Promoting Cannabis Lab Success: A Conversation with the CEO of Modern Canna
The expansion of the US cannabis industry has led to the emergence of numerous cannabis testing labs. While some of these labs have origins in other industries, such as the environmental sector, many are new start-ups and can experience a broad range of challenges and opportunities.
Developing systems around prioritizing staff, instrument flexibility, and nurturing meaningful vendor relations help promote an environment for success. This webcast will be a conversation between George Fernandez, CEO of Modern Canna, and Ben Southwell, Assistant Professor and Coordinator for the LSSU Cannabis Center of Excellence. They will discuss strategies for developing a lab model centered around quality, transparency, and integrity.
Key Learning Objectives/What attendees will learn:
- Considerations for new lab start-ups
- Approaches for providing quality lab data
- Maximizing instrument vendor relations for lab effectiveness
Who Should Attend:
- Future or current cannabis lab managers
- Future or current cannabis testing lab analysts and chemists
- Entrepreneurs considering starting a cannabis testing lab
- Cannabis operators, specifically professionals who work in QA/QC and/or compliance departments
- Cannabis cultivators, processors, retailers
- Medical marijuana consumers
Presenter: Benjamin Southwell (Assistant Professor, Lake Superior State University)
Benjamin Southwell holds a bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Chemistry from Lake Superior State University (LSSU) and Central Michigan University, respectively. With a research focus on studying the analytics of cannabinoids and terpenes in cannabis products as the Coordinator for the LSSU Cannabis Center of Excellence. Currently he instructs courses in Forensic, Analytical, and Cannabis Chemistry.
Presenter: George Fernandez (Founder & CEO, Modern Canna Labs)
George Fernandez is the founder and CEO of Modern Canna Labs. George has 14+ years of experience operating successful commercial laboratories in highly regulated industries. He specializes in brand development, disruptive ideation, driving organizational improvements, and compassionate leadership. Throughout his career he has launched and optimized several companies, which helped him adopt a risk-tolerant, intuitive, and innovative approach to business.
