Advanced Laboratory Methods Testing Metrics + Core Analytics Ensure Quality Cannabis Products & Consumer Safety
Cannabis Laboratory Operations Are Complex & Require Advanced Analytical Knowledge That Ensures Quality Assurance via ISO/IEC-Certified Testing Standards To Maintain Standards
Made For: Laboratory Director Quality Assurance Analytical Chemist Lab Microbiologist Extraction Technician Sample Technician Product Tester Compliance Officer Research Scientist Laboratory Technician Cannabis Analyst Client Representative Laboratory Technician Quality Control Analyst Lab Safety Inspector
ISO/IEC-Certified Laboratory Testing + Cannabis Analysis Promotes Quality Product & Ensures Consumer Safety
Collectively these cannabis laboratories handle MILLIONS of dollars in product testing each month and you’re about to get a behind-the-scenes walkthrough of their testing methodologies along “regulatory hurdles” that are required in the industry,
Certified ISO/IEC labs perform chemical, microbiological, and non-destructive analyses for ALL types of cannabis samples ranging from infused products, and edible ingredients in food production to in-process samples for final consumer products.
Overcome all of those regulatory testing requirements, cannabis products with failing results, and surging laboratory costs by mastering the most cutting-edge analysis strategies designed for the complexities of state-of-the-art techniques.
Laboratory Learning Paths
Learning Plans Are Meticulously Structured Roadmaps That Guide You Through A Sequential Order For Cannabis Laboratory Operations "Formulated Body of Knowledge" (BOK) Based On Industry Standards.
Cannabis Brands
Industry Competency
100-Level Competency
"Choose Your Own Adventure"
200-Level Competency
Cannabis Science
Industry Competency
Cannabis Extraction Technician Badge
200 Experience PointsCannabis Extraction
Industry Competency
Product Development
Industry Competency
Cannabis Test Batch Collector Badge
200 Experience PointsTest Batch Collector
Industry Competency
300-Level Competency
Cannabis Brands
Industry Competency
Cannabis Processor
Industry Competency
Laboratory Worker Safety
Industry Competency
400-Level Competency
Laboratory Operation
Industry Competency
Cannabis Laboratory Supervisor Badge
400 Experience Points"Adopted Academic Standards That "Mirror University" Course-Levels (ex. 100, 200, etc.) That Designate How Complex Topics Are & Pathways Show What To Take + Which Order For Mastery..."
Compliance (100-Level)
Annual Compliance
Fundamental (200-Level)
Cannabis Standards
Professional (300-Level)
Competency Frameworks
Leadership (400-Level)
Professional Development
Digital Badge Achievement
Learning Structures
Learning Structures
"In 2014, Open Badges™ Discovery Project Identified Four (4) Learning Structures (Linear, Freeform, Tiered & Clustered) For Learning Paths & Complexities Vary Based On Cannabis Competencies, Personal Interests & Professional Experiences... Some May Be Short, While Others Takes Many Forms, So Different Pathways May Be Simple, Linear, or Complexly Interconnected."
Learning Paths
Learning Pathways
Learning Paths are the chosen routes individuals complete as they progress through a specific cannabis industry specialization, academic programs, and learning experiences. It’s a roadmap describing the landscape of a field, program, or specialization that is made of steps that represent requirements, competencies, or other “real-world experiences” that take the form of a hierarchy of nested steps.
- Simple Learning Paths: Badges are only related because they come from the same issuer (ex. Green CulturED).
- Linearly Connected Pathways: One badge leads to another (ex. 100-level, 200-level, etc.)
- Complexly Interconnected & Non-Linearly Connected: Badges cross categories and don’t follow a linear pathway (ex. continuing education, conference workshops, etc.).
- Complex Cross-System Linking: Badges are connected to credentials from other issuer’s systems (ex. Responsible Vendor Training, etc.).
Learning pathways serve as the scaffolding and trajectory to understanding progression that allows the cannabis industry to organize badge credentials into shared pathways that better connect experiences across many learning contexts.
Learning Paths can be organized around digital badge systems that are already implemented or can assist with the design of new systems by providing structure. Badges and pathways are defined by the cannabis industry’s understanding of what individuals accomplish for expertise.
Learning Pathways (aka “Competency Frameworks”) is a means for people to gain comprehensive competencies in a cannabis niche while earning different badges to realize expert-level competencies. A pathway may have multiple routes that have the same endpoint, multiple entry points to achieve similar outcomes, and/or even outcomes may diverge based Learning Pathway(s).
- Prescriptive Pathways: These Learning Pathways are likely be linear - a straight line from one learning experience to another that's either homogenized, standard or recommended badges since these approaches rely on a form, structure & recommended path laid by cannabis industry regulators or other formalized education providers.
- Descriptive Pathways: Descriptive Learning Pathways are more natural approach for a badge recipient since they're defining their own path & this acknowledges the way learners consciously choose to earn badges when there’s no prescribed direction so they'll find the way that makes sense to them, choose to follow what others have done, or go in a very different direction that suits learning objectives.
Until recently, most Learning Pathways have focused on prescriptive, institutional, or corporate learning objectives/achievements, ignoring successful learning from unstructured environments such as continuing education, conference workshops, etc. Badges are a means to recognize those opportunities and incorporate their benefits into creating an accurate digital portrayal of accomplishments.
Competency Frameworks
Competency Frameworks
"Competency Frameworks Depict Different Learning Pathways To Support Badge Earners By Using "Nested Structures" Within Steps In It That Model Real-World Relationships Between Concepts People Understand As "Categories or "Containers" Full Of Smaller Component Courses. Looking At Pathway B, There's Three (3) Levels Of Steps, Where Some Have A Badge Associated & Others Have Only One (1) Learning Path Since Badges May Be Shared Between Multiple Learning Pathways."
Pathway Competencies
Standards Implementation
For competency framework design, identification of purpose, structure, and achievement are critical no matter if you are starting from scratch or badge mapping existing standards. Rather than plodding through creating each badge, one by one, how do you organize them in a meaningful way for learners?
Purpose (Steps)
- Guide Decisions: Are you recognizing competencies or tracking progress through the curriculum — Is the pathway meant to be completed in full or to show specialization across a range of options?
- Community Definitions: What values do you want to recognize that are already accepted in your community?
Structure (Shape)
- Pathway Movement: How do you expect people to move through the pathway, leveling up or getting from point A to point B?
- Customizable / Prescribed: Is the learner allowed to pick and choose specializations or do they follow a path of prescribed objectives?
Achievement (Endpoint)
- Acceptance External Badges: Does the pathway recognize and/or incorporate badges earned from other or more than one issuer(s)?
- Credentialing Assessment: What are the assessment practices required to implement recognition of badges for steps in the pathway?
- Digital Badge Collection: Does the collection of badges clearly demonstrate the objectives of the pathway, and is it understood by the community?
When badges are being added to a pre-existing curriculum, the curriculum may constrain the way learning is recognized, so if an existing curriculum is not aligned to standards then it’s very difficult to align a badge to standards. One of the biggest considerations when designing pathways is if:
- Integrating badges into existing standards-based curricula
- Creating a badge system and curriculum simultaneously
When integrating, it’s important to think about your badges as a whole. How will you implement them? What kind of badges are you awarding? How often will you award badges? Are badge earners allowed to test out of specific steps, demonstrate relevant competencies, or bring in badges earned from other issuers?
Alternatively, when the curriculum is being developed alongside badges, the options for both may seem limitless and overwhelming. Pre-existing standards-based curricula can importantly help to structure design decisions and there are specific advantages for either approach.
Theoretically, Learning Pathway structures are well accepted, but operationalizing them into an applied application can be a challenge so implementation of learning structures is based on a hierarchically organized set of steps. Completing each micro-step can be thought of as the pieces that form a pathway to the parent objective(s).
Green CulturED™ learning structures are not overly complex, making them accessible to many use cases while providing enough structure to offer a common way to think about badge system design, including defining the achievement of an individual or organization’s learning goals.
Laboratory Roles
Director of Extraction
$90,000 - $140,000
The Director of Extraction, also known as the Lab Director, owns the development of post-harvest processes, performs chemical analyses for the determination of harvest timing, post-harvest processing, and tailoring.
Extraction Manager
$65,000 - $90,000
Manages the extraction team, maintaining and operating extraction equipment, developing and implementing extraction protocols, ensuring product quality and consistency, and adhering to set industry compliance standards.
Lab Quality Manager
$65,000 - $100,000
Oversees product and environmental testing, internal product release, product recall, product returns, and product labeling in accordance with state regulations and the organization's internal procedures and processes.
Analytical Chemist
$65,000 - $100,000
Responsible for prepping equipment and plant materials for extraction, operating extraction equipment, and the ongoing maintenance of laboratory materials while testing product quality and consistency.
Extraction Technician
$45,000 - $75,000
Specializes in operating and maintaining equipment used for compounds. Implementing procedures, monitoring process, maintaining equipment, and ensuring the product meets quality and purity standards.
Cannabis Microbiologist
$70,000 - $97,000
Specializes in studying the microorganisms associated with cannabis plants, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Ensures the safety and quality of cannabis products by conducting tests to detect pathogens and evaluating microbial content.
Extraction Lead
$59,000 - $79,000
Oversees the extraction processes, focusing on deriving high-quality cannabis concentrates and extracts. Manages the team, maintaining and operating equipment, and protocol development and implementation.
Accredited Education That'll Grow Industry Knowledge...
Learn "Seed-to-Sale" Cannabis Expertise
Cannabis education for “casual learners” to industry PROS advancing careers via our accredited certifications that are based on recognized standards (ex. ANSI, ISO, etc.) developed by industry-leading Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) who know what works.
- Micro-Learning Format: Delivers on-demand, "bite-sized training" to learn everything from "Seed-to-Sale" that's needed in cannabis - lingo, strategies, methodologies, etc.
- Accredited Education: Strategic foundation to everything that we do is publishing curricula that's approved by gov't regulators & 3rd-party accreditation organizations.
"Discover How Complex Every Step From "Seed-to-Sale" & Learn Everything That True Cannabis Industry Experts Implement..."
"Expand Your Cannabis Knowledge By Becoming An Industry Expert That'll Grow Your Opportunities To Brand-New Heights..."
Made For Individual Learners, Cannabis Pros & Industry Operators...
Courses, Certifications & Community Learning
Our skills & talent development platform combines cannabis certifications, community, courses & MORE to develop expertise for success (+ look smart while doing it) as we’ve become one of the industry’s most trusted voices sharing the very best of what works.
- Individual Learners: Our community-based learning approach provides all casual learners with a place to learn comprehensive cannabis knowledge from "Seed-to-Sale".
- Cannabis Professionals: Certification is required for beginners starting careers, to PROS "up-leveling skills" & Responsible Vendor Training + more (we got you covered).
Education That's Built By The Industry, For The Industry...
Learn From World-Class Faculty Members
Learn from real experts – not “gurus” and “academics” – who provide up-to-date training (always be 1-step ahead of the competition), proven Responsible Vendor Training (make compliance SIMPLE) & a community of “thought leaders” (so you never have a question).
- Experienced Professionals: Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) have experience from "mom & pop shops" to Multi-State Operators (MSO's) who got "in on the ground floor".
- Academic Faculty Members: Our professionally-licensed faculty review medical research & scientific studies utilizing standards (ANSI, ISO, etc.) to develop curricula.
"Our Subject Matter Experts Are Passionate About Cannabis & Bring Credibility With In-Depth Professional Industry Experience..."
"Canvas Network™ Validates Your Cannabis Education via 3rd-Party Verifiable "Meta-Data" That'll Display Anywhere Online..."
Canvas Network™ 3-Party Verifiable & Accredited Credentials...
Earn Professional Badges & Digital Certificates
Earn, share & verify credentials you’ve earned on LinkedIn™, Facebook™, etc. that’ll make certificate verification EASY (scan QR-Code, ID search, etc.) + digital badges are awarded via Open Badge™ standards to verify by utilizing “achievement meta-data” (like NFT’s).
- Professional Badges: Canvas Network™ does badge verification via Open Badge™ standard to provide 3rd-party, verifiable "achievement meta-data" transparency.
- Digital Certificates: A digital, printable certificate suitable for framing + display on professional resume/coverletter, career websites, social media & online anywhere.
Micro-Learning Format
Preview Training Format via Our "Valid & Fake Identification (ID)" Micro-Learning Module That Discusses How Being Able To Properly ID Customers Ensures Gov't Compliance & Becomes A Cannabis Expert.
Training Module
Training is pointless if it's not reinforced... designed 100% for cannabis learners, our micro-learning format helps overcome the "Forgetting Curve" & ensures cannabis concepts are reinforced with its "in the flow of work" pedagogical approach.
Elevate cannabis training with SCORM-compliant, ADA-accessible interactive content that's mobile-friendly platform offers a Learning Experience Platform (LXP) seamlessly delivered to empower professionals in this evolving sector.
- Mobile Responsive: Offering unparalleled mobile compatibility, these courses enable on-the-go learning, perfect for busy PROS in the fast-paced cannabis industry.
- Accessibility Standards: Accessibility compliant (ex. ADA, ACR, WCAG, etc.) for inclusive learning using Closed-Captions (CC) that caters to diverse learning (ex. visual, auditory, etc.) that'll enhance learning.
- Advanced Analytics: Enhanced learning data via SCORM - technical specification for eLearning - that tracks performance (ex. average score finished, success count, average time, etc.).
Video Example
Learning Experience Platform (LXP) That's More Than "Just Another LMS" (That's Boring & Un-Fun Training)...
Digital Resources
Leave nothing to chance by using digital resources... that are carefully designed by industry experts, the digital resources that learners can use "offline" to ensure knowledge is retained & referenceable for any cannabis-related tasks step by step that'll ensure they have access to education when needed.
Digital learning resources are used for education in many ways and implemented in different forms. In traditional classrooms, digital learning resources are used as supplements to the primary course content, while in virtual learning the digital resources actually make up what is the “content” of the class.
- Comprehensive Reinforcement: Digital learning resources are powerful tools that can be used to enhance the learning quality of students in ways a textbook may not be able to.
- Knowledge Retainment: Retention is highly correlated with student perception of quality, meaning that instructors can only attract and aid students with digital learning resources.
- Offline Learning: Technological enhancements to most digital learning resources are still being made through features like “offline” modes, where students can access their resources even when disconnected from the internet.
eBook Example
"Downloadable Digital Resources Provide Foolproof Guidance At Every Step That Allows Offline Learning..."
Learner Assessment
Assessments help learners put education to use... When it comes to compliance safety, knowing is only half the battle & by utilizing assessments to verify cannabis knowledge for compliance is required across various specific regulatory + industry-related standards.
Assessments are used to defined a standard for a learner, team, or the organization as a whole so by raising awareness around benchmarking data drives a culture of constant improvement once the baseline has been determined to set clear learning objectives.
- Targeted Assessments: Skills assessment are used to generate a custom Learning Path within training that highlights the information learners need to know or brush up on "up-leveling knowledge" where they’ve shown proficiency.
- Information Retention: Science backs up the idea that the process of retrieving information from the brain helps to reinforce memory That’s why it’s crucial to conduct formal skill assessments before learning and incorporate regular quizzes throughout the training itself.
- Track Improvement: Assessments must be seen as a cyclical process rather than something the learner does in the life cycle of skills is shorter than ever & change is happening at an unprecedented scale.
Quiz Example
Identify "Learning Gaps" Early (aka "Compliance Issues") & Mitigate Quickly To Ensure Gov't Regulator Audit-Readiness...
Training Formats
Comprehensive training makes all the difference... in the highly regulated cannabis industry there are different programmatic requirements for Responsible Vendor Training (RVT) & other gov't training compliance programs (ex. ISO, OSHA, EPA, etc.), so to simplify compliance we've developed tailored educational programs that can be assigned precisely when & where needed.
Our dynamic blend of training videos, eBooks, and quizzes, meticulously crafted for various learning styles, significantly boosts retention, combats mental fatigue & fosters comprehension of intricate cannabis concepts that'll ensure professional proficiency.
Utilizing SCORM-compliant standards as the primary video training format is deeply anchored in Hermann Ebbinghaus' (University of Berlin, 1880s) foundational "Learning Curve" & "Forgetting Curve" theories that's effectively integrated with micro-learning strategies for optimal knowledge retention.
Programmatic Requirements
- Program Syllabus: Provides a comprehensive roadmap of the course, outlining detailed objectives, content structure, and key assessment criteria.
- Discussion Forums: Foster engaging, collaborative discussions, enabling learners to explore and deepen their understanding of key topics together.
- Glossary Activities: An interactive learning tool dedicated to building a robust understanding of essential, industry-specific terminology.
- Community-Based Learning: Encourages applying theoretical concepts in real-world scenarios, enhancing learning and engagement through practical community interaction.
- Course Evaluation: Essential for gathering insightful feedback, this tool helps assess and continually improve course effectiveness and relevance.
Community-Based Learning
We've cultivated a "cannabis-loving" community... with world-class cannabis education + host of sophisticated community management & our Learning Experience Platform (LXP) is the centerpiece of our mission to simplify cannabis training & build a culture of learning that supports industry learners.
You'll join our EXCLUSIVE member community, where we'll help you build a network with professionals in the cannabis industry & you’ll see we’re different by how our community provides a thoughtful, HUMAN response to all inquiries.
- Learning Benefits: Increase appropriate social and community behaviors, in addition to appropriate work habits (decrease of self-stimulatory, ritualistic, anti-social behaviors).
- Organization Compliance: Increased teams' commitment & involvement in compliance competencies that'll increased their responsibility to identify skills that employee needs to function within licensed cannabis operations.
- Community Engagement: Increased positive community awareness of realistic potential of individuals by cooperatively providing an instructional settings appropriate to individuals learning about cannabis.
Cannabis Niche(s)
Our "Cannabis-Loving" Community Brings Together Some Of The Industry's Brightest Minds...
Testing Results Are Harder Than Ever.
Date: October 3, 2024
From the Desk of Evan Erickson:
Sadly, many in the laboratory operations workers and facilities just aren’t fully grasping it yet!
When it comes to testing and optimizing laboratory processes and operations, they might not test sufficiently…
…ONLY test in response to apparent quality control issues…
…or solely rely on standard methods without exploring innovative approaches.
This kind of “let’s hope this works” method is no longer sufficient! It’s not just failing to enhance lab efficiency or accuracy; it’s likely costing in terms of resources and reliability.
To genuinely drive significant improvements in the quality and compliance of cannabis products, more is required.
What’s needed is a SYSTEMATIC process that tells you precisely what (and when) to optimize in your laboratory operations!
But how do you create a “process” that systematically elevates standard procedures into highly efficient ones and transforms current successful methods into industry-leading practices…
…one that will be effective for any laboratory, any cannabis product, any testing requirement?
Luckily, that’s precisely the kind of expertise you’ll gain.
When You're Done, you'll have honed a systematic approach for converting complex laboratory data into actionable quality and compliance decisions
(...and you'll know when and HOW to do this for any business)
Every laboratory needs a way to optimize its operations to ensure the highest quality and compliance in its products.
They require a reliable and systematic process to pinpoint exactly where to focus their efforts in the lab to make a real impact on their product quality and safety.
We don’t need to convince you of the importance of precise testing and quality assurance in a cannabis laboratory.
If you’re here, you already understand how even a small improvement in laboratory processes can significantly impact the quality and safety of cannabis products.
In other words, enhancing laboratory operations means more consistent, compliant, and high-quality products, all stemming from the meticulous work done in the lab.
That’s why the cannabis industry needs laboratory operation experts.
The issue is that many who claim to be experts in this area lack the depth of knowledge required…
That’s where YOU come in.
With specialized training in laboratory operations, you are uniquely positioned to assist cannabis businesses in refining their lab processes, ensuring their products meet the highest standards.
FACT: The Cannabis Industry Needs Skilled Laboratory Operation Experts
(...Who Truly Understand Their Craft)
- Pinpointing Key Tests: Going beyond the obvious to identify critical laboratory tests that demand immediate attention, understanding the subtleties that make these tests vital for maintaining product integrity and safety.
- Understanding Crucial Metrics: Learning about the essential metrics that underpin laboratory operations, and how they impact both the efficiency of your processes and the overall quality of cannabis products.
- Test Prioritization Criteria: Gaining expertise in determining the importance of various tests, using a set of vital criteria to assess and rank laboratory procedures for optimal efficiency and effectiveness.
- Case Study Insights: Applying real-world examples and case study insights to refine and enhance laboratory methodologies, leveraging lessons learned from industry experiences.
- Hypothesis Development: Developing robust hypotheses for your experiments, ensuring that each test or study you conduct yields meaningful and actionable outcomes, regardless of the immediate results.
- Effective Data Collection Tools: Mastering the use of advanced data collection tools within the lab setting, understanding how to effectively gather, analyze, and interpret data for better decision-making.
- Test Validation Standards: Establishing rigorous standards for validating laboratory tests, including addressing commonly overlooked yet crucial aspects of lab testing.
- Recognizing Test Outcomes: Acquiring the ability to identify and understand the three possible outcomes of any laboratory test and learning to avoid common mistakes in test evaluation and interpretation.
- Test Scheduling Strategies: Strategizing the scheduling of tests to ensure the accuracy and reliability of data, understanding how timing can impact the validity of laboratory results.
- Report Crafting: Developing the skill to create detailed, comprehensive reports that accurately document your findings, ensuring that your tests are correctly implemented and that you receive the recognition you deserve for your work.
- Advanced Optimization Techniques: Exploring a range of advanced techniques and methodologies for optimizing laboratory operations and testing methods, keeping your skills at the forefront of the cannabis industry.
Whether you've experienced setbacks in previous attempts, faced challenges transitioning from growth to stability, or are entirely new to cannabis laboratory operations...
In essence, skilled professionals in Cannabis Laboratory Operations (often regarded as “Lab Mastery Experts”) are not only adept at ensuring the highest quality and compliance in products… they also possess a proven, repeatable process for achieving these high standards with the methodologies they’re already employing!
If you’re intrigued by the prospect of becoming such a “Lab Mastery Expert,” then I have an important question for you…
Are You a “Doer”…Or Just a “Talker?”
(or…Why You Might Want To Pursue Laboratory Certification)
Let’s be honest: experts in the cannabis industry are plentiful.
So, how do you distinguish those who truly “walk the walk” from those who only…
…talk?
That’s the challenge!
And in the realm of cannabis laboratory operations, this was our challenge, too. You see, we don’t just teach lab best practices, we PERFORM LAB OPERATIONS for real-world cannabis businesses.
We aren’t just theorists. We aren’t merely observers.
We’re actual practitioners running laboratories in diverse sectors of the cannabis market, testing everything from edibles to extracts, tinctures to topicals, and a wide array of other cannabis products.
In other words: WE REALLY DO THIS STUFF…
…so we understand how difficult it is to find genuinely skilled professionals who genuinely know their craft.
And that’s precisely why we created our specialized Laboratory Operations course and certification.
We developed this program to train our team members, but in the spirit of sharing our knowledge (which is what our ethos is all about), we’re now making this specialized training accessible to everyone.
In short, it’s now available to YOU…
Cannabis Industry Accreditations
Our "Claim-to-Fame" Is Being The Most Accredited (or Authorized) Training Provider In The Industry To ENSURE What We Do Actually Meets ALL Those Never-Ending Regulator Requirements.
Cannabis Niches
Community Experience
Here Are Some Measurable & Tangible Results From Our Community So Welcome To Our World So We Hope You Find Our Training TRULY Enriching, But Here's What Just A Few Learners Have To Say.
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