It has been four years since Florida voters first passed a constitutional amendment to legalize medicinal cannabis. This amendment allowed for the production and sale of cannabis edibles infused with THC, but product development was delayed due to a lack of adequate regulations regarding testing and consumer safety. On August 20th, 2020, the Florida Department of Health published regulations and … Read More
Importance of LIMS in Hemp Testing Laboratories
Hemp and cannabis testing laboratories receive high volumes of samples every day, making workflow management and quality control a real challenge. A lab’s primary product is data, which needs to be accurate, reliable, and reproducible. A Laboratory Information Management System, also known as an LIMS, eliminates the risks of human error by automating crucial processes. This advanced software is used … Read More
FDA Issues Guidelines for Development of Cannabis-Based Drugs
Legislative changes, including the 2018 Farm Bill, have opened the doors to clinical research on cannabis-based medicinal products. Recognizing the potential opportunities that cannabis compounds may offer, the FDA recently published preliminary guidance on how to conduct federally approved research for drugs containing cannabis or cannabis-derived compounds. The federal agency states that activities relating to the cultivation and manufacture of … Read More
Types of Cannabis Extracts and What They Do
With more states providing legal access to cannabis concentrates and extracts, the marketplace is rife with a diverse selection of high-potency products. Whether used for their therapeutic or medicinal properties, it’s important to learn about different types, how they are made, and how to use them. What are cannabis concentrates? Concentrates or extracts are created by separating the resin from … Read More
Can Hemp Help Your Pets?
Devoted pet owners are always looking for new ways to keep their furry friends healthy and happy, and many are reporting benefits from hemp-derived CBD oil. Just like their humans, dogs and cats have endocannabinoid systems that interact with cannabidiol compounds found in cannabis and hemp. This interplay with receptors is what allows CBD to work its magic on our … Read More
Where to Get Hemp CBD Lab Testing
The quality of products containing CBD varies widely, with lab researchers describing the current state of the industry as “the Wild West.” The patchwork of regulations leaves businesses confused about what is expected of them, especially if they hope to sell products across state lines. Here in Florida, the Department of Health’s Office of Medical Marijuana Use has adopted an … Read More
Do You Know What’s in Your Hemp’s Soil? Growing Hemp Outdoors
If you ask an experienced farmer of industrial hemp for tips on a great harvest, they’ll likely start talking about soil quality. Hemp, or cannabis sativa, is a hardy weed, but growing it outdoors can pose myriad challenges, particularly in Florida, where the climate is hot and humid. There needs to be adequate drainage, proper acidity levels, decent water retention, … Read More
What Are Cannabis Terpenes and What Do They Do?
The distinctive aromas and flavors we associate with cannabis are all thanks to organic molecules known as terpenes. Terpenes are inert chemicals that are produced by all flowers and plants, not just cannabis. These fragrant molecules are the main component of essential oils utilized in both aromatherapy and traditional medicine. Terpenes are what give oranges their wonderful citrus smell, and … Read More
The Difference Between Terpenes and Cannabinoids
Terpenes and cannabinoids are active chemical compounds in the cannabis plant, and both perform important functions. Cannabinoids like CBD and THC are largely responsible for the psychoactive, therapeutic, and medicinal benefits of cannabis. Terpenes are lesser-known compounds found in cannabis and are responsible for flavor and smell. What do cannabinoids do? The majority of the 100+ known cannabinoids do not … Read More
The Variety of Uses of Hemp
A member of the Cannabaceae family, hemp is a type of cannabis sativa that has hundreds of practical uses. Hemp cultivation dates back thousands of years, with civilizations across Europe, Asia, and Africa growing the plant for its durable fibers. Hemp found its way to North America in the 17th century, where farmers grew the crops for rope, cloth, paper, … Read More