Dr. Darryl Johnson: Cannabis. Marijuana (Yes, Really)

2017-05-13

Marijuana. Yes. Really. Legal Statement: Medical marijuana is legal in the state of Nevada, where Dr. Johnson conducts his research; Adult-use marijuana legal in NV, sales begin July 1, 2017 in the state of NV. Marijuana might not be legal in audience home state. Listener discretion is advised. Marijuana. Cannabis. Yes, that's what we're talking about. In this incredibly informative and educational episode, Meredith talks with Dr. Johnson about the new research, safety and information on the wacky weed (okay, that's Meredith's term). Darryl Johnson, PhD is the Sc...

Marijuana. Cannabis. Yes, that's what we're talking about. In this incredibly informative and educational episode, Meredith talks with Dr. Johnson about the new research, safety and information on the wacky weed (okay, that's Meredith's term).

Darryl Johnson, PhD is the Scientific Director at Ace Analytical Laboratory (AAL), a cannabis safety and potency testing laboratory in Las Vegas, Nevada.

AAL is at the forefront of cannabis analysis, adhering to the world’s most stringent safety testing requirements. In addition, Dr. Johnson is also a contributing writer for Vegas Cannabis Magazine, and served on the Laboratory Working Group for the Governor’s Task Force for the implementation of Question 2 (legalization of adult-use marijuana in Nevada).

Dr. Johnson received his PhD in bioanalytical chemistry from the University of Georgia in 2013. While at UGA, he worked at the Complex Carbohydrate Research Center (CCRC) developing novel separation methodologies for high-throughput mass spectrometry based proteomic analysis. Following graduation, he took a Research Chemist/ORISE Fellowship position at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia. During his time at the CDC, he was part of the Special Topics Team in the Chemical Terrorism Method Development Laboratory, developing bioanalytical assays to measure human exposure to organophosphorus nerve agents. Dr. Johnson has authored nearly 20 peer-reviewed scientific publications, and was part of a team of scientists awarded the CDC’s Excellence in Emergency Response International award in 2015.

Show Outline

Personal Background of Dr. Johnson

NV mandatory safety and potency testing of all medical (and adult-use) products

Why is cannabis illegal?

What do we know about cannabis?

What exactly is cannabis?

There is way more to marijuana than just THC: way more than just “getting high”

Combination of more than 400 pharmacologically active compounds

How does marijuana “work” in the body? Endocannabinoid system

Are there other ways to consume cannabis besides smoking?

Why are edibles different?

What is the future of marijuana?