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Committee Insights | 7.13.23 | Know Your Hazards – Occupational Health and Safety Considerations in Cannabinoid Ingredient Manufacturing

NCIA’s #IndustryEssentials webinar series is our premier digital educational platform featuring a variety of interactive programs allowing us to provide you timely, engaging and essential education when you need it most.

In this edition of our NCIA Committee Insights series, originally aired on July 13, we were joined by members of NCIA’s Cannabis Manufacturing, Scientific Advisory and Hemp Committees for an in-depth discussion highlighting the occupational health and safety considerations to make during the manufacture of cannabinoids and provide recommendations for mitigating risk.

There is no mistaking that manufacturing cannabinoids is here to stay. It is more and more prevalent to see historically plant/naturally derived bulk ingredients being manufactured in a controlled environment in the lab or through innovative processes like precision fermentation. It is likely that bulk ingredient manufacturing of cannabinoids will go this route too.

For cannabinoids like HHC, that do not exist naturally in the plant or in high enough quantities to be commercially viable for extraction, it is most certainly the case that manufacture of these compounds will occur in the lab. To produce these compounds safely, we can luckily look toward existing regulations and occupational health and safety guidelines for producing novel ingredients for use in foods and non-foods.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognizing common occupational safety hazards associated with manufacturing cannabinoids and recommendation to mitigate these hazards

• Learning the different occupational safety considerations between isolation and purification of naturally occurring cannabinoids and the manufacture (synthesis) of cannabinoids in the lab

• Understanding the special safety considerations that processes like hydrogenation and others have and why these are critical to mitigating liability for your business

Panelists:

Jacob Enslein
Consultant
AJ Cannabis Consulting

Rhiannon Woo
Co-Founder & CSO
TraceTrust

Tenay Woodard
Director of Safety & Security
KIVA Brands, Inc.

Tucker Holland
Co-founder, CFO and Processing Director
Entourage Cannabis

Keith Butler
CEO
OP Innovates / Naturia+™

This is the fourth of five in a multi-part series of #IndustryEssentials webinars. You can watch Parts I-V at the links below.

Defining the Conversation: Minor, Novel & Synthetic Cannabinoids (Part I): https://bit.ly/3D2LReB

Meet the Minors (Part II): https://bit.ly/3qUD8Ip

Safeguarding Consumers in the Cannabinoid Product Landscape (Part III):

Know Your Hazards – Occupational Health and Safety Considerations in Cannabinoid Ingredient Manufacturing (Part IV)https://bit.ly/3rEUeKP

Concepts for Regulatory Consideration – Shifting the Conversation from “Cannabis vs. Hemp” to “The Cannabinoids” (Part V): https://bit.ly/3P3r5AW

Member Blog: Transportation Woes – The Unique Risks Cannabis Businesses Face and the Need for Specialized Insurance

In recent years, the cannabis industry has continued to grow with the legalization movement gaining momentum across the globe. As the market expands, so do the unique risks that cannabis businesses face, particularly when it comes to transportation. From theft and accidents to regulatory compliance, navigating the road to success in the cannabis industry requires adequate insurance coverage. In this blog post, I will explore the specific risks cannabis businesses encounter during transportation and the increasing importance of insurance products tailored to these challenges.

  1. The Rising Threat of Theft

    Protecting your valuable cargo from theft is a constant concern for cannabis businesses, especially during transportation. The high value of cannabis products makes them an attractive target for criminals. With high value products and cash amounts involved, the consequences can be devastating. That’s why it’s crucial for cannabis businesses to invest in insurance policies that specifically address theft risks during transportation. These policies can provide coverage for stolen goods, ensuring that businesses can recover from such losses and continue to thrive.

  2. On the Road

    Whether a retail delivery or wholesale distributor, transporting cannabis comes with its own set of challenges, particularly when it comes to employee safety, accidents and liability. Cannabis businesses must comply with strict regulations regarding transportation, including proper labeling, packaging, storing, tracking and secure transport methods. Additionally, accidents involving cannabis delivery vehicles can result in property damage, bodily injury, or even fatalities. Insurance products tailored to cannabis transportation risks can provide coverage for these eventualities, protecting businesses from costly lawsuits and providing peace of mind.

  3. Staying Compliant

    Navigating regulatory compliance with ever-changing regulations is a top priority and can be a challenge for any cannabis business. When it comes to transportation, the rules can be even more complex. Each jurisdiction has its own set of regulations governing cannabis transportation, such as licensing requirements, transport manifest requirements, and restrictions on the quantity of cannabis allowed per shipment. Failure to comply with these regulations can lead to significant penalties or even the suspension or loss of a cannabis license. Insurance products designed for the cannabis industry can help businesses stay compliant by providing coverage for regulatory fines and legal expenses.

  4. Tailored Insurance

    Meeting the unique needs of the cannabis industry and recognizing the unique risks faced by cannabis businesses, insurance providers have developed specialized products to address these challenges. Cannabis transport insurance policies offer elements of risk transfer strategies by providing comprehensive coverages, including theft, auto damage, liability and employee injury, while simultaneously meeting regulatory compliance issues. These tailored insurance solutions are essential for cannabis businesses, providing financial protection and ensuring business continuity in the face of inherent risk.

In general, the transportation of cannabis presents unique risks for businesses operating in the industry. From the constant threat of theft to accidents and regulatory compliance challenges, cannabis businesses must be prepared to face these risks head-on. Insurance products tailored to the specific needs of the cannabis industry offer crucial protection, allowing businesses to navigate the road to success with confidence. Investing in this insurance is not just a wise business decision — it is an essential step towards safeguarding the future of your cannabis business.

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