Cultivation & Growing | Cannabis Industry Journal

Featured Articles

January 12, 2021

QIMA/WQS to Audit Cannabis Companies as CSQ Certification Body

By Cannabis Industry Journal Staff

The Cannabis Safety & Quality Certification program, launched by ASI in 2020, just welcomed QIMA/WQS as their newest licensed certification body.

January 5, 2021

The Hidden Costs of Non-Compliance for Consumers

By Mark Slaugh

Over the long run, compliance is key to tracking the consistency and safety of products to avoid long-term liability and costs on consumers. Consumers would be wise to gravitate towards compliant brands and companies that focus on consistent quality and safety to minimize potential long-term negative impacts and costs.

December 23, 2020

Smart Plants: A Q&A with Jonathan Vaught, CEO and Co-Founder of Front Range Biosciences

By Aaron Green

In this article, Aaron Green sits down with Jonathan Vaught, Ph.D., CEO of Front Range Biosciences, to learn more about the origins of the company, how he thinks about genetics and the engineering of “smart plants.”

December 22, 2020

2020 CQC Episode 16, Cultivation Technology

By Cannabis Industry Journal Staff

In the 16th and final episode of the 2020 Cannabis Quality Virtual Conference, check out "A Panel Discussion: Integrated Lifecycle of Designing a Cultivation Operation" and "Advanced Technology for Precision Cultivation."

December 14, 2020

Facility Considerations for Cultivation & Manufacturing: A Case Study

By David Vaillencourt

In this case study, David Vaillencourt takes a look at how to avoid some typical facility design and operational oversights that could become expensive. Learn how to maintain a competitive edge in a constantly changing market and use data-driven controls for materials, processes and people.

November 18, 2020

NCIA Publishes Environmental Sustainability Recommendations

By Cannabis Industry Journal Staff

The report published by the National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA) highlights some current problem areas in the market where practices are less than sustainable and provides some steps for ways the industry can move forward sustainably.

November 2, 2020

2021 Trends: Nine Developments in California’s Cannabis Market

By Amy Steinfeld, Jack Ucciferri

In this piece, we take a look at nine new developments coming for the California cannabis market in 2021. From new retail opportunities to the appellations project to market consolidation, there are a number of exciting trends coming in the new year.

October 27, 2020

2020 CQC Episode 8, Supply Chain Quality

By Cannabis Industry Journal Staff

In the 8th episode of the 2020 Cannabis Quality Virtual Conference, check out “Upstream Innovations in Mold Mitigation” and “Practical Analytical Considerations for Cannabis Producers & Processors”

October 13, 2020

UT-Arlington and UT-El Paso to Evaluate Phytochrome Manipulation in Hemp

By Cannabis Industry Journal Staff

The Collaborative Laboratories for Environmental Analysis and Remediation (CLEAR) launched a collaborative effort with Curtis Mathes Grow Lights and ZED Therapeutics, a hemp genetics company to characterize the phytochemical effects of phytochrome manipulation using various LED horticultural lights of differing light spectrum, and novel high-yielding single stalk varietals of hemp.

October 13, 2020

Using Spreadsheets as Your ERP? Your Supply Chain Could Take a Hit

By Tom Brennan

Let’s face it. 2020 has been a difficult year, but perhaps it’s the year that companies finally forego spreadsheets and enlist an industrial-strength cloud platform.

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Columns

January 7, 2021

Soapbox

Break Up Vertical Integration

By Ryan Douglas

In this excerpt from his book, From Seed to Success: How to Launch a Great Cannabis Cultivation Business in Record Time, Ryan Douglas offers an interesting take on the vertically integrated cannabis business model. He argues vertical integration is not in the best interest of the consumer and that businesses should identify their strengths and seek to specialize in one aspect of the supply chain.

September 22, 2020

Why You Should Consider Parametric Insurance to Protect Your Outdoor Cannabis Crop

By Evan Stait

Outdoor cannabis crops aren’t covered by traditional crop insurance. But in a hardening property insurance market, a world of climate change and shifting weather patterns, growers are looking for a way to mitigate their risk. Parametric insurance may be your best bet.

August 5, 2020

The Brand Marketing Byte

The Hottest U.S. Cannabis Brands Right Now

By Cannabis Industry Journal Staff

In this week’s Brand Marketing Byte, we take a look at Pioneer Intelligence’s hottest U.S. (non-retail) cannabis brands for the month of July. Using their large data set and gauging metrics within social media, earned media attention and more, these are the companies that are getting the most out of their marketing.

June 16, 2020

The Hopes of Illinois Social Equity Applicants

By Taneeshia Thomas

At the intersection of the Black Lives Matter movement, protests across the country and socio-economic woes facing the nation, comes some hope for change in Illinois. “I speak for all the ghettos when I say this: give us access to the capital and we will get the rest done on our own.”

June 16, 2020

Soapbox

Cannabis Shifts to a Luxury Brand

By John Shearman

From authentication to tagging and tracing: In this piece, Shearman takes a look at all of the innovative ways growers are elevating cannabis products to luxury status.

June 8, 2020

The Top 4 Things Cultivation Directors Should Discuss With Their Operations Manager Right Now

By Lucas Targos

Communication is key for efficient interaction between cultivation and business functions at any cannabis operator. According to Lucas, cultivation directors should be tackling these topics with their operations managers as they prepare for summer 2020 and beyond.

March 25, 2020

Soapbox

Clean Grow Still Failing? Check for Endophytic Mold

By Bernie Lorenz, PhD

The practice of checking mother plants for Endophytic mold is not yet commonplace in cannabis, but the hemp business is leading the way. They’re testing to create very clean plants, so you don’t have issues during cultivation.

March 5, 2020

Thinking of Hiring a Cultivation Consultant? Here’s What You Can Expect

By David Perkins

Don’t make the same mistakes that others have – hire an experienced consultant, do your homework and know what to expect.

March 2, 2020

Product Safety Hazards: Looking Beyond Food Safety in Cannabis

By Radojka Barycki

Cannabis safety is not just about edibles and food-borne illness. Take a look at several safety hazards encountered by cultivators, processors, manufacturers and retailers.

February 10, 2020

Judge A Book By Its Cover: Why Understanding Information Economics is Critical to Gain Consumer Trust and Build a Sustainable Brand

By Nathan Libbey

Information economics has existed for decades and drives much of how products, including cannabis, are marketed and purchased. Understanding different product attributes is key to setting up a sustainable cannabis product, corporation, and industry.

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Upcoming Events & Webinars

January 20, 2021 – 12:00 pm – 4:30 pm

Cannabis Labs Virtual Conference

The Cannabis Labs Virtual Conference is back! For five years now, we have been hosting this complimentary collection of webinar presentations, designed to help attendees better understand some of the more technical aspects of starting and operating a laboratory. We will take a deep dive into cannabis and hemp testing, R&D testing, laboratory accreditation, regulatory compliance, and more. Sign up today for this free virtual event.