BIOACTIVE

Going To College to Become a Cannabis Scientist with Guest Alex Eckman

BIOACTIVE

Show Notes

Alex Eckman shares his journey in the cannabis industry, from being a medical patient to pursuing a degree in cannabis chemistry at Lake Superior State University. He discusses the evolution of cannabis education, the importance of research, and his findings on vape carts and microplastics. Alex also addresses the challenges facing the Michigan cannabis market and his aspirations for the future, emphasizing the need for education and informed decision-making in the industry.

Chapters

00:00Introduction and Background

03:00 The Landscape of Cannabis Education

06:07 Academic vs. Industry Experience

09:05 Research Opportunities in Cannabis

11:53 Vape Cart Research and Findings

14:57 Concerns About Microplastics in Vape Products

17:57 Future Research Directions

20:55 Conclusions and Reflections

31:57 Informed Choices in Cannabis Consumption

34:06 The Importance of Research and Consumer Safety

37:14 Navigating the Cannabis Job Market

40:32 Challenges in the Michigan Cannabis Industry

43:48 Regulatory Changes and Their Impact

46:39 The Evolution of Cannabis Pricing in Michigan

51:26 Home Growing: Opportunities and Challenges

53:51 The Future of the Michigan Cannabis Market

54:31 Reflections on Experience in Ohio's Cannabis Market

57:46 The Entrepreneurial Spirit in Cannabis

01:01:42 Looking Ahead: Opportunities and Optimism

Want Exclusive Content and ad-free episodes?

Join the Bioactive Patreon community for as little as $1/month to ask guests your burning questions, access exclusive content, and connect with Dr. Kirk one-on-one.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ www.Patreon.com/Cannabichem⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more expert insights into cannabis science, plant biology, and more!

Thank you to the sponsors of this episode, including MOTHER EARTH: Rooted in Nature. Back by Experience. ⁠⁠https://www.mother-earthproducts.com/ ⁠⁠

Follow Alex on social media:

@AlexEckmanCanna

CRC Video on Microplastics:

https://youtu.be/fauGztO8Z0Q?si=4Tbjkm15cVJ3tcbv

Keep up with Dr. Riley Kirk:

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.bioactivepodcast.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@cannabichem⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://instagram.com/cannabichem⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.appliedpharmacognosy.org/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

More from BIOACTIVE

Oct 16, 2026

What are cannabis terpenes, how do they influence aroma and consumer experiences, and what do we know about their safety? On this episode of the Bioactive Podcast, Dr. Riley Kirk sits down with Dr. Shawna Vreeke, PhD, DABT, Head of Toxicology at True Terpenes, to explore the science of cannabis terpenes, terpene chemistry, cannabinoid interactions, and consumer safety. With a PhD in Chemistry focused on toxin formation in vape device aerosols and expertise in toxicology risk assessment, Shawna shares insights into what current research tells us about terpenes and where important questions remain unanswered.

Oct 3, 2026

Dr. Riley Kirk welcomes Dr. Miyabe Shields for a deep dive into cannabis real-world data, cannabis consumption patterns, dosing, neurodivergent cannabis use, and the Endocannabinoid System (ECS). As co-founders of the Network of Applied Pharmacognosy (NAP), Riley and Miyabe discuss the newly accessible Real Data Project, including what large-scale consumer data can reveal about how people actually use cannabis in their everyday lives.

Sep 18, 2026

What if carbon is one of the most overlooked inputs in plant nutrition? In this episode of the Bioactive Podcast, Dr. Riley Kirk sits down with Nik Nikolayev, CEO of Rooted Leaf Agritech, to explore the science of carbon-based fertilizers, plant nutrition, biostimulants, organic acids, and the chemistry behind plant growth, yield, and quality.

Sep 4, 2026

Dr. Riley Kirk has Dr. Denise Valenti on the podcast to discuss cannabis and driving, cannabis impairment, THC testing, and the challenges of determining whether someone is actually too impaired to drive. They explore why THC levels in the body do not necessarily correspond to impairment and how cannabis can affect vision, peripheral vision, contrast sensitivity, eye movement, balance, and pupil response.

Aug 25, 2026

In this episode of the Bioactive Podcast, Dr. Riley Kirk sits down with Dr. Rick Pescatore, board-certified emergency physician, Editor-in-Chief of Emergency Medicine News, and founder of BellyMD, for a fascinating deep dive into the gut-brain connection and what it means for cannabis users and patients dealing with unexplained digestive symptoms.

See all episodes →