Episode 12
What's New in Edibles: Teresa Hansen, Cannabis Chef and Director of Edibles at Copperstate Farms
The Cannabis Boomer Podcast discusses the growing popularity of cannabis edibles with Teresa Hansen, Director of Edibles at Copperstate Farms. Hansen, a nutritionist and culinary arts graduate, explains the science behind edibles, their delayed onset, and prolonged effects. She also highlights the variety of edible products available, including gummies, beverages, and baked goods, and discusses the importance of proper dosing.
Teresa Hansen, a former research and development chef at Starbucks discusses everything that's new in cannabis edibles and emphasizes the importance of thorough research and development in creating shelf-stable baked goods with consistent cannabis concentrations. She advises new consumers to start with a low dose and gradually increase it to find their ideal experience. Safety is a top priority at Copperstate, with child-resistant packaging and proper labeling being essential to prevent accidental consumption.
The cannabis industry is seeing a growing interest in beverages, with a focus on low-dose options and unique extraction processes like rosin-based gummies and chocolates. These products often incorporate a variety of cannabinoids, such as CBD and CBN, to create different effects and cater to consumer preferences. While terpenes may lose some potency in edibles, the full-spectrum nature of these products can still provide a unique experience.
The Cannabis Boomer Podcast is not just for baby boomers and older adults, but for all adults interested in cannabis and health.
#cannabis #edibles #THC #CBD #CBN #cannabisboomerpodcast #health #wellness
Transcript
[:But first, the Cannabis Boomer gives his take on edibles and provides some safety tips. Please welcome The Cannabis Boomer, Alex Terrazas, PhD, PhD, also known as The Cannabis Boomer.
[:The science behind edibles is fascinating and explains why eating cannabis is so different from smoking or vaping it. When you eat cannabis, the THC gets processed through your stomach and liver converting to 11 hydroxy THC, a more potent compound that crosses the blood brain barrier more easily and lasts much longer.
This is why edibles can take 30 minutes to two hours to kick in, but then deliver effects that last four to eight hours or more. The market has exploded with options beyond the traditional brownie, gummies, chocolates, beverages, and even cooking oil. New technologies like nano emulsification are changing the game by creating fast acting edibles that bypass some of that liver processing, offering quicker onset times of just 15 to 20 minutes.
Today we're diving deep into everything you need to know about cannabis edibles. We'll explore the different types available, how to dose them properly, especially if you're new to edibles.
Whether you're an edibles veteran or considering trying them for the first time, this episode will give you the knowledge you need to navigate the world of cannabis edibles with confidence.
Theresa Hanson, director of Edible Operations at Copperstate Farms. Thank you for joining me today.
[: [: [:So as I got deeper into the world of cannabis. I found out there's so many benefits from reducing inflammation to helping out with that recovery for many athletes, helping out with sleep, and so started to infuse some of their snacks and drinks with CBD, and right around that time, Copperstate Farms was looking for a chef to help launch their Good Things edible brands.
So it just perfectly aligned and I've been with the company for seven years now.
[: [: [: [:When I do a infusion with like a chimichurri, there's lots of robust flavors with garlic and herbs. And when you. tend to use cannabis in a, a sugar based product like a gummy. There's still ways to kind of mask that flavor as well with bitter blockers or your, your flavorings. We use all natural flavorings in the gummies I produce for Copper State, so it's a very mild flavor.
If anything, the flavor of the cannabis works and pairs well with the other flavoring, so it almost enhances it.
[: [:So we definitely do see a higher demographic in that, but also edibles are a convenience factor, so there's no. Smell to it. So it is kind of that option that even I think the the younger millennials and Gen Zs tend to lean towards as well. 'cause it's just a convenient way to, to know exactly what you're getting, what that dosage is, and you know, to rely on those benefits and effects each time.
[: [:So exciting to see. The nano side of that, which is going to be a nano particle of cannabinoids, that's going to absorb much quicker and give you that quicker onset. So that's really exciting to see some changes there. Gummies are still the number one trend across the nation, so that definitely is not changing. But we're seeing a lot of cool products. We're actually producing a brownie bite that will be launching in around the holidays. So a freshly baked brownie bite that will hit the stores as soon as we get our testing back and everything's packaged and compliant. And that way we can offer kind of a unique product for consumers during the holidays as well.
So definitely trying to expand a little more on the baked good category here in Arizona since it is kind of a small category currently.
[: [:And then from there with my current baked good products, we have a three-month shelf life. So that's with limit, like no preservatives at all. If anything, I like to use a rosemary extracts, so like natural things that help baked goods stay fresh and longer. But the whole goal with a baked good product is that we can get it in the consumer's hands quick and it's, it's that it creates that demand.
So we're doing limited production runs and that way they're always able to rely on a fresh. Product that they get and that it hasn't been actually sitting on the shelves for a year which is some of the shelf life of current gummies. So yeah, it's a very interesting path to do with research and development.
But that's one of the things that I really love about this job.
[: [: [: [:Write down exactly kind of how you're feeling. It's super helpful in the beginning to kind of find that right dose for yourself.
[: [:So I think the Wild West, yes but it's definitely a lot more regulated and reliable. There's a lot of great brands out there who are doing things right and have great quality standards. So it's becoming a lot more trusting, I think for consumers with the reliability on when they get that product, they have that same effect that they can rely on each time.
[: [:Keep your products in their packaging and keep it at a, a safe distance from children or pets. And always have it labeled so that there isn't that mistake of, you know, what is this, is this just a regular cookie or is this a regular piece of candy? So I always recommend to keep everything in your packaging and a high safe distance away from, anybody that could be affected negatively by it?
[: [:And e even with the beverage trend you know, that's expected to be a billion dollar industry in the next five to 10 years. So there's a lot of exciting products that could be coming to market to, you know, meet that need. And it's, it's really fascinating to see this evolution of this amazing plant and all the different forms that can, you know, meet the needs of consumers in different ways.
[: [:So tinctures kind of offer that versatility. But with beverages there, there's a lot of low dose options now in the market. So typically we're kind of seeing that a hundred milligram for like a, a can of soda and for some consumers to drink. You know, a 10th of that to
[: [:Now we're seeing a lot of beverages out there with the full beverage being a 10 milligram. So that's, again, which used to be such a niche market, a segment of the market is now expanding. So it's like, it, it justifies producing products like that when you have a greater demand. So that's, that's super exciting to see.
[: [:So they take a fresh cannabis flour, put it in the freezer, and then use basically just ice and water to extract those trichomes. And then from there, heat and pressure to get this beautiful golden rosin. that then we infuse into our gummies. So I think that process and that unique craft of how that oil is made really maintains the integrity of the cannabinoids and the terpenes. So that is something we're seeing a lot more. People doing, and that is, I, I stand by Rosin. I, I love our Rosin products. And we're, you're seeing a lot of ratios within gummies, so not just THC, but other cannabinoids like CDC, which is great for mood and, early studies showing somewhat of an antidepressant tool. You're seeing CBN, which is that great sedating compound and CBG. So we also have CBG, which is definitely a nice holistic can help with nausea and stomach issues. So a lot more ratio products out there. We have several. Ratio gummies within our line. And so that's exciting because for so long the focus is just how much THC, how high can I get?
How how strong is it? And now we're learning that there's all these other additional benefits when we have this entourage effect. So and more people are educating on that and creating products based around that.
[: [:That is a, a way different way to absorb the terpenes and to feel their side effects. So terpenes do get, get lost a little bit within the edible form, however because it's that more full spectrum plant, I definitely. I many people who consume our raws and gummies who say they just have overall different side effects. And I think it's just due to that that true quality way of producing that oil as well as all the other additional cannabinoids, even in trace amounts that we have. You have to think like when you smell a lemon. I mean that doesn't have any cannabis in it, but it has those same turine profiles that you find in cannabis strains and just kind of that in some of our gummies where we have some of those same flavorings that lean to those uplifting or sedating flavors that is also aiding in kind of how you're getting that end result and, and effect.
[: [:They're using a hundred milligram bottles, so it's a really nice way to kind of infuse and, and be your own cannabis chef at home. So I'm really a fan of that product and I think we'll start seeing a lot more products out there on the market that kinda lean into, being your own edible chef at home.
And infusing different meals, which, you know, give the consumer a lot more options.
[: [: [: [: [: [: [: [: [:People who choose to use cannabis need to be aware of what they consume. This podcast is intended to make users better informed about cannabis and its effects. The information shared on this podcast is meant as current opinion in science and should not be considered medical advice.
#cannabis #THC #CBD #CBN #cannabisboomerpodcast #olderadults #health #babyboomers #wellness
