Sensory Training for Ganjier Students at MJBizCon Week

Ganjier Product Specialist Program Offers Unique Cannabis Sensory Training at Planet 13

Las Vegas, NV – Dec 6, 2024 – This week, Ganjier, a cannabis-training program based in Northern California, hosted an exclusive sensory training event at Planet 13 for students who completed the Ganjier Product Specialist program. After undergoing 10 hours of video training and passing a proctored exam, students had the opportunity to evaluate cannabis through a hands-on experience at four dedicated stations designed to test appearance, aroma, flavor, and overall experience. The event provided a unique chance for students to refine their skills and receive guidance from certified Ganjiers.

A Deep Dive into Cannabis Sensory Training

The sensory training event at Planet 13 featured four stations aimed at helping students improve their ability to evaluate cannabis products like professionals. Certified Ganjiers, including notable figures such as Papa & Barkley co-founder Guy Rocourt and hash maker Lena Burns, led each of the stations. The students received guidance on identifying quality cannabis through the use of sensory assessment techniques that focus on the appearance, aroma, flavor, and effects of cannabis.

A Comprehensive Curriculum for Aspiring Experts

Earlier this year, Ganjier launched the Product Specialist program, which has quickly gained recognition in the cannabis industry. The program includes online training modules designed by cannabis professionals, followed by a three-day access pass to the MJBizCon expo hall. To officially complete the program, participants must pass a multiple-choice exam and participate in an interactive sensory training session, such as the one held at Planet 13. The culmination of the course is a graduation ceremony at MJBizCon.

For many students, the Ganjier Product Specialist program goes deeper than they initially expected, offering advanced insights into cannabis quality that are crucial for anyone entering the cannabis industry, whether they’re beginners or experienced professionals. The program is designed not just for personal knowledge but also to advance students’ careers within the rapidly expanding cannabis sector.

Selecting Cannabis for Sensory Evaluation

Derek Gilman, managing director of Ganjier, described the process behind selecting cannabis for the sensory training stations. His primary criteria include the cultivation methods used, with a preference for organically grown cannabis, as it tends to provide a cleaner and more flavorful experience. Gilman emphasized that organic-based nutrients often result in a healthier and more enjoyable product, without the lingering effects of pesticides or harsh fertilizers. He also pointed to the importance of terpene content and the certificates of analysis that accompany cannabis products to ensure quality and safety.

The Cannabis Appearance Station

The first sensory station focused on the Appearance of the cannabis product. Students were guided through the examination of marijuana flower and concentrates under a digital microscope. They learned to identify key indicators of quality, such as trichome coverage and the presence of contaminants. Gilman explained that cannabis is sticky, and therefore prone to contamination by insects or debris. Concentrates were also reviewed for color variations, with green hues often signaling residual chlorophyll that might have remained after cultivation.

Exploring Cannabis Aroma

Next, students moved on to the Aroma Station, where they examined both flower and concentrates for their aromatic intensity and complexity. At this station, cannabis was categorized into five distinct aroma categories: fruit, fuel, floral, earth, and sweet. The addition of the “sweet” category was a relatively recent development, aimed at identifying dessert-like strains such as cookies, gelato, and wedding cake. Gilman selected samples that were intensely aromatic, which offered an opportunity for students to evaluate how different types of cannabis smell and how those aromas relate to the overall quality of the product.

Evaluating Cannabis Flavor

At the Flavor Station, students had the chance to assess the taste of cannabis using a pre-roll provided by MJBiz. Certified Ganjiers on-site guided participants on how to discern various flavors, as well as how to determine whether the sample was smooth or harsh. Flavor is an important aspect of cannabis quality, and this station provided students with hands-on experience in tasting and identifying the subtle differences between cannabis products.

The Experience Station

Arguably the most engaging of the stations was the Experience Station, which featured a hookah bar filled with rosin. The Experience Station focused on how consumption methods impact the cannabis experience, highlighting the importance of personal preferences in achieving the ideal effect. Lena Burns, an artisan hash producer from Humboldt County, California, shared her knowledge of how different forms of consumption – such as smoking, vaping, or dabbing – affect the experience. For many students, this was a unique opportunity to understand how the method of consumption can influence both the sensory and psychoactive effects of cannabis.

Education and Career Advancement through Sensory Training

Luna Stower, Chief Impact Officer at Ispire Technology, who also completed the Ganjier Product Specialist program, reflected on how the sensory training event enhances the cannabis education experience. According to Stower, the Ganjier program integrates experiential, cultural, and academic elements that help demystify cannabis, providing a comprehensive understanding of the plant from cultivation to consumption. By engaging with certified Ganjiers and industry professionals, students gain valuable insights that not only aid in their personal development but also advance their careers in the cannabis sector.

Student Testimonials: A Growing Industry Need

The event also allowed students to connect with certified Ganjiers and learn about how the training program can help further their careers in cannabis. Participants shared how the sensory training provided practical, actionable knowledge that would directly contribute to their work in the industry. One attendee, Lori Hirsch from Hii Magazine, commented on the profound experience of learning about the different dimensions of cannabis taste and aroma, noting that the complexities of terpenes made the cannabis evaluation process feel more intuitive and educational.

Dan Turbyfill, a certified Ganjier who attended the Planet 13 event, emphasized the importance of education in creating meaningful connections within the cannabis industry. As an experienced professional, Turbyfill appreciated the ability to share insights with others and deepen his understanding of cannabis quality.

Looking Ahead: Expansion of the Ganjier Program

Looking forward, Ganjier and MJBizCon are committed to expanding their partnership and offering more educational opportunities beyond the Product Specialist program. With the cannabis industry continuing to grow, the demand for skilled professionals in quality assessment is also increasing. As such, programs like the Ganjier Product Specialist certification are becoming invaluable to those aiming to stay ahead of the curve in an evolving market.

Graduation Ceremony

Students who successfully completed the Ganjier Product Specialist program were recognized in a graduation ceremony held on Friday at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The ceremony marked the successful completion of the training, exam, and hands-on sensory sessions, cementing students as certified Ganjier Product Specialists and reinforcing their readiness to advance in the cannabis industry.

The event at Planet 13 was an exemplary display of the importance of education and hands-on experience in the cannabis industry. As the cannabis market continues to evolve, programs like the Ganjier Product Specialist certification provide the tools and knowledge needed to assess and appreciate the quality of cannabis products in ways that benefit both consumers and industry professionals alike.