Want Organic Cannabis? Operators Are Turning To This Tech To Save Millions And Get Certified
How do you know if your cannabis is truly organic? Cannabis operators are now using cutting-edge technology to meet strict organic compliance standards while eliminating microbial risks—without harmful chemicals.
In an exclusive Benzinga Cannabis interview, Ziel’s CEO and Co-Founder, Arthur de Cordova, shared insights into their innovative radiofrequency (RF) technology, highlighting its unique advantages:
- Preserves product quality: Eliminates microbial risks while maintaining the integrity of cannabinoids and terpenes.
- Ensures organic compliance: A non-ionizing solution that meets strict organic certification standards.
- No harmful chemicals: RF technology offers a clean, chemical-free process unlike traditional methods such as X-rays.
- Competitive edge: Features volumetric heating for uniform treatment, ensuring consistent results across the entire cannabis flower.
Ziel’s RF machines deliver unmatched precision, efficiency, and compliance, making them a game-changer for operators aiming to meet organic cannabis standards while reducing costs.
Read the full Benzinga article here!
Colombia Emerging as a Global Supplier of Cannabis
Arthur de Cordova, the CEO & Co-Founder of Ziel, an international cannabis and agricultural microbial control solutions company, tells Business of Cannabis how Colombia is making major steps towards solidifying its foothold in the European cannabis market, and across the globe.
Global opportunities in the cannabis industry are at an all-time high, with markets in the European Union, the United States, Latin America, and Canada all maturing and experiencing significant growth.
As these markets evolve, the standardisation of regulations for imports and exports is expected to streamline the global cannabis trade.
Major exporters of medical cannabis, such as Colombia, are in a position to become early market leaders by complying with the regulations of nations that currently rely on international imports due to limited or no domestic production capabilities.
Colombia’s Emergence as a Key Cannabis Player
Since legalizing medical cannabis in 2016, Colombia has rapidly developed its production and distribution capabilities.
This advancement accelerated the establishment of regulatory processes needed for exporting cannabis, especially after the country lifted its ban on the export of dried cannabis flower in 2021.
This regulatory shift marked a pivotal moment for the country’s cannabis industry, presenting a significant opportunity for Colombia to influence the global market by becoming a leading export hub.
Colombia’s environment is ideal for large-scale outdoor cultivation, offering 12 hours of daily sun year-round which allows for multiple cannabis harvests annually.
Additionally, labor and land are more economical in Colombia than in places like Europe and the US, positioning the country to emerge as one of the world’s foremost low-cost suppliers.
In order to export to a growing number of countries, Colombia is adhering to regulations that are standard across Europe for producing organic cannabis.
Colombian growers seeking to export to the over 20 European countries that have legalised medical cannabis, including Albania, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Greece, and Ireland, must follow EU GACP (Good Agricultural and Collecting Practice) and GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) guidelines for growing and manufacturing, and adhere to microbial limits established by the European Pharmacopoeia.
By implementing these standards, Colombia is prepared to meet the rising demand for cannabis across the EU, signaling rapid and continuous growth for Colombian cannabis exports. Consequently, international investment in Colombia’s cannabis industry has continued to expand, with a focus on exporting to Europe and Australia.
In Germany, wholesale importers favor cannabis treated with non-ionizing radio frequency over ionizing radiation due to the added burden of registering products treated with ionizing radiation (AMRadV which can lead to an 8-12 month approval process).
Moreover, consumer preferences are also driving demand for products not treated with ionizing radiation (X-Ray, gamma, E-beam). With a focus on low-cost outdoor cultivation and influxes of international investment, Colombian growers are poised to meet the increased demand for non-ionized, organically treated cannabis in Europe.
Colombia’s focus on adhering to global standards hints at a promising future where quality and consumer safety are guaranteed in every harvest worldwide.
Visit the original Business of Cannabis article, here.
Want Organic Cannabis? Operators Are Turning To This Tech To Save Millions And Get Certified
How Radio frequency Technology Works
Ziel's radiofrequency (RF) technology offers a non-ionizing solution to microbial contamination in cannabis, which can cause serious health risks for consumers and lead to costly regulatory shutdowns for operators.
De Cordova explained how RF technology works at a molecular level: "RF technology operates on the premise that water molecules have both a positive and negative polarity. By aligning these water molecules with an electromagnetic field, we create friction, which generates thermal energy."
The key to Ziel’s solution is volumetric heating. When cannabis flower is placed inside the RF machine, the entire product is heated evenly from edge to edge, unlike conventional methods where heat is applied from the outside, often resulting in uneven heating. De Cordova illustrated the difference.
"If you think about cooking a turkey in the oven, the outside gets overcooked while the inside may still be undercooked. But with RF technology, we achieve the target kill temperature of 80°C throughout the entire flower without burning the outside. This uniform heating is crucial because if any part of the flower doesn’t reach 80°C, the microbial contaminants won't be fully eradicated," he explained.
Non-Ionizing Vs. Ionizing: The Organic Advantage
This method of volumetric heating is what sets RF apart from traditional techniques like X-rays. Both gamma and E-beam methods work by altering the molecular structure of the cannabis, which can degrade the cannabinoids and terpenes that are essential for the product’s potency, flavor and aroma.
"RF preserves the sensory qualities of cannabis," de Cordova said, "because it heats the flower uniformly without damaging the integrity of its cannabinoids or terpenes."
He further explained that RF technology operates on the non-ionizing side of the electromagnetic spectrum, which makes it an organic-compliant solution. In contrast, ionizing technologies like gamma radiation and X-rays alter the molecular structure of the matter, disqualifying those methods from being used in organic products.
Sustainable And Scalable Technology
Additionally, RF technology uses only electricity, requiring no harmful chemicals, gases, or ventilation systems, further enhancing its appeal to operators looking for sustainable and efficient decontamination methods. "Our machines are compact and scalable —requiring only 240V single-phase power—, making them accessible for operators of all sizes," de Cordova noted.
De Cordova highlighted the efficiency of the machine: "In about 15 minutes, the machine processes up to five pounds of cannabis flower."
How Ziel's Technology Supports Organic Certification
For operators seeking organic certification, Ziel's RF technology provides a clear advantage. "Our technology is non-ionizing, meaning it qualifies as organic," de Cordova said. In contrast, ionizing methods like gamma and X-ray do not meet organic standards.
This is especially important for markets where USDA Organic compliance is a key differentiator for cannabis products.
Competitive Edge: Efficiency And Cost Savings
Ziel's RF machines offer significant savings compared to competitors. “In 24 hours, our machine can process 480 pounds of cannabis, while similar machines using other technologies can only process 90 pounds,” de Cordova explained.
This efficiency, combined with the technology's ability to prevent product failures, helps operators recover costs quickly. "With a 10% failure rate, an operator could recoup that in just a few months by salvaging otherwise lost product."
Ziel’s machines are also certified for use in Europe, with their first installation in Portugal. "We partnered with a GMP facility here in Portugal and went through the rigorous process of certifying the machine for use in the European market," de Cordova said. This certification process is critical, especially for exporting cannabis to strict markets like Germany, where compliance with GMP standards is mandatory.
Implications of Rescheduling - Podcast
This quarter two seismic shifts occurred in the United States and Germany with a common denominator: the DEA advanced the rescheduling of cannabis from a narcotic to a Class III drug in the USA, and Germany completed the rescheduling with passage of the Cannabis Reform Law April 1. However, the implications are different for the two largest cannabis markets.
Join us for a fireside chat with Arthur de Cordova, a former Country Manager for AstraZeneca in Europe, and CEO of Ziel.
Listen to the full episode on Spotify, here!
Business of Cannabis - Interview
Strap in for Episode 1 of our brand new series, Business of Cannabis: Podcast at Cannabis Europa 2024. Kicking things off, CEO of Ziel, Arthur de Cordova joins our host Shahbaaz Kara at the Barbican Centre during our recent Cannabis Europa event - Europe's gateway to global cannabis and thought leadership.
Watch the full episode on Youtube, here!
MJ Biz - July + August Digital Issue
Flip through the digital issue, linked here, ZIEL on pages 28-29.
Opportunities and Benefits of Producing Organic Cannabis Around the World
The allure of organically grown products resonates with consumers worldwide, and cannabis is no exception. From Canada to Colombia, the quest for organic cannabis is reshaping markets and regulations, promising a future where quality and consumer safety are guaranteed in every harvest.
As more countries around the world legalize cannabis, global legal sales are projected to hit $58 billion in just four years. With expanded access, import and export regulations are expected to be standardized to simplify the global trade of cannabis.
Read the full article on Cannabis & Tech Today.
MITA - Cannabis + Microbial Decontamination
In this video, we're diving into a significant topic that highlights a crucial aspect of the agricultural industry: food safety and regulatory compliance. Specifically, we're focusing on the challenges faced by California's almond producers during the infamous salmonella outbreak. The video discusses the importance of proper microbial decontamination in the cannabis industry, highlighting the challenges faced by cultivators in maintaining product quality and safety. It explores how the founders of Zeal, a company that provides a non-chemical, organic solution to address microbial issues, entered the cannabis industry after their experience in the food industry dealing with similar concerns around pathogens. The video emphasizes the necessity of having a "kill step" in the cultivation process to ensure products pass stringent microbial testing requirements and avoid costly product recalls.
Watch the full episode on Youtube, here!
Ziel Nominated for Cannabis Startup of the Year by Business of Cannabis
View the short list of nominations here.
Cannabis Industry Braces for EU Demand Surge Following German Legalization
And the opportunity should be "very appealing" for U.S. equipment manufacturers.
Read the full article, linked here.