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Lauren Sands, one of SafeTiva’s Senior Laboratory Technicians, recently shared research from her Master’s thesis at the University of Connecticut with the CannMed podcast. During the podcast episode, Ben Amirault and Lauren speak about hormonal regulation of the enzymes that aid in producing cannabinoids.  Lauren’s research focused on cannabis genes responsible for growth, pathogen defense, and hormone regulation of cannabinoid synthesis. Her work unveils a deeper understanding of the internal networks within cannabis plants and...Read More

Who doesn’t like a deal? Each day, many of us turn to Amazon, or similar platforms, shopping for everyday items that we could also find at the local grocer, hardware store or regional mall. We turn to these platforms for a number of reasons however, cost is typically at the top of the list. Now, for a moment, think about what you’re shopping for; bulk toilet paper, a yoga mat, a vacuum cleaner or perhaps...Read More

Many cannabis consumers consider growing their own product.  I wonder if it is the high cost of commercial cannabis, undesired quality, or a combination of the two that pushes individuals over the edge?  What may seem like a great idea for a project can quickly turn into a die-hard passion, career opportunity, or an absolute nightmare.  The number one question an individual should ask themselves when considering starting a homegrow is: what is my goal? Read More

I am always amazed when I look at two nearly identical concentrates, that both have very similar lab results, and yet have completely different effects and price points.  But how and why do we differentiate these products?  The answer lies within solvent vs solventless extraction and live vs dry cured material.  Solvent or Solventless extraction  Solvent extraction involves using chemicals to strip plant material of cannabinoids, terpenes, and other essential oils.  These chemicals used in...Read More

In this post, we will cover the different stages of cannabis cultivation. Starting with pre-harvest to post-harvest, this article is a great primer! Pre-Harvest is the First Stage of Cannabis Cultivation Germination Environmental signals such as moisture and temperature signal a hormonal change inside of the plant seed that breaks dormancy. Root radicles break through the seed coat (testa) in search of water, oxygen, and nutrients, and structure. Once there is sufficient structural support, the...Read More

Each year, new genetics arrive for cultivators, and so does new terminology. My favorite concept recently has been “crop steering”. Technically, this concept refers to manipulating inputs that drive hormonal responses in the plant. The variables or “inputs” relevant to this concept can be found into two cultivation sections: fertigation and canopy. Fertigation involves the controlled delivery of water, nutrients, and O2 to the plant root system. Both the bare minimal and optimal quantities of...Read More

Cultivators are like cultivars; no one is identical to another. But in an industry with so much room for differentiation, why are so many cultivators focusing on the concept of Vapor Pressure Deficit (VPD)? The short answer is this calculation, or relationship, sheds light on every cultivator’s dream: achieving optimal growth conditions. Optimal growth conditions are hard to define because of the variety of cultivation setups and the drastic natural changes that take place over...Read More