IAM David Schurer, the CEO of Sorbtech, a chemical company focused on chromatography -- basically what Walter White does, minus the meth. I’m also a big supporter of the legalize cannabis movement. AMA!

How different do you think western culture would be if cannabis replaced alcohol?

Healthier....but I do not think alcohol should be replaced 100%...I like Guinness and good wine...I think cannabis can replace some pharma products...

Forgot to add proof.

Any plans to make blue cannabis?

Naw, just keep it real....

How did you get into science and specifically chromatography?

Do you think the legalisation of cannabis will benefit science? And how do you think it would benefit the economy and/or world?

(Sorry about phrasing, I'm rushing because I'm currently in a lesson)

Born into science...Yes Cannabis has a lot of potential and do believe with all of it's unique compounds has a benefit to society...

Can you talk a bit about how your Airzyme product "breaks down" formaldehyde in the air? What does it break down to, and how does it work? I'm an organic chemist who works with formaldehyde on a semiregular basis, and if there's a good way to knock it out of the air, I'll try it.

The Question of the Day...thank you....the formulation for Airzyme is proprietary...what we do know is that we did a very intensive third party test utilizing GC..Here's some info: spraying 1% Airzyme reduced formaldehyde in air 80% within the first 30 minutes and down to background level 90 minutes after... If you require more info call us at 770-936-0323..

While I understand the formulation is proprietary, I'm a bit disappointed that you can't say what the formaldehyde is turned into. Without that information, it's pretty unlikely that I'll use it.

My recommendation is call into the office....

One of the concerns accompanying the legalization of cannabis in Colorado and Washington has been the inability of producers and vendors to accurately indicate THC levels in the products they sell. Merchants are required to display that information on packaging similar to an ABV indicator on bottles of alcohol but accurate measurements have proven elusive for most, particularly with edible cannabis products.

Given your interest in cannabis and experience with industry - grade chemical testing machines, do you see your company moving to enter the THC testing market? Do you know of any companies that are?

Testing for THC or CBD or other compounds needs to be done by HPLC...The company that's the best is The Werc Shop run by Dr. Jeff Raber...

Do you run chromatography tests for people or do you just make the machines?

We supply product for chemists to use. Our core focus is bulk adsorbents but we offer the chemists equipment for chromatography and the lab...check our website: www.sorbtech.com

Opinion on minors smoking cannabis?

...per the last two ICRS meetings and information given, No...because it has to do with brain development...so the tests indicate...but I think a high CBD product has it's role...especially regarding head injuries.....

On a chromatography scale-up of 1-10, how high are you right now?

Not at all.....except on just being me....which is a high onto itself...

Haha! Thanks the answer. Good to see a Beatles fan here. I live in Liverpool, UK. If you're ever in town, look me up. You'll have a ball!

Thanks for the invite...never been to UK and hope to soon...

You mention you're a musician. Who would you consider your biggest influences? Alternatively, what artists are listening to as of late?

A Beatles fan but include everything from Louis Armstrong to Buddy Holly to Taylor Swift (jus kidding)....

Do you like anything that isn't older than the average user on this site?

wow, good Q....Foster the People...KT Tunstall...Royal Southern Brotherhood featuring one of the best drummers in the world and my close friend Yonrico Scott....so many others...so many others...

What's your favorite song that you regularly play?

Here Comes The Sun and of course one's I write....

That's a great song!

Great tune and one of the best albums of all time....

For those of us unfamiliar, what is chromatography, and why is it important?

Chromatography is the science of separation and "chemikid" gave a good response...it is used in testing almost every type of product we use and also is a process for large scale purification of products we use daily...one of them being OLED, organic light emitting diodes used in your cell phone...

With GC On the decline and HPLC use increasing, how do you see the testing market continuing as more states become legal?

Thoughts on residual gases in hash oils?

...if you are referring to testing Cannabinoids, most is being done by HPLC....

Hey David-

 As a synthetic chemist that was in a broke group in gradschool I wanted to tell you we hate you and your products and allowing rival labs to buy them. I had to do soooooo many columns sans modern technology.  

Where is the future of separations going? And are you providing ultra-large scale products for industrial scale?

Actually awesome job man we appreciate your products and the amount of time you save us. If you have any laying around holler at me...for real.

cheers!

We are working on new technology for chromatography & purification....call in to the office...we do have some products we can offer you....Glad we have been helpful....

What is more important, cannabinoids or terpenes, for shaping the psychological effects of cannabis?

very good question, both are important....cannabinoids are the base and the terpenes are the modifiers...

Hello dschurer! Your post has been removed because you have not provided adequate proof within a reasonable amount of time. Please see the /r/IAmA sidebar for posting guidelines. Thank you!

orangejulius, I provided proof in one of my comments. The comment said "Forgot to add proof" and linked to the Sorbtech Facebook page with a message stating I was doing an AMA. If you reinstate the post, I can add it to the post, as well.

https://www.facebook.com/sorbtech/posts/878188682202985

We don't accept proof from unverified social media pages. Could you change your website to include an indicator you're doing an AMA? Alternatively, you're the best judge of the proof you have available and you can review our sidebar for inspiration as to what constitutes good proof.

I can send an e-mail to somebody from my Sorbtech e-mail address if you can provide me a recipient address.