The current labeling of cannabis products is complicated, useless, and even gives the wrong incentive to the customer. The current market is tilted towards buying the highest total THC percentage, because it is a number that everyone believes they understand. There is a lot wrong with this. Starting from the problem that total THC is miscalculated. Adding the fact that “potency” and intoxication are not directly linked. Cannabis offers more bioactive compounds then just THC and CBD, but current labeling doesn’t show it. How can we present a cannabis product in a new way to guide the customer/patent to the right product. This presentation will build on my publications in the area of total THC labeling and chemovar research.

1. Dr. Markus Roggen
President / CSO
Birds, Bees and Buds:
How to Talk About Cannabis
and How to Label it Correctly

2. Math Class
Sorry, no sex ed. today

3. Exam Question 1
Mary Jane bought an eight of Lemon OG.
This strain has 23.3% total THC.
She then rolls one half-gram joint.
If she takes three puffs, how much THC, in millimole, has she
consumed?

4. Exam Question 2
Bubba Kush has 20.2% THC and costs $4.20 per eight.
Lemon OG has 23.3% THC and costs $7.10 per eight.
Which one gives me the most bang for my buck?

5. Exam Question 2
Bubba Kush has 20.2% THC and costs $4.20 per eight.
Lemon OG has 23.3% THC and costs $7.10 per eight.
Which one gives me the most bang for my buck?
Cost per %point of THC:
Bubba Kush: $0.21
Lemon OG: $0.30

6. Outline
• How do we buy cannabis today?
• But total THC% is wrong and you lose money!
• Current labeling is bad
• New approaches to labeling

7. Introduction
DELIC Labs is a research venture that seeks to add fundamental
scientific insight to the field of cannabis and mushroom
production.
We seek to support the cannabis and mushroom industries by
establishing a centralized hub in Vancouver, BC, for collaborative
research focused on:
• Process Design
• Process Optimization
• Process Analytics
• Formulation Research

8. Collaborative Research
DELIC Labs collaborates with academic, industry and private
groups around the globe. Some highlights of those collaborations
are:
• University of British Columbia, Vancouver
• Loyalist College, Belleville
• Via Innovations by Dr. Monica Vialpando
• Verdient Science by Dr. Linda Klumpers
Fundamental Collaboration

9. • Chemometrics and data analytics for process control and
optimization
• Kinetic studies to understand mechanisms
• In-process analytics for process control
• Computational studies to understand mechanisms
• Process development, like crystallization
Fundamental Cannabis and Mushroom Chemistry
Research Topics

10. How do We Buy Cannabis
Today?
Statistics on cannabis sales. Yes, more math!

11. The Economics of Labeling
• Consumers look at the %THC number and chose the highest.
• Which other industry does that?

12. The Economics of Labeling
• Consumers look at the %THC number and chose the highest.
• Which other industry does that?
• Pharma? No!

13. The Economics of Labeling
• Which is the best wine?

14. The Economics of Labeling
• Which is the best wine?

15. The Total THC% Problem
• This is a pure THCA crystal: 100% THCA
• Use following formula to calculate total THC%
• 𝑇𝐻𝐶𝐴 %𝑤𝑡. × 0.877 + ∆9𝑇𝐻𝐶 %𝑤𝑡. = total THC%
• Therefore this pure THCA crystal has 87.7% total THC!?!

16. The Total THC% Problem
• A pure THCA crystal must have 100% total THC
• Old Formula
• 𝑇𝐻𝐶𝐴 %𝑤𝑡. × 0.877 + ∆9𝑇𝐻𝐶 %𝑤𝑡. = 𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 %𝑇𝐻𝐶
• We have to add term for weight loss of sample
•
𝑇𝐻𝐶𝐴 %𝑤𝑡. × 0.877+∆9𝑇𝐻𝐶 %𝑤𝑡.
(𝑃𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡 − 0.123∗𝑇𝐻𝐶𝐴)
= 𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑇𝐻𝐶%

17. The Total THC% Problem
• You are underreporting the amount of THC in your products.
• You are losing $$$ per pound of flower.
• Very rough estimate:
23.28 20.15
24.12
20.72
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
Lemon OG Bubba Kush
Total
THC
(%)
Figure 1: Cannabis Change in Total
THC
total THC% using new formula
total THC% using current formula

18. The Total THC% Problem
• You are underreporting the amount of THC in your products.
• You are losing $$$ per pound of flower.
• Very rough estimate:
•>$400 million
missed for USA sales 2022
23.28 20.15
24.12
20.72
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
Lemon OG Bubba Kush
Total
THC
(%)
Figure 1: Cannabis Change in Total
THC
total THC% using new formula
total THC% using current formula

19. The Total THC% Problem
• You are underreporting the amount of THC in your products.
• You are losing $$$ per pound of flower.
• And your hemp is hot!
0.29
0.24
0.30
0.25
0
0.05
0.1
0.15
0.2
0.25
0.3
0.35
Autopilot Hemp Belle W37
Total
THC
(%)
Figure 2: Hemp Change in Total THC
total THC% using new formula
total THC% using current formula

20. Labeling Mess
Customer needs an advanced degree in mathematics
• Flower: weight percentage, i.e. THC%

21. Labeling Mess
Customer needs an advanced degree in mathematics
• Flower: weight percentage, i.e. THC%
• Vape cartridges: THC% or mg/g

22. Labeling Mess
Customer needs an advanced degree in mathematics
• Flower: weight percentage, i.e. THC%
• Vape cartridges: THC% or mg/g
• Edibles: THC in milligrams per unit.

23. Labeling Mess
Customer needs an advanced degree in mathematics
• Flower: weight percentage, i.e. THC%
• Vape cartridges: THC% or mg/g
• Edibles: THC in milligrams per unit.
• Tinctures: mg/mL
Who can keep up with all this?

24. New Approach to Labeling
Sell the buzz, not dead weight

25. New Approaches to Labeling
Standard Drink
• With alcohol, we inherently know that we can drink more
ounces of beer than vodka before we are drunk.
• Standard Drink = fixed amount of pure alcohol.
• The volume changes to even out the amount of alcohol
consumed.

26. New Approaches to Labeling
Standard Dank
• Package sizing not by weight but THC or CBD amount.
• Standard Dank = 5 mg THC or CBD.
• Same cannabinoid mass across all product categories
• Package in serving sizes of Standard Danks.
Standard Danks: 1 40 85 180

27. New Approach to Labeling v2
More Medical Marijuana, less Recreational Cannabis, please!

28. New Approaches to Labeling
International Units
• Nutraceuticals sold with International Units (IU) on the label.
• Pharmacology: IU = measure of the effect.
• 1000 IU of Vitamin D per day.
• Arbitrary, but round number = easy to remember.
• It is based on biological activity.
• Easy to compare different forms, i.e. tablet or tincture.

29. New Approaches to Labeling
Intoxication Units
• For THC, CBD set a normalized number of 100 IU for a single
dose of effect.
• Edible: 5 mg of THC = 100 IU.
• Pre-rolls / Vape: One puff = 100 IU.
• CBD Tincture: 300mg of CBD = 100 IU.
Intoxication Units: 100 3,000 40,000 1000

30. New Approaches to Labeling
Intoxication Units
• But, that is difficult!
• So, do the work!

31. New Approaches to Labeling
Intoxication Units
• But, that is difficult!
• So, do the work!
Does Size matter for Performance?
A Study of how Particle Size
influences Joint Smoking
-10
10
30
50
70
90
110
Puff count cannabinoid/puff (mg*10) cannabinoid/joint (mg) % recovery
THC 1-mm THC 3-mm THC 5-mm CBD 1-mm CBD 3-mm CBD 5-mm

32. New Approaches to Labeling
Intoxication Units
• But, that is difficult!
• So, do the work!
A Randomized, Triple-Blind, Comparator-
Controlled Parallel Study Investigating the
Pharmacokinetics of Cannabidiol and
Tetrahydrocannabinol in a Novel Delivery
System, Solutech, in Association with
Cannabis Use History

33. Parting Thoughts
• %THC sells the first package, return customers look for flavor.
• %THC is a niche quality that no outsider understands.
• New customers might be put off by it.
• "The real quantitative quality marker in cannabis is terpene
concentration.” (Emerald Cup / SC Labs co-founder Alec Dixon)

34. Parting Thoughts
• Educate customers about flavor and effect, not just %THC.
• Don’t sell “weight + %THC”.
• Sell a fixed amount of THC.
• Sell convenience not math problems!
• Standard Dank: mass of cannabinoids before consumption.
• Intoxication Units: resulting effects after consumption.

35. Expertise
CSO: Dr. Markus Roggen
Dr. Roggen has been actively involved in the cannabis industry for over 5 years in executive positions
executive positions overseeing production, R&D and process optimization for multiple producers. Dr.
multiple producers. Dr. Roggen is also a trusted advisor and mentor for multiple startups, startup
startups, startup accelerators and organizations.
DELIC LabsTeam
Our team covers a wide range of expertise,
including analytical chemistry, process chemistry,
engineering physics, data science and statistics.
ScientificAdvisor: Prof.GlennSammis
Prof. Sammis is a Full Professor in the Chemistry Department at the University of British Columbia. He
has built an internationally recognized research group working on the development of novel synthetic
methods for the preparation of natural products and pharmaceuticals.

36. References
• https://thecannabisscientist.com/testing-processing/totally-
miscalculated-the-total-thc-problem
• https://www.cannabisbusinesstimes.com/article/why-current-thc-
labeling-confusing-holding-industry-back-dr-markus-roggen/
• https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/full/10.1089/can.2021.0176#utm
_source=FastTrack&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=can
• https://www.cannabissciencetech.com/view/does-size-matter-
for-performance-a-study-of-how-particle-size-influences-joint-
smoking