Preserving Cannabis Beverage Potency with Harold Han, PhD

Dr. Harold Han is Chief Science Officer and co-founder of Vertosa, and the pioneer in water compatible cannabinoid ingredients for infused products. Harold designed the industrial leading cannabis emulsions that are widely applied in the cannabis beverage brands. Harold holds 16 patents in emulsion applications, and prior to founding Vertosa, he led a team that developed the emulsification oil for Bio Rad’s Digital Droplet PCR system. Harold also publishes a regular series explaining the science of cannabis for product makers under the monicker "The Happy Chemist" — a nickname you'll understand after you watch the interview. One of his recent articles describes the different factors that contribute to cannabis beverage potency loss, which is a challenge for beverage brands. In fact, in regulated markets it’s common to see a 10-15% variation in potency compared to the label claim. In unregulated hemp-derived beverages, it can be even higher. During the conversation we discuss The difference between cannabis beverages and alcoholic beverages What happens when cannabinoids oxidize How to put THC into water-based products using physical and chemical processes How every aspect of the supply chain can lead to potency loss in cannabis beverages Which beverage ingredients hasten potency loss How packaging conditions can affect scalping and oxidation rates Thanks to This Episode's Sponsor: Vertosa Vertosa creates industry-leading active ingredients for infused product makers. Their patent-pending nano- and micro-emulsions are carefully designed for the specific needs of each customer, and their pre-suspended aqueous solutions empower them to create incredibly homogenous and stable products while maximizing bioavailability, clarity, and taste. Learn more at Vertosa.com Additional Resources Happy Chemist Article Series The Cannabis Beverage Manufacturing Handbook Review the Podcast CannMed Archive