: What companies and
retailers need to know
Association for the
04 The analytical
toolbox for hemp and
12 Overcoming hurdles in
cannabis and CBD testing
Cannabinoid Industry

cannabis testing PerkinElmer 20 How to select the right

instruments for cannabis
Shimadzu
14 Data is everything potency testing
06 Resolute and ready
for the next hurdle
ACT Laboratories Agilent

Heavenly Sweet 16 Analytical data

confidence is highest with
22 Watching CBD grow
Verma Farms

08 Never underestimate
sample preparation
commercially prepared
CRM mixtures 24 Cooking with cannabis
The Cannabis
Sartorius Cayman Chemical Company Cooking Company

No responsibility can be accepted by Russell Publishing Limited, the editor, staff or any contributors for action taken as a result of the information and other materials contained in our publications. Readers should take specific advice when dealing with specific situations. In addition, the
views expressed in our publi cations by any contributor are not necessarily those of the editor, staff or Russell Publishing Ltd. As such, our publications are not intended to amount to advice on which reliance should be placed. We therefore disclaim all liability and responsibility arising
from any reliance placed on such materials by any reader, or by anyone who may be informed of any of its contents. Published October 2020.

@NewFoodMag
1
 CBD, CANNABIS & HEMP | SILENT POOL
CBD with your G&T
New Food’s Editor interviewed the masterminds behind Silent Pool’s latest gin to learn more about the
distilling process, why gin and CBD complement each other, and what makes this beverage unique.
IT’S NO SECRET that Brits love gin. In 2018
the UK consumed more than six million
nine‑litre cases – a figure which is expected to
rise to over 10 million by 2023. The UK is also
the world’s largest exporter of gin; last year
there were 315 distilleries in Britain, more than
double the number five years ago.1
Meanwhile, the UK has also seen another
rising trend, with its CBD market estimated to
be worth almost £1 billion per annum by 2025.2
It therefore comes as no surprise that these two
popular worlds have collided.
In partnership with Green Stem, the
distinguished Surrey-based distillery, Silent
Pool, has launched what it claims to be the
“highest quality CBD gin on the market”.
Honest values
Silent Pool’s distillery was built with
sustainability and honesty in mind, with
everything produced on site, chiming with the
ubiquitous demand for product transparency.
In keeping with this and inspired by the
natural beauty of the Surrey Hills, the beverage
2 newfoodmagazine.com
Silent Pool’s Colorado CBD Gin
Silent Pool is a spring-fed
lake at the foot of the North
Downs and inspired the name
of the famous Surrey Gin
company repurposed a traditional steam boiler
to heat its hand-built copper still and looked to
local botanicals to infuse its gin.
Ethically sourced botanicals are added to
the spirit in a four-stage process that enables
precise control of quality and flavour, Managing
Director, Ian McCulloch, told New Food.
Step one involves a portion of its botanicals,
which include Bosnian juniper berries,
liquorice root, cassia bark, orris and bergamot,
to be bruised and macerated in base spirit.
These are then transferred to the still to offer
rich, heavy flavours, with a unique depth
and mouthfeel.
The second step comprises its gin basket
infusion, which includes flavours such as
orange, lime and dried pears, to lift the flavour.
This hangs in the neck of its Holstein still.
Thirdly, the more delicate ingredients such
as rose petals and elderflower are separately
macerated in a process Silent Pool describes
as ‘gin tea infusion’ which strips the oils and
aromatic compounds from the vegetal matter,
before being added to the mixture.

The fourth stage involves using
a multi-chambered fractioning column; with
precise control over a series of plates and
cooling pipes, the ingredients are balanced.
Modern gin
Silent Pool’s drinks are influenced by
contemporary Britain, according to McCulloch.
He explained that the brand ethos was to break
gin free from its traditional shackles – the
image of a 50-something, middle-class male,
drunk in a gentleman’s club. “Silent Pool is
a modern drink,” he noted, geared towards the
sophisticated, 21st Century woman.
Naturally, the distillery will often consider
new UK trends. “If raspberries are big, we’ll
create a limited-edition gin for that market…
but we’ll do it with a twist.” Speaking about the
company’s sloe gin, he said: “We added ginger
to ours, not for the flavour but rather the heat.
It was a unique take on a classic and a perfect
winter drink.”
Maintaining its trendy, modern ethos, the
omniscient brand has released a CBD offering,
with a single 50cl bottle of gin infused with
200mg of the cannabinoid.
CBD in gin
Silent Pool first came across CBD when it rolled
out its drinks in California, US.
“The CBD scene was massive,” said
McCulloch. “Cannabis had suddenly shifted its
‘druggie’ status to something with connotations
of wellness and zen. It was a natural fit for us
and our audience.
“The consumer is also becoming more
adventurous; they’re looking to try new things
and CBD gin is among these novelties.”
McCulloch said they were cautious initially
and spent their time researching to decide
how best to merge with this market. “We are
a reputable brand – our customers trust us
because we believe in delivering high quality,
safe products.”
There was – and still is – a lot of
unexperienced and ‘grey’ market players in
this arena, so Silent Pool naturally sought
reassurance from its CBD partner. “Of course,
we needed someone qualified, but also
a company that reflected the same values as us.”
Green Stem is fairly new to the CBD sector,
having only launched last March at the first ever
UK CBD and Hemp Expo in Birmingham, but
was immediately greeted with success.
“We won five awards out of the 180
international exhibitions, completely
unexpectedly,” said Green Stem Co-Founder
and Director, Simon Horth. This included first
place for ‘Best CBD Oil’.
@NewFoodMag
New Food CBD, Cannabis & Hemp Supplement  |  Volume 23, Issue 05
Alcohol is a great carrier for CBD, according
to McCulloch. “Gin, in particular, has a flavour
profile that sits quite well alongside CBD.
The oil has a subtle bitterness that is not
dissimilar to grapefruit and complements the
citrus botanicals we use. It gives the finished
drink a little extra punch.”
The CBD is added to the gin during stage
four of the aforementioned production
process. The product is dissolved in water
and then added and mixed continuously to
the drink. It gradually dissolves and creates
a cloudy-looking beverage, which is then
bottled. “As the bottle sits, some of the CBD will
start to collect at the bottom – this is because it
is so packed full. If you shake it, it will disperse
back into the liquid,” McCulloch explained.
“The cloudiness of any CBD product is
the best way to recognise the potency of the
dosage,” added Horth. “Consumers should
always check the dosage on the bottle and the
cloudiness of the liquid to know they are getting
a high-quality product.”
Green Stem purchases all its CBD from
Colorado in the states. “That’s one thing we’ll
never change,” he continued. “Firstly, because Simon Horth
I have visited, met the farmers and seen the Simon is the Director
process; and secondly, because it is simply the at Green Stem, which
best place to get CBD. he launched in March
2019 along with his
“You can buy CBD from pretty much brother. Simon found
anywhere in the world now. In places like a passion for CBD after
Europe, Turkey and China it’s much cheaper, it helped his mother
with various ailments.
but the quality isn’t as good. Colorado is The company has gone on to become the UK’s
renowned for its high-quality CBD due to its “most awarded and trusted CBD brand”.
altitude and sunny climate.”
All of Green Stem’s products are continually
tested: in Colorado, in its UK lab and by a third Ian McCulloch
party. “It’s testing, testing, testing from start to Ian is the Co-Founder
and Managing Director
finish,” said Horth. of Silent Pool Gin. Ian set
“There are loads of products that claim to up Silent Pool Distillers
contain CBD, but if you look at the label, the in 2014 in the heart
of the Surrey Hills.
levels are ridiculously low – and some don’t
even contain CBD at all,” said McCulloch.
“We work with Green Stem because
it’s high‑quality and high dosage. We can References
unashamedly make it expensive because it's
1. www.theiwsr.com/news-and-comment-
got expensive stuff in it.” provenance-and-profits-the-future-of-the-gin-
He continued: “The backbone of our business industry/
2. www.healtheuropa.eu/uk-cbd-sector-have-better-
is making booze for alcohol-lovers – which is regulation-reform/92180/
why we’ll probably never make alcohol-free
drinks. If you're going to make gin, then make
the best gin you can. If you're going to make
a CBD gin, don't make a token one, absolutely
go for it!”
Living by these words, the Silent Pool/Green
Stem efforts have led to what the duo say is
a “much higher CBD gin” (200mg per bottle), For further information, visit:
with typical offerings only containing around
silentpooldistillers.com
10mg in comparison.
3
 CBD, CANNABIS & HEMP | SHIMADZU
The analytical toolbox for hemp
and cannabis testing
Uwe Oppermann explains the importance of proficient testing and how Shimadzu Europa can help labs to
be efficient and compliant.
THE EUROPEAN cannabis market is
rapidly growing and consequently, factors
such as regulation and product safety
must be understood and implemented in a
proper manner. CBD, short for cannabidiol,
is a naturally occurring compound in cannabis.
Its popularity has grown due to its various use
in consumer products and mounting list of
health benefits.
Since 2019, the European Food Safety
Authority (EFSA) designated CBD products
as a ‘novel food’, meaning that producers
need authorisation to market their products,
and quality control (QC) is an essential task.
Furthermore, all medical cannabis sold in
Europe needs to be produced and tested under
good manufacturing practice (GMP), together
with good distribution practices (GDP)
certification for warehousing and distribution.
The tools for quality control
As a world-leading manufacturer of cannabis
testing analytical instrumentation, Shimadzu
can provide the system configurations and
software as well as the technical knowledge
and support to help labs be successful. QC and
standardisation is required for continuously
providing high quality cannabis products
with a reliable, reproducible and long-term
health benefit for the consumer. In order to
understand the properties of the plant and its
final products, potency testing and terpene
screening is crucial. Cannabis contains more
than 500 unique compounds, including over
80 chemical alkaloids.
QC testing for cannabinoids is essential for
the accurate labeling of cannabis and hemp
Shimadzu’s cannabis testing solution
4 newfoodmagazine.com
products. The term ‘potency’ is normally Figure 1
reserved for the quantitation of the major
cannabinoids, namely THCA, THC, CBD, and
CBN (Figure 1). HPLC has emerged as the gold
standard for potency testing, as separation and
detection of the cannabinoids is done without
causing any decomposition of the naturally
abundant THCA. Furthermore, the HPLC-UV
method provides good linearity, low limit of
detection, as well as high precision of retention
time and peak area for the cannabinoids
of interest. Chromatograms of 10 mg/L standard mixture and
Terpenes are the organic fragrant hemp tea samples
compounds which are produced in trichomes
(where THC is produced) and act as essential,
There are several ways to determine trace
medicinal hydrocarbon building blocks,
metals in plant material, and all require an acid
influencing the overall homeopathic effect.
digestion procedure to generate a liquid sample.
From the pine scent of pinene to the citrus‑like
However, the ICPMS-2030 Inductively Coupled
smell of limonene, the characterization of
Plasma Mass Spectrometer provides the
terpenes and their synergistic effect with
sensitivity to measure low levels of these toxic
cannabinoids is easily achieved using Shimadzu
metals using a newly developed collision cell for
gas chromatography (GC).
minimising interferences.
The Shimadzu GCMS-TQ8050 NX with
Since cannabis has a high moisture content,
HS-20 Headspace Sampler and NIST Spectral
its long-term storage can incur fungal growth
Library platform easily identify more than
known as mould of which mycotoxins are
3,000 flavour and fragrance compounds to meet
a toxic secondary metabolite. Aflatoxins
terpene profiling needs. The same combination
are a subset of mycotoxins found in soils and
can be used for analysis of residual solvents,
decaying vegetation. Regulatory bodies have
while pesticides can be determined with the
placed restrictions on the allowable limits
addition of liquid autosamplers.
present in food. An LCMS-8050 solution
Pesticides, which are used in commercial
enables the cannabis lab to rapidly test for
cannabis growth operations, can be
mycotoxins at the required ultralow levels.
carcinogenic and mutagenic, causing serious
health issues, especially immuno-compromised
Conclusion
medicinal cannabis users. Shimadzu offers the
Shimadzu’s analytical toolbox, including
most sensitive and comprehensive pesticide
the complete array of analytical system
analysis and confirmation available, utilising
configurations, enables cannabis labs to
liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry
operate efficiently and be fully compliant
(LC-MS/MS). In less than 12 minutes,
with international regulations.
high-sensitivity LC-MS/MS analysis of 211
pesticides in cannabis dry product is possible
using a Shimadzu LCMS-8050 triple quadruple
mass spectrometer.
During their growth, cannabis plants
might absorb toxic heavy metals, such as lead, For further information, visit:
cadmium, arsenic and mercury, from the soil.
www.shimadzu.eu/cannabis-
Laboratory testing ensures that the products
testing-solutions
are free from toxic elements.
Customized solutions for cannabis analysis
Experienced partner of successful cannabis testing labs
As widespread guidelines are introduced, Shimadzu
provides specific configurations and application
support for the analysis of cannabis for medicinal
purposes, including sample preparation. With its
instruments, methods and experience, Shimadzu
enables both experts and novices to deliver reliable
results while maximizing the efficiency of their lab-
oratories.
Reliable, high-quality solutions
applying HPLC, GC-MS, LC-MS-MS and ICP-MS
instrumentation with dedicated software
Broad range of applications
covering potency testing, terpene profiling,
pesticide screening, determination of residual
solvents, analysis of mycotoxins, quantification
of heavy metals, evaluation of moisture content
and cannabis research
Specialized solutions and equipment
for cannabis testing to serve the need for better
quality control and standardization

Shimadzu does not support or promote the use of its products or services in connection with illegal use, cultivation or trade of cannabis
products. Shimadzu is not condoning the use of recreational or medical marijuana and is merely providing a market summary of the
cannabis testing industry.

www.shimadzu.eu /cannabis-testing-solutions
 CBD, CANNABIS & HEMP | HEAVENLY SWEET
Resolute and ready
for the next hurdle
New Food interviews cannabis confectioner, Sheila Dedenbach, about her journey to success,
her popular cannabutter, regulations, and the future of edibles.
LOOKING TO learn more about edibles,
confectioner, Sheila Dedenbach, visited her
first dispensary in 2008; it was a time when
the cannabis industry was still very much in
its infancy and unrecognisable from the sector
we know today.
“I was greeted with rows of puff rice treats
varying in size with no label to be seen,”
Dedenbach recalled. Perturbed by the lack of
transparency and guidance, she decided to
start her own cannabis venture; today’s now
successful ‘Heavenly Sweet’.
Made with cannabutter
Dedenbach started to experiment with the
crude oil and trims (cannabis leaves) in
the kitchen and eventually perfected a recipe for
cannabutter (cannabis butter). From there, she
sought out a lab to test her butter – something
that was rather unheard of at the time.
“There were no industry standards for dosing
medicated cannabis edibles then,” Dedenbach
said. “We were the first edible companies in
the state to begin lab testing way before it
was required.”
Wishing to empower her customers, she
made sure that all her products were properly
labelled and created guidance on dosing so
6 newfoodmagazine.com
that they could gauge each item’s cannabinoid
content. This was, of course, before formal
dosing regulation was introduced in 2017.
Since Heavenly Sweet’s humble inception,
Dedenbach’s cannabutter has come a long
way. No longer cooking with trim in her
kitchen, the confectioner now infuses her
butter with refined distillate derived from
sativa-dominant hybrid cannabis. This butter
is available to purchase and is used in all of
the company’s edibles.
“We use category II and III distillate,
which essentially means it has been processed
a number of times until it reaches a syrup-like
texture. It is honey coloured in appearance,
has a very consistent potency and is odourless;
it looks and smells very like traditional butter.
“When you are infusing butter with
distillate, you have to ensure everything is in
liquid form and is at the same temperature
before mixing. It is a process that requires
homogeneity to ensure the mixture
stays combined.
“Heating must be done slowly and at a
low temperature, as direct and/or intense
heat can vaporise some or all of the potency,”
she continued. “You have to accommodate
the fragile cannabinoids.”
As Dedenbach knows how much
cannabinoid is in the distillate (achieved
through testing) she uses, she is aware of
what adjustments to make to her butter
recipe. These tweaks are necessary, as some
ingredients, such as chocolate chips and
nuts, can react with the THC and affect the
edible’s levels.
The company works to a narrow target of
10 percent THC variation, which is verified
in the lab via a sample. This sample is just
a portion of a single treat, which is tested
for content levels, as well as pesticides, etc.
The sample will then be multiplied to its
appropriate number of units for the entire
weight of the product.
This due diligence means Heavenly Sweet
is able to obtain a specific yield at the end,
per ounce and gram of cannabutter.
Regulation
Track and trace
According to Dedenbach, making the butter is
the easy part. “The challenge is keeping track
of everything,” she said. In line with California
law, all commercial cannabis has to be tracked
via the California Cannabis Track-and‑Trace
(CCTT) system. The state’s contracted service

provider for the CCTT system is Franwell, Inc.,
which employs a software programme known
as ‘Metrc’.
Essentially, this records all commercial
cannabis activity and movement across the
distribution chain. The system uses a unique
identifier associated with an RFID tag to
track products in real-time as it is grown and
delivered for sale.
“The Bureau of Cannabis Control [essentially
the cannabis police] can access this system and
whenever they come in for spot inspections use
it to ensure everything matches up.”
How to identify a legal product
Dedenbach said that the market has seen recent
consolidation since new regulations have been
introduced. “Some manufacturers didn’t have
the capability to become compliant, so lots
of cannabis companies have gone into the
‘black market'.”
In fact, 80 percent of all cannabis in
California is sold this way, according to a
report from New Frontier Data.1 “It makes it
difficult for us legitimate businesses to compete
as they can offer products at a lower cost due
to tax avoidance.”
Obviously, the regulations have been
introduced to protect consumers, so buying
from a licensed dispensary or delivery company
is very important. “Consumers will be able to
identify a legal product via the batch number
on the package,” she explained. “That number
will correspond to the product’s certificate of
analysis, which is required by law.”
Packaging rules
There are several packaging regulations that
manufacturers must adhere to. “Firstly, the
product must state that it is cannabis infused,”
@NewFoodMag
said Dedenbach. “That must be positioned
above the name of the product itself in an equal
or larger font size. You also cannot have any
cartoons featured on the product, as this may
appeal to children. The package must also be
child resistant.
“A dose is 10mg [in California] and this
must be stipulated on the label. If the product
contains more than one dose, it needs to either
have a cutting guide or be pre-segmented so
that the user can easily identify a single dose.”
The future
Heavenly Sweet offers a range of different
edibles, including caramel corn, crackers,
cookies, chocolate bars and classic sweet
treats like rocky road. In terms of inspiration,
Dedenbach said she looks to current, generic
snack food trends. “We might be using
cannabis, but we’re still a snack company.
“When innovating, we begin by playing
around with different mixtures and then devise
ways to apply it to our product. We create both
non and medicated versions [differentiated by
the dosage allowed] and use a control group
for feedback. Once we have settled on a flavour
profile, we start looking at the bigger picture,
including the time it takes to affect the user, the
quality of that effect, and the packaging design.”
The length of time it takes for the product
“to take effect” is the company’s current focus
and, according to Dedenbach, the next big
trend. “Why wait an hour when you can have
the effect in minutes?” she pointed out.
“Using microencapsulation nanotechnology,
we are developing super quick-acting gummy
products, which we’ll be launching shortly in
four flavours.” This technology is said to enable
the THC to bypass the stomach and reach
the small intestine quicker, allowing for more
New Food CBD, Cannabis & Hemp  |  Volume 23, Issue 05
THC to enter the bloodstream and an effect
to occur within minutes.
“Cannabis edibles will continue to thrive,”
Dedenbach added. “Not only are consumers
turning to more discreet ways of consuming,
but the negative media around vapes has
made people cautious; they’re looking for
an alternative.”
Dedenbach is referring to the recent US
vape crisis,2 whereby untested black market
vapes were linked to several hospitalisations.
“This really scared people and as a result, made
edibles seem much more approachable.”
Whether or not edibles will be the new go-to
over more traditional methods of consumption
remains to be seen, but a report from Zion
Research echoes Dedenbach’s positive forecast,
with an anticipated compound annual growth
rate of 25.4 percent between 2019 and 2025.3
By the sounds of it, cannabis’ future is
looking very sweet indeed. However, there will
be more obstacles to overcome as the market
consolidates further. As Heavenly Sweet’s
Founder has demonstrated, survival requires
hard work, innovation and flexibility.
Sheila Dedenbach
Sheila is the Founder
and President of
SD Pantry Inc and
Heavenly Sweet. She has
a degree in Business
Communications and
has owned several
businesses, including
a non‑medicated confectionery company.
She brought the skills developed in those
businesses to her latest venture, Heavenly Sweet.
References
1. www.newfrontierdata.com/cannabis-insights/40-
projected-leave-black-market-2020/
2. www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-
cigarettes/severe-lung-disease.html
3. www.globenewswire.com/news-
release/2019/02/14/1725264/0/en/
Global-Cannabis-Edibles-Market-Will-
Reach-Over-USD-11-564-Million-By-2025-Zion-
Market-Research.html
For further information, visit:
www.heavenlysweet.com
7
 CBD, CANNABIS & HEMP | SARTORIUS
Never underestimate
sample preparation
In an interview with New Food’s Editor, Wallace Harvey from Sartorius explains the importance of sample
preparation in cannabis testing and the work it is doing to help develop standardisation across the board.
THE GLOBAL legal cannabis market size is
growing aggressively, anticipated to reach more
than $73 billion by 2027.1 This market growth
could be subject to change due to the level
of consolidation and worldwide activity we
are witnessing presently, but Wallace Harvey,
Regional Business Manager – Life Science and
Applied Research – Sartorius, is adamant that
the sector will continue to flourish so long as
industry works together.
Harvey is a 25-year veteran of the laboratory
equipment industry, who has served in various
product marketing and sales roles. In his
current assignment, he has North American
responsibility as the Regional Business
Manager for the Sartorius line of laboratory
weighing solutions.
Sample preparation in
cannabis testing
Scientific balances are vital pieces of
equipment in the laboratory. In the cannabis
testing environment, there are some
challenges to be faced when optimising the
weighing workflows.
“One of the biggest challenges currently
revolves around sample sizes,” Harvey
confirmed. “This issue is two-fold; the cost
(value) of cannabis and hemp samples,
combined with the desire to run the optimal
sample size in terms of what you need for
the individual tests.”
8 newfoodmagazine.com
He elaborated: “You don’t want to use too
much sample because of the high value of the
material, but equally, using too little sample can
cause negative impacts on your results.”
Another common challenge, according to
Harvey, is the wide degree of matrix variability
in the types of samples that these laboratories
need to test, particularly when it comes
to cannabis finished products. These can
range from edibles to beverages, balms
and oils, which can be made in a variety of
different manners.
“Typically, the better you are able to prepare
and analyse the samples before you actually
begin testing, the better your results will
be in terms of accuracy and repeatability,”
he confirmed.
Sartorius also offers several solutions so
that labs can perform super-fast determination
of their samples’ moisture and weight, while
also ensuring safe preparation for analytical
or microbiological analysis. These include
moisture analysers, pipettes, filtration systems
and water systems.
“Moisture analysis is key and vital
throughout the entire process – from harvest
to final product. The finished products
have to be tested for shelf life and obviously
moisture content can affect this drastically.
With moisture you have the potential for
microbial contamination when the water levels
are too high. Establishing the exact water
content is vital to determining the safety and
efficacy of the product, but also helps with
our understanding of how these products will
perform over time,” Harvey explained.
He continued: “Filtration enables you to
remove material during the sample prep stage
prior to testing, while water systems make sure
you have pure water – which is particularly
important when it comes to pesticide and
solvent analysis. If you do not use highly pure
water to prepare your samples and standards,
you can have issues with inaccurate readings.”
Cannabis standardisation
A big focus for Sartorius is standardisation,
which in this specific market is currently in
its infancy. “There has been good progress
made towards obtaining standardisation
across the board, with work in this area
steadily increasing, but it is still not quite
there,” said Harvey.
“We are working very closely with industry,
especially with testing labs, to help develop
methodology. In fact, we are seeing a lot of
collaboration between industry, technical
bodies and standards organisations to devise
appropriate methods. But it takes time to set up
joint studies and perform round-robin testing
to determine the best way to move forwards.
We are hoping in the coming months that
we’ll start seeing more definitive standards
coming to the fore.”

Sartorius is reaching out to the industry to
create awareness, so that the sector knows there
is support and training available, Harvey told
New Food. The business has been working with
key opinion leaders, informing them not just
of its solutions but how they can work together
to overcome some of the challenges testing labs
are still facing.
“That is leading to some great findings –
we have carried out a number of collaborative
studies which have resulted in interesting
Whitepapers and Application Reports,” Harvey
said. “We are going to carry on letting industry
know there is support out there and that people
are willing to collaborate towards a united goal.”
Harvey compared the sector to the craft
beverage market. “There are some similarities
to the craft beverage segment – which lacked a
high degree of standardisation at the start, but
through teamwork the sector was able to thrive.
The cannabis industry should look at this
model and learn from it.”
Why partner with Sartorius?
In terms of its unique selling point, Sartorius
has a dedicated, global cannabis team which
sits on “the front-line”.
Make Quality Your Benchmark and Consumer Safety
Your Priority in Cannabis Testing
Sartorius Is Your Partner for Reliable Sample Preparation and Data Integrity for
Cannabis Analysis.
States which have passed laws permitting usage of medicinal and recreational
cannabis products are calling for rigorous testing of cannabis derivatives to ensure
consumer safety. Sartorius offers a variety of high-quality products that ensure most
accurate test results and allow your testing lab to run smoothly at all times.
www.sartorius.com/cannabis-testing
New Food CBD, Cannabis & Hemp Supplement  |  Volume 23, Issue 05
“We are advocates of staying close to
industry,” Harvey said. “We keep track of
all the different sources of information out
there, work with opinion leaders, attend
events – and we share everything across our
worldwide organisation.
“The cannabis industry is complex – it is
still very new, with regulation and legislation
varying wildly between countries. We believe
it is important to keep up to date and
improve our own knowledge too, which we can
then use to help others. Having a team focused
on the cannabis testing industry provides us
with the capacity to do this.”
Advice for laboratories
Harvey concluded the interview with
three key pieces of advice. “Sample prep is
key,” he emphasised, “a lot of people may
not realise just how important it is. I also
recommend researching before making any
commitment to purchases – there’s a wealth
of information available, so take advantage of
that. And finally, make sure to educate yourself
by attending industry shows and seminars,
read a lot, and work with your suppliers
and consultants.”
Wallace Harvey
Wallace has 25 years
of experience in the
laboratory equipment
sector and is currently
Regional (North
America) Business
Manager for Sartorius’
line of laboratory
weighing solutions. Prior to coming to Sartorius,
Wallace held a variety of business and product
development positions for a number of laboratory
industry leaders including Mettler-Toledo, Millipore
Sigma and Ricca Chemical Company. He obtained
his undergraduate degree in chemistry from the
University of Delaware and completed graduate
studies in marketing at the Kellogg School of
Management at Northwestern University.
He resides with his family in the metropolitan
area just outside Richmond in central Virginia.
Reference
1. http://tiny.cc/gziosz
For further information, visit:
www.sartorius.com/cannabis-testing
 CBD, CANNABIS & HEMP | THE NIVA LABS
Looking for answers
The CEO of The Niva Labs explains how the cannabis testing sector has evolved, the research it’s undertaking
to identify evidence of therapeutic benefits, and the key qualities to look for in a lab partner.
ONE OF THE biggest challenges that cannabis
businesses face is keeping the product clean
enough to consistently pass every single test
required by law. Routine cannabis testing
services include cannabinoid potency and the
screening and/or determination of terpenes,
mycotoxins, heavy metals, fungi, moulds,
bacteria, pesticides, water activity, moisture
and residual solvents.
In California, US, the thresholds that labs
test against are set by the California Bureau of
Cannabis Control (BCC) and are particularly
low, meaning a product is likely to fail without
suitable stringent methods in place.
There is no doubt that if handled properly,
the cannabis sector can be a lucrative market
to work in, but navigating the ever-changing
regulations is a minefield. It is therefore
essential to have the right lab working
alongside your business, to guide you
through this process.
New Food speaks to The Niva Labs’
founder, Josh Snyder, a biochemist with more
than 20 years of experience in cancer drug
10
development and research, about how his lab
operates and what makes a great testing partner.
Product stability and health claims
Inspired by the medicinal potential of
cannabis and a need for further research,
Snyder started his Los Angeles-based venture
initially as a research and development centre.
“I saw an opportunity to enhance products
through researching the therapeutic benefits
of cannabis.”
One of the first projects addressed the
issue of creating stable cannabinoid-infused
beverages. Due to the components being oil
and water based, ensuring that the cannabis
beverage doesn’t separate or break down
chemically can be challenging. Stability is
an important factor for cannabis-based
products because it can affect the dosage,
which is restricted by law. The manufacturer’s
responsibility to deliver honest products to its
customers – ie, ensuring the contents stated on
the packaging are accurate – emphasises the
necessity to achieve a stable product.
“We have discovered that stability is very
dependent on the combination of the emulsion
that’s infused with the beverage. You can have
a perfectly stable product, but it can break
down over a certain period of time, so this will
influence a product’s shelf life.”
This research is also important in
the determination of a product’s safety.
“If something breaks down, there is a possibility
that the chemical reaction could cause a
by‑product, which is harmful to the consumer.”
One newer tool that has helped the lab
with this work is dynamic light scattering.
“This tool is able to analyse the particle size of
the emulsions. We did not anticipate needing
something like this when we first started;
however, we have found that in some cases
if the nano emulsion of the cannabinoid is
not stable, the particle size will increase over
time. The larger these become, the more they
separate, thus making the product unstable.”
To ensure safety, he explains that testing
must be carried out on a product-by-product
basis, as there can be wide variety in reactions;
newfoodmagazine.com

a general consensus has so far not been
reached. “Several formulations should be tried
and tested; once the right emulsion has been
found, there shouldn’t be too many issues
going forward.”
Despite the fact that health claims cannot be
made around CBD, Snyder strongly believes in
the compound’s perceived therapeutic benefits.
And he isn’t alone; significant research has been
undertaken surrounding its potential medicinal
qualities and this has, in part, been responsible
for increased consumer demand. Consequently,
he emphasises the importance of the quality of
cannabinoid content (which come from a stable
product) with regard to user ‘experience’. This is
an area in which the lab is investigating further,
by means of animal cells.
“We are studying the effect of cannabinoids
in animal blood and tissue samples;” he
explains, “looking at how long it takes for the
active ingredients to penetrate the tissue and be
absorbed, as well as the length of time it takes
to disperse. This informs the dosing of the final
product, how often to have these doses, and the
dosage that would be required to achieve any
therapeutic benefit.”
Testing market evolution
Since its inception, The Niva Labs has expanded
from a research facility into a licensed testing
laboratory. It came to the sector a little later
than some, but Snyder said this worked in the
company’s favour.
“We see a lot of wide-ranging variability
in testing results in the cannabis market and
I believe one of the reasons for this is the lack
of standardisation and issues with licensing,”
he says. “Initially in California, there was no
requirement for labs to validate methods before
they started operating.”
Josh Snyder
@NewFoodMag
New Food CBD, Cannabis & Hemp Supplement  |  Volume 23, Issue 05
Inside NIVA Labs
He explains that, as things progressed,
California law ruled that cannabis businesses
obtain a state license. In the transition period,
testing labs were issued with a temporary
license and required to validate methods
and achieve ISO accreditation in the interim
(this is still ongoing) to achieve a new license.
“It may be that some labs have not yet gone
through this process, possibly accounting for
the variability of results we sometimes see from
lab to lab.”
Unlike those who had been operating in
the testing marketspace and have had to adapt
to new legislation, The Niva Labs entered at
a time where the latest regulation was all they’d
known. This enabled them to more easily work
to current demands.
“Cannabis testing is a technically challenging
area due to the lack of standardisation.
We spent a considerable amount of time
exploring method development and validation
before applying for our license.”
Presently, testing CBD-infused products is
not mandatory, but according to Snyder it is
a trend that is quickly gaining traction. “We are
seeing more CBD companies voluntarily testing
and often putting their products through the
full panel of tests that are required for cannabis,
including pesticides, heavy metals, mycotoxins
and residual solvents.” He explains that it has
become a major differentiator in a crowded
market, as savvy consumers look for brands
that take health and safety seriously.
Finding a trusted lab partner
When seeking a lab partner, look for
transparency and communication, advises
Snyder. “Your lab should be willing to invite
you to come and see their facility, explain their
methods and why their team is qualified to do
this job.
“I would also recommend asking your
prospective lab whether they have had a third
party examine their methods to ensure they are
able to test accurately and consistently.”
However, according to Snyder, the key
quality needed in a partner is a good rapport.
“It’s about working as a team with your
customers, developing a strong relationship
wherein you discuss results and plans. We want
to collaborate; help solve problems and
contribute new ideas.”
Being a relatively new arena, recruiting
the right people for a laboratory can also be
challenging, Snyder notes. “You have to have
individuals with a certain degree of education
and industry experience. In our case, our
top three scientists have PhDs; we have
backgrounds in research and bring the scientific
skill required to carry out accurate testing.
“The BCC could turn up at any point
to inspect a lab’s processes; it is in every
laboratory’s interest to have the right employees
so that they are always prepared for that.”
For further information, visit:
thenivalabs.com
11
 CBD, CANNABIS & HEMP | PERKINELMER
Overcoming hurdles in cannabis
and CBD testing
Cannabis and CBD beverages, snacks and sweets – the next stage of product testing with automated
workflows and intuitive analytical solutions.
THE CANNABIS market may still be viewed as
fairly young, but the sector is set to become one
of the fastest growing markets in the coming
decade. Food products ranging from baked
goods and gummies, to beverages and snacks,
are a big part of driving that growth. In fact, in
2020, it was reported in Canada that 48 percent
of cannabis consumers had purchased cannabis
edibles or drinks.1
Given the breakneck pace of the industry,
the range of regulations across and within
countries, and the sheer complexity of cannabis
and hemp chemistries, it can be challenging for
stakeholders to ensure that testing is not only
accurate, but also consistent across the supply
chain and instep with consumer demands.
As such, there is a growing need for novel,
intuitive testing and analysis solutions that can
help the industry ensure cannabis products are
safe and high-quality.
New developments and other fresh
approaches in testing and analysis technologies
can help address this challenge; for example,
the automation of workflows to improve
data quality and laboratory throughput
12
for procedures such as pesticide residue
and potency testing. In addition, custom
formatted calibration standards and reagents
made to complement existing standard
operating procedures (SOPs) or cloud-based
software solutions reduce the operator risk by
creating a ‘right first time’ environment for
procedural execution.
Below are a few best practice examples
to consider.
Automated pesticide testing
Certifying consistency in cannabis analysis
starts at the very beginning, with thoughtful
sampling and sample preparation prior to
testing. As such, it is important for cannabis
labs to ensure robust SOPs are created
for cannabis products so that regulatory
compliance is met.
Often overlooked, but always critical, is
effective sample preparation. This is essential
when conducting any form of analytical
procedure in the lab. Prepping samples for
analysis usually involves a multitude of steps,
including, but not limited to, weighing,
The JANUS G3 liquid handling
workstation does the heavy lifting for
cannabis labs, automating sample
preparation for pesticide analysis
grinding, extraction, vortexing, dissolution and
filtering. For many labs, this multi-step process
can lead to unnoticed errors which will go on
to impact the analysis.
An industry first, fully automated pesticide
testing workflow for cannabis has just been
announced by PerkinElmer. This comprises the
new Janus G3 420 liquid handler, existing QSight
420 LC/MSMS instrument, new ONE Pesticide420
Reagent Kit, and new SOPs and SimplicityLab420
software. The solution is designed to help labs
improve their sample throughput and reduce
human error, while achieving full regulatory
compliance and accurate reporting, right from
sample intake with barcoding, through to
complete sample analysis and result tracking,
and final COA report generation.
Teasing out confusing
cannabinoids with HPLC
Cannabis and cannabis food processors are not
only focused on testing cannabis for the safety
and quality of the crop itself, but also on all
the compounds that can be extracted from it.
Naturally occurring cannabinoids, the main
newfoodmagazine.com

biologically active component of the cannabis
plant, are of high interest to both scientific
research and new product manufacturing.
As well as the perceived therapeutic and
medicinal purposes of THC, the industry
has a strong focus on the other cannabinoid
compounds. There are over 100 different
cannabinoids, but cannabidiol (CBD) is of
particular interest. CBD can make upwards
of 25 percent of the cannabis cannabinoid
content and it is thought not to have
a psychoactive effect on the brain. However,
research has shown that it could potentially
be used medically for illnesses such as anxiety,
depression, epilepsy and pain disorders.
For processors in the food and beverage
markets, monitoring the concentration of
cannabinoids is a key method to determine
potency and ensure label claim accuracy.
This can pose challenges for processors as
cannabis food products are often high-sugar
and high-fat materials, such as cookies and
sweets, producing diverse and difficult to
monitor analytical matrices.
For these edible products, high-performance
liquid chromatography (HPLC) tools can
separately quantify multiple cannabinoids without
derivatisation, which is particularly useful as
these products, typically, will be consumed
without additional heating. At PerkinElmer, to
assist processors and third‑party labs, we have
designed the Flexar HPLC solution for the
chromatographic separation of key cannabinoids
in several food matrices, using photodiode array
(PDA) detection.
Tackling contamination testing
and meeting regulations with
bespoke cannabis SOPs
Cannabis testing requirements vary by state,
but most do require testing and labelling
PerkinElmer’s fully automated pesticide testing
workflow for cannabis incorporates innovative solutions,
including the QSight 420 LC/MSMS instrument
@NewFoodMag
New Food CBD, Cannabis & Hemp Supplement  |  Volume 23, Issue 05
for various contaminants, such as residual
solvents, microbes, heavy metals and pesticides.
Testing of cannabis and the products extracted
from it is important for research, safety to
ensure regulations are being followed, and
to monitor end products.
Of these contaminants, testing for pesticides
and mycotoxins can often prove particularly
difficult for cannabis labs. Rules governing
maximum residual limits (MRLs) of these
constituents vary greatly and can cause
headaches for labs looking to navigate the
evolving regulatory landscape.
For example, Canada currently requires
cannabis-based products to meet one of the
most comprehensive pesticide regulations
lists globally, with 96 pesticides tested to
concentrations down to 20 parts per billion
(ppb). Whereas, within the US, each of the
states have different regulatory requirements.
For cannabis labs it is important to forge
partnerships that can not only provide
the right technology, but also guide them
through the complex, confusing and often
changing regulations. Understanding this
need, PerkinElmer provides customers with
user support through training and detailed
SOP around compliance testing, product
manufacturing, automated solutions and
help with food safety and quality specifically
to get the data they need. SOPs are
provided for the streamlined solutions for all
analytical techniques, such as the PerkinElmer
HS-GC/MS headspace, which can be used
to analyse terpenes and residual solvents in
cannabis and CBD edibles and extracts.
How to evolve with the
rapidly growing industry
With the cannabis food industry still cutting
its teeth, there can often be a lack of in-house
expertise around scientific testing in this
specific area. The extraction procedures are
complex and testing is not easy. Laboratory
professionals need easy-to-use analytical
technologies that can be automated for speed
of analysis and to reduce the chance of human
error or inaccurate results.
Outside of the regular challenges that
laboratories face when testing cannabis, the
worldwide coronavirus pandemic has also
presented food and cannabis labs with further
challenges. The capital financial markets, in
general, have struggled, and start-up labs
have especially found it difficult to get their
laboratories going. To combat this, cannabis
labs and processors need to team up with
experienced industries and partners to make
sure that they can get the most for their money
during this challenging financial climate.
One of the main problems that cannabis labs
face is the lack of simplicity and errors that can
be introduced because of that. When looking at
cannabis analysis, most problems occur during
sample preparation due to the number of
stages it involves. From receiving the samples,
unboxing and storing, homogenising, weighing,
diluting and filtering the samples. Any small
error that occurs can have a big impact on the
final data and quality.
Dr Toby Astill
Global Market
Manager – Cannabis
& Hemp Markets at
PerkinElmer, Inc. 
Toby is focused on
driving PerkinElmer’s
global cannabis and hemp
initiatives; including, but not limited to,
new product development, collaborations
with scientific thought leaders, market
and technology research, and application and
marketing development.
Reference
1. Health Europa, (https://www.healtheuropa.
eu/cannabis-edibles-are-leading-canadas-
cannabis-market-in-2020/98093/), Accessed 29th
September 2020
For further information, visit:
www.perkinelmer.com
13
 CBD, CANNABIS & HEMP | ACT LABORATORIES
Data is everything
In conversation with New Food, ACT Labs’ COO described the importance of good data when it comes to
accurate and reliable cannabis testing and why automation is the future.
CANNABIS TESTING labs are the conduit
between the manufacturer and the customer;
they are an essential cog in the machine that
ensures customers get a product that is safe
and effective.
For ACT Labs, a crucial part of its work
lies in the data, both in terms of accuracy
and transparency.
“We have five core principles,” explained
Bob Miller, Chief Operating Officer (COO).
“At the centre of these is the delivery of accurate,
reliable results. If you don’t have that, you don’t
have anything. The regulators, manufacturers
and their customers count on laboratories to
provide precise and consistent data as a given.
“The other four principles are interwoven
around this main ethos.”
He described them as spokes and a wheel,
with data at the centre and the other four as
enablers, working together to accomplish
dependable, accurate data outcomes.
14
These ‘spokes’ include compliance to
state regulations, efficiency, customer focus
and people.
Accuracy of results
So how do you know as a manufacturer that the
results being given to you are accurate? It would
be a mistake to assume they are. “Cannabis
manufacturers need to visit the lab,” advised
Miller. “You have to feel comfortable. We know
that some of our customers will send samples to
multiple labs to compare results and that’s fine.
“But we do offer reassurance by giving
our customers complete access to the raw
data.” He explained that ACT believes in
transparency. “At the end of the day, the data is
theirs, it is their prerogative to view it.” This, he
said, builds trust and confidence.
Miller raised concerns over what he called
“dry labs” which he said are businesses that do
not test but rather give the customer the results
they desire. “There is illicit activity occurring
and I believe this is due to a lack of federal
rules. As a cannabis manufacturer, you must be
alert and ask yourself ‘if another lab tested this,
would I get the same results?’”
He added that sometimes ACT will come
across unexpected results and from there
it is a case of empowering the customer to
understand the data and what it means, along
with identifying why such a result occurred and
collaborating to devise a solution.
This work falls largely on the shoulders
of those working in the lab, according to
Miller. “Cannabis is still a relatively new field
so it can be hard to find the right team with
the appropriate credentials. We recruited
predominantly from the pharmaceutical sector
as there are several transferrable skills that can
be employed here.”
From there, he said, it is about continuously
enhancing capability and knowledge.
newfoodmagazine.com

Compliance to state regulation
ACT has been involved in the cannabis
market since 2014, with its first state-licensed
laboratory opened in Illinois in 2015.
Since then, it has expanded into a multi-state
operation with labs opening across the Midwest
and East. This requires the lab to keep abreast
of the ever-changing and differing state laws
associated with cannabis, which can be difficult.
Despite this, Miller said having multiple
locations does have benefits. “Every time we
open a new lab, we’re assessing what legislation
we must adhere to – obviously, to comply with
what is necessary, but also to look at whether
these requirements should be something we
employ across all our facilities. This enables
us to stay ahead when it comes to quality
and compliance.”
He continued: “When we first started, the
regulation was a lot less stringent. But now, you
not only have to demonstrate that you have the
appropriate systems in place, you also have to
show that the methods you use are validated.”
Each of ACT’s laboratories are fully
compliant with state law and accredited to
the international standard ISO 17025:2017.
To achieve this (and to ensure that its labs
remain compliant), it has appointed a dedicated
member of staff to keep up to date with
regulations. “It is vital to have someone keeping
track of it all,” he noted.
“Every state has their own requirements;
different tests,” Miller said. “Some require
certain tests that others do not. Some may
require the same tests, but they do not have
the same analytes. Many of our methods are
therefore analyte independent.”
He elaborated: “We have a common method
@NewFoodMag
New Food CBD, Cannabis & Hemp Supplement  |  Volume 23, Issue 05
to test pesticides, for example. We attempt to
develop mutual platforms for a specific type of
analyte, but in each individual state, they may
be different specific analytes. You also have
variances in specifications; in other words, you
may do the same test but the requirements
in that state might be different.” For example,
in Ohio, the requirement for potency is
much tougher.
Currently, there are no standards or federal
laws governing cannabis, although the US
House of Representatives is due to vote on the
legalisation of marijuana in the future.
Miller is hopeful that a federal law will be
passed and that standards will eventually be
developed. “There are organisations working
on standardisation,” he said, giving a particular
nod to both AOAC International, which
recently drafted potency standards, and the
National Institute of Standards and Technology
(NIST), which is looking to establish
reference standards.
Variability and automation in the lab
Cannabis is a tricky material to work with
because there are so many factors that can
influence results, including the way in which
the plant is grown, the age of the plants, the
way the sample is treated, and even what it is
combined with.
To help overcome variability, ACT makes
every effort to remove the “human element”,
but for certain processes this is currently not
possible; for example, ACT still requires people
to shake and grind samples manually. One way
the lab limits variance is with its extremely
specific extraction process, eg, using explicit
times and temperatures.
Although the technology to implement
a wholly automated testing system is currently
available on the market, it does have its
downfalls. “Right now, such tech is costly
and often, in the time you could have done it
manually, you are still setting up the robot!”
To warrant the expense, Miller said ACT’s
volumes will need to increase; although, he
added, some of its facilities are headed in
this direction.
One way in which ACT has begun
modernising its processes is via automated
data transcription. “With any testing we do,
there is a lot of data generated,” explained
Miller. “That data requires transcription from
one data source to another so it can ultimately
be reported to the client. We are installing
a system that will allow us to remove human
transcription. Instead, the data generated on the
analytical equipment will immediately transfer
to a file, which will create the certificate of
analysis. This way we avoid taking the raw data
off the equipment and manually importing that
to an Excel file and collating that into
a certificate.
“This obviously streamlines the process,
but it also removes human error; often we
are dealing with long numbers and if you
accidentally invert a digital you get a completely
different result.
“Moreover, it allows our customers to look
at the data virtually – which is becoming very
important during this Covid era,” he concluded.
Bob Miller
Bob is the COO of ACT
Labs with responsibility
for the oversight of all
lab operations within
the US network. Prior
to joining ACT, Bob
was the Senior Vice
President of Quality at
Gilead Sciences and before this worked in roles of
increasing responsibility at Johnson and Johnson
(VP QA- McNeil), Pfizer/Warner Lambert (VP QA-
North America and Puerto Rico). He also managed
his own quality consulting business. Bob has over
35 years of experience in the pharmaceutical
arena and has a PhD in Pharmaceutical Chemistry,
BS Pharmacy from Rutgers University.
For further information, visit:
www.actlaboratoriesinc.com
15
 CBD, CANNABIS & HEMP | CAYMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY

Analytical data confidence is

highest with commercially
prepared CRM mixtures
Cayman Chemical Company provides an in-depth case study, which
demonstrates the potential of pre-made, multi-component CRM mixtures.

at www.caymanchem.com/CRMmixtures.
High-quality reference materials with established metrological traceability Accuracy of the mixtures was determined by
are an essential element for measurement accuracy during routine analytical comparing the experimental concentrations
checks as well as for cannabis product quality testing and profiling. Here, we to the theoretical concentrations of
compare two different methods using certified reference materials (CRMs) to each component.
generate a standard for the quantitation of 10 prevalent phytocannabinoids The calibration curve was developed using
against a calibration curve to show that pre-made, multi-component CRM Cayman’s Phytocannabinoid Mixture 10
mixtures improve quantitation accuracy. (CRM) in accordance with the ‘Cannabis
Analyzer for Potency™ Quick Guide’ provided
by Shimadzu.2 This mixture, in acetonitrile,
CANNABIS PRODUCTS' increased availability multi‑component CRMs. Now that these are contains 250 µg/ml of each of the following:
has caused various stakeholders, such as the available, they provide an advantage in many cannabidivarin (CBDV), cannabidiolic
European Union, the UK's Food Standards applications. For instance, when evaluating acid (CBDA), cannabigerolic acid (CBGA),
Agency, and the United Stated Pharmacopeia, several analytes at once, a commercially cannabigerol (CBG), cannabidiol (CBD),
to move forward with standardising this formulated multi‑component CRM bypasses cannabinol (CBN), tetrahydrocannabinolic
industry to protect consumers. the additional steps an analyst must take to acid A (THCA-A), Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol
As part of this standardisation, many testing create a stock solution from single CRMs. (Δ9-THC), Δ8-tetrahydrocannabinol
laboratories are strongly urged, if not required, The data provided in this application note (Δ8‑THC), and (±)-cannabichromene (CBC).
to be ISO/IEC 17025 accredited. compares a typical method for preparing stock The High‑Resolution Method from Shimadzu
A key component for testing under an solutions from several single-component CRMs was used in the analysis of this calibration
ISO/IEC 17025 quality system is the use (Method A) against the use of a pre‑made, curve.3 A linear dynamic range of 0.5 to
of a Certified Reference Material (CRM) multi-component CRM (Method B). 250 µg/ml was established for each of the
to maintain metrological traceability in its 10 analytes in the Phytocannabinoid Mixture 10
measurements.1 ISO 17034 commercially Methods (CRM). A weighted regression curve of 1/[X]2
produced CRMs are ideal for quantitative Mixtures created from each of these was generated for each compound to provide a
analysis in the cannabis testing industry. methods were injected on the Cannabis relative representation of concentration at both
A CRM’s certificate of analysis will include Analyzer for Potency™ HPLC model the low and high ends of the curve.
a statement of metrological traceability as LC-2030C Plus from Shimadzu Scientific For Method A, a stock solution containing
well as the certified concentration and the Instruments. Concentrations of 1 and 10 single component CRMs (each at 1 mg/ml
measurement of uncertainty associated 100 µg/ml were analysed against the in 1 ml of either acetonitrile or methanol) was
with the material. weighted calibration curve to evaluate prepared by pouring each of the single CRMs
Historically, single analyte CRMs have differences between the two methods. For into separate HPLC vials. Then, 1 ml of each
been the default option for quality control brevity, the 100 µg/ml results are discussed individual CRM compound was pipetted into
testing, mainly due to the lack of availability of here; the full application note can be found a 25 ml scintillation vial to create a mixture at

16 newfoodmagazine.com
 New Food CBD, Cannabis & Hemp Supplement  |  Volume 23, Issue 05

Figure 1
Experimental concentration at 100 µg/ml of Method A and Method B solutions compared to respective
theoretical concentrations
a concentration of 100 µg/ml. For Method B,
an independent batch of Cayman’s pre-made
Phytocannabinoid Mixture 10 (CRM) served as
the commercially formulated multi-component
CRM. This was poured into a separate HPLC
vial, then a 400 µl aliquot was transferred
to a 1 ml volumetric flask and brought to
volume with methanol to create the 100 µg/ml
solution. On two separate days, eight solutions
were prepared by two separate analysts using
each method.
Results and discussion
For both methods, a single injection of each
solution (n = 8) was analysed, generating
a total of 16 injections. Two samples, one each
from Method A and Method B, were analysed
on a separate day to the other 14 samples.
The experimental concentration for each
component was derived from the calibration
curve. These concentrations were averaged
across all injections for each component,
plotted with their respective standard
deviations, and compared to the theoretical
Table 1
Accuracy, relative error, and precision (n = 8)
100 µg/ml Accuracy (%)
concentrations (Figure 1). The theoretical
concentrations were calculated based on the
certified concentrations from the certificates
of analysis.
The accuracy and relative error of the
experimental concentrations for each
of the sample components were calculated
against the respective theoretical concentrations
(see Table 1). Greater deviation of
the concentrations was observed with the
Method A solution than with the Method B
solution. Some variations in both Methods A
and B may be attributed to the loss of solution
during the transfer of the CRM to the larger
HPLC vial, which could alter the concentration.
A relative error of ±10 percent of the verified
concentration is an acceptable criterion
in analytical testing.4 Using this value, the
calculated relative error for both Method A
and Method B met this criterion. We defined
precision as the coefficient of variation in
percent form. As shown in Table 1, the
precision observed by Method B was better
across all components compared to Method A.
Relative error (%) Precision (CV, %)
Conclusions
There are multiple approaches to create working
solutions of a phytocannabinoid mixture.
Complications can arise when preparing a stock
standard using single-component CRMs.
All CRM materials used in this experiment
were produced under an ISO 17034 quality
system and, therefore, had metrologically
traceable concentrations before the ampules
were opened. The variability observed in the
experimental concentrations of the Method A
solution was likely related to the preparation
of the stock solution. The multiple pipetting
steps required to prepare the mixture may
have affected the actual concentration of the
stock solution. Furthermore, each preparation
event, such as pipetting, adds uncertainty to the
reported value and may also compromise the
metrological traceability of the concentration
when each component is removed from its
original container and added to the mixture.
While the approach utilised in Method
A is a seemingly practical method seen in
industry standards, inconsistencies in reported
concentrations were noted across multiple
injections in our experiment. The commercially
prepared CRM mixture was shown to improve
precision and accuracy of the analysis.
When used with proper methodology and
optimised procedures, ISO 17034-produced
multi-component CRM mixtures are designed
to give the user confidence in their analytical
data, mitigating regulatory-related risks.
They also offer a simpler approach, saving
time, effort, and cost.
References
1. International Standard ISO/IEC 17025. General
requirements for the competence of testing and
calibration laboratories. (2017)
2. Shimadzu. Cannabis analyzer for potency quick
guide. (2018)
3. Shimadzu. Potency testing in cannabis extracts
using a high-resolution method with the cannabis
analyzer for potency. (2017)
4. DeSilva, B., Smith, W., Weiner, R., et al.
Recommendations for the bioanalytical method
validation of ligand-binding assays to support
pharmacokinetic assessments of macromolecules.
Pharm. Res. 20(11), 1885-1900 (2003)

Compound Method A Method B Method A Method B Method A Method B

CBDV 102.77 97.14 2.77 -2.86 3.72 0.60
CBDA 98.71 99.10 -1.29 -0.90 7.14 0.63
CBGA 104.94 98.24 4.94 -1.76 3.58 0.66
CBG 101.42 96.55 1.42 -3.45 5.44 0.64
CBD 97.72 95.32 -2.28 -4.68 1.49 0.61
CBN 105.31 101.43 5.31 1.43 2.99 0.62
THCA-A 103.45 99.21 3.45 -0.79 2.53 0.64
Δ9-THC 98.24 98.40 -1.76 -1.60 4.80 0.61
For further information, visit:
Δ8-THC 103.40 100.46 3.40 0.46 2.85 0.58
CBC 100.52 100.02 0.52 0.02 2.64 0.64 www.caymanchem.com

@NewFoodMag
17
 CBD, CANNABIS & HEMP | ASSOCIATION FOR THE CANNABINOID INDUSTRY
CBD: What companies and
retailers need to know
The CBD sector is notoriously confusing. Here, the Association for the Cannabinoid Industry offers sound
advice for staying ahead and remaining compliant.
CANNABIDIOL, most commonly known by
its abbreviation CBD, has established itself as
one of the fastest growing food supplement
products in the UK. A study undertaken by the
Centre for Medicinal Cannabis in 2019 valued
the market around £300 million. Given the
trajectory of growth it should be well north of
that figure now.
Millions of British adults are consuming it,
and the industry has already surpassed sales of
vitamin C and D combined. The same research
predicts that CBD sales are projected to hit
£1 billion by 2025, which is equivalent to the
entire 2016 UK herbal supplement market.
At the same time, the UK is fast becoming
the leading market in the world where a
clear legal, and regulatory framework for
CBD to be sold as a food supplement has
emerged. This is positive news for consumers,
manufacturers and retailers. Firstly, to know
what ‘good-and-proper’ looks like, and
18
secondly, to enable retailers to know the right
questions to ask their suppliers to determine
what brands they should be stocking.
The UK’s Food Standards Agency
(FSA) has laid out certain criteria which
companies must abide by in order for their
products to be sold legally (see section under
‘Regulatory framework’). It is critical that
companies operating in this space are aware
of these rules to ensure that they perform
adequate due diligence, apply professional
ethics and, with regards to retailers, do not
purchase stock which they will not be legally
allowed to sell.
Three key tips
Experts from the The Association for the
Cannabinoid Industry (ACI), a membership
organisation committed to nurturing a safe,
legal and well-regulated CBD market in the UK,
has identified three key areas retailers must take
into account when evaluating CBD products
from their suppliers:
„ Regulatory framework: make sure CBD
companies are not making misleading
claims about their CBD products
„ Controlled substances: do not fall foul
of the Misuse of Drugs Act
„ Food safety: avoid food scare scandals.
Regulatory framework
CBD is classed as a ‘novel food’. Such foods
can technically only be sold if the company has
novel foods authorisation. As yet, no company
in Europe has this authorisation for CBD.
You may then be wondering how it is
possible to sell CBD products in the UK. In the
UK, the FSA has always seen CBD as a novel
food. However, the agency took a hands‑off
approach due to the market being so big, with so
many consumers already relying upon CBD for
newfoodmagazine.com

74 percent of the public agrees with the FSA’s novel foods approach
its perceived therapeutic benefits. Driving CBD
into the black market would have been a disaster.
In an announcement made on 13 February
2020, the FSA set a deadline (31 March 2021)
for CBD companies to have a validated novel
foods application for each CBD product
they sell. Validation is the first step to full
authorisation. Full authorisation can take up to
three years to complete, whereas validation can
take around 12 months, this includes gathering
the necessary data and gaining validation.
With the UK leaving the European Union on
31 December 2020, the FSA will be responsible
for processing these novel foods applications.
According to the FSA, any product that
was on the market before the February 13
announcement has until 31 March 2021 to be
validated. Should they fail to become validated,
the product will not be legal to sell and they
must withdraw from the market. That product
can then only be legally sold once they have
full authorisation from the FSA. Given that the
typical shelf life of CBD products is two years
and full authorisation could take three, this
could be a costly situation.
Nearly half of the UK population lack confidence in the CBD sector
@NewFoodMag
New Food CBD, Cannabis & Hemp Supplement  |  Volume 23, Issue 05
Source: YouGov poll commissioned by The ACI.
This window of opportunity only applies to
products that were already on the market before
13 February 2020. Any new products must have
full novel foods authorisation to be legally sold in
the UK – in other words, any product not on the
market prior to this date should not be stocked.
When retailers are reviewing the CBD
products they stock, it is critical that they
are aware of each item’s novel foods status,
otherwise they could be in a position
where they can no longer sell them legally
after FSA’s deadline. Trading Standards are fully
aware of this situation and have committed to
enforce it once this deadline expires.
Controlled substances
CBD is derived from hemp flowers.
Hemp is a variety of cannabis that has very low
amounts of THC. In the UK, THC is illegal to
cultivate, process or sell without a license from
the Home Office. Only CBD containing non
detectable amounts of THC are legal to sell.
Retailers selling CBD products that contain THC
could run afoul of law enforcement officers due
to this controlled substance they contain.
Source: YouGov poll commissioned by The ACI.
There is a persistent rumour that 0.3 percent
THC is acceptable; but this is not true.
This misinformation stems from the fact that
hemp grown in the UK can contain up to
0.3 percent THC. However, that rule does not
extend to finished products.
Food safety
If thoughts of the police or Trading Standards
coming knocking at your door are not
worrying enough, then nothing grabs headlines
more than food safety scandals. To understand
the risks of CBD products, it is important
to understand the supply chain of how this
ingredient is produced.
As mentioned, CBD is derived from hemp
plants. A resilient crop, hemp can grow in very
poor or even contaminated soil. Recently, CBD
products in the US were recalled after testing
by the Florida Department of Agriculture and
Consumer Services found high levels of lead in
a batch of tinctures.1 Had these products been
digested, they could cause various symptoms
such as pain, nausea and kidney damage.
Many consumers find CBD helpful for ailments
and rely on retailers to vet the quality of the
product. It is of utmost importance that retailers
are confident that CBD is safe for consumption.
The ACI can help
The ACI is committed to developing a safe
and legal CBD sector in the UK and can offer
membership to CBD manufacturers and brands
who require guidance. The organisation helps
all companies in the CBD supply chain navigate
the regulatory environment of this dynamic
market, and is presently in the process of
launching a retailer membership package.
The ACI is launching a retailer membership
package to support retailers to understand and
navigate CBD procurement, in turn building up
consumer confidence in the CBD industry.
Reference
1. www.hempindustrydaily.com/florida-cbd-
company-issues-voluntary-product-recall-for-
heavy-lead-content/
For further information, visit:
www.theaci.co.uk
19
 CBD, CANNABIS & HEMP | AGILENT
How to select the right instruments
for cannabis potency testing
There is a bewildering range of instrument choices for the determination of potency in cannabis products.
How do you choose what is right for you?
SETTING UP a cannabis testing laboratory
involves several significant decisions, and
instrument selection for potency testing is one
of the most important ones.
With so many claims in the market about
the performance of testing technologies, which
one is right for your laboratory? This article
provides an informed guide that aims to help
you identify the right technology choice for
your cannabis testing lab.
Potency testing methodologies:
what are the options?
There are three primary testing technologies
a laboratory can implement for potency testing
at a commercial scale: HPLC, LC/MS, and
Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-
IR). Below, we consider each of their merits.
HPLC
HPLC systems with UV detection is the
most common choice for commercial
potency testing.
This technique involves separating the
mixture of cannabinoids and then detecting
the amount of light absorbed by the sample at
a specific wavelength. Through this, you can
determine the amount of cannabinoid(s)present.
HPLC is ideal for labs in start-up, production
and expansion stages. It enables labs to achieve
high throughput potency analysis of cannabis,
hemp, oils and concentrates. This benchtop
technique produces replicable results and can
identify cannabinoids within five to 20 minutes.
LC/MS
LC/MS is used for cannabis potency testing in
scenarios when identification is critical.
Comparing HPLC, LC/MS, and FT-IR methods for cannabis potency testing
HPLC
Average test time Five to 20 minutes
Number of cannabinoids All cannabinoids
identified
Type of sample type All cannabis, hemp, and
cannabinoid product matrices
Footprint and portability Two to six square feet.
Typically stationary
Setup and results Expert installation required
Agilent instrumentation Agilent Infinity II 1220 HPLC
Agilent Infinity II 1260 HPLC
20
Molecules can be more confidently identified
by their mass, with LC/MS providing highly
selective, quantitative results.
An LC/MS system consists of an HPLC
identical to that described earlier, but with
a mass spectrometer (MS) replacing the UV
detector. MS is more selective and quantitatively
more sensitive than UV.
LC/MS is the most sensitive and selective
testing methodology available on a commercial
scale, delivering accurate quantitative results in
complex sample matrices.
FT-IR
FT-IR is a well-established analytical
technique that can deliver quantitative
and semiquantitative information about
a sample. It has a small form factor that makes
it transportable for both laboratory and
field work.
FT-IR involves the transmission of infrared
energy through a refined sample like an oil,
powder or concentrate. It is a quick and simple
technique for use on non-complex samples at
relatively higher concentrations. It requires little
to no sample preparation and enables labs to
identify the four major cannabinoids, including
THC, in under a minute.
Criteria for selecting instrumentation
The testing technology and instrumentation
you select are dependent upon your
commercial model, business goals, and type
of laboratory set-up you have.
If you are a start-up laboratory, grower,
extractor or manufacturer with small
batch-processing needs, you require entry-level
instrumentation that yields repeatable and
LC/MS FT-IR
Five to 20 minutes About one minute
All cannabinoids Four major cannabinoids
All cannabis, hemp, and Clean matrix (oils, powders,
cannabinoid product matrices and extracts)
Six to 12 square feet. Typically Portable, suitcase‑sized
stationary on a 6ft x 3ft bench self‑contained unit
Expert installation required Expert (custom) model
building required.
Agilent InfinityLab LC/MSD iQ Agilent Cary 630 FT‑IR
spectrometer
reliable results. HPLC is the most widely used
technology for this use case and the Agilent
Infinity II 1220 LC is an ideal entry level system
for your purpose. High-throughput laboratories
and cannabinoid researchers that need to
identify hundreds of cannabinoids and many
other endogenous chemicals, should use
LC/MS. The Agilent InfinityLab LC/MSD iQ
reduces false positives, offering a higher degree
of confidence in results.
The Agilent Cary 630 FT-IR spectrometer
is used for relatively simple direct testing of
the four major cannabinoids within processed
samples (eg, oils, powders, distillates).
Think two steps ahead while
selecting instrumentation
When choosing instrumentation for testing
cannabinoids, one should consider the high
costs of setting up a cannabis testing laboratory
and the array of choices which can sometimes
lead lab owners to make short-term, low-cost
purchasing decisions. Common errors resulting
in a failure to meet the required standards
include buying unreliable used equipment and/or
implementation of poorly defined methodologies.
Think in terms of ABLE methods:
affordABLE, achievABLE, reliABLE, and
repeatABLE when considering the instrument
purchase. Other important decisions include
the available lab bench space, data processing,
consumables, scientific consulting, education
and ongoing support. Finally, laboratories need
to look to their instrumentation partners to
support them with expertise and consultancy.
A partner with a track record in the field is
essential to help install the equipment and
establish workflows that enable you to achieve
results over the long term.
For further information, visit:
explore.agilent.com/cannabissol
Agilent products and solutions are intended to be used for
cannabis quality control and safety testing in laboratories
where such use is permitted under state/country law.
newfoodmagazine.com
Give Your Lab a Head Start on
Cannabis and Hemp Testing
Agilent consumables kits
Setting up your cannabis testing protocols may seem like a steep climb that takes Accelerate time-to-market
weeks, or even months. Let Agilent do that hard work and implementation for you. and revenue generation.

Accelerate your startup time with Agilent consumable kits Visit explore.agilent.com/
Agilent cannabis and hemp testing kits with supporting workflows have been cannabissol
developed to get you up and running in the shortest time. Benefit from a complete
configuration for automation, sample introduction, separation, and detection—plus
data processing and reporting.
Save time and simplify decision making with Agilent cannabis consumables kits
Each kit includes sample preparation products, columns, and supplies you need
to quantify cannabinoids—or detect residual amounts of pesticides and mycotoxins for
up to 400 samples. You’ll also receive step-by-step instructions and method guidance.

DE.1221296296
Agilent products and solutions are intended to be used for cannabis quality control
and safety testing in laboratories where such use is permitted under state/country law.

© Agilent Technologies, Inc. 2020

 CBD, CANNABIS & HEMP | VERMA FARMS
Watching CBD grow
The Founder of Verma Farms, a US-based CBD producer, talks to New Food about inspiration,
trends, legislation and more…
CBD HAS BEEN one of the world’s most
budding industries. In 2020, it is expected to
be worth $9.3 billion1 in the US alone, which
when considering there’s also a medical and
recreational marijuana market, is just a small
piece to a much larger pie.
As many consider CBD as the entry to
legalising marijuana nationwide in America,
New Food decided to get to know the founder of
a successful American CBD company and glean
his insights on the types of products available.
Verma Farms
AJ Agrawal is the Founder of Verma Farms,
which offers (THC-free) CBD dried fruit,
gummies, oils and topicals for humans, as
well as dog treats. He has been working in the
22
industry for several years now. Considered a Demand for CBD
serial entrepreneur, Agrawal started his career Although CBD had
with a startup that was inducted into the been around for a
prestigious ‘500 Startups program’. After that while in states like
venture, he founded the marketing company California and
Verma Media, which led up to the formation of Colorado, it wasn’t
his new project, Verma Farms. until the 2018 Farm
“Verma Farms was inspired by the islands Bill that it started to
of Hawaii,” Agrawal said. “After seeing how become popular,
beautiful the landscape was and just being in Agrawal noted.
that setting, I experienced a feeling of serenity “Now we see it as
which I had not before.” something sold
He described it as having “a sound body, in Walgreens or
mind and spirit” which, at a time when he CVS, demonstrating
had been so distracted by his work, gave him how many different
a sense of self-awareness. “I knew I had to treat types of customers there are for
myself better and that’s one of the reasons I was it across the board.
inspired to enter the CBD sector.” “When you look at CBD
Agrawal drew on the parallels he saw customers, the age range is far
between the natural landscape of Hawaii and reaching and the reasons behind
the natural basis of CBD. “From there I started consumption varied. This means you must
to put the pieces together of what Verma be accommodating, delivering a product
Farms would become. As we began to grow, that works for most people. For us, gummies
I became more driven with our brand mission. were the best choice: they are easy to use
CBD is such a crowded field, I knew we had to and discreet – two things which a lot of
separate ourselves from the pack, so I started customers appreciate.”
thinking about this idea; what it really means Verma Farms also offers a range of CBD
to give back, as well as leaving the earth ‘as snacks for pets too. “When produced naturally,
we found it’, if you will. Part of that concept is there is very little differentiation between
delivered by the quality of our product which is human and pet CBD snacks. However,
designed to give people the best experience of different flavourings and added ingredients
CBD on the planet. might vary for each, which is why the US
“Overall, our goal is to show people the Food & Drug Administration (FDA)
natural benefits of what is around them, as well requires specific
as how it can work within their daily lifestyle.” labelling
newfoodmagazine.com

on what each type of product contains as well
as who it is intended for.”
On product innovation, he explained that
it boils down to making things “fun and
inventive, while also conventional” ie, creative
but within their customers' expectations. “It’s an
interesting challenge,” he admitted. “Of course,
there is a lot of testing and iterations to
determine what actually tastes good or is
consistent in strength, but all-in-all, it is a fun
process to dive into, exploring how we can
continue to push our impact on the industry.
“It is about making things we want in our
day-to-day life,” he explained. “A lot of CBD
companies create boring food that is trying
to compete against cannabis. We are out to
compete with other candy companies and
snack providers in general. So, if you make
gummy bears, we want ours to beat yours
every time. That’s how you stay ahead in
this industry.”
Responsible CBD
sourcing and testing
Agrawal believes sourcing is
all about relationships. “It is
important to get to know
the farmers personally, as well
as what their passion is for the plant.
From there, not only do we ensure
that the CBD we have sourced is
tested for the run of pesticides
and additives,
but we also
test our
final
product
as well.
@NewFoodMag
New Food CBD, Cannabis & Hemp Supplement  |  Volume 23, Issue 05
There are a lot of bad
actors in this industry, and
as we are responsible for
people’s health, it is vital to
be an advocate and model
for transparency."
Optimum growing
conditions and
extraction
Cannabis can be grown inside
or outside, but ideally you
want to be in a semi-humid
environment with temperatures between
60-80 F, according to Agrawal. “Places with
temperate climates that are a little more humid
like Kentucky, Tennessee, and North Carolina
are known as good places to grow CBD, as well
as mainstays like California and Colorado.
“As for how it is extracted, CBD can be
pulled from the plant using CO2, as well as
ethanol or olive oil.”
Legislation and regulation
The US laws are “still slightly confusing”,
Agrawal told New Food; however, he pointed
out that with CBD becoming federally legal,
a change in laws on state-levels is beginning.
“In the US, there are different levels of
legislation; for example, a person in California
where recreational marijuana is legal can be
caught with cannabis containing THC on
California property and receive no punishment,
but if they are on federal land (such as
a national park) in California, they can still be
punished by a federal officer. However, with
CBD, it has become such a nuisance for law
enforcement to get test results of CBD versus
THC cannabis for trial that a lot of states have
started to make marijuana decriminalised and
even legalised now."
What does the future hold?
At the moment, Verma Farms is testing
several new products, but is primarily looking
to remain focused on improving upon what it
has learned from its current lineup. Although
Agrawal wouldn’t divulge any specifics, he told
New Food: “I am very excited to unveil what we
have got coming up towards the end of 2020
and into 2021.”
As for the sector, he believes that as
states ease back on cannabis laws, we
can expect further innovation as well as
increased competition.
“CBD is still very much in its infancy, and
as more people become comfortable with
its consumption in general, I anticipate the
market to grow tremendously. Especially after
COVID-19, a lot of
people are going to be
looking for alternatives
to other vices like drinking, so CBD’s upswing
still hasn’t hit its peak yet. For us, the future is
looking very, very bright.”
As CBD has become quite the craze in
the US, Agrawal’s insights on the market
certainly give us a taste of what we might
expect globally. “Given that CBD differs from
marijuana, it has been a good education to
see exactly what it looks like to put ‘training
wheels’ on the process of legalisation,” he said.
“However, with legislators currently seeing that
the American cannabis market was estimated
to hit $13.9 billion2 in sales last year, the
future for other nations could be looking very
profitable as well.”
AJ Agrawal
AJ leads marketing
efforts at Verma Farms,
a CBD business founded
in 2019. He has written
about the marketing
strategies he has used
to help companies
accelerate their growth
in outlets such as Fast Company, Forbes, Fortune,
Inc. Magazine, and more. His primary focus is
in emerging markets as well as the nutrition
and supplement space. AJ has also won several
awards for his digital marketing success, including
top Entrepreneurs of 2017 by Entrepreneur
Magazine, must follow marketers on Forbes, and
a leading innovator under 30 by Inc. Magazine.
References
1. https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-
analysis/cannabidiol-cbd-market
2. https://newfrontierdata.com/cannabis-insights/
u-s-legal-cannabis-market-growth/
For further information, visit:
vermafarms.com
23
 CBD, CANNABIS & HEMP | THE CANNABIS COOKING COMPANY
Cooking with cannabis
New Food’s Editor speaks to Vanessa Labrecque about the culinary delights of cannabis.
SPEAKING OF the backdrop against which
her company was born, Vanessa Labrecque,
Co‑Founder of The Cannabis Cooking
Company, explained it was when cannabis
had just been legalised in Canada, but the
pre-packaged edibles now familiar to the nation
were not yet available.
“There were TV shows such as Cooking on
High and people could legally buy cannabis
flower or concentrate to cook with at home, but
there wasn’t anyone teaching how to cook with
this ingredient safely,” she told New Food.
Labrecque and her business partner,
Joshua Tuck, have both been growing cannabis
for some time, so were happy that the plant had
found its way to the mainstream food sector.
However, they were equally concerned by
a lack of education.
“People who were new to cannabis and didn’t
want to smoke it, did not have access to edibles
via Government. However, they were able to
cook with it,” she recalled. “But there were no
specialised cookery classes at the time; you had
your online videos…but nothing reliable.”
Cannabis is a volatile ingredient and if
misused can have potentially unpleasant or
even dangerous effects. “It’s not just a case of
throwing some cannabis in food and hoping
for the best!” Labrecque noted. “It’s a careful,
mathematical process.”
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This led the duo to establish The Cannabis
Cooking Company in 2018 – to fill the
knowledge gap and satisfy the emerging
at-home culinary cannabis market.
“We launched our website and even before
we released our schedule, we had this incredible
response. Everyone wanted to know what we
were up to. We didn’t expect it to become so
popular so quickly!”
The cannabis audience
Labrecque believes it was the legalisation of
cannabis that led to the explosive market we see
today. “Before this, a lot of people wouldn’t go
near cannabis because it was classed as a drug;
they were told it was bad for them” – and, of
course, it was illegal.
However, once its status changed, further
research gleaning greater information about the
plant and its alleged medicinal benefits began to
emerge. With this, people started to understand
more about cannabis, and it began to transform
into something that was widely acceptable. It
was a moment that instigated the first steps
towards the more positive connotations it
holds today.
Many of The Cannabis Cooking Company’s
initial students were people who had never
before used cannabis, according to Labrecque.
“They were curious about the ingredient and
Before attending a cannabis cooking
class, students are asked to bring
specific buds, which they can buy in a
licensed dispensary
wanted somewhere they felt safe, where they
could receive a proper education.”
She explained that the idea behind the
business wasn’t just to educate consumers on
safety, but to facilitate a platform for them to
learn the different ways it can be used.
“In my opinion, the Government missed
the mark with how they rolled out edibles,”
she contended. “Currently, the most
popular products are gummies, chocolates,
sweets – there are limited healthy options.
So, along with providing a safe, educational
platform for cannabis cooking, we wanted to
teach people how to create healthy, nutritious
food with cannabis.”
Labrecque believes gummies were a natural
‘go-to’ because they’re easier – ie, more
accessible – and safer for the everyday
consumer. “You know exactly what dose is in a
gummy,” she elaborated, “when you’re cooking
with cannabis it is tricky to regulate.” She hopes
that through The Cannabis Cooking Company,
consumers can be empowered to confidently
create safe and healthy options at home.
Chef certification and trust
The business model for The Cannabis Cooking
Company quickly developed, introducing
a bespoke chef course, which aimed to increase
professional cooks’ confidence in this niche
newfoodmagazine.com

ingredient. “We recognised that there wasn’t
– and still isn’t – a cannabis-specific standard
for chefs and we wanted to change that.”
Labrecque acknowledged that developing
trust between their clientele and the cookery
school was imperative. Of course, Tuck and
herself had extensive knowledge regarding
cannabis but they appreciated that further
credibility of their business’ know-how
would be required, particularly when it came
to professionally geared classes. As such,
the team swiftly expanded from the duo
to include a red seal cannabis chef and
a cannabis sommelier.
How to cook with cannabis
Cannabis can be an unpredictable ingredient,
necessitating a good understanding of chemical
reactions and maths.
“The person who is cooking needs to know
how to cook with portions in mind – you
do not want to serve a bowl of spaghetti and
have one guest consume a larger dose than
the others. The effects of eating cannabis are
around six times stronger than inhaling and
it lasts longer.”
At The Cannabis Cooking Company,
students bring their own cannabis flower to
class – with the experts advising on what kind
of cultivar (strain) to purchase.
“There are endless cultivars of cannabis
and each has a unique terpene profile – an
aroma, if you will,” explained Labrecque. “The
terpenes not only dictate how the cannabis will
make you feel but also the flavours of the dish.
For example, there are terpenes that are more
earthy, while some are fruity.
“The choice of ingredient we’re cooking with
will dictate what kind of terpene profile we
want to use. A lemony terpene would be good
for a citrus dessert, for example.”
As part of its offering, the class covers
areas such as common terms and labels,
decarboxylating and how to create an oil
with the flower.
The process of decarboxylation is essentially
how the cannabis is ‘activated’. As the cannabis
is gently and slowly heated, the inactive
THCA converts into THC, the psychoactive
component. “It is important not to apply
high heat, as this will burn and remove the
cannabinoids,” Labrecque explained.
To create the oil, The Cannabis Cooking
Company uses MagicalButter machines
– a mechanical botanical extractor that blends,
heats, stirs, grinds and steeps the contents.
These are arguably a quicker and easier
alternative to the traditional method, which
involves using a double boiler: basically, a bowl
@NewFoodMag
New Food CBD, Cannabis & Hemp Supplement  |  Volume 23, Issue 05
positioned over a pan of simmering water
whereby the cannabis slowly diffuses into
the oil.
The MagicalButter machine produces
a butter, which is then strained in micron bags,
separating the oil from the plant matter, which
is later discarded.
The students are left with cannabis-infused
oil, which they are then taught to use in their
cooking. Due to its sensitivity to heat, the point
at which the oil is incorporated into dishes is
very important, noted Labrecque.
The future of fine dining?
One day, Labrecque hopes to see cannabis
become a mainstream feature on
restaurant menus, with patrons opting for
a cannabis-infused meal instead of a glass
of wine. “Cannabis has evolved from the ‘pot
brownie’ and I can envision it becoming more
of a fine dining experience,” she mused.
Despite her optimism, Labrecque pointed
out that uncertainty and fear around cannabis
edibles remain; she highlighted that particular
future opportunities, such as the fine
dining experience, may be halted due to the
Government’s wariness.
Of course, we’d be naïve to think that
cooking with cannabis is a new concept and the
plant deemed a ‘gateway drug’ in all cultures.
In India, for example, consumption dates back
to 1000 BC.
Bhang (culled from cannabis leaves and
buds) is strongly tied with the Hindu festival
known as Holi (the festival of colours), which
celebrates spring, love and new life.
This type of cannabis has become a big
part of the Hindu culture and has long been
considered a medicinal herb that eases anxiety.
Using a mortar and pestle, the buds and
leaves are crushed and ground into a paste.
The Holi festival
Milk, ghee and spices are then mixed with the
paste and served either as a drink or as green
edibles known as ‘golees’.1
With cannabis an integral part of other
cultures and the legalisation of cannabis in
Canada and several US states, it begs the
question whether more Western cultures will
follow suit. The UK has already seen a sharp
spike in CBD and hemp sales, so it’s certainly
not unimaginable to foresee this region
introducing similar legislation.
Perhaps Labrecque’s dream of cannabis
menus will extend way beyond Canada…
we’ll just have to see.
Vanessa
Labrecque
Vanessa is the Chief
Executive Officer
and Co‑Founder of
The Cannabis Cooking
Company. She oversees
all major business
operations, including
kitchen management, personal relations,
marketing, team management, administrative
tasks and event planning. Her goal is to
break the stigma of the cannabis user and
educate the world about cannabis.
Reference
1. www.holifestival.org/tradition-of-bhang.html
For further information, email:
vanessa@cannabiscookingcompany.ca
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