We have been growing ornamental landscaping plants since 1992 and started growing Hemp in April 2020.
Is hemp your primary crop? And what do you produce (pulp, CBD, textiles)?
No, hemp is not our primary crop. Riverside Hemp is currently growing hemp seedlings for indoor and outdoor farmers with a focus on CBD varieties.
Do you offer any specialty products you would like to talk about (organic body care, construction materials)?
We are not producing any specialty hemp products at this time, but we are researching all possible outlets.
Can you describe your growing/processing operation?
The growing processes at Riverside Hemp are organic methods and indoor greenhouses for the highest quality consumable CBD products.
What are your hopes or expectations for the future of hemp farming?
Our roots run deep in Texas Agriculture. We want to see additional avenues that will help our local ag families thrive.
How have the challenges you encounter every day helped you become a better farmer?
We have been growing for 28 years. You learn from your mistakes and you grow everything with a scientific and methodical approach. Look for the best varieties in your region and through trial and error you figure out what doesn’t work. The Hemp industry isn’t any different. Always set yourself up for success.
Has growing hemp presented any special challenges?
There haven’t been any unique challenges in growing our hemp seedlings, but there is always something to learn when producing a new crop.
Do you find hemp farming a more rewarding endeavor than your ornamental landscaping business?
It is not more or less rewarding than our ornamental plants for landscaping. It is definitely different. It is exciting and an honor to be making history with Texas.
What were the major steps involved in adding hemp farming to your operation?
The major step was updating greenhouses to be better suited for hemp plants, as well as additional security. We are also very strict on sanitation stations before entering to keep the most sterile environment for our plants.
This week we spoke with Noe, Joe, and Frank of TPS Labs and discussed growing tips and do’s and dont’s with regards to growing hemp flower here in the Lone Star state. Soils and seeds are crucial to grow operations in this short trial run of 2020’s grow season. We also spoke with our co-hosts Jesse’s publisher “Austin” of the Texas Cannabis Collective and the great job their website does on reporting hemp and cannabis news here in Texas.
Smokable Hemp Ban in Texas, Temporary Injunction Granted – Win for Texas Manufacturers, Processors & Retailers and this weeks show we featured two of the States attorneys that are leading the charge to keep smokable Hemp here in Texas for retailers, growers,processors and of course consumers. Chelsie Spenceris a cannabis and hemp attorney. She is a founding member of Ritter Spencer PLLC. Chelsie practices in the areas of medical marijuana and hemp and represents clients across those industries for their business law and compliance needs.
Lisa Pittman – Lisa is Co-chair of the Cannabis Business Law practice. A leader and authority in the cannabis industry, which includes state legal marijuana and federally legal hemp, Lisa was recently appointed to be a Nonresident Fellow at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy as a member of the Drug Policy Program. Lisa also was appointed to the Texas Department of Agriculture Industrial Hemp Advisory Council, a role that provides her insight and influence on the regulations for the Texas hemp program, with the goal of propelling Texas to be the preeminent producer of hemp in the United States.
On September 17, 2020, Travis County Judge Lora Livingston ruled on a request for temporary injunction in a lawsuit filed by manufacturers and retailers of smokable hemp products in Texas. The injunction sought to prevent the State from enforcing its new regulations banning the manufacture, processing, distribution, and retail sale of hemp for smoking. The temporary injunction was partially granted, in that smokable hemp product businesses may carry on without facing penalties or fines under the status quo as it existed prior to the August 2nd effective date of the new rule – at least until the final trial on the merits set for February 1, 2021.Grinded weed shaped as Texas and a joint.(series)
2020 Fall Season is recorded at Take Off Terminal Studios in Austin.
Show Notes
Russell Dowden and co-host is Jesse Williams of the Texas Cannabis Collective will interview the guests below and we encourage you to support the Texas Hemp Reporter and the Texas Hemp Show by sharing the link with your social sites and friends. See the list of guest below
2020 Texas Hemp Show Promo
Texas Hemp Show
The Texas Hemp Reporter new Podcast: The Texas Hemp Show is now recorded every Tuesday at 5pm and is released each week on Wednesdays. For news and the latest information on the growing Hemp industry in the Lone Star State.
Call in # for Guests only is my cell Phone # 512-897-7823 c.
Summary
This is Show # 1 of the Podcast. Recorded at Take Off Terminal Studios in Austin.
Show Notes:
This week on the show we have John Kern’s of New Bloom Labs, Ben Meggs of Bayou City Hemp in
Houston & Adam Jernigan Co-Founder COO | Sweet Sensi CBD. Great kick-off for the new Podcast,
and our co-host is Jesse Williams of the Texas Cannabis Collective. We discuss the smokable
Hemp ruling for Texas as well as the MORE Act of 2019. A great show for week 1 and we
encourage you to support the Texas Hemp Reporter and the Texas Hemp Show by sharing
the link with your social sites and friends. What is The Texas Hemp Show ?
The Texas Hemp Reporter new Podcast: The Texas Hemp Show is now recorded every Tuesday at 5pm
and is released each week on Wednesdays. For news and the latest information on the growing Hemp industry in the Lone Star State.
You Can Upgrade your Print marketing with :30 Spots on our Podcast that airs each week online and on social media.
Herring Bank began banking Cannabis-Hemp related businesses in April of 2019, with the goal of building lasting relationships.
Herring Bank is a privately-owned Bank, based in Amarillo Texas. The Bank opened in 1899 and has been owned by the same family since its inception.
Since 1899, Herring Bank has built all of its business on the platform of developing “Relationships for a Lifetime.”
Prior to providing banking services to the cannabis-hemp industries, we spent a significant amount of time attending Cannabis related conferences, seminars and other events in order to learn as much as we could about the cannabis-hemp industry and their banking needs. We learned a lot about the challenges that businesses were facing in maintaining banking relationships and services, as well as, the costs the industry was incurring for their banking needs. Herring Bank realized that this industry was in desperate need for basic banking services.
One of the most important things we do at Herring Bank and in banking the Cannabis-Hemp Industry is to know our customer. During the initial on-boarding of a Cannabis-Hemp related business we follow regulatory guidance by collecting information related to the business, business owners, and identify how they are related to the cannabis industry.
Starbuds Dispensary owner, Sher Joudeh, has been banking with Herring Bank since the bank started banking cannabis-hemp related businesses. According to Sher, “Access to banking with Herring Bank has been critical to the operation and expansion of our cannabis business. With the ease of online banking, bill pay, wire transfers and normal banking abilities, it has been revolutionary in our cash management and cash handling. Banking with Herring Bank has been great, their staff is helpful, and their customer service is impeccable.”
With the legalization of Cannabis-Hemp from farm to table in some fashion in more than two-thirds of the United States and minimal financial intuitions banking this industry, Herring Bank wanted to step up and help make a difference.
We identified there was a huge lack of banking opportunities and access to other financial services which poses both an economic threat and a public safety threat. Simply having a business checking account at Herring Bank helps these businesses put their cash into a bank where it is safe. These businesses can now pay their bills, taxes and employees with a check rather than cash. They also have the ability to use online banking, debit cards and originate wire transfers to pay vendors.
All in all, by opening our doors to this industry, we have helped make this industry safer for both the business and their staff.
*Herring Bank is a privately-owned Bank, based in Amarillo Texas. The Bank opened in 1899 and has been owned by the same family since its inception. Herring Bank is a community bank that with 12 branches in three states, (two in Altus Oklahoma, 1 in Colorado Springs, Colorado and 9 located in Texas.
CBD has now joined fitness, sports, and diet as part of a daily lifestyle for optimal health. Since 2015, the CBD market has been growing larger by the day and CBD is showing up everywhere!
CBD oil is being used for any number of ailments, including lessening everyday aches and pains, easing anxiety and depression, and reducing the severity of symptoms associated with osteopenia, osteoporosis, diabetes, epilepsy, insomnia, fibromyalgia, rosacea, eczema, psoriasis, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. It also acts as an anti-convulsant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidating agent to ease neuropathic pain and aids in reducing symptoms of Crohn’s disease. In a study from The European Journal of Pain, using an animal model, CBD applied on the skin was shown to lower chronic pain and inflammation due to arthritis. CBD is not just good for those of us reading this article, it is also good for our dogs and cats, who also want to continue chasing the tennis ball or jumping on the bed.
CBD oil’s broad range of benefits, success stories and stamp of approval from the medical industry have turned its image from marginal to mainstream. Because of this, CBD is showing up in all kinds of retail stores, from pharmacies, grocery stores, gyms, golf pro shops, day spas, and massage therapy chains.
Furthermore, after the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) removed hemp-derived CBD from its list of prohibited substances in 2018, many elite and professional athletes have rushed to include it in their training table to give them a competitive edge.
Because CBD is used to help with pain, training recovery, sleep, and calming nerves, it’s a natural and green choice and can also be used as a training aid to speed muscle recovery and ease muscle aches from daily workouts.
In life, as in sports, we must recover well to play well!
What is CBD oil and what does CBD stand for?
CBD short for Cannabidiol, is derived from the cannabis plant and is the most well-known cannabinoid, second to THC. It is important to note that CBD and THC are only two (2) of more than 100 different cannabinoids present in both marijuana and full spectrum hemp based products (i.e. CBGA; CBDA; CBCA; CBGVA; CBDVA; and CBCVA to name just a few) found in the cannabis plant. It is also important to note that CBD is found in both hemp and marijuana.
However, the cannabinoid responsible for giving users a high is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, which is more prevalent in marijuana, and not in hemp.
In addition to the 100 plus cannabinoids, the hemp plant’s resin glands also produce important healing terpenes, which give it its distinct smell and flavor, and also influence the plants cannabinoids and how it works in your brain and body.
It is important to remember that Texas legal full spectrum, hemp derived CBD products do not cause the euphoric high associated with marijuana because they are required to have less than 0.3 percent THC. Basically, CBD is weed’s sober cousin! As a matter of fact, full spectrum hemp derived CBD is the non-intoxicating alternative to marijuana with most all of the same health and therapeutic benefits.
Mother nature puts her medicine in the plants . What’s Good for People is Good for Pets!
Dogs have also been known to respond well to CBD Meds with success. “Woof”
Most notably, full spectrum hemp derived CBD it is said to have anti-inflammatory, anti-anxiety, anti-seizure, anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, immunosuppressive, and neuro-protectant properties, making it a viable, daily, natural plant-based product for many human and pet wellness issues. Hemp-derived CBD oil, is now readily available in salves, lotions, beauty supplies, pet treats and so much more.
All in all, CBD is beneficial for most of the same ailments in humans as it is with their mammalian friends.
Another surprise with CBD, is that salves and topicals are anti-microbial and may also help with acne due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Many people suffering from psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and eczema are experiencing positive results with topical hemp products. CBD’s anti-oxidant properties also protect the skin’s collagen and elastin against damage from the sun and free radicals and is therefore often credited with anti-aging properties.
Additionally, CBD soothes cracked paws, promotes healthy skin and coat, and eases arthritis in our furry friends too! As you can see, CBD oil offers benefits that spread far and wide. Full spectrum (whole plant) hemp-derived CBD gets people and their pets healthy, not high, thus making it a viable product for human and pets medical and wellness issues.
CBD Quality matters – Know where it’s grown. Look for full spectrum!
When purchasing CBD products where and how the product was grown and processed needs to be carefully considered. It is important to know your products were not grown in soils that have lead, arsenic, mercury and other environmental pollutants and toxins.
Even the air quality surrounding the hemp farm matters! Since hemp is a hyper-accumulator plant, it takes in elements from all sources including air, water and soil. As a hyper-accumulator, hemp can grow in soil or water with very high concentrations of metals, absorbing these metals through their roots, and concentrating extremely high levels of metals in their tissues.
Because of this, when you purchase hemp derived CBD products, it’s important to know where the hemp came from, considering you may be consuming toxins that the hemp plant accumulated from the ground, water and air. This is especially applicable when hemp is concentrated into oil or products like CBD.
And as a result, CBD concentrates can ultimately contain more toxins than the plant itself.
When evaluating a full-spectrum hemp-derived product, also make sure it is processed in an FDA-registered facility and utilizes third-party-verified good manufacturing practices. This is because until recently, it has been illegal to grow hemp it in the U.S. and a lot of hemp is still purchased from overseas, in China and Eastern Europe for example where environmental pollutants abound. Look for American-grown, full-spectrum hemp-derived products that have a COA (Certificate of Authenticity) provided by the manufacturer.
In short, always buy from a trusted American source!
Whole Plant Medicine – The Entourage Effect – You get what you pay for.
Whole plant medicine refers to using all of the phytocannabiniods, not just the isolated parts of the plant for use in the final product. This means not isolating some of the hemp plant elements from the rest of the plant. Products that contain as many cannabinoids and phytochemicals as possible are called full plant extracts, also known as whole plant medicine.
Also make sure your products are full spectrum which means they encompass the whole plant and are capable of providing the “entourage effect,” which denotes the synergy between all of the cannabis compounds: terpenes, chlorophyll, proteins, enzymes, alkaloids, and flavonoids that magnify the therapeutic benefits in the brain and body. These naturally occurring compounds work together to produce the very important and necessary “entourage effect”. A lot of CBD-labeled products are not full spectrum and therefore not whole-plant-based. For example, CBD “isolate” products that are commonly sold are usually inexpensive, are not full spectrum and do not provide whole-plant medicine. CBD full-spectrum, entourage effect capable cannabis extracts are more effective for you and your pet’s wellness.
Dosage – start low and go slow – there is no one-size-fits-all approach.
Regarding dosage, always consult with a healthcare professional or your veterinarian who has knowledge and experience working with CBD, as well as, the endocannabinoid system, anatomy, physiology and human or pet health applications. The biggest question these days is where do you buy it and/or who do you buy it from?
One important thing to know is that hemp-derived CBD responses vary from person to person, age to age and animal to animal, some may need a dose four times a day, once a day, or every other day — always start with a low dose and increase slowly until you identify the level that provides relief for you or your pet. Additionally, dosage levels vary greatly in children, adults, the elderly, from male to female and will also vary greatly among pets.
Know The Five W’s of Purchasing CBD
Remember if you buy anywhere in the USA currently no government agency or any other type of organization will protect you.
The CBD market right now is in the wild, wild, west stage so know the five W’s when you purchase: Who grew it, Where was it grown, When was it grown, and finally Why and What am I using CBD for.
All in all, there is no one-size-fits-all approach, so always seek an experienced CBD professional’s guidance.
At this point in time, while many of CBD’s claims are considered anecdotal, it doesn’t mean they aren’t true. The consensus is that CBD is potentially better for our bodies than taking chemically designed pills or rubbing chemically designed lotions on the body.
Hemp Doctors USA products are available online, for local delivery and can be mailed anywhere in the United States. Please feel free to contact:
Sarah Scott, President, CEO of Hemp Doctor’s USA. (Contact info.)
Sarah Scott’s Hemp History
Looking for a daily natural, healthy, plant-based alternative to traditional medicines for her mother, personal training, post-surgical clients, and Billy her epileptic puppy, she founded Austin-based Hemp Doctors USA in 2014, which sells farm-to-table American-grown natural oils, tinctures and salves for people, dogs, cats and horses.
Ms. Scott is also the founder of the original Austin, Texas based Ironsmith–The Fitness Doctors established in 1989, one of the city and nation’s first personal-training gym corporations and one of the most successful groups of personal training, sports training and post-surgical medical exercise facilities in Austin. She has spent the past 30 years working as a trainer, coach, and visiting professor and consultant for numerous colleges, professional athletes, sports teams with an additional focus on disease management, cancer recovery, traumatic brain injury post rehabilitation, and post-surgical exercise.
Her years as an allied health and sport care professional greatly influenced the creation of Hemp Doctors USA. Her keen understanding of the human endocannabinoid system, how CBD works, coupled with her knowledge of sports medicine, kinesiology and human physiology, underscores her expert know-how for CBD human-health applications.
“Mother Nature is at the heart of all our products!Cellular health is the backbone of fitness and bringing trusted CBD products to people and their pets has been a journey of the heart and soul for me! My daily mission is to create a healthier world for people, pets and the planet. Sarah Scott ~ Founder
Sarah Elizabeth Scott, The Texas Hempress, CBD Expert, Consultant, is a Medical Exercise & Fitness Coach who founded Hemp Doctors USA, one of the first Texas based, full spectrum hemp derived CBD companies selling American grown products, in 2014. Hemp Doctors USA is one of the first to incorporate in Austin and in Texas.
Hemp Doctors USA is celebrating its fifth year selling farm-to-table American-grown CBD oils, capsules and salves for people, dogs, cats and horses. Also the founder of another Austin, Texas original, IronSmith – The Fitness Doctors, one of the nation’s first personal-training gym corporations in 1989. Sarah Scott has spent 30 years working as a trainer, coach, collegiate and professional athletic consultant, and allied healthcare practitioner.
Connect with Sarah E. Scott on Facebook, or Instagram at TexasHempress, HempDoctorsUSA, and CBDAskTheExpert. For more information, visit HempDoctorsUSA.com.
Interview with Mike Sandoval, President of Sante Labs
The Texas Hemp Reporter has partnered with Santé Laboratories and we spoke with Mike Sandoval, President of Santé Laboratories to understand how they have prepared to serve the Texas hemp agriculture community through testing!
Russell @ Texas Hemp Reporter:I’m here with Mike Sandoval, President of Santé Laboratories. Thank you for stepping out of the office and laboratory to talk to me and readers of the Texas Hemp Reporter. Please tell us about Santé Laboratories and provide an overview of your lab services. I’ve been made to understand you built a passionate and talented team and house the world’s best analytical and manufacturing equipment to support your business and customers.
Mike @ Santé Labs: It’s a pleasure to be here today and I’m grateful that we share similar enthusiasm towards the Texas hemp agriculture community. Sante Laboratories is the leading contract development and manufacturing organization to offer contract hemp test services to the agricultural, supplement, and pharmaceutical industry. Over the last 2 years, we developed and commercialize a drug delivery technology to render cannabinoids shelf-stable, bioavailable, and water miscible to address the titanic gap in compliant and retail friendly products. Our persistent focus to raise the bar, leverage good science, and responsibly shape new standards of excellence through hemp testing and product development is something I’m very excited to share with the community. In spirit, ask me whatever questions you have.
Russell @ Texas Hemp Reporter: What makes Santé Labs so unique? And can you explain to us what testing “Hot” means?
Mike @ Sante Labs: Aside from being the first and largest hemp contract research and testing laboratory in the State of Texas, I believe good science, well-rounded expertise, and meaningful relationships is our differentiator. And that’s pretty much it. It’s absolutely critical to work with a lab that has the experience and expertise of delivering good science and understanding of regulatory requirements to mitigate compliance risks. A partner like us with high level proficiency to ensure test methods and laboratory processes deployed to determine THC and safety on crops was develop and validated according to scientific and regulatory rigor to cover all potential risks and demonstrate to State and federal regulatory authorities that crop test results are valid. Science aside, we build relationships with each of our customers incredibly well. And we put our customer’s need at the center of everything we do, and this begins with providing high quality, traceable testing services, and solutions to overcome challenges. We like to understand challenges and then come up with solutions to address them quickly. Our strengths are science, customer service, and innovation. We spend hundreds of thousands of dollars per year on R&D which includes method development, process optimization, information management, and training to support innovation and thus customer value. We continuously increase testing capacity through procurement of additional equipment to support demand and unique customer needs. We’re a company where innovation is our life blood, and we basically have to innovate and bring stronger sciences and services to the Texas hemp agriculture market to touch and improve lives of our farmers.
Regarding testing “hot” – this means a crop (or finished products for brands) contained more than 0.3% THC, which is the threshold set by State and Federal law. In other words, to be legal, your crop must test at or below 0.3% THC. Challenges are going to be experienced and I encourage farmers to test early and often for THC and build relationships with a professional sampling organization and laboratory. At Sante, we work with the guys at Texas Hemp Samplers. Jacob, Trent, and their team are remarkable, well-informed, and focused to help Texan farmers. Genetics, soil condition, and weather can all impact THC levels therefore like healthcare, preventative care will always be the most beneficial. Good science and strong analytical test methods are required to determine if a crop is “hot” or not.
Drip hemp oil into a glass bottle. CBD oil. Cannabis. Alternative medical concepts. Scientific research. Medical education and research.
Russell @ Texas Hemp Reporter: The TDA and USDA states that hemp testing laboratories are not required to be ISO 17025 accredited, although it is strongly encouraged to adhere to ISO 17025 standards. Where does Santé’ Labs measure on this standard?
Mike @ Sante Labs: At the end of the day it comes down to trust. Customer trust is very important to me and that trust can only be earned through good science and commitment to laboratory quality control procedures and guided decisions to release trustworthy results. Sante is an ISO 17025 accredited laboratory. We were accredited to the 2017 standards compared to 2005 which enacts more rigorous controls to practice risk-based thinking, impartiality, and traceability. Robust workflow traceability with comprehensive audit trails and fully searchable workflows is a must to help ensure data integrity and consistency in the life cycle of every sample that arrives at our laboratory. Look, we’re entrusted by pharmacies and drug companies as well therefore data transparency, traceability, standard operating procedure and documentation is a must and maintaining ISO 17025 accreditation helps us meet these standards. Don’t get me wrong, good science can come from labs without ISO 17025 accreditation, however I encourage customers to think twice about labs that are unwilling to invest into a quality management system to ensure validity of their results. On the flip side, ISO 17025 accredited does not necessarily guarantee high quality testing and certainly does not differentiate a good lab between a bad one. And I’d be happy expand on this topic during our next interview.
Russell @ Texas Hemp Reporter: Can farmers get discounted pricing from Sante if they simply keep using you for all their testing needs?
Mike @ Sante Labs: Yes, we offer a number of packages tailored to all customer architypes. I believe what we do well as an organization is taking time to clearly understand who we serve. In doing so, we developed an appreciation of who our customers are and intimate knowledge base of their testing needs and end goals. Only then can we figure out how to deliver high-value lab testing that can impact their lives. Our customers are so different from one another. The lab tests a farmer versus an extractor may want are not the same. If we get this mixed up or try to offer the same testing panel, both will be dissatisfied. I refuse to titrate to the middle. We must allow those differences to coexist and deliver testing solutions that make the most sense.
Russell @ Texas Hemp Reporter: What is your opinion of on-site or “on-farm” lab testing? Is this safe and should farmer consider this a viable tool to support pre-compliance tests?
Mike @ Sante Labs: Lab testing, as it may often seem, is not a black-box phenomenon. Pre-compliance and compliance testing are high stakes. To date, I have not identified a company that offers a competitive solution that does not solely rely on economics and ease of use. We rely on proven, data-driven, and tried and true methodologies and fundamental sciences to provide accurate, reproducible, and legally defensible data packages to our customers. There are hundreds of nuances that mobile lab testing or “on-site HPLCs with proprietary software” do not consider that brick-n-motor laboratories do, like Sante. For example, we employ 2 laboratory trained technicians committed to performing daily, weekly, and monthly process and instrument calibration checks. There is an enormous amount of paperwork and manpower needed to preserve traceability and maintain calibrations of critical process steps such as micro balances and pipettors to ensure reliable measurements are made every single day in our lab. We routinely perform installation qualifications, operating qualifications, and preventative maintenance by the manufacture, and in-house performance qualifications to help us to deliver trust-worthy test results. We allocate a substantial amount of capital to ensure all of our equipment is capable of producing legally defensible and most importantly scientifically valid test results that our customers can rely on. Additionally, we have an enormous focus on data integrity and strong workflows. Some of the most common data integrity issues spoke about from regulators relate to the way which electronic data is managed and stored. While on-site labs are appealing and check the boxes of convenience, turn-around time, and reduced sample costs, these benefits are intangible and speculative, in my opinion, an unreliable business model that poses great risk to the end user, at this point in time.
Russell @ Texas Hemp Reporter: What kind of companies does Sante’ test for now and what range of products do you test for?
Mike@ Sante Labs: Sante Laboratories is a contract development and manufacturing organization for hemp and cannabinoid-based products. In the biopharmaceutical industry, organizations like us are referred to as CROs and/or CDMOs. With that said, we serve majority stake holders in agriculture and finished product value chains by providing access to contract lab testing services. For example, we work with pre/post-harvest hemp biomass to support State and USDA requirements for THC compliance and raw materials analysis to support GxP manufacturing operations. We also have an extensive test portfolio for finished products that includes CBD and other cannabinoids for human use. As many of our customers can confirm, we outperform other labs with difficult and complex matrices such as flower, edibles, and non-traditional drug delivery systems including nanoparticle and novel water-soluble products. Innovation in workflows and developing scientifically sound test methods is a basic customer right and it’s something we love to commit time towards. Through countless conferences and lengthy and often emotional discussions with customers, we’ve been made to understand strong science, innovation, and attention to detail is what the hemp industry needs. Regardless of what everyone thinks, whatever the hemp testing market is or may become, innovation and forward-thinking science must be customer led.
Russell @ Texas Hemp Reporter: Can you talk about label compliance?
Mike @ Sante Labs: Its more appropriate to speak about label compliance when referring to finished goods such as CBD supplements. As you know, until the FDA renders CBD finished products as dietary supplements, there are minimal regulations to enforce expiration date claims. There are a number of class action lawsuits against CBD consumer brands that failed to substantiate shelf-life and safety claims that puts the industry at risk. We can help. Sante labs has the capacity to determine stability of CBD and/or other active ingredients in supplements and therefore the shelf-life of a product. Shelf-life is not an end all be all for a product to be considered “compliant”. Product and formulation safety and accurate label claims are so important, and this disregard keep me up at night. This is why we Sante is pleased to offer a number of CMC considerations which includes chemistry, manufacturing, and controls to develop high quality products. I look forward to going into more depth on this topic on the next issue.
Russell @ Texas Hemp Reporter: Can you explain to the readers how you measure total delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (D9-THC) concentration levels in their crop?
Mike @ Sante Labs: At Sante, we use Ultra High-Pressure Liquid Chromatography (UHPLC) systems coupled with diode-array detectors for unmatched limit of quantification and simultaneous detection of cannabinoids including d9-THC. We also have mass spectrometers in tandem for customers that reside in certain States that require mass confirmation of cannabinoids. Liquid chromatography is a robust and proven platform for detection of drugs including cannabinoids in the pharmaceutical and hemp industry. To quantify THC in samples, we developed and validated highly efficient extraction processes to yield analytical consistency and repeatability. We only purchase certified reference material (we call these CRMs) from ISO 17034 qualified suppliers that meet our internal quality specification. Test results are only as accurate as CRMs used to quantitate customer cannabinoid and non-cannabinoid test results. Knowing this, we allocated capital into cold chain storage and 6 place analytical balances to responsibly handle all CRMs. In my opinion, this is why on-site lab business models or “off the shelf” in-house equipment suppliers experience inadequacy after factoring in all the nuances a high-quality laboratory must embrace.
Russell @ Texas Hemp Reporter: What is the best way to contact you and Sante Labs for testing services?
Mike @ Sante Labs: My team and I are readily accessible by email, phone, and through the website. I’m excited to announce that we successfully implemented an API onto the website to give our customers direct access to our calendars to schedule meetings on-demand. Most of us work flexible and long hours to deliver value to our domestic and international customers so I’m confident we can accommodate nearly all schedules. I look forward to speak with new and existing customers and be a resource however that may be.
Russell @ Texas Hemp Reporter: What the heck is U = K *uc?
Mike @ Sante Labs: (Laughter). It’s a confusing and overwhelming equation. Ok, give me some rope here… U stands for measurement of uncertainty, k stands for coverage factor, and uc is combined uncertainty that factors in repeatability, reproducibility, and accuracy uncertainty. To put simply, U, or measurement of uncertainty is the “give or take” or “error” of a specific test a laboratory performs. All measurements have error and the same is true for every item such as rulers, compasses, thermometers, and volume decibels on a television. Measurement of uncertainty is extraordinarily important for a laboratory to understand as the relationship between precision of an analytical test method (total THC) and its measurement variability is directly proportional to the concentration at which the analyte (or THC) is being quantified. There is generally more uncertainty and variability in measurements when testing for trace levels. This is particularly apparent when testing residual pesticides, which is why labs are forced to purchase $350k mass spectrometers to do it right. The same is true when testing for 0.3% THC. The difference between 0.3% THC and 0.32% THC is legal vs. illegal. This is why we invested into the best analytical equipment and employ the brightest minds to produce the most repeatable and defendable results with the lowest reported error. No shortcuts were made. The USDA and the Texas Agriculture Department requires all laboratories that analyze hemp for THC compliance to report measurement uncertainty. This is a regulatory requirement and labs should have internal documentation to support the claimed uncertainty. I’m proud to report that Sante has the lowest and most defensible measurement of uncertainty for THC which gives our customers peace of mind and edge to compete in this space.
Russell @ Texas Hemp Reporter:Any final thoughts to fans of hemp and Texas farmers Texas?
Mike @ Sante Labs: Don’t give up, have faith in the system, be patient with labs and regulators, and do due diligence on whom you choose to work with. This applies to the lab you choose as well. Texas farmers that we work with today are some of the most resilient, humble, and intelligent people we’ve had the opportunity to meet – and I want them to learn from mistake of others rather than making their own. The Texas hemp industry is new, and we have incredible leadership working hard to ensure the success of all stakeholders. However, there is much we do not know, and good science and responsible regulations take time. I’m a firm believer if we’re going to succeed as an industry, we must have that pervasiveness in everything we do. My advice…build meaningful relationships with everyone you work with, openly communicate, and collaborate. Your success is our success and vice versa.
Russell @ Texas Hemp Reporter: Mike, thank you for talking with us this month. I look forward to following up with you in a few months and learn how you and Santé Labs have taken care of Texas farmers.
Mike @ Sante Labs:Russell, thank you. Look, the Texas agriculture economy will lead the United States hemp market, and it will all begin with testing. And access to strong science and dependable lab results will be a big part of winning this in the end, and we’re absolutely committed to making that happen. Many farmers we work with today are personal friends of ours, and I admire them a lot. Just like many of our other customers. And I look forward to serving them to our fullest potential.
Our affection for CBD started back in 2016. After an MS diagnosis, a loved one began suffering chronic pain and struggling with pain management. A variety of narcotics were prescribed but we were in search of a natural solution. They desired to live and feel well without the side effects of pharmaceuticals. We believe in herbal medicine and Earth’s ability to provide us with what we need. While spending time in Washington and Colorado, we visited regulated cannabis shops that do not exist in Texas and bought CBD products designed to help manage pain. Once back home in Texas, we quickly learned how effective CBD can be as a natural pain management tool. MS is a serious disease and to be clear, CBD is not a cure for the disease, however, our loved one was able to improve comfort in their daily life without the cognitive side effects that prescription pain medication added. It was an exciting time because we believed in the potential of these natural products and the results we experienced first hand. The problem that still remained is how to get these products consistently in Texas. This is where the idea of our hemp CBD brand was born and our journey to Live • Feel • Well begins. We immediately began to forge relationships with local suppliers of raw ingredients and packaging supplies. We took our time formulating recipes that were designed for maximum functionality. This was a long process of trial, feedback, improve and repeat. Once formulations were set, we began designing labels and manufacturing products. Laboratory tests were completed on each finished batch to ensure accuracy. Lastly, our website was built, social media pages created and order forms made just in time for our first order in late 2017!
We would quickly learn the challenges that come along with the CBD industry. The stigma of hemp and CBD was often questioned at this time. Many consumers lumped our products as “marijuana” and immediately dismissed the validity of our industry as a whole. In Texas, we did not see the same level of support for the medicinal benefits of cannabis as we did in other regulated states. In addition, the lack of consumer education became an issue partially due to how quickly the industry expanded. A lot of folks didn’t understand that we were not selling something that will get them high. A lot of misleading and even false information begins to pop up online. This challenge still remains. The next hurdle was payment processing. To date, FDIC banks view Hemp companies the same as Marijuana businesses. The only major US bank that processed CBD payments abruptly ended their entire CBD portfolio and left many having to jump through hoops in order to process a credit card. How can you operate a website today without being able to accept a Visa card? Not easily. In fact, many of us turned to high risk, high fee processing based in the U.K. without any other options available. At least we got to have a functional website, continue to fulfill orders and keep our customers happy. These frustrations were short lived as we began to get customer feedback and testimonials written to us. The joy and satisfaction we felt was overwhelming as we heard how our products were impacting our customer’s lives. Stories were shared of anxiety relief, pain management and how those things impacted their overall wellness. Product reviews were written about how quality of life was positively influenced by using our products. We had letters mailed to our office and began receiving phone calls from people thanking us for being in business. While stocking shelves, pharmacists and store managers shared stories that their customers wanted passed along. Hearing this was rewarding and made it very easy to see past some of the insignificant imperfections and focus on the journey to help others Live • Feel • Well.
Fast forward to the 2018 Farm Bill passing. This bill offered clarity for the legality around CBD products, provided protection for hemp farmers and made it easier to perform clinical tests on the efficacy of CBD. In addition, having these new laws on the books encouraged new businesses to enter into the hemp CBD industry. Everyone in the industry that we had ever met was calling, texting and emailing about the great news. The biggest immediate impact was the independent pharmacies’ willingness to shelf and sell CBD products. Having our products in this setting began helping with credibility and confidence of consumers to purchase. No longer were CBD products secluded to smoke shops. You could now begin discussing CBD products with a medical professional. This was the first hum of the now buzzing CBD industry.
In June of 2019, Texas passed it’s own legislation to legalize growing hemp and the sale of CBD products. This was a major step in the development of the hemp market in our home state. These new regulations matched the previously passed Federal Farm Bill in December of 2018. In addition, Texas added additional transparency regulations by requiring CBD products to be labeled with a QR code that leads to 3rd party test results. We were already doing this to provide confidence of purchase to our customers. We believe Texas has paved the way for its farmers to lead the nation in hemp production.
The passage of Texas HB1325 brought the emergence of many different CBD retail stores throughout the state and many more existing retailers added CBD to their inventory. We also saw a quick rise in the demand for more CBD options for pets. This inspired us to formulate another product for our pet line and we created Peanut Butter Pet Wafers. These crunchy treats were well received by our customers and wholesalers. Even our furry companions can find natural relief and are able to Live • Feel • Well. Fast-paced growth for the industry continued throughout the year. It also brought additional testing focused on CBD and its impact on stress/anxiety, pain and inflammation. More importantly, we continue to make new customers and get more feedback on how our products are positively impacting their lives. This will never get old.
2020 has our hemp farmers planting the first seeds in Texas. New testing facilities are being created and existing labs are adding the ability to test hemp as part of their offering. We value being able to support our local community by partnering with local companies. The banking industry is slowly starting to open up to CBD businesses as the US Congress inches closer to passing legislation to update regulations. In fact, last month we got our debit/credit card processing back to the US with one of the largest domestic processors. We have found validation from our customer’s testimonies and their continued support. This next year will see us invest into new products and potentially a new category of products. We plan on continuing to share more of our customer’s stories. Also, we plan to provide consumers with an easy way to view ongoing and complete scientific studies on hemp and CBD. During these exciting times in the industry, the desire to help people is still paramount. Live • Feel • Well
Due to the coronavirus and the Illinois plan to reopen the economy, the face-to-face Cannabis Quality Conference & Expo is postponed until October of 2021. For 2020, we are launching the Cannabis Quality Virtual Conference Series in its place: every Tuesday, starting September 8 through November 10, we’ll host two presentations and two Tech Talks, followed by a panel discussion. The series will culminate with a post-election analysis to take place November 10, 2020.
This will still be an interactive, virtual experience, where attendees can ask questions and get in touch with speakers.
Plan to Attend Registration for attendees is complimentary and is underwritten by our sponsors. We look forward to seeing everyone virtually there.
Call For Abstracts
The Conference Chairs and organizers are inviting the industry to submit abstracts to be considered for the conference program. Abstract submission is open until July 1, 2020. Submit Your Abstract Today!
Here is a list of topic areas for presentations we are looking for:
Government Policy, Reform & Legalization Efforts
State Regulations, Licensing & Requirements
USDA Hemp Programs
Laboratory Testing
Quality & Safety in Manufacturing
Cultivation Best Practices
Marketing, Branding & Communications
Legal, Insurance & Data Analysis
Extraction & Infused Products Best Practices
Standards, Certifications & Accreditations
International Market Analysis
The Cannabis Quality Virtual Conference Series will have a different theme every Tuesday. Two subject matter experts and two sponsors will discuss one area of focus, which will be followed by a panel discussion where attendees can ask questions and interact with the speakers.
Here’s a sneak peek at some of the topic areas we’ll be covering:
The New Cannabis Consumer: Analyzing Retail Data and Market Trends
International Market Updates: A Look at the new European Industry
Cannabinoid Discovery & Study: Behind the Scenes of Scientific Research
Protecting Public Health: Keeping Cannabis Products Safe
The New Hemp Industry: Covering the Burgeoning Hemp Market
Cannabis Labs/Food Labs Conference June 2 – 5, 2020
Now a Virtual Conference! In light of the COVID-19’s social distancing protocols and our concern over attendees’ safety, Innovative Publishing Company has converted the originally scheduled 2 day conference, planned in Rockville, MD to a virtual event with the webcast taking place over four days, June 2-5, from 11am to 4pm EST each day. The new format still allows for Q&A between attendees and speakers.
Become a Sponsor! If your company is a Laboratory technology or service provider and you need to fill your lost tradeshow pipeline, consider sponsoring this event. There are several levels of sponsorships available, starting at the price of a typical 10 foot booth. Each sponsorship includes a 15 minute “Tech Talk” presentation positioned between speakers. There are a limited amount Tech Talk positions still available. For more info, contact RJ Palermo at [email protected] or phone & text: +203.667.2212
The inaugural edition of The Texas Hemp Reporter is here. Mailed to all Texas Hemp Growers and industry insiders in Texas. Texan’s have now had seeds in the ground for 1 month growing hemp legally. We will report on the financial impact from this healthy economic change in Texas agricultural law. We invite you to join us in our coverage of Texas rapid Hemp market and have some fun while we all experience this time of industry growth. Thank You for visiting us online at TexasHempReporter.com
This edition is mailed out for free to Hemp Industry insiders and all licensed hemp farmers in Texas. We are also made available completely free in Austin Texas in over 400 locations .
The TXHIA for the next installment of their member-hosted educational webinar series on Friday, June 12 at 3pm EST / 12pm PST.
HIA® member Rich Galutia is a Certified Safety Professional with over 25 years of experience working with agribusinesses including feed mills, grain elevators and flour mills. Through his firm OSH Solutions LLC, he has helped clients build and maintain safety programs that improve workplace safety and enable business owners to be confident that they are OSHA inspection-ready. Rich is also currently First Vice-President for the Penn Ag Industries Association.
This interactive presentation will cover: * A review of the scope of OSHA * OSHA enforcement issues * Key OSHA standards that apply to the hemp industry * COVID-19 and it’s impact on safety in workplaces
There will be an opportunity for Q&A with Rich after the presentation. The webinar will be capped at 100 participants, so register today to save your spot!
We are currently working on the inaugural edition of The Texas Hemp Reporter to hit the streets of Austin Texas this June. This full color magazine that will profile Hemp News in Texas.
May 2020 is here and Texan’s will now be able to grow hemp legally and reap the many financial benefits from this healthy economic change in Texas agricultural law.
Many of you in this space know the health benefits and are already aware of the coming trends with the Hemp Industry in the U.S. This May edition will release in late April in time for the Austin Reggae Festival and all things 420. The Texas legislature as of May 1st has allowed our Texas Farmers to grow organic hemp for CBD, medicinal benefits, textiles and industry for the first time since the reefer madness Era. The Texas Hemp Reporter will cover the latest news, business development , medicinal breakthroughs, industry culture, and the economics of planet earths greatest healing flower.
Click Image to see the available Ad Space and sneak preview of the June Edition.
We have been publishing Monthly Magazines in Austin TX our home town since 2002.
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