BIOACTIVE

What actually happened inside the DEA’s cannabis rescheduling hearing? In this timely episode of the Bioactive Podcast, Dr. Riley Kirk sits down with Max Jackson, former commercial cannabis cultivator and founder of Cannabis Wise Guys, to unpack what he witnessed firsthand at the DEA hearing on moving cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III.

Max spent most of the hearing inside the room, taking handwritten notes because recording and livestreaming were not permitted. As someone who previously managed a commercial cultivation facility with approximately 13,000 flowering cannabis plants, he offers a unique perspective on the arguments being made about cannabis, medical use, public health, research, and the plant itself.

Together, Riley and Max break down who opposed rescheduling, what the government and opposing parties argued, and some of the surprising claims and misconceptions that came up during the proceedings. They discuss the difference between whole-plant cannabis and isolated cannabinoids, the challenges of dosing and medical education, cannabis research limitations, adverse effects, and why the lack of cannabis research is itself connected to decades of Schedule I restrictions.

The conversation also explores what rescheduling to Schedule III could actually mean, what happens next in the process, why the administrative judge does not make the final decision, and why the DEA ultimately holds that decision.

Whether you're a cannabis consumer, home grower, medical professional, researcher, cultivator, cannabis business owner, or simply trying to understand the future of cannabis policy in the United States, this episode gives you an inside look at a hearing most people never had the opportunity to see.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro

00:40 Max Jackson Background

01:36 Why He Attended Hearing

02:52 Security and Closed Doors

06:46 Who Opposed Rescheduling

08:18 Bias and Expert Framing

10:58 Psychosis and CUD Claims

17:08 IV THC and Syringe Confusion

19:16 Plant vs Single Molecule

23:36 No Medical Use Argument

26:45 Youth Access and Regulation

31:13 Humboldt Crime Fears

33:07 Hearing Strategy Angle

33:57 Drugged Driving Testing

35:50 Tolerance And Impairment

38:30 Research Collaboration Gaps

41:10 Breastfeeding And Postpartum

42:54 ER Harms And Education

45:48 Schedule Logic Debate

51:21 DEA Museum Narrative

54:26 Van Check At DEA

57:49 What Happens Next

59:27 Wrap Up And Resources

Connect with Max Jackson

Cannabis Wise Guys

https://cannabiswiseguys.com/

Cannabis Fact Book

https://thecannabisfactbook.com/

Email: max@cannabiswiseguys.com

IG: www.instagram.com/cannabiswiseguys/

Want Exclusive Content and ad-free episodes?

Join the Bioactive Patreon community for as little as $1/month to ask guests your burning

questions, access exclusive content, and connect with Dr. Kirk one-on-one.

www.Patreon.com/Cannabichem

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more expert insights into

cannabis science, plant biology, and more!

Sign Up for Emails!

www.AppliedPharmacognosy.org

Keep up with Dr. Riley Kirk:

https://www.bioactivepodcast.com/

https://www.youtube.com/@cannabichem

https://instagram.com/cannabichem

https://www.appliedpharmacognosy.org/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Bioactive Podcast, Dr. Riley Kirk
sits down with cannabis research scientist Ben Cleary to unpack
groundbreaking research published in Scientific Reports examining THC
variability in cannabis flower and what it means for consumers, cultivators,
laboratories, and regulators.

If you've ever wondered why the same strain can feel
different from batch to batch—or why chasing the highest THC percentage often
leads to disappointment—this conversation explains the science behind it.

Ben shares how his team's research demonstrates the natural
variability of THC within a single cannabis plant and why reporting one THC
percentage may not accurately represent what consumers actually purchase.
Together, Riley and Ben discuss the future of cannabis labeling, range-based
THC reporting, lab testing variability, terpene science, chemical diversity,
and how better education can improve purchasing decisions and consumer trust.

They also explore why aroma may be a better guide than THC
percentage alone, how Canada's cannabis industry is beginning to implement THC
ranges, the role of laboratory variation in cannabis testing, and what future
cannabis packaging could look like as science continues to evolve.

Whether you're a cannabis consumer, cultivator, scientist,
budtender, regulator, or simply curious about how cannabis testing really
works, this episode offers an evidence-based look at one of the industry's
biggest conversations.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Meet Ben Cleary

01:04 Inside Village Farms

02:56 Why Study THC Variability

07:19 What the Data Shows

10:28 Range Based Labels

14:08 Low Dose Access Debate

16:37 Health Canada Pilot

19:06 Beyond THC Terpenes

22:56 Lighting and Scale Limits

30:31 Sampling Protocol Shortcut

33:23 Lab Testing Variability

35:26 Measured THC Reality

36:56 Quality Metrics Beyond THC

38:56 Industry Adoption Push

40:48 Why Village Farms Did It

43:05 Next Research Frontiers

45:11 Real World Data Approach

46:20 Science Community Stories

49:02 Medical Education Gap

52:50 Chemical Diversity Score Idea

56:15 Simplifying Labels for Consumers

57:39 Where to Follow the Research

59:40 Closing and BC Invite



Read the Scientific Reports paper discussed in this
episode:https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-06962-2

Connect with Ben Cleary
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-cleary-746b00172/

Village Farms International: https://villagefarms.com/

Want Exclusive Content and ad-free episodes?

Join the Bioactive Patreon community for as little as
$1/month to ask guests your burning

questions, access exclusive content, and connect with Dr.
Kirk one-on-one.

www.Patreon.com/Cannabichem





Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification
bell for more expert insights into

cannabis science, plant biology, and more!



Sign Up for Emails!

www.AppliedPharmacognosy.org



Keep up with Dr. Riley Kirk:

https://www.bioactivepodcast.com/

https://www.youtube.com/@cannabichem

https://instagram.com/cannabichem
https://www.appliedpharmacognosy.org/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cannabis seed laws are changing, and the consequences could reshape home grow, hemp, cannabis breeding, and the future of plant genetics in the United States.

In this episode of the Bioactive Podcast, Dr. Riley Kirk sits down with longtime organic farmer, seed breeder, and policy advocate Jim Riddle to explain the proposed federal seed ban, why cannabis seeds are being caught up in new legislation, and what it could mean for growers, breeders, researchers, and consumers.

Drawing from over four decades of experience in organic agriculture and public policy, Jim breaks down how a single sentence in federal legislation could classify cannabis seeds based on the THC content of the parent plant rather than the seed itself. Together, Riley and Jim discuss why many believe this is both scientifically flawed and harmful to innovation, home cultivation, and the broader hemp industry.

The conversation also explores cannabis genetics, landrace preservation, hemp seed regulation, organic farming, home grow rights, the importance of genetic diversity, and practical ways listeners can advocate for keeping seeds legal.

If you care about cannabis science, cultivation, hemp policy, seed preservation, or the future of cannabis genetics, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Seed Ban Warning
00:51 Jim’s Seed Origin Story
02:23 DEA Ruling and Hemp License
03:17 The One Line That Changes Everything
05:13 ASIGA Lobbying Push
07:14 Why Genetics and Homegrow Matter
09:40 Jim’s Breeding Program
13:17 Hemp’s Bigger Potential
16:15 Minnesota Seed Label Model
18:16 Illicit Market and Business Fallout
22:27 GoFundMe and Fixing Congress
23:22 How to Pressure the Senate
25:08 Deadline November 12
25:55 Hemp Bill Timeline
26:52 Who Controls Genetics
27:45 Gene Editing Patents
29:27 Grassroots Seed Culture
30:36 Breeding With Males
31:50 Art Of Pheno Hunting
34:21 Odds Of Reversal
35:59 Seed Buying And Shipping
39:14 Seed Poem Interlude
41:17 Organic Policy Credentials
44:57 Home Grow And Hemp Future
47:55 Call Your Senators
48:47 Final Thanks And Signoff

Connect with Jim Riddle

🌱 Blue Fruit Farm

https://bluefruitfarm.com/

🌱 Lamb's Breath Seeds

https://www.lambsbreathseeds.com/

🌱 Read the ASIGA White Paper & Support the Campaign

https://asiga.org/

💚 Want exclusive content and ad-free episodes?

Join the Bioactive Patreon community for as little as $1/month to ask guests your burning questions, access exclusive content, and connect with Dr. Riley one-on-one.

www.Patreon.com/Cannabichem

🔔 Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more conversations on cannabis science, cultivation, genetics, policy, and plant biology.

📩 Sign up for emails:

www.AppliedPharmacognosy.org

Keep up with Dr. Riley Kirk

🌿 Bioactive Podcast

https://www.bioactivepodcast.com/

🌿 YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/@cannabichem

🌿 Instagram

https://instagram.com/cannabichem

🌿 Applied Pharmacognosy

https://www.appliedpharmacognosy.org/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cannabis tissue culture, plant genetics, micropropagation, and pathogen testing are transforming modern cultivation. In this episode of the Bioactive Podcast, Dr. Riley Kirk is joined by Dr. Nathan Johnson, President & CEO of Verne Bio, for a fascinating deep dive into one of the most powerful—and misunderstood—tools in cannabis cultivation.

Together they explore how tissue culture is helping preserve elite cannabis genetics, eliminate plant pathogens, improve cultivation consistency, and solve some of the industry's biggest challenges. Drawing from Dr. Johnson's extensive background in molecular biology, microbiology, bioinformatics, and plant science, the conversation breaks down how tissue culture works, why it's becoming essential for commercial cultivation, and what growers should know before adopting it.

The discussion also examines cannabis testing, microbial contamination, remediation methods, irradiation, and the science behind maintaining healthy plants without sacrificing quality. They unpack how beneficial microbes interact with cannabis, why current testing regulations remain controversial, and the differences between qPCR, culture-based testing, sequencing, and pathogen detection. The episode also explores THC testing variability, why cannabinoid percentages aren't always the best indicator of quality, and how cultivation practices influence the chemistry consumers ultimately experience.

Whether you're a home grower, commercial cultivator, cannabis scientist, breeder, laboratory professional, or simply curious about the future of cannabis science, this episode is packed with practical insights and evidence-based discussion.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Welcome and Topic Setup

01:00 Nathan’s Background and Mission

01:59 Why Mother Plants Decline

03:28 Tissue Culture Origins and Bananas

04:39 Media and Hormones Explained

06:03 Meristem vs Node Methods

07:11 Sterile Lab and Decontamination

09:09 Strain Specific Recipes

12:32 Cleaning Pathogens and Viroids

13:31 Hop Latent Viroid Reality Check

15:57 Biobanking and Longevity

18:32 Gen Zero Vigor Strategy

19:46 Rooting and Hardening Off

22:01 Reintroducing Beneficial Microbes

24:24 Does Tissue Culture Change Chemistry

26:35 Experimentation and In House Testing

28:19 What Verne Bio Actually Does

30:06 Batch Size Reality Check

30:20 Solving Contamination Mysteries

31:07 Why SOPs Matter

32:32 Massachusetts Testing Spotlight

35:18 Setting Safety Thresholds

36:07 Microbial Tests Explained

39:03 Remediation Risks

40:00 Irradiation Tradeoffs

44:16 Sequencing Path to Pass

48:32 qPCR vs Culture Methods

52:42 Sampling Variance Shock

54:39 Rethinking THC Reporting

57:09 Where to Find VernBio

57:54 Final Thanks and Wrap

Connect with Dr. Nathan Johnson

🌱 Verne Bio

https://vernbio.com/

💼 LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathan-johnson/

📧 Contact

info@vernbio.com

🌿 Thank you to our sponsor, Storz & Bickel!

Storz & Bickel manufactures medical-grade dry herb vaporizers and some of Dr. Riley Kirk's favorite devices for daily use. Visit https://www.storz-bickel.com and use code Riley10 for 10% off most items.

Want exclusive content and ad-free episodes?

Join the Bioactive Patreon community for as little as $1/month to ask guests your questions, access exclusive content, and connect with Dr. Riley Kirk.

https://www.patreon.com/Cannabichem

Don't forget to Like, Subscribe, and turn on notifications for more conversations covering cannabis science, cultivation, plant biology, pharmacology, and the latest research.

Sign up for emails:

https://www.appliedpharmacognosy.org/

Keep up with Dr. Riley Kirk

Website: https://www.bioactivepodcast.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cannabichem

Instagram: https://instagram.com/cannabichem

Applied Pharmacognosy: https://www.appliedpharmacognosy.org/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Riley Kirk welcomes Dr. Anna Schwabe to the Bioactive Podcast for a deep dive into cannabis genetics, cultivar identity, plant chemistry, and the challenges of making sense of cannabis in a rapidly evolving industry. As two cannabis scientists get thoroughly nerdy, they explore the relationship between genetics and chemical expression, why cultivar names matter, and what science can and cannot tell us about predicting cannabis effects.

Drawing from years of research in cannabis genomics, chemotypes, and consumer behavior, Anna explains the disconnect between strain names, marketing claims, and actual genetic identity. The conversation examines how genetics, environment, cultivation practices, and post-harvest handling influence the final chemistry of a cannabis product, often making consumer expectations difficult to predict.

They also explore the limitations of the indica, sativa, and hybrid framework, discussing why these categories may still serve a purpose for new consumers while highlighting the need for more nuanced approaches to cannabis classification. The discussion dives into terpene science, aroma-based selection, cultivar verification, consumer perception, breeding strategies, and the future of genetic authentication in cannabis.

Additionally, Riley and Anna tackle common industry misconceptions, the importance of preserving cannabis history and culture, and how science can help bridge the gap between growers, consumers, researchers, and retailers. Throughout the episode, they emphasize practical ways consumers can make better decisions while exploring the fascinating complexity of cannabis chemistry and genetics.

Whether you're a grower, breeder, budtender, researcher, medical patient, or curious consumer, this episode offers valuable insights into how cannabis genetics shape the products we use and the experiences we have.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Podcast Crossover Intro

01:38 New Mom Conference Life

02:32 Cannabis on Social Media

03:59 Schedule III Debate

06:36 Pharma Versus Whole Plant

10:08 Synthetic THC And Isomers

12:26 Terpenes And Aroma Complexity

16:51 When More Is Not Better

19:27 Realistic THC And Terp Limits

22:56 Trust Your Nose Shopping

24:47 Why Blue Dream Varies

25:44 Genetics Registration And Terroir

29:23 Consistency Versus Craft Growing

33:12 Craft Cannabis Value

34:25 Does Quality Mean Less

35:48 Savoring Premium Products

38:33 CHS And Overconsumption

42:33 Allergens Terpenes Perfume

45:03 Pregnancy Smell Sensitivity

47:05 Trust Your Nose Shopping

50:44 Beyond Indica Sativa

54:24 Strain Names Still Matter

57:32 Genome Gaps Landraces

59:43 New Compounds Plant Evolution

01:01:24 Overmanipulated Modern Nugs

01:03:16 Potency And Oversized Joints

01:04:42 Right Sizing Your Dose

01:05:46 Type Two Flower Wins

01:06:29 Budtenders Versus Medical Advice

01:08:35 Research Weed Supply Problem

01:12:42 Study Real Dispensary Products

01:14:08 What Consumers Actually Want

01:16:12 True Cut Genetic Verification

01:17:48 IP Protection And Licensing

01:19:05 Finding Medicine By Genetics

01:21:09 Scaling The Sample Universe

01:25:59 AI Guided Breeding Future

01:27:05 Where To Follow And Next Steps

01:27:36 New Work In Houston

01:29:19 Riley Projects And Wrap Up

Connect with Dr. Anna Schwabe:

Website:

www.annaschwabe.com

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-schwabe-phd/

True Cut Bioscience:

https://www.truecut.co/

Agricultural Genomics Foundation:

https://agriculturalgenomics.org/

MyFlora DNA:

https://myfloradna.com/

Want Exclusive Content and Ad-Free Episodes?

Join the Bioactive Patreon community for as little as $1/month to ask guests your burning questions, access exclusive content, and connect with Dr. Kirk one-on-one.

www.Patreon.com/Cannabichem

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more conversations on cannabis science, genetics, plant biology, cultivation, pharmacology, and emerging research.

Sign Up for Emails:

www.AppliedPharmacognosy.org

Keep up with Dr. Riley Kirk:

https://www.bioactivepodcast.com/

https://www.youtube.com/@cannabichem

https://instagram.com/cannabichem

https://www.appliedpharmacognosy.org/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices