In light of recent news highlighting the health risks associated with using cannabis products, retailers and cultivators alike are doubling down on testing standards to assure customers that their products are safe for long-term use. But with inconsistent state regulations and a total absence of federal oversight, how can new cannabis businesses know they are testing for and removing the right contaminants? This session will give a comprehensive overview of potential microbial and chemical contaminants, such as mold and pesticides, that can adversely affect harvests and consumers. The session will also discuss the importance of partnering with a trusted decontamination provider and key contaminants that are currently being tested for under various state regulations.
Jill Ellsworth, MS, RDN, CEO & Founder, Willow Industries
Jill is a Registered Dietitian and received a Master’s of Science in Nutrition, Dietetics and Food Science. Jill started one of 1st cold press juice companies, Vibrant Earth Juices in Santa Barbara, using High Pressure Processing instead of heat pasteurization to preserve the juice nutrients. Jill started a beverage distribution company, launching the first alcoholic kombucha in Colorado and sold it to a larger distribution company. She noticed there were not any similar health and safety standards in cannabis that were required in the beverage industry. She was determined to find a way to “clean weed”. As Founder & CEO, Jill’s aim was—and remains—to protect consumers and patients by helping producers put clean, safe product on the market. In 2013, Jill was named Female Entrepreneur of the Year in Emerging Business by the Santa Barbara Women’s Economic Ventures group. Most recently, Jill was selected by Marijuana Business Daily as one of their 2019 Women to Watch in Cannabis.