Adroit Market Research - Industry Insights

Recent United States Cannabis Research and Policy & Law Cannabis has validated health benefits since past few years. However, less than 6% of current studies on marijuana investigate its medical properties, periodicals to date specify that cannabis shows promise for the treatment of several diseases and symptoms. Though, patients with cancer and chronic pain, for ex. have been blocked from such benefits since the mid-20th century when government regulations were sanctioned that banned the sales, use, and distribution of cannabis due to its psychoactive properties.

However, since 1960, scientific research has been challenged in various countries because medical cannabis researc

Recent United States Cannabis Research and Policy & Law Cannabis has validated health benefits since past few years. However, less than 6% of current studies on marijuana investigate its medical properties, periodicals to date specify that cannabis shows promise for the treatment of several diseases and symptoms. Though, patients with cancer and chronic pain, for ex. have been blocked from such benefits since the mid-20th century when government regulations were sanctioned that banned the sales, use, and distribution of cannabis due to its psychoactive properties.

However, since 1960, scientific research has been challenged in various countries because medical cannabis research has been blocked, basically due to concerns with efficacy and safety. The United States Enforcement Agency stated in 2011 that cannabis has “no accepted medical usage” and therefore remain prohibited under federal law. However, they regulated this despite the fact that cannabis has proven medical benefits for several medical disorders and symptoms. And conflicting to a patent issued to the US of America as presented by the Department of Health & Human Sciences requesting “Marijuana useful in the prophylaxis and treatment of wide ranging oxidation associated diseases, such as age-related, ischemic, autoimmune and inflammatory diseases”. In addition, there are number of cannabis-based drugs and synthetic THC which have been FDA approved.

Chemistry & Biomedical Properties of Cannabis

Cannabis plants include more than 480 compounds which have been recognized to be unique to cannabis, comprising around 80 cannabinoids. However, cannabis also include approximately 140 terpenes that are more extensive in the plant kingdom. Though, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the most common abundant active element in cannabis, cannabinol (CBN), cannabidiol (CBD), a degradation product of tetrahydrocannabinol, are mostly measured in cannabis samples. Cannabidiol, a non-psychoactive compound, has been used to reduce inflammation, convulsions, anxiety and nausea, and has even eliminated tumors in some patients.

Cannabis Consumption and Delivery

Moving towards medical cannabis states is just the first phase for patients. After establishing residency, patients need to obtain a recommendation letter from a qualified expert or a MMJ (medical marijuana) card. However, with this letter card patients can enter a medical marijuana dispensary and choose from several form of marijuana-based products. Patients can select from different strains of cannabis, varying highly in THC potency. Although, smoking is a convenient method of consuming cannabis, however some experts claim that smoking may cause respiratory and lung problems and diminishes the bioavailability of some patients.

Cannabis plants naturally include the acid forms of CBD and THC called as CBDA and THCA. However, during smoking, heat transforms the CBDA and THCA into their more potent and non-acid forms, CBD and THC. This is called as decarboxylation.

Guidelines for Future Cannabis Testing

The cannabis testing and cannabis industry are in their beginnings. As the need for high quality control endures and standardization will introduced, it is expected that the lower limits for the several cannabis contaminants will be introduced and regulations will be announced. Mass spectrometry will expected to play a significant role in quantitation as exposure levels are reduced and confirmatory tests are needed. However, the health benefits of terpenes present in cannabis will also offer a fertile range of scientific research. CBG, CBD and other compounds seem to have a synergistic relation with each other and with several THC terpenes and forms. However, this field requires more investigation to recognize mechanisms of bioavailability, action, and health benefits.

With the rising cannabis product customers there comes an increasing public safety concerns, like “drugged driving”. However, law enforcement will require new, inexpensive methods for rapid salivary, finger-stick and breath-based screening of individuals which appear to be under the impact of marijuana. Likewise, labeling and better product packaging will be required to reduce accidental infant exposures, particularly to candy-like, medicinal cannabis edibles.

The stronger combination of testing labs with growing extractions, operations, dispensaries, consumers and experts is needed to ensure that essential cannabis product information is more readily available. However, vertical supply chain and cloud technology integration is required.

Cannabis Analytical Testing

Cannabis dispensaries and growers benefit enormously from testing done at independent laboratories. However, this testing determines strengths, diminishes the risk of contamination and improves quality of the product. Routine cannabis testing services contain cannabinoid potency and determination of aflatoxins, terpenes, molds, heavy metals, bacteria, herbicides, pesticides, and residual solvents.

• Cannabinoid Potency Testing

A critical test connected with cannabis testing is cannabinoid patency. However, most of the labs quantitative levels of at least 3 major cannabinoids: CBD, CBN, and THC. Some laboratories employ gas chromatography (GC), where the sample is evaporated under heat. However, both GC-MS and GC-FID are commonplace.

• Additional Cannabis Lab Tests

The moisture content of the number of cannabis samples may be measured by using Shimadzu MOC63u balances. However, the MOC63u is applicable to a wide ranging cannabis products and its high power halogen heater delivers accurate and quick measurement. Medical cannabis dispensaries need NTEP (National Type Evaluation Program) approved measures for use in legal trade. Though, additional testing of contaminants, comprising heavy metals, microorganisms and microtoxins are also essential to cannabis laboratories. The ideal conditions for marijuana growth are also ideal for the development of potentially harmful bacteria and fungi comprising molds and yeast.

Medical and recreational cannabis must be accurately screened for microbial contamination which poses health hazards to customers and immunocompromised individuals. Conventional mold and bacteria testing with petri dishes is being transformed with qPCR platforms. However, MALDI based microorganism identity may be beneficial as a qualitative technique to confirm the existence or absence of several microorganisms. MALDI can also contend with genomics testing for marijuana strain typing.