The Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America criticized the U.S. House for passing a Farm Bill that fails to address an upcoming federal ban on hemp THC products, advocating instead for a regulatory framework similar to the alcohol industry. The group and other stakeholders are urging the Senate to intervene before the November 2026 deadline to prevent pushing consumers toward unregulated markets. < Back Booze Business Sounds the Alarm: New Farm Bill Misses the Mark on Saving Hemp Drinks May 4, 2026 Source: Tom Angell Marijuana Moment Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link The latest buzz around the Farm Bill has the alcohol industry stepping up to defend your favorite hemp-infused seltzers. The Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) is calling out the U.S. House of Representatives for a major "missed opportunity" after they passed a version of the 2026 Farm Bill that completely ignores the looming federal ban on intoxicating hemp products. If the current language sticks, we’re looking at a massive crackdown this November. New rules would redefine hemp so strictly that any product with more than 0.4 milligrams of total THC per container would become illegal. This would effectively wipe out almost every hemp-derived gummy, beverage, and flower product currently available in shops and online. The alcohol folks, who know a thing or two about shifting from prohibition to regulation, argue that a flat-out ban is a recipe for disaster. They warn that instead of stopping use, it will just drive enthusiasts toward unregulated markets where there are no safety standards or age checks. They’re pushing for a system like the one used for booze: federal licensing, independent testing, and clear taxes that keep things safe and accessible for adults. This matters because it's about keeping the products you enjoy on the shelves and ensuring they are safe to consume. While the House dropped the ball, the fight moves to the Senate. Industry leaders and even some big-name retailers like Target—which has been finding success with hemp drinks—are hoping for a more sensible framework before the November deadline hits. Pro-tip for the community: Keep a close eye on the Senate's version of the bill over the next few months. If you’ve found relief or enjoyment through these hemp-derived options, now is a great time to support your local shops and maybe even drop a note to your representatives about why responsible regulation beats a total ban every time. < Previous Next > Recent Reviews Cookies & Alt Sol "Ridgeline Lantz" Strain Review - Takoma Wellness Center Ridgeline Lantz, cultivated by Alt Sol and currently available at Takoma Wellness Center, exudes an impressive pedigree. With its origins... Watermelon Sugar, High: Fade Co.'s Live Resin Gummies Reviewed There's a running joke about Harry Styles' summer smash that the man himself has cheerfully leaned into: nobody is entirely sure what "watermelon sugar" is, only that it sounds fantastic and you want more of it. Fade Co. seems to have taken that ambiguity as a design brief. Their new live resin gummies don't just borrow the fruit - they capture the whole breezy, sun-warmed, slightly-too-good-to-analyze feeling the song trades in, then pack it ten to a tin... Platinum TK - Green Theory Dispensary Platinum TK is an indica-dominant hybrid from the skilled cultivators at Alt Sol that offers a robust and relaxing experience. Currently... 1 2 3 4 5

The cannabis industry is abuzz over terpenes. Here are 10 things to know: Terpenes are everywhere and interact with cannabinoids. The terpene wheel exists. Terpenes change once dried and have been understated. You can buy terpenes in a bottle. Don’t look to THC percentages when choosing a strain. Feed your terps, flush your plants, and savor the flavor. < Back 10 Things to Know About Terpenes May 24, 2025 Source: Emery Garcia Cannabis Now Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link The cannabis industry is abuzz over terpenes. Everyone in the know is claiming it’s “all about them terps brah,” but do you truly understand these magnificent compounds? Here are 10 things you probably didn’t know about the intoxicating aromas of cannabis. 1. Terpenes Are Everywhere These wildly diverse organic compounds are produced by an array of plants and insects and exist abundantly in nature. From orange peels to pine resin, these powerful scents play a major role in our lives that we hardly ever consider. Their distinctive scents shine brightly in cannabis; from fruitiness to skunky, it’s all in the terpenes. 2. Terpenes Interact With Cannabinoids Additionally, they are understood to play a vital role in the plant’s effects on the brain. They can increase and decrease dopamine and serotonin production, speed up THC absorption, and alter our moods. Whichever dominant terpenes are produced in a particular plant make a huge difference in the resulting “high” when consumed. The differences between myrcene and limonene are not only in the scent but also in the psychological and physical effects on the plant and the human body. 3. There’s a “Terpene Wheel” The terpene wheel is similar to the color wheel, which at its core is composed of sweet, sour, bitter and spicy. Many cannabis strains will exhibit a multitude of these flavors before and after smoked or ingested. As you move farther out the wheel, flavors get more specific. *4. *Terpenes Change Once Dried Terpenes are volatile organic compounds that alter after a plant is harvested. Once the flower is dried and cured, terpenes are technically considered terpenoids. Proper curing procedures will keep these compounds intact, but excessive heat while drying can ‘cook’ them off. Hence, proper dry room conditions are important. 5. Terpenes Have Been Understated The therapeutic values of the terpenes found in cannabis have been greatly understated until now. From anti-carcinogenic to anti-inflammatory, the ‘terps’ offer amazing benefits. It is commonplace for laboratories to offer terpene testing, and as a greater understanding of these compounds arises, choosing the terpenes that suit your particular taste or health conditions will become the norm. 6. You Can Buy Terpenes In a Bottle Some producers have even mimicked the aromas produced by certain strains. While these essential oils may offer you the scent of Gorilla Glue #4, remember it is the cocktail of thousands of chemical compounds that create the wondrous effects of this magical cannabis strain. Some concentrate producers have even begun spiking their products with aftermarket terps. While there is technically nothing wrong with this, stick to the trusted goodness of full flower or a producer that you trust isn’t trying to dress up a mediocre product. 7. Don’t Look to THC Percentages When Choosing a Strain At the 2016 Emerald Cup in Santa Rosa, California, the vast majority of top 20 finishers didn’t even break 20% THC. This is obviously due to the multitude of other beyond the plant’s most famous intoxicant. It is becoming more and more obvious that terpenes play a magnificent role in the overall effects of cannabis. 8. Feed Your Terps When cultivating cannabis the food you feed it will help or hinder its terpene production. Organic feeds are widely considered the premier way to produce the most flavorful of flowers. 9. Flush Your Plants to Taste the Terps Dosing your plants with plenty of fresh water before your harvest is basic know-how, but it also plays an integral role in allowing your terp profiles to shine brightly. Chemical or salt build-ups in your soil can block your plant’s expression of one of its most crucial goodies. Give your plants at least a week of pure fresh water before you hack them down and taste the difference. 10. Savor the Flavor Proper storage of your cannabis flower and concentrates not only maintains the THC content but also the terpenoids. Overheating, overdrying and overcooling can turn your terp-rich Black Lime Reserve into flavorless brick weed. Treat your nugget with respect and it will return the favor and flavor. The post 10 Things to Know About Terpenes appeared first on Cannabis Now. < Previous Next > Recent Reviews Cookies & Alt Sol "Ridgeline Lantz" Strain Review - Takoma Wellness Center Ridgeline Lantz, cultivated by Alt Sol and currently available at Takoma Wellness Center, exudes an impressive pedigree. With its origins... Watermelon Sugar, High: Fade Co.'s Live Resin Gummies Reviewed There's a running joke about Harry Styles' summer smash that the man himself has cheerfully leaned into: nobody is entirely sure what "watermelon sugar" is, only that it sounds fantastic and you want more of it. Fade Co. seems to have taken that ambiguity as a design brief. Their new live resin gummies don't just borrow the fruit - they capture the whole breezy, sun-warmed, slightly-too-good-to-analyze feeling the song trades in, then pack it ten to a tin... Platinum TK - Green Theory Dispensary Platinum TK is an indica-dominant hybrid from the skilled cultivators at Alt Sol that offers a robust and relaxing experience. Currently... 1 2 3 4 5

Two Swissport Canada Handling employees were arrested on July 4, 2025, for drug smuggling involving baggage tag switching at Toronto Pearson International Airport. The investigation began in May 2025 when a French national was detained in Paris for suspected cannabis importation from Canada. The RCMP Toronto Airport Detachment's investigation revealed that the accused manipulated baggage tags, leading to the illicit transportation of approximately 21 kg of cannabis, valued at $147,000, to France. Dugal Hearne (51) and Edward Wynter (56) were charged with exporting cannabis, possession for export, and conspiracy to commit an indictable offense. Both have been released and are scheduled to appear in court in August 2025. Swissport Canada Handling cooperated with the investigation. The RCMP emphasizes vigilance during travel and continues to combat organized crime. < Back RCMP Arrests Swissport Baggage Handlers Attempting to Smuggle $147,000 of Cannabis to France Jul 17, 2025 Source: Mg Magazine Newswire MG Magazine Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link *MISSISSAUGA, ON –* On July 4, 2025, two employees of Swissport Canada Handling, a baggage handling company, were arrested following a drug smuggling investigation that involved baggage tag switching. Baggage tag switching is when someone purposely changes the labels on bags at an airport. Each baggage tag tells airport machines where a bag should go and who it belongs to. In this case, the baggage tag was switched so it looked as though the piece of luggage with the cannabis in it belonged to an unknowing traveler. The investigation began in late May 2025 at Toronto Pearson International Airport, when a French national arrived in Paris and was detained by authorities on suspicion of importing Cannabis from Canada. After further investigation, French authorities released the passenger without charges, and the case was subsequently referred to the RCMP Toronto Airport Detachment. The investigation revealed the following subjects allegedly manipulated baggage tags without the passenger’s consent. This led to the illicit transportation of approximately 21 kilograms of Cannabis to France, with an estimated street value of $147,000. As a result, RCMP Central Region Toronto Airport Detachment Border Integrity Response Team arrested and charged the following individuals: - Dugal Hearne (51) of Woodbridge, Ontario, a Swissport employee with over 25 years, was charged with: - Exporting Cannabis – Section 11(1), Cannabis Act - Possession of Cannabis for the Purpose of Export – Section 11(2), Cannabis Act - Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence – Section 465(1), Criminal Code of Canada - Edward Wynter (56) of Brampton, Ontario, a Swissport employee with over 21 years, was charged with: - Exporting Cannabis – Section 11(1), Cannabis Act - Possession of Cannabis for the Purpose of Export – Section 11(2), Cannabis Act - Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence – Section 465(1), Criminal Code of Canada Swissport Canada Handling was cooperative upon learning about this investigation, and their support contributed to the timely apprehension of the accused. Both accused have been released on undertakings and are scheduled to appear in court at the A. Grenville and William Davis Courthouse in Brampton on August 6 and August 8, 2025, respectively. The Border Integrity Response Team would like to recognize the contribution of French authorities, la PAF, for quickly identifying the victim in this case and referring the file to the RCMP in Toronto. “The RCMP Toronto Airport Detachment members have been actively investigating cases involving baggage tag switching in attempts to smuggle illegal drugs and contraband out of Canada,” said Inspector John McMath, Officer in Charge, RCMP Toronto Airport Detachment. “I cannot impress enough upon the public the importance of staying vigilant during all aspects of travel. The RCMP is committed to continuing our fight against organized crime groups targeting innocent members of the public regardless of their citizenship.” Fast Facts The RCMP shares responsibility for all ports of entry from inbound and outbound criminal threats through criminal investigations and prosecutions related to narcotic smuggling. With a presence across Canada, the RCMP is uniquely positioned to protect our border between ports of entry, but also conduct follow-up investigations when necessary. The RCMP and our policing partners across the world work closely in an investigative capacity, to combat the impact that cross-border criminal activity is having on our communities. If you have any information related to smuggling, drug importation, trafficking, or possession, or wish to report other criminality, you can contact the Ontario RCMP at 1-800-387-0020, the confidential CBSA Border Watch toll-free line at 1-888-502-9060 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), at any time. < Previous Next > Recent Reviews Cookies & Alt Sol "Ridgeline Lantz" Strain Review - Takoma Wellness Center Ridgeline Lantz, cultivated by Alt Sol and currently available at Takoma Wellness Center, exudes an impressive pedigree. With its origins... Watermelon Sugar, High: Fade Co.'s Live Resin Gummies Reviewed There's a running joke about Harry Styles' summer smash that the man himself has cheerfully leaned into: nobody is entirely sure what "watermelon sugar" is, only that it sounds fantastic and you want more of it. Fade Co. seems to have taken that ambiguity as a design brief. Their new live resin gummies don't just borrow the fruit - they capture the whole breezy, sun-warmed, slightly-too-good-to-analyze feeling the song trades in, then pack it ten to a tin... Platinum TK - Green Theory Dispensary Platinum TK is an indica-dominant hybrid from the skilled cultivators at Alt Sol that offers a robust and relaxing experience. Currently... 1 2 3 4 5

Curaleaf Holdings Inc. has amended its credit agreement with Needham Bank, increasing its revolving credit facility from $40 million to $100 million and extending the maturity to up to five years. The facility has an initial term of one year with an interest rate of 7.99 percent, potentially stepping up to 8.99 percent if the Senior Note Facility due 2026 is refinanced. Curaleaf plans to use at least $50 million of this facility to pay down higher-interest acquisition debt and support working capital. < Back Curaleaf Upsizes Revolving Credit Facility from $40M to $100M Oct 14, 2025 Source: Mg Magazine Newswire MG Magazine Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link *STAMFORD, Conn.* — Curaleaf Holdings Inc. has entered into an amended and restated credit agreement with Needham Bank of its revolving credit facility, expanding the borrowing capacity from $40 million to $100 million and extending the maturity to up to five years. The upsized secured revolving Credit Facility has an initial term of one year and bears interest on any outstanding principal of 7.99 percent. The facility is subject to extension for up to five years with a rate step up to 8.99 percent in the event of the Company refinancing the Senior Note Facility due 2026. Curaleaf intends to draw on the Credit Facility to pay a minimum of $50 million of its remaining, higher-interest-bearing, acquisition-related debt while also maintaining ample capacity to support working capital needs. < Previous Next > Recent Reviews Cookies & Alt Sol "Ridgeline Lantz" Strain Review - Takoma Wellness Center Ridgeline Lantz, cultivated by Alt Sol and currently available at Takoma Wellness Center, exudes an impressive pedigree. With its origins... Watermelon Sugar, High: Fade Co.'s Live Resin Gummies Reviewed There's a running joke about Harry Styles' summer smash that the man himself has cheerfully leaned into: nobody is entirely sure what "watermelon sugar" is, only that it sounds fantastic and you want more of it. Fade Co. seems to have taken that ambiguity as a design brief. Their new live resin gummies don't just borrow the fruit - they capture the whole breezy, sun-warmed, slightly-too-good-to-analyze feeling the song trades in, then pack it ten to a tin... Platinum TK - Green Theory Dispensary Platinum TK is an indica-dominant hybrid from the skilled cultivators at Alt Sol that offers a robust and relaxing experience. Currently... 1 2 3 4 5

Top Republicans introduced legislation to provide patients access to regulated cannabis from licensed dispensaries. < Back Wisconsin GOP Lawmakers Move to Legalize Medical Cannabis in 2025 Sep 30, 2025 Source: Cannabis Business Times Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link A trio of top Republicans introduced bicameral legislation to provide patients access to regulated cannabis from licensed dispensaries. < Previous Next > Recent Reviews Cookies & Alt Sol "Ridgeline Lantz" Strain Review - Takoma Wellness Center Ridgeline Lantz, cultivated by Alt Sol and currently available at Takoma Wellness Center, exudes an impressive pedigree. With its origins... Watermelon Sugar, High: Fade Co.'s Live Resin Gummies Reviewed There's a running joke about Harry Styles' summer smash that the man himself has cheerfully leaned into: nobody is entirely sure what "watermelon sugar" is, only that it sounds fantastic and you want more of it. Fade Co. seems to have taken that ambiguity as a design brief. Their new live resin gummies don't just borrow the fruit - they capture the whole breezy, sun-warmed, slightly-too-good-to-analyze feeling the song trades in, then pack it ten to a tin... Platinum TK - Green Theory Dispensary Platinum TK is an indica-dominant hybrid from the skilled cultivators at Alt Sol that offers a robust and relaxing experience. Currently... 1 2 3 4 5

Everything about Brownie Pie: effects, typical THC, lineage, and terpenes — plus hands-on product reviews and bud photos from Toker's Guide's DMV experts. < Back Brownie Pie Strain Review Type Hybrid THC % 20% Dominant Terpene Energy NA Unknown Overview Brownie Pie is a high-potency hybrid marijuana strain known for its balanced yet deeply relaxing profile. Often characterized as an indica-leaning hybrid, it bridges the gap between cerebral euphoria and physical sedation, making it a versatile choice for those seeking a "best of both worlds" experience. Effects Brownie Pie is a high-potency, indica-leaning hybrid that initially provides a euphoric mental uplift and happy, giggly state before transitioning into a heavy, full-body relaxation. Due to its significant sedative properties and potential for couch-lock, it is best suited for low-energy activities, evening use, or high-stress recovery. This strain is highly effective for managing ailments such as anxiety, insomnia, chronic pain, and nausea. Its complex terpene profile is led by myrcene, which contributes to its earthy scent and muscle-relaxing effects; limonene, which provides a citrusy mood boost and anti-anxiety benefits; and caryophyllene, which adds a spicy note and offers potential anti-inflammatory support. Together, these characteristics make Brownie Pie an exceptional choice for those seeking profound physical relief alongside a cheerful mental escape. Positive Effects Side Effects Common Uses Relaxed 0% Happy 0% Euphoric 0% Uplifted 0% Talkative 0% Creative 0% Energetic 0% Focused 0% Giggly 0% Tingly 0% Hungry 0% Sleepy 0% Unknown Dry Mouth 0% Dry Eyes 0% Dizzy 0% Paranoid 0% Anxious 0% Hungry 0% Tingly 0% Sleepy 0% Appearance The buds of Brownie Pie are typically dense and chunky, displaying a vibrant palette of forest greens and deep purple undertones. They are heavily coated in a thick, frosty layer of white crystal trichomes and accented by long, thin orange pistils, giving the flower a resinous and high-quality shelf appeal. Aroma This strain features a pungent and complex aromatic profile. It is dominated by a sweet, doughy scent reminiscent of freshly baked goods and chocolate, layered with sharp notes of diesel and earthy pine. A subtle fruity undertone, specifically hints of berry, often emerges when the buds are broken apart. Flavor On the inhale, Brownie Pie delivers a smooth and decadent flavor of sweet cocoa and blueberries. The exhale is more grounded, revealing a spicy, herbal bite with a lingering diesel aftertaste that speaks to its potent lineage. Lineage Brownie Pie is most commonly identified as a cross between the heavy-hitting Brownie Scout and the flavorful Cherry Pie. This genetic pairing combines the extreme potency and resin production of Brownie Scout with the balanced, cerebral, and berry-forward characteristics of Cherry Pie. Terpene Profile - Myrcene: The most abundant terpene, contributing to the strain's earthy scent and its significant muscle-relaxing and sedative properties. - Limonene: Provides a citrusy lift that helps elevate mood and provides anti-anxiety benefits. - Caryophyllene: Adds a spicy, peppery note and is known for its potential anti-inflammatory effects.Effects Users typically experience an initial wave of euphoric mental uplift that clears the mind and encourages a giggly, happy state. This cerebral buzz eventually transitions into a heavy, full-body relaxation. In higher doses, it can lead to sleepiness or "couch-lock," making it highly effective for managing anxiety, insomnia, chronic pain, and nausea. Cultivation Preferences - Flowering Time: Approximately 8 to 9 weeks. - Yield: Moderate to high. - Environment: It is a hardy strain that can be grown both indoors and outdoors. It prefers a temperate climate and benefits from topping and pruning to manage its bushy growth and maximize light penetration to the dense lower buds.Origin The strain originated from the modern American breeding scene, specifically developed by cultivators looking to enhance the "Cookies" family of genetics by crossing them with classic, fruit-forward hybrids to maximize both flavor and THC concentration. Seed Suppliers Authentic genetics for Brownie Pie are primarily available through specialized West Coast nurseries and boutique seed banks, or as proprietary selections from established brands like RYTHM and Green Thumb Industries. Conclusion Brownie Pie is an exceptional choice for cannabis enthusiasts who value a dessert-like flavor profile without sacrificing heavy-hitting potency. Its ability to provide both a cheerful mental escape and profound physical relief makes it a standout hybrid for evening use or high-stress recovery. Previous Next

Everything about Hazelnut Cream: effects, typical THC, lineage, and terpenes — plus hands-on product reviews and bud photos from Toker's Guide's DMV experts. < Back Hazelnut Cream Strain Review Type Hybrid THC % 21% Dominant Terpene Energy Terpinolene Unknown Overview Hazelnut Cream is a sativa-dominant hybrid strain known for its decadent flavor profile and uplifting effects. Developed by Exotic Genetix, this cultivar has gained popularity among connoisseurs for its unique dessert-like qualities and reliable resin production. Effects Hazelnut Cream is a sativa-dominant hybrid that delivers a potent cerebral high characterized by immediate euphoria, focus, and increased creativity. This strain is known for its high energy levels, often making users feel talkative and motivated, which makes it an ideal choice for daytime activities or social gatherings without a heavy sedative "crash." Its terpene profile is led by terpinolene, which provides an uplifting herbal and floral boost; myrcene, which offers earthy notes and helps ground the experience with mild relaxation; and caryophyllene, which adds a spicy touch and may provide anti-inflammatory benefits. These combined effects make Hazelnut Cream particularly effective for managing mood disorders such as depression and anxiety, while also assisting with fatigue and minor physical inflammation. Positive Effects Side Effects Common Uses Relaxed 0% Happy 0% Euphoric 0% Uplifted 0% Talkative 0% Creative 0% Energetic 0% Focused 0% Giggly 0% Tingly 0% Hungry 0% Sleepy 0% Unknown Dry Mouth 0% Dry Eyes 0% Dizzy 0% Paranoid 0% Anxious 0% Hungry 0% Tingly 0% Sleepy 0% Appearance The buds of Hazelnut Cream are typically dense and spade-shaped, featuring a vibrant olive green hue with deep purple undertones. They are adorned with thin, fiery orange pistils and a thick, sugary coating of bright white crystal trichomes that give the flower a shimmering, frosted look. Aroma The aromatic profile is rich and inviting, dominated by a sweet, nutty scent reminiscent of toasted hazelnuts. This is complemented by creamy vanilla notes and a subtle earthy undertone that balances the sweetness. Flavor On the palate, Hazelnut Cream delivers a smooth, velvety smoke. It tastes strongly of sweet cream and hazelnuts on the inhale, followed by a light, spicy earthiness and a hint of pine on the exhale, making for a truly gourmet experience. Lineage This strain is a genetic cross between Miami Haze and Cookies and Cream. This lineage combines the energizing, cerebral qualities of Haze genetics with the smooth, resinous, and flavorful characteristics of the Cookies family. Terpene Profile - Terpinolene: Contributes to the herbal and floral scent while providing an uplifting boost. - Myrcene: Offers earthy notes and helps ground the high with mild relaxation. - Caryophyllene: Adds a touch of spice and may provide anti-inflammatory benefits.Effects Hazelnut Cream provides a potent cerebral high that is characterized by an immediate sense of euphoria, focus, and creativity. Users often report feeling energized and talkative, making it an excellent choice for daytime activities or social gatherings. While it stimulates the mind, it also provides a light, tingly body sensation that isn't sedating. Cultivation Preferences Hazelnut Cream is considered a moderately easy strain to grow, performing well in both indoor and outdoor environments. - Flowering Time: Approximately 56 to 63 days. - Yield: Moderate to high, especially when using training techniques like topping or LST to manage its sativa-leaning growth. - Environment: Prefers a stable, warm climate with controlled humidity to prevent mold in its dense buds.Origin The strain originated in the United States, specifically bred by Washington-based Exotic Genetix, a seed bank renowned for creating high-quality "boutique" cannabis genetics. Seed Suppliers Authentic seeds can be found through Exotic Genetix authorized retailers, as well as reputable seed banks such as North Atlantic Seed Co., Neptune Seed Bank, and Seedsman. Conclusion Hazelnut Cream is a standout sativa-dominant hybrid that perfectly bridges the gap between functional energy and dessert-like flavor. Its striking appearance and sophisticated terpene profile make it a favorite for those looking to enhance their mood and productivity without the heavy "crash" associated with indica-leaning strains. Previous Next

The infused line extension, blending bold flavor with American tradition, is now available at Curaleaf stores in Arizona, Illinois, New Jersey, and New York. < Back Curaleaf Launches Anthem Bold Infused Pre-Rolls in 4 States Sep 29, 2025 Source: Cannabis Business Times Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link The infused line extension pairs bold flavor with American tradition, now available at Curaleaf stores in Arizona, Illinois, New Jersey and New York. < Previous Next > Recent Reviews Cookies & Alt Sol "Ridgeline Lantz" Strain Review - Takoma Wellness Center Ridgeline Lantz, cultivated by Alt Sol and currently available at Takoma Wellness Center, exudes an impressive pedigree. With its origins... Watermelon Sugar, High: Fade Co.'s Live Resin Gummies Reviewed There's a running joke about Harry Styles' summer smash that the man himself has cheerfully leaned into: nobody is entirely sure what "watermelon sugar" is, only that it sounds fantastic and you want more of it. Fade Co. seems to have taken that ambiguity as a design brief. Their new live resin gummies don't just borrow the fruit - they capture the whole breezy, sun-warmed, slightly-too-good-to-analyze feeling the song trades in, then pack it ten to a tin... Platinum TK - Green Theory Dispensary Platinum TK is an indica-dominant hybrid from the skilled cultivators at Alt Sol that offers a robust and relaxing experience. Currently... 1 2 3 4 5

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez criticized the U.S. drug scheduling system during a House subcommittee hearing, arguing that classifying substances like marijuana and LSD as Schedule I hinders medical research and fails to prevent overdose deaths. Expert witness Nabarun Dasgupta supported her claims, noting that these drugs have proven clinical benefits and that criminal penalties can lead to the emergence of more dangerous illicit alternatives. < Back AOC Takes a Stand Against Outdated Federal Laws Blocking Access to Cannabis and Psychedelics Mar 30, 2026 Source: Kyle Jaeger Marijuana Moment Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link It is time for a serious conversation about the outdated rules that govern cannabis and psychedelics in this country. During a recent House subcommittee session, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez didn’t hold back, calling out the federal government for keeping substances like marijuana and LSD in the most restrictive legal category. This isn't just about politics; it is about the fact that our laws are currently ignoring a mountain of scientific evidence. The core of the issue is Schedule I classification. By definition, these drugs are supposed to have no medical value and a high risk for addiction. However, as AOC and expert witnesses pointed out, the science says the exact opposite. We know these substances show incredible promise for treating conditions like PTSD and traumatic brain injuries. Keeping them locked away behind Schedule I doesn’t stop people from using them; it just stops scientists from researching how to use them safely and effectively. For the average toker, this news is a reminder of why the push for rescheduling is so vital. When the government plays "whack-a-mole" by banning substances, it often pushes users toward more dangerous, unregulated alternatives in the illicit market. AOC argued that the current system actually fuels the overdose crisis rather than solving it, pointing to data where increased criminal penalties led to higher death rates. The good news? The tide is turning. While the bureaucracy is moving slowly, the FDA has already acknowledged the potential of these compounds. We are currently in a waiting game for the Department of Justice to finalize the move of cannabis to Schedule III. This shift would be a massive win for the community, finally aligning federal law with the reality of medical use. It would mean better research, safer products, and a move away from the failed tactics of the past. Until then, keep an eye on these legislative updates—they are the roadmap to a more accessible and science-based future for all enthusiasts. < Previous Next > Recent Reviews Cookies & Alt Sol "Ridgeline Lantz" Strain Review - Takoma Wellness Center Ridgeline Lantz, cultivated by Alt Sol and currently available at Takoma Wellness Center, exudes an impressive pedigree. With its origins... Watermelon Sugar, High: Fade Co.'s Live Resin Gummies Reviewed There's a running joke about Harry Styles' summer smash that the man himself has cheerfully leaned into: nobody is entirely sure what "watermelon sugar" is, only that it sounds fantastic and you want more of it. Fade Co. seems to have taken that ambiguity as a design brief. Their new live resin gummies don't just borrow the fruit - they capture the whole breezy, sun-warmed, slightly-too-good-to-analyze feeling the song trades in, then pack it ten to a tin... Platinum TK - Green Theory Dispensary Platinum TK is an indica-dominant hybrid from the skilled cultivators at Alt Sol that offers a robust and relaxing experience. Currently... 1 2 3 4 5

A California bill to pause a recently enacted tax hike on marijuana products is heading to the governor's desk after a final unanimous vote in the Assembly. If signed into law, the bill would pause the tax increase for five years. The legislation aims to provide immediate tax relief to California’s struggling cannabis industry by reversing an unprecedented 25 percent excise tax increase. The bill would also require the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) to adjust the cannabis excise tax rate to generate an equivalent amount of revenue that would have been collected from the cultivation tax. < Back California Passes Bill to Pause Cannabis Tax Hike Sep 12, 2025 Source: Kyle Jaeger Marijuana Moment Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link California’s cannabis industry just got a massive breath of fresh air as a new bill to halt an excise tax hike is officially heading to Governor Newsom’s desk. In a rare show of total agreement, the State Assembly voted unanimously to pause a recently enacted 25 percent tax increase for the next five years. This move is designed to offer immediate financial relief to legal businesses that have been struggling under heavy state fees. If the Governor signs off, the tax rate would drop back down from 19 percent to 15 percent starting this October. For regular tokers and the local community, this is a huge win for accessibility. High taxes are the main reason legal weed often costs way more than the legacy market, pushing people away from tested, regulated products. By freezing these hikes, the state is making it easier for your favorite local dispensaries to keep their doors open and their prices competitive. Lower overhead for shops usually means better deals for us, ensuring the legal market stays healthy and our stash stays affordable. < Previous Next > Recent Reviews Cookies & Alt Sol "Ridgeline Lantz" Strain Review - Takoma Wellness Center Ridgeline Lantz, cultivated by Alt Sol and currently available at Takoma Wellness Center, exudes an impressive pedigree. With its origins... Watermelon Sugar, High: Fade Co.'s Live Resin Gummies Reviewed There's a running joke about Harry Styles' summer smash that the man himself has cheerfully leaned into: nobody is entirely sure what "watermelon sugar" is, only that it sounds fantastic and you want more of it. Fade Co. seems to have taken that ambiguity as a design brief. Their new live resin gummies don't just borrow the fruit - they capture the whole breezy, sun-warmed, slightly-too-good-to-analyze feeling the song trades in, then pack it ten to a tin... Platinum TK - Green Theory Dispensary Platinum TK is an indica-dominant hybrid from the skilled cultivators at Alt Sol that offers a robust and relaxing experience. Currently... 1 2 3 4 5

The summary covers several topics, including a Supreme Court case delay on marijuana and gun rights, an Ohio grant for psychedelic education, a whiskey company scaling back due to a shift towards alternatives like marijuana, and a study linking marijuana use to a reduced risk of alcohol-associated liver disease. It also notes West Virginia refusing to allocate medical cannabis revenue and various state-level updates on cannabis legislation and regulation. < Back Supreme Court Cannabis and Gun Rights Case Faces Delay Request Oct 24, 2025 Source: Tom Angell Marijuana Moment Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link The latest news cycle is packed with reasons to keep your head high. One major highlight for the health-conscious is a new study suggesting that cannabis might actually help protect the liver from alcohol-related damage—a massive win for those of us who prefer the plant over the bottle. Speaking of shifts, big whiskey is officially on notice; Heritage Distilling is scaling back operations because more consumers are swapping cocktails for flower. On the legal front, things are moving at a typical government pace. There is a brief delay in a Supreme Court case regarding gun rights for cannabis users, and D.C. regulators just polished up some medical market rules. For those looking for convenience, Circle K is even planning to stock THC drinks nationwide by 2026. This all matters because it shows the "green wave" is becoming an unstoppable tide. When the booze industry admits we are the preferred alternative and science backs our wellness choices, the stigma loses its power. For everyday tokers, this means better health data, more convenient shopping, and a future where our lifestyle is finally treated with respect. < Previous Next > Recent Reviews Cookies & Alt Sol "Ridgeline Lantz" Strain Review - Takoma Wellness Center Ridgeline Lantz, cultivated by Alt Sol and currently available at Takoma Wellness Center, exudes an impressive pedigree. With its origins... Watermelon Sugar, High: Fade Co.'s Live Resin Gummies Reviewed There's a running joke about Harry Styles' summer smash that the man himself has cheerfully leaned into: nobody is entirely sure what "watermelon sugar" is, only that it sounds fantastic and you want more of it. Fade Co. seems to have taken that ambiguity as a design brief. Their new live resin gummies don't just borrow the fruit - they capture the whole breezy, sun-warmed, slightly-too-good-to-analyze feeling the song trades in, then pack it ten to a tin... Platinum TK - Green Theory Dispensary Platinum TK is an indica-dominant hybrid from the skilled cultivators at Alt Sol that offers a robust and relaxing experience. Currently... 1 2 3 4 5

In this podcast episode, TG Branfalt interviews Jeff Adams and Joseph Bancheri from XR Pure. They discuss X-ray technology for decontaminating cannabis, emphasizing its role in eliminating mold, mildew, and bacteria. Adams and Bancheri highlight the benefits of proactive decontamination as a standard practice, the science behind X-ray sterilization, and the advantages of their XR 16 machine. They also address safety concerns, the cost-effectiveness of the technology, and its potential to prevent product recalls. The conversation covers the company's approach to the cannabis market, the importance of industry experience, and the future of X-ray decontamination in the cannabis industry. < Back Jeff Adams & Joseph Bancheri: Decontaminating Cannabis with X-Ray Technology May 21, 2025 Source: Ganjapreneur Ganjapreneur Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link When cannabis fails a microbial test, the consequences can be costly—lost product, damaged reputations, and in some cases, a total recall. But what if the entire process could be de-risked? In this episode, Jeff Adams, founder and managing director of XR Pure, and national sales manager Joseph Bancheri join TG Branfalt for a conversation about how their x-ray-based decontamination tech is offering a clean, consistent solution for cultivators. With deep roots in x-ray engineering and cannabis sales respectively, they make a compelling case for proactive remediation as a standard step in cannabis operations. Listen to the episode below or wherever you get your podcasts, or scroll down for the transcript! ------------------------------ Listen to the episode: Ganjapreneur · Jeff Adams & Joseph Bancheri: Decontaminating Cannabis with X-Ray Technology ------------------------------ Read the transcript: *Editor’s note: this transcript was generated automatically and may contain errors.* TG Branfalt: Hey there, I’m your host, TG Branfalt, and this is the Ganjapreneur.com podcast where we try to bring you actionable information and normalized cannabis through the stories of ganjapreneurs, activists and industry stakeholders. Today I’m joined by Jeff Adams, founder and managing director, and Joseph Bancheri, national sales manager for Las Vegas, Nevada based XR Pure, which recently launched the XR 16, capable of eliminating mold, mildew, bacteria, and other harmful pathogens on cannabis flower. How you doing this morning guys? Jeff Adams: Doing great, TG. Thanks for having us. Appreciate it. Joseph Bancheri: Doing well, thank you. TG Branfalt: It’s really going to be an interesting episode. This is a technology that I am not that familiar with, which doesn’t happen that frequently anymore. But before we get into the tech, tell me about yourselves, your background, and how you ended up working in the cannabis space. Jeff Adams: If it’s okay, I’ll go first. This is Jeff. I came into this from the technology side. I’ve been working at an x-ray component manufacturing company for the last 20 years, so I spent a lot of my career in X-ray and over time we do many different applications and we found out that there is an application for sterilization of cannabis. And as I dug into that, I found that basically we believe that we could build a better mousetrap than what was already out there. Our technology was very applicable to what was needed in that space. And so I got busy figuring out what is it going to take, would the machine look like? And that culminated in XR Pure. TG Branfalt: How about you, Joe? Joseph Bancheri: Yeah, myself, I’ve been a cannabis advocate for over 20 years. I started in the legal industry with technology background as well with environmental controls. Then I moved over to the THC side. I was a natural brand manager for a cannabis brand and also sold and then moved to other brands here in Nevada. I was a wholesale director at a facility here in Vegas, and we had a big problem with our remediation unit, and I met Jeff at MJ biz when they, they’re checking everything out and I said, Hey dude, come check this thing out and make something better, and when you do let me know and I’ll be on board and here. TG Branfalt: So tell me about the science behind this tech. What were the previous applications and what are the applications in the cannabis industry? Jeff Adams: Sure, I’ll take that one. X-ray has been used for sterilization for a long time. This is not a new idea. It is a little bit of a new application in cannabis, but since the forties and fifties, x-ray has been used for sterilization, food sterilization, medical device sterilization, many other kinds of things. And so that part of it is not new. The cool part with cannabis is that x-rays kind of uniquely qualified or applicable to decontaminating cannabis. And when I say that by killing microbes on cannabis without affecting the integrity of the flower without affecting the potency, terpene profiles, all of those things, which makes it a great way to do this versus maybe some other kinds of techniques that could be used to do it, it is the one that really preserves the integrity of the plant, let’s say it that way. Okay. TG Branfalt: Joe, you had mentioned that you were facing a remediation issue. How did you sort of decide that x-ray might be the best way for you to handle that issue? Joseph Bancheri: Well, at my facility, we were using the X-ray unit. It just happened to be down a lot. When it was down, I couldn’t sell weed and I was not a happy guy. And obviously the owners aren’t happy either because they’re losing money, but there are other technologies as well that I feel actually harm the plant, like ozone, rf, those will change the actual, the terpene profile, the look of the plant. I want the end user to get the best possible plant in the cleanest possible form. So that’s why x-ray, how it kind of looks to me is the plant’s been harvested, the plant’s no longer alive, the microbials are alive, their DNA’s alive living on this plant, and these little x-rays are so tiny, they break up that DNA kill the microbials. So this way, when you put in a jar, nothing’s growing. We’ve got a 10,000 CFU limit here in Nevada for microbials. If you pass with 8,000, 9,000, you throw that in a jar, put it on a shelf, on a dispensary, it’s growing. So by the time the end user gets it, who knows what the accountants. So that’s why I think this should be pretty much standard for everyone going forward. TG Branfalt: And what is the success rate for remediation? Jeff Adams: The success rate is really good. X-ray is very effective. It’s a process that does take some time. It’s not like it just zaps it and instantly everything’s gone. The way it works is the x-ray energy has to be absorbed into, not necessarily into the plant, but be absorbed by the microbes. And as those are absorbing energy, their DNA breaks apart and they become AUR and they can’t grow anymore after that. But that process takes some time. And so for example, with our machine, you can load between 15 and 20 pounds of dried cannabis into our machine at one time, and then that load is going to take somewhere between two and a half and three and a half hours to get fully decontaminated. So it’d be nice if it was just an instant, turn it on and man, it’s gone, but it does take some time. And so when you talk about effectivity, then the variables there are obviously how contaminated is the product coming in and very contaminated. Then you want to give it a longer treatment. You might choose to treat four or five hours, or if you just know that it’s lightly contaminated and you’re kind of doing an insurance run, you might only treat for an hour or an hour and a half, something like that, and you’ll be fine. In X-ray speak, the x-ray dose is measured by what’s called graze. And so a typical dose for cannabis would be 2000 gras. And like I said, between two and a half and three and a half hours, our machine can deliver 2000 gras. Something like trim is a much more dense product. That more dense product is going to take longer to absorb the x-ray. So you’re probably looking at three and a half, four hours for a load of trim, but then you can do 40 plus pounds at a time of trim in that same volume. So it is just an equation of how dirty is the incoming stuff, how dense is the material that you’re trying to treat, and then what is the assurance level that you want to give yourself in the end. TG Branfalt: You said you got into this, you designed a better mouse trap as it were. Can you tell me about that process? What was that like for Jeff Adams: You? Yeah, I’d be happy to. I spent a little over a, not only studying the cannabis market, but studying the different technologies that were out there. And what I found was that the machines that were currently available were most of them actually using x-ray tubes that are used in X-ray imaging. And those tubes have limitations because they have a very small focal spot. I don’t want to get too technical here, but just saying that they’re limited on the power that they can create because they’re intended or designed for an imaging application. Other kinds of x-ray tubes are made specifically for irradiation, and so they can handle higher power, but there aren’t very many of them out there. And what we had at XR Pure was a purpose built irradiation tube that could generate more power than really anybody out there. So state-of-the-art for irradiation tubes was about four kilowatts per tube. And for imaging tubes was about six kilowatts per tube. And our first version of our tube created 12 kilowatts. So we’re already two to three times more powerful than anyone else out of the gate. And right now, as you mentioned, we just released our XR 16, which is a 16 kilowatt tube. So now we’re about four times as powerful, and that’s what gives us the ability to make a simple machine. X-ray power decreases with distance. And so in order to do a good job decontaminating with a low power tube, you have to try to get the cannabis very close to the tube to have a decent decontamination rate. And that is the case with some of the lower power x-ray tubes. And so in order to do that, they’ve come up with all kinds of mechanical movement systems where they have to spin and rotate the cannabis in order to get it close to their tube to get a good rate. Well, with our extra power, we don’t need all of that motion. We’ve eliminated all of that complexity and complication. You literally just load the cannabis flour inside a Turkey bag or whatever you’re using in your own facility. You load that into our tray, you close the door and you do the irradiation. There’s no movement, there’s no tumbling, there’s no physical harm done to the plant because it’s just a very simple, straightforward way of doing it. TG Branfalt: I mean, it sounds like it’s a very much simpler process and the old adage where if you have less stuff to break, you have less stuff to break. Jeff Adams: We believe that’s true. One other thing there is we use a factory sealed x-ray tube that x-ray tubes need to have a vacuum inside of them in order to generate how they work. So some people use tubes, that’s called an open architecture tube where you can’t actually open the tube up, but it requires a secondary vacuum pump running all the time to create that vacuum for the x-ray to operate. Our tubes are not like that. Our tubes are made from the factory with the vacuum sealed in. So no additional equipment is needed to keep the vacuum. All you need is the power supply for the x-ray tube and it will create x-ray. So again, there’s simpler in the fact that we don’t need all that additional equipment. We don’t need the vacuum pump and other things to make our x-ray tubes work. TG Branfalt: So Joe, you had said that you had started your career in this industry as sort of an advocate. How have you taken that sort of advocacy role and applied it to your job as national sales manager? Joseph Bancheri: Yeah. Well, basically I’m a plant guy and I believe in the plant as medicine and it obviously has many different uses, but I want the full integrity of the plant to be delivered to the customer. We have pre and post data showing that the terpene profile THC water content before and after it’s been run through our equipment. And that’s why I’m in this because I stand by that as far as back in the day, I would go out, get petitions signed and do all the things and get the medicine to the people any way I could. But as now I back up this technology and I believe in it. So that’s why I think when I talk to people, they understand that. TG Branfalt: And when you talk to people, does anyone bring up any safety concerns and are there any safety concerns with using X-ray tech devices to Joseph Bancheri: Yeah, so on that concern, there’s a stigma about using x-ray, right? And the x-ray just passes right through the plant and it gets absorbed into the lead walls of the cabinet. Nothing is actual, there’s no residual in the plant. So that’s the thing. People think they’re smoking radioactive weed. No, it’s like a light. You turn it on, you turn it off, it’s gone. So that’s the education that we need to get out there, and I’m working on different ways to show that I’m going to run a measurement on the flower before we run it, after we run it and show it’s not radioactive, it’s safe, it’s just clean, and that’s the whole idea. TG Branfalt: So we talked a bit about the development process, and I know that the XR 16 is a scaled up version of previous tech. Is that correct? Jeff Adams: Correct. TG Branfalt: How quickly did you see the need to scale up from first launch to now the XR 16? Jeff Adams: Yeah, the need for that really comes with the MSOs and the large growers, right? Because they have a lot of volume that they’re trying to get through, sometimes hundreds of pounds a week. And back to, I mentioned, it’s two and a half to three and a half hours to do a batch through our XR 12 product. You add that up, and if you’re really trying to push it and you’re running the machine 24 hours a day, you can do 130 or 140 pounds a day with the XR 16, we can increase that by a third basically. And so now you’re getting close to 200 pounds a day and somebody where they’re really trying to get every bit through that they can, that makes a big difference and time is money for them. So one batch drops down to between an hour and a half and two hours for one batch rather than two and a half to three and a half. Joseph Bancheri: The big MSOs need to be able to push that amount of weight through the machine for sure. TG Branfalt: And so we know that that product recalls have a price fixed to them, whether it be remediation or getting rid of destroying the problematic product. Can you tell me the cost of an x-ray decontamination device versus the cost of an average product recall? Jeff Adams: Yeah, so with our equipment, the most popular way to get our equipment has been through a lease program and depending on the length of the lease and the terms of that, it ends up between somewhere between 10 and 12 KA month. And so if you just think about if you’ve got contaminated product, even on the wholesale level, if you can save 10 pounds in a month, basically you’ve paid for your month’s worth of the machine and not to discount what harm it might do to your reputation in the marketplace. The dispensaries may not want to carry your product anymore after a recall or whatever. I think those costs multiply even tenfold or something of what the cost of the product itself is and the harm to your reputation, et cetera. So the payback on the machine is extremely fast, very easy to justify. It’s kind of an insurance policy in a way. Having that and making sure that every time you send something for test it’s going to pass, you’re not going to have an R on your COA, which means it’s been remediated, right? All of those things are things that people that are savvy about this, they’re looking for that kind of stuff. They don’t want to buy flour that has those issues. And so this is going to help your sales to dispensaries and others. TG Branfalt: Are there other ways that operators can access this device that’s not a sort of lease program Jeff Adams: There? We have customers that basically use the machine and do tolling, it’s called. And so it depends on the laws of the particular state that you’re in, but for the state will allow it, then these toll operators then will bring somebody’s flower in, run it through for a certain price per pound, and then they take it back and they package it and sell it after that. And so if you’re a small operator or something like that, this is a great solution, a way for you to get access and get things decontaminated without making the big investment. The other thing that we’re working on, and maybe a little early information here is we are building a version of our product where we’ve taken one of our machines and mounted it in a mobile trailer and we’ve got a partner that we’re working with there. So the idea then is they will take that trailer around and they’ll come right to your farm, they’ll bring it to you, set up there for a day or two days or however long it takes for whatever amount of product you’ve got, run it through the machine. Now you’ve got door to door service and you’ve got access to this technology that maybe feels out of reach for a lot of small growers. TG Branfalt: And is that something Joe that you’re doing is trying to raise awareness of that potential sort of mobile unit as it’s rolling out? Joseph Bancheri: Yeah. Well, we’re looking to start in the Albany area, so yeah, so when I was up in Syracuse, I was talking to a lot of the cultivators I ran into up there, but it’ll probably have to stay in that zone. So as much as I can, I do let them know about that. And it’s just a great way to see the technology. I know if your machine is down as well and you have some kind of emergency, you need backup. I think it could be an awesome solution for that as well. So agreed. TG Branfalt: And have you guys run up against, you had mentioned regulations in each state. Have you run up against cannabis control boards or offices of cannabis management, whatever, it’s state by state against this technology or any sort of issues there? Jeff Adams: That definitely has happened. I would say that we were a little bit late to the market. There were a couple of other x-ray machine producers out there in the market before us, and that’s been a little bit of a blessing for us because they have actually fought those fights with the cannabis control boards in other places. Nevada is a great example. I mean, it even came down to a lawsuit, right in Nevada to get approval to have this kind of technology. Now that there’s several years of runway there and the technology has been proven, we have not seen very much resistance from cannabis control boards or other people. Been pretty well accepted, easily registered and stuff. And we give kudos to our predecessors for that help. Joseph Bancheri: There’s a whole process of getting it registered and with the control boards and stuff like that, which we help all of our clients on our end with all the proper paperwork and stuff like that. Jeff Adams: Maybe just to elaborate on that a little bit, every state is going to have an office of x-ray control. Every x-ray machine in every state has to be registered, every doctor’s office, dentist’s office, et cetera. So we fall into that same thing. And then some states, the cannabis board will want to be involved in that and also want registration with them and other states they don’t really care. TG Branfalt: And is there a learning curve when you’re talking to people in the cannabis control board or OCM about helping them to understand and what is that process like? Jeff Adams: One of the things that’s been very helpful there is that x-ray is not a new technology, and so it’s something that’s well understood and well regulated. And for example, we follow an FDA regulation that governs basically how much x-ray could be leaking out of the machine. And we follow the very most stringent regulations that way, which say that if we can pass those regulations, a person could stand next to that machine all day long and receive no harm from the machine. You don’t even have to have a monitoring device. But again, every different kind of x-ray machine sort of is on that spectrum to where you might need leaded walls around it all the way to needing nothing, and we fall on the nothing end. We take great care to shield that machine appropriately as well as having control systems, safety systems interlocks, and things that make sure that if there was any problem with the machine, if there’s any risk that somebody could be exposed to x-ray, then the machine shuts itself off in those cases and protects the user. TG Branfalt: And Joe, what was the learning curve like for you getting into this very dense tech? Joseph Bancheri: Yeah. Well, first of all, I was actually selling weed for a brand out here, and they were the first ones with a remediation unit in Nevada and I was selling it. I didn’t even know they were using that unit. So I went through my whole, I’m smoking radioactive weed thing and I’m selling radioactive weed. So that kind of fucked me up a little bit. But then once I got with these guys and the guy who designed it, and Jeff, these guys are, and it’s something we haven’t talked about, the parent company that builds our tubes where these guys actually started with, they’ve been around for 75 years, so solid company. I’ll let Jeff talk more about that maybe, but they explained to me how everything works. That’s why I’m able to talk about the DNA on the microbials and the plant and kind of explain that to people now that I understand it with confidence, and I feel I’m totally okay with it now, but I went through my faith as well. TG Branfalt: Jeff, how important is it to have somebody with this sort of breadth of cannabis experience as a member of your team? Being predominantly a tech company, Jeff Adams: It is invaluable. The cannabis space, I will admit, as new to me, I’ve been in it for about three and a half years now, so I’ve learned a lot. But to say it this way in cannabis, you need some street cred. You know what I mean? It was for many years in illegal industry and it’s like if you’re in, you’re in and if you’re out, you’re out. And you need somebody that understands the ins and outs of cannabis and what that’s all about and can sort of talk the talk and walk the walk. And that’s been important for me. I joke with Joe, I’m a little bit of a Chad. I get it. I own that because I haven’t historically been part of it. What I will say though is as I have gotten into the cannabis industry, I have met people, many people whose lives have really been helped by cannabis, and I absolutely understand the medical benefit and the medicinal benefit of cannabis and have really changed my own attitudes about the value of cannabis in society and what it can really do. And I fully support legalization and especially in a medical use case, fully support that. TG Branfalt: Was there any, Joe had mentioned that the parent company or the company that designs the tubes is 75 years old. Was there any trepidation about them by them being associated with the cannabis industry? Jeff Adams: There was, and that’s part of how XR Pure came apart about is that we formed a separate company in order to do this cannabis division because of some of the nervousness of the bankers and the lawyers and the accountants, and maybe they have good reason for that because I don’t think the banking system and all of that in the US has fully embraced cannabis yet. It’s still a problem for everybody. And so we made some legal separations and some protections there for the parent company as well. TG Branfalt: So in some states, they do not allow for remediation of cannabis products. They demand that they be destroyed once they come off the shelves, but most states do allow it. Now, oftentimes you will see a mass recall of products that have already hit store shelves, and they’ll recall the entire brand, not just sort of an afflicted product in some cases. How can the x-ray tech be used, or is it possible that it can be used to prevent these sort of mass recalls in states that do allow remediation? Jeff Adams: Oh, I definitely believe that it can prevent them, yes. The way that we advocate our customers using the machine is as a standard part of their SOP as a preventative measure, not as a reactive measure. Right? TG Branfalt: Interesting. Jeff Adams: And so we say every ounce that you grow should go through that machine and decontaminated, and not only that, it should be decontaminated early in the process, meaning that right after dry and cure and trim, that would be the time to run it through and decontaminate it that way. Any of those microbials that were existing through the growing process and all of that, you cut those down to nearly zero, and then you can store the product cleanly or package it at that point and have confidence that it’s not growing inside the package. If you take the mindset that, Hey, I’m just going to test it first and only the stuff that fails, I’m going to remediate after the fact, you’re exposing yourself to a lot of risk of recalls and things down the line because that, as Joe mentioned earlier, if you’ve got a lot that just barely passes the regulation for microbials, it’s going to be growing inside that package and it multiplies fast. It’s only a few months worth of time to where you can go from something that’s clean and smells right and all of that to literally visible mold, a terrible smell, and all of that doesn’t take that long for that to happen. TG Branfalt: Joe, do you get any pushback from operators or how do they react when you suggest that this is part of the SOPs? Joseph Bancheri: Yeah, well, I mean a lot of ’em, I think they understand because if you’re thinking of all the tests and retesting, every test costs you money. So that’s a bottom line thing. They just, it’s considered basically a kill step along the way. And if you know your product well enough, we’ve got some people that are using a thousand gray, 1500 gray, they don’t need to use the whole 2000 gray just as an insurance policy. And I think people understand it. They know it’s not going to affect their plant. They know they’re going to pass their COAs first time, it’s their cheat code, whatever, but it’s also creating clean product for the end users, so everybody wins. That’s how I look at it. TG Branfalt: Can either one of you give me any sort of ballpark indication of how many businesses are using this technology currently? Joseph Bancheri: Well, what I like to say is there’s, in Colorado you got businesses, that’s all they do. They have five machines, they just take on people’s product, and that’s all they do. They’re running remediation all day. They don’t even grow. That’s their business. Colorado’s very saturated with remediation units. Michigan, it’s very saturated Illinois. I think you have to have one that’s a thousand CFU there. So I think New York’s still at a hundred thousand or they’re not in that realm yet, but once those start getting tightened up, it’s going to, you’re see it a lot more, a lot of different machines out there. TG Branfalt: How much competition is in the x-ray decontamination space for cannabis? Jeff Adams: There’s about five companies right now that are doing the X-ray machines specifically for cannabis. So decent amount of competition, I guess s, but not a ton of providers. Your other question I would answer also a little bit differently. We believe there’s maybe 250 to 300 machines at the most out in the country. And so the states where Kansas has been legal for a long time, like Joe mentioned, Colorado, pretty saturated with machines and we believe a good portion, I won’t venture an actual number, but a good portion of the operators are using X-ray remediation and new states. The nice thing is they have the benefit of learning from those older states, and we’re seeing them asking for x-ray right off the bat right from the beginning because they know it’s the best way to do it. TG Branfalt: It’s very fascinating sort of sector of the industry that I don’t think many people think about. And I think that through this conversation, almost calling it remediation as a misnomer, if you’re, again putting it as part of your SOP process, it becomes sort of preventative. Jeff Adams: So we prefer the term decontamination, which really does indicate a proactive approach to it. And part of the SOP where remediation in our language would mean something that’s already been proven to have failed, and then now you’re going to run it through to remediate it. The other comment I would have is that the stigma for X-rayed product is real. There’s no doubt about it. And so many of our companies don’t want us talking about the fact that we’re selling the machine or leasing them a machine. And I get that from their standpoint. I completely get that. Our standpoint, we have just the opposite viewpoint. We believe that using x-ray to decontaminate a product gives you a better product in the end. And I think you should be advertising that to your customers. Like, Hey, it’s been through this product. It is guaranteed to be clean, especially if you’re immunocompromised medical patients, you know that you’re getting clean stuff. It has been treated, and yet the potency is still going to be medicine for you. It’s still going to give you all the benefits that you’re looking for, but it’s not going to make you sick. And I would be advertising that, but I know it’s hard to get over that public perception and that stigma. TG Branfalt: Well, and there is a study from California Department of Cannabis Control that lays out exactly what you just said in black and white. That was an independent study using x-ray that found that there was no sort of harm associated with the technology. Joseph Bancheri: That’s right. We’re going to work on a six month, 12 month stabilization test showing flour that has not been remediated and our flower that has been remediated and show what it looks like after six months, after 12 months compared to the one that was not remediated. And I think once that data, once we get more and more data out there, it’s going to be more helpful for people to TG Branfalt: Understand. So I do want to ask just sort of about remediation. I know that we’ve sort of moved away from calling the X RRP that we want to call the decontamination, which I can’t say, but could this technology be used in remediating illegal cannabis cultivation sites at all? Jeff Adams: That’s an interesting question. I mean, certainly it could, right? All you need is a space and some power, and you can hook that thing up and do what you want with it. I haven’t ever thought about would we be willing to sell a machine or lease a machine to somebody like that? TG Branfalt: Well, no, not leasing a machine to somebody like that, but say in California where there is just acres of land that’s being used to cultivate cannabis illegally, it’s polluting the soil and leaving a lot of contamination behind. Is there any utility do you think, for x-ray tech in cleaning up these sites? Joseph Bancheri: I would say if we had a partner and they did a trailer with us, one of these mobile trailers where they go, we don’t care. We just have a profit share on the pound rate that they charge. So if they want to go whatever farm they go to, that’s fine. I just don’t think we would place a unit there. So that would be the workaround for that. TG Branfalt: Yeah, and I guess you couldn’t really use a device like this for remitting soil or anything like that. Now that I sort of No. Understand the Joseph Bancheri: Technology, yeah, it would have to be after the plant’s been harvested and cured. If you did put a live plan in there, it would kill it basically. TG Branfalt: What advice would you have for operators who are facing a recall, who are trying to remediate get this product to market without losing thousands of dollars? Joseph Bancheri: Well, what I would say, oh, go ahead Jim. Jeff Adams: I’d just say that there’s plenty of access to these machines. As we mentioned, there’s several hundred of them in the country. And so even going, finding somebody who could help you remediate that product and make it viable again, is one way. Again, we really would push the proactive approach to making it part of your own process and guaranteeing yourself good results by using that technology. TG Branfalt: And finally, where can people find out more about XR Pure and the XR 16? Jeff Adams: The best way is through our website, XR pure.com. All the information about the equipment and everything is there. One of the little features on the website that I’d like to plug is that there’s a calculator there, so anybody can go on and they can put in their own numbers. This is what I’m selling the wholesale flower for. If I can’t sell it as wholesale, I’ve got to sell it as trim. And what price is that? How much are you growing and what’s your failure rate? So very quickly, within just a matter of seconds, you can go on, plug in those numbers and we’ll spit you back at basically an ROI that says, this is what kind of money we can save you by using this kind of technology. Aside from information on just the equipment itself, we tried to do our part to help with education. We have a blog there on the website that has many different articles about tips and tricks on how to run a clean facility. Aside from using decontamination or remediation technology, what things can you do proactively in your growing process, in your drying process and how you clean the facility? All of that. We’ve done our best to gather that kind of information and make that available for people to understand X-ray as a a comprehensive program of making sure that you’re clean and doing things that would maintain the integrity of your product. All of that’s available on our website. TG Branfalt: Well, I do appreciate you guys coming on the show. This is, again, not something that we’ve ever talked about on the Entrepreneur Podcast, and you do a great job at clarifying and helping people understand, and hopefully this episode helps reduce the stigma that’s associated with alleged radioactive cannabis because it does not seem like that is the case. I certainly wouldn’t shy away from smoking some grass that had gone through this process for sure. So I appreciate you guys taking the time and really explaining it in a way that me and the listeners can’t understand. Jeff Adams: Well, you’re very welcome, Tim, and thank you again for taking the time with us and to understand what we do and giving us some exposure on your podcast. TG Branfalt: That is Jeff Adams, founder and managing director, and Joseph Cheri, national Sales Manager from Las Vegas, Nevada based XR Pure, which recently launched the XR 16 capable of eliminating mold of mildew, bacteria, and other harmful pathogens on cannabis flower. You can find more episodes of the Ganjapreneur.com podcast and the podcast section of ganjapreneur.com and wherever you get your podcast. In the Ganjapreneur website, you’ll find the latest cannabis news and cannabis jobs updated daily along with transcripts of this podcast. You can also download the Ganjapreneur.com app in iTunes and Google Play. This episode was engineered by Wayward Sound Studio. I’ve been your host, TG Branfalt. < Previous Next > Recent Reviews Cookies & Alt Sol "Ridgeline Lantz" Strain Review - Takoma Wellness Center Ridgeline Lantz, cultivated by Alt Sol and currently available at Takoma Wellness Center, exudes an impressive pedigree. With its origins... Watermelon Sugar, High: Fade Co.'s Live Resin Gummies Reviewed There's a running joke about Harry Styles' summer smash that the man himself has cheerfully leaned into: nobody is entirely sure what "watermelon sugar" is, only that it sounds fantastic and you want more of it. 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