Raised in soil, rooted in science.
The strength of CannaCraft comes from its deep roots in legacy cultivation practices combined with cutting-edge technology.
Our Innovators
James Prendergast
R&D Manager
James began at Cannacraft in 2017 and started the R&D department in its current form. He holds a BS in Chemical Engineering from UC Davis and previously worked as a winemaker at a Napa Valley winery. He developed the emulsion that launched HIFI Hops, leads our innovation in tablets and dry powder, collaborates on new product formulations, and has focused much of his energy on the buildout of our new ethanol and hydrocarbon extraction facility.
Marielle Kane
Product Development Manager
As a former chef, winemaker, and food scientist, Marielle Kane brings both a creative and scientific approach to innovation. After earning her B.Sc. in Food Science from Pennsylvania State University, Marielle travelled to California, New Zealand, and Oregon to learn the craft of winemaking. Ultimately, the dynamic pace of the cannabis industry attracted her to Cannacraft. In her role, she utilizes her experience in analytical sciences, manufacturing, and research to drive product development.
Matt Elmes, PhD
Director, New Product Development
A PhD in Molecular and Cellular Biology from Stony Brook University in New York, Dr. Elmes focused on endocannabinoid and phytocannabinoid cellular transport mechanisms for his dissertation work. Dr. Elmes has authored over a dozen peer-reviewed scientific journal articles about cannabinoids and was named a co-inventor on a granted patent application.
“CannaCraft, a veritable Willy Wonka factory of marijuana delights hidden in plain sight in an industrial park in Santa Rosa, California.”
- Rolling Stone
Emulsion Technologies
Cannabinoids (like THC and CBD) are highly hydrophobic, a scientific term meaning that they do not like to mix with water. Just like the oil and vinegar in your salad dressing, they will spontaneously separate into two distinct layers over time. So how is it that CannaCraft is able to manufacture all of the cannabis-infused beverage products we’ve all come to know and love, such as HiFi Hops and Keef sodas?
Minor Cannabinoids
Phytocannabinoids are chemical compounds expressed by cannabis that are behind the plant’s medicinal and psychoactive properties. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are by far the best-known and the most well-studied. However, did you know that there are MANY other less-known cannabinoids and scientists continue to discover new ones all the time! THCV, CBN, ∆8-THC, CBG, CBL, CBCand the list goes on to almost 100 distinct cannabinoids waiting to be explored.
Delicious and Fast-Acting Edibles
Everybody knows that cannabis edibles take a long time to kick in (between 45 minutes to two hours), and then you’re ‘in for a ride,”, with effects lasting anywhere between three to 12 hours. We realize that the uncertainty and variability of these onset/offset times are less than ideal for many of our consumers. We set out to make an edible that is fast-acting and also has a shorter duration of effect, with set goals to feel the cannabinoids in about 10 minutes and have a full return to ‘normalcy’ within just a couple hours. We succeeded.
Meet our Medical Advisory Board
CannaCraft’s main goal for all our brands is to create the safest and most effective cannabis products possible. As one of the largest vertically integrated cannabis companies in the country CannaCraft is also uniquely position to make meaningful, positive changes towards improving cannabis education, research and honing-in on the most effective formulations to elicit targeted effects. However, we realize that for the best outcomes we need to actively seek advice from experts with diverse perspectives – to make the best products we need to work with the best people!