BIOACTIVE
BIOACTIVE
Riley D. Kirk, Ph.D.
How Fast-Acting Products Actually Work with Harold Han, PhD
57 minutes Posted Feb 20, 2026 at 11:00 pm.
Welcome + Meet Dr. Harold Hahn (“Happy Chemist”) & What Vert Does
From Cannabis Stigma to Conscious Living: Harold’s Personal Journey
The Oil-and-Water Problem: Emulsifiers Explained for Cannabis Drinks
Vert’s Water-Compatible Cannabinoids: Droplet Size, Consistency & Effects
Stability Deep Dive: Physical Separation, Oxidation Rates & Gummies vs Beverages
Packaging Pitfalls: Can Liners, “Scalping,” FTIR Testing & a New Patent Fix
Beverage R&D Checklist: The 7-Step Supply Chain + Taste/Mouthfeel Priorities
Flavor Wars: Tasteless THC vs “Tastes Like the Plant”
Nano vs Micro Emulsions Explained (It’s Not Just Size)
Why Most Cannabis Drinks Use Nano: Natural Emulsifiers
Fast-Acting vs Slow-Acting: What Your Gut Does With
Food Effects + The New UCSF Cannabis Beverage PK Lab
Patient Benefits: Consistent Dosing, No Sugar, Full-Plant Medicine
Research, DIY Possibilities & Big-Picture Wrap-Up
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57:45
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Show notes
Dr. Riley Kirk welcomes Dr. Harold Han, Chief Science Officer and Co-Founder of Vertosa to explore the fascinating world of the science powering modern cannabis beverages and infused products. Known in
the industry as “The Happy Chemist,” Dr. Han explains how emulsion technology solves the classic oil-and-water problem that makes cannabinoids difficult to incorporate into drinks. The conversation breaks down how water-compatible cannabinoids are created, why droplet size and consistency matter for potency and onset, and how stability challenges differ between beverages and gummies.
They explore oxidation rates of major cannabinoids, packaging risks like
“scalping” from can liners, and new patented approaches to preserving potencyin infused drinks.
They also examine the full beverage development pipeline, from cannabinoids and infusion technology to formulation, manufacturing,
testing, and distribution, highlighting the many points where potency and
quality can be affected. Dr. Han clarifies the difference between nano and
micro emulsions, why most commercial cannabis drinks use nano systems, and how natural emulsifiers influence formulation choices. The discussion further explores how the human body processes emulsified cannabinoids, why food (especially fat) changes edible effects, and how fast-acting beverages work at a physiological level. They discuss new human research initiatives, patient applications such as consistent dosing without sugar or smoke, and how standardized emulsions could transform both clinical research and at-home use.
Looking ahead, Dr. Han shares insights on full-plant formulations, the future of cannabis as a precise delivery system for medicine, and the role of science-driven innovation in making cannabinoids more accessible, consistent, and scalable across recreational, wellness, and medical markets.
Chapters
& Custom Control
Emulsions
 
Connect with Dr. Harold Han
LinkedIn: Harold Han Ph.D. (The Happy Chemist)
Company: Vertosa — https://vertosa.com/
 
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