From Cannabis Concept To
The Edibles Market
The 10 Crucial Steps In Bringing a Cannabis Product To
Market
By Rachel Zemser, Certified Food and Culinary Scientist
Copyright 2016
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Everyone Says…. Wow! You Should Create a Edible Cannabis
Product and Sell it…..
Every year I receive hundreds of emails and phone calls from start up
entrepreneurs who want to bring their food product to market. They show me
their kitchen prototypes and want to jump right into getting it ready for marketthat's when I put the brakes on and explain that there are several TECHNICAL
steps that one must take to successfully bring their product to market- and
getting into the kitchen (or “laboratory” as us food scientists call it) won’t
happen for quite awhile--It All Begins With Research…. You may think that just because your product
is not on the market- that no one has ever thought of it! This may be true, but
chances are someone already did think of it, but didn’t put it on the market
because it was too expensive, not easily manufactured, or just not something
that appeals to the mass cannabis market…yet!
Because Food Manufacturing Is Expensive… and the assumption is that
you want to make a profit- so if you want to profit, you have to make sure you
create something that everyone wants and can be made at a reasonable
price!
Keep reading to learn about the 10 crucial steps you need to take to bring
your product from the kitchen to the manufacturing plant!
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Step #1 Do Your Research
You have an idea for a great new cannabis infused food product. Perhaps it’s
an energy bar, a smoothie, or a new trail mix. It might be something with
probiotics or a seasoning blend. You’re sure it will be the next big hit, but
making that happen takes serious research. First, don’t assume your idea is
original. It’s possible the product is out there, but you haven’t seen it. If it’s not
on the market, maybe that’s because it cannot be easily manufactured, or has
no market potential. If you start up a cannabis food company based on a
whim, you’re headed for trouble. Here’s what to do before diving in. Attend
cannabis industry trade shows like Hempcon or Cannabis Cup to discover
what’s hot on the market. Many “edible” companies exhibit at these shows,
where you can see the cool ideas that people hope will take off.
Step #2 Make Sure You Have Funding
Do you have money? I am not just talking about the money you need to pay a
consultant (rates range from $125 -$250 per hour) –but production costs as
well. Average food production start up costs can be anywhere from $10,000 to
$150,000 just to bring your first production run to market. You will have to
either use your own personal wealth or find an investor who is willing to take a
risk. Funds will be needed to buy ingredients, pay a commercial kitchen, do
microbiology, pesticide and THC testing, shipping, packaging, warehouse
storage, slotting fees, marketing costs and so on!
Step #3 Get An NDA/Confidentiality Agreement In Place
People talk and the food industry is a small place. Have your cannabis lawyer
draw you up a simple NDA and have anyone you share your idea with –sign it.
The guy you told your story to on the plane, the investor, your consultantseven your mom should sign it- it just promises that they won’t tell anyone your
idea, or worse-steal it for themselves.
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Step #4 Find a Commercial Kitchen or “Space”
Co-packer, co-manufacturer and “co-man” and “commercial kitchens” are the
terms that refer to a facility that either manufactures your product or receives
your finished good in bulk and packages it for you. For legal reasons, you may
not be able to find a FDA approved manufacturer for your product, you may
have to find a commercial kitchen instead. Depending on the nature of your
product, it is crucial that this step take place in the early stages of your
development!
Step #5 Get some insurance!
Making and selling food is serious business and if someone gets sick, they
may sue you and hold you liable. There are some insurance companies out
there (like the Potential Insurance Group) that will provide you with insurance
for cannabis business.
Step # 6 Understand Your Product Regulations
All food products made in the U.S. are regulated by the FDA or the USDA.
Beef Jerky for example must be made in a USDA facility. Canned meat is also
made under strict USDA regulations. These rules are in place because if
these foods are not made correctly, they can cause serious food borne
illnesses and death! Make sure you understand the regulations associated
with the type of product you would like to make. If the product requires heavy
FDA and USDA monitoring, then you should not make it without highly
scientific support. Stick with “safe” items like candy, dry mixes, cakes, cookies
and popcorn and don’t venture into the highly regulated food space! Check out
my E-book for more detailed information on regulated products.
Step #7 Find a Food Science Consultant
We are the few and the proud and we are called “Food Scientists” and if you
don’t have any experience making or manufacturing products, you definitely
need to hire one. There are big consulting firms and independent specialiststhe key is finding the one that knows how to make your type of product.
Making yogurt? Find someone with a dairy background. What about beef
jerky? Find someone who is an expert at making dried meat- because beef
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jerky is a combination of art and science! Not all food scientists can make all
food products and you want someone who can breeze through it, not
troubleshoot around too much. Interview several consultants and make sure
you “connect” with them. Creating food gets personal and you need to find
someone you can trust.
Step #8 Find A Testing Laboratory
Find a local certified laboratory that specializes in food testing and develop a
relationship with them. Let them know what you are planning to do (after they
sign an NDA!) and get a general idea of what types of tests will be needed to
measure the quality and safety of your product. There are several labs in
California that can assist with your testing needs like Anresco Laboratory (tell
them Rachel sent you for a discount!)
Step #9 Create A Prototype
With a commercial space in your back pocket, your newly hired food scientist
on hand- and a good understanding of how much your production costs will
ultimately be- you can now proceed with creating a prototype. Keep in mind
everything you learned from your co-packer—what type of equipment do they
have in their plant? Are there any forbidden allergens? Peanuts, a major
allergen in the food industry are sometimes not allowed in certain facilitiesand it’s important to remember this when formulating your product. Your food
scientist should have good understanding of how the co-packer will
manufacture your product and should be able to formulate accordingly.
Step #10 Check Out My Book
I would like to thank you for downloading this report and taking the time to
read it! Food science is both my job and my passion, and I was excited to put
together this 10-step guide to answer the kinds of questions I have received
from start-up companies for years. So what’s next for you? Now that you’ve
read this report, you may have a different perspective on what it will take to
bring your product to market. You may want to learn more!
My E-book covers everything in this report and more- I sell it for $49.99 and as
a thank you for your trust (after all, you don’t know me!) I am adding in a full
one hour consulting session for just and additional $100 dollars- During
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this hour we can discuss your product in detail! Go to the last page of this
report for ordering details! I will answer questions like:
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Where are all the industry trade shows?
Can I make and sell marijuana infused products?
How can I create a nutritional label?
Do I need to get the FDA/USDA involved?
What about the Cottage Industry/Home Made Food Act?
Do I need to do a shelf life study?
What IS a shelf life study?
What are the FDA/USDA regulations for my product?
What is a HACCP plan? Do I need one?
Can I tell people my product will save the world or cure their diseases?
Can my product be shelf stable like a twinkie but without all the bad stuff?
Are You Ready To Bring Your Product To Market?
Download My E-Book For $49.99
OR
Download the E-Book Plus Get 1 Hour of Consulting for $150
Just visit www.cannabisculinologist.com to purchase
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