Episode 120: Heavy Metal Contamination in Cannabis with Robert Thomas

Before starting the podcast I wanted to let listeners know that I plan on adding more interviews of growers this season. While the original intention of the podcast was to bridge the gap between academic research and real life cultivation, I have done a wide variety of interviews of the years and think it’s important to hear how growers are dealing with real day to day issues in their cultivation facilities, as we don’t typically get to grow under perfect conditions and control for every variable. So while these interviews might be slightly less scientific and may contain some personal experiences and anecdotal information, my hope is that it will spark new ideas, research, and help growers deal with real life scenarios that they may be facing as well, and grow the community.

In the spirit of this, my guest this week is Matthew Butters. I met Matthew when he emailed me and we started corresponding. I went to tour his facility, which is about 2.5 hours away from me, and after the tour I decided I wanted to have him on the podcast. Matthew serves as the Director of Cultivation at Smokey Point Productions and Waypointe Ventures, a prominent i502 operation in Washington. Leveraging his expertise in cannabis cultivation, he has a rich history of successfully developing and leading cultivation teams in various settings worldwide. Matthew is driven by a commitment to achieving sustainable production of top-tier cannabis on a commercial scale, reflecting his passion for excellence in the industry. Now on to the show!

My guest this week is Michael Alden. Michael is the Research Director at Stairway Holding, Inc. and explores methods to improve  efficiency and productivity in cannabis cultivation. He spent the past 5 years as a graduate research assistant with Dr. Jim Faust studying the flowering physiology of poinsettias (M.S.) and cannabis (PhD) at Clemson University. Now on to the show!

My guest this week is my good friend, Suzanne Wainwright-Evans also known by many as The Bug Lady. She is an Ornamental Entomologist specializing in integrated pest management.  Suzanne has been involved in the Green Industry for more than 25 years with a primary focus on biological control and using pesticides properly.  She is a graduate of the University of Florida with degrees in both Entomology and Environmental Horticulture. Suzanne has been on the podcast multiple times and I highly suggest folks go back and listen to some of her other podcasts if you haven’t already.

Bryant is a Certified Crop Advisor who specializes in organic cannabis nutrition. He has spent the last 5 years working to combine precision laboratory techniques with data science in an effort to unravel the complexities of cannabis soil and crop nutrition. Along with his work on soilless media, he also helps outdoor cultivators around the U.S. with nutrient management and cover cropping. If you would like to do soil testing, help interpreting a soil test, or are interested in an online course on these subjects, his website is www.soildoctorconsulting.com. If you want to save $100 on his course, you can use the discount code KISORGANICS, all one word. I’ve taken his course and was recently going back to review some of the content. It’s excellent and I highly recommend it for anyone wanting to do a deep dive on cannabis fertility and re-using your soil. Now on to the show!

Welcome to the Cannabis Cultivation and Science podcast, I'm your host Tad Hussey of KIS Organics. This is the podcast where we discuss the cutting edge of growing from a science based perspective and draw on top experts from around the industry to share their wisdom and knowledge. My guest this week is Bryant Mason. I’ve had Bryant on the podcast a few times in the past and he’s one of my favorite guests.

Bryant is a Certified Crop Advisor who specializes in organic cannabis nutrition. He has spent the last 5 years working to combine precision laboratory techniques with data science in an effort to unravel the complexities of cannabis soil and crop nutrition. Along with his work on soilless media, he also helps outdoor cultivators around the U.S. with nutrient management and cover cropping. If you would like to do soil testing, help interpreting a soil test, or are interested in an online course on these subjects, his website is www.soildoctorconsulting.com. If you want to save $100 on his course, you can use the discount code KISORGANICS, all one word. I’ve taken his course and was recently going back to review some of the content. It’s excellent and I highly recommend it for anyone wanting to do a deep dive on cannabis fertility and re-using your soil. Now on to the show!

In this episode, I review some of the available research on mycorrhizal fungi and how it applies to cannabis and other edible crops. I also talk about how to determine what products are worth using in your garden, how best to apply mycorrhizal fungi, and what its role is in heavy metal uptake. 

Robert Thomas is the principal scientist at Scientific Solutions, a consulting company that serves the educational needs of the trace element user community. He has worked in the field of atomic and mass spectroscopy for almost 50 years, including 24 years for a manufacturer of atomic spectroscopic instrumentation. Rob has written overt 100 technical publications, including a 15-part tutorial series entitled, A Beginner’s Guide to ICP-MS. He is also the editor and frequent contributor of the Atomic Perspectives column in Spectroscopy magazine, as well as serving on the editorial advisory board of Analytical Cannabis. In addition, Rob has authored 6 textbooks on the fundamental principles and applications of ICP-MS. His most recent book is entitled, A Practical Guide to ICP-MS and Other AS Techniques, which was published in September, 2023. Rob has an advanced degree in analytical chemistry from the University of Wales, UK, and is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC) and a Chartered Chemist (CChem).

Victoria has a lifelong interest in studying the interactions between microbes and their surrounding environment. She earned her Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of Michigan before moving to Dartmouth College to further her studies with postdoctoral research. As Chief Science Officer of Imio, Victoria has led the development and production of multiple microbial products that replace harmful chemicals and enable healthier, more productive cultivation of plants. 

Charles started Imio to dedicate his career to helping people, plants and our planet. After graduating from Dartmouth College, he began his career at Morgan Stanley where he focused on the technology sector. He moved on from finance to join a NYC based software startup where he gained valuable insight into scaling companies and teams. As CEO of Imio, Charles manages Business Development and Operations, as the company works to unlock plant productivity and restore our planet through the power of nature.  

Now on to the show!

In the course of all my interviews, I sometimes find topics that I want to talk about more in-depth or share a deeper opinion on than I get to in the podcast itself. Sometimes the flow of the podcast changes direction or it just doesn’t fit in the context of the interview, but regardless of the reason I thought a format like this would allow me to both share more information on the podcast as well as further support and provide value to the listeners who currently support our Patreon channel. Also, I’ve found that in some of my earlier interviews, the information has changed or I may not agree with everything that was shared by a guest. This will allow me to go share an alternative viewpoint or perspective on a topic. It takes me a long time now to vet guests for the show and while I’d like to be able to release podcasts more frequently, I’d rather focus on quality content rather than quantity.

My guest this week is Steve Cantwell. Steve is a former mixed martial artist and entrepreneur known for his time in the UFC and his involvement with Green Life Productions.

Steve Cantwell was born in Long Beach, CA. He began training in martial arts at a young age and developed a passion for combat sports. In 2005, Cantwell made his professional MMA debut and quickly gained attention for his aggressive fighting style and well-rounded skills. He amassed an impressive record in regional promotions, which led to his signing with the UFC in 2008.

In recent years, Cantwell has focused on his entrepreneurial endeavors, particularly in the cannabis industry. He founded Green Life Productions (GLP) in 2014, a prominent Las Vegas-based cannabis cultivation company. GLP is known for its organic and sustainable approach to cannabis cultivation, producing high-quality cannabis.

Cantwell's involvement with GLP has allowed him to combine his passion for entrepreneurship with his interest in health and wellness. His contributions to the company reflect his ongoing dedication to promoting sustainable and responsible practices within the cannabis industry. Now on to the show!