If you’re looking for other ways to get your THC or other cannabinoids, your options are a little bit limited right now. Don’t get us wrong. When it comes to delivery methods, there is a huge variety of choices. In addition to the standard practice of smoking cannabis flower, people choose to get their cannabinoids from vaping, edibles, oils, and topical products. There are plenty of choices when it comes to how you want to incorporate cannabinoids into your life, and depending on your needs, you’ll have the opportunity to choose the right one for you. But when it comes to the actual source of the cannabinoids, the window of opportunity is startlingly narrow. The cannabis plant is your only option.
Or is it?
In fact, cannabis is not the only source of cannabinoids out there. We have already reported on cannabinoids such as CBD turning up in such places as the peels of oranges, raising interesting questions about the way cannabinoids are sourced and the way laws are structured in the places where cannabis—and by extension, CBD—is not yet legal.
As for THC itself, though, it has only been found in the cannabis plant. Unfortunately, that’s less than ideal for a number of reasons. THC, which is the primary psychoactive substance in the cannabis plant, isn’t found throughout the entire plant. The stalks, stems, and leaves contain almost zero THC. THC is primarily located on small outgrowths of the plant known as trichomes. If you study your cannabis flower closely, you’ll be able to see these trichomes. In addition, trichomes are responsible for the sticky feeling cannabis flower sometimes has, which is why we refer to stickier flower as being more potent and, in many cases, more desirable.
Because only the trichomes produce cannabinoids, much of the plant is often wasted—although there are some low-yield uses for the stems and leaves. The goal of finding a new cannabinoid source, then, is to reduce waste and to boost yield. This can be done through a little plant bioengineering.
In the past several years, a multitude of companies have begun to experiment with the cannabis genome in order to see what might be possible. The short of it is that cannabinoids no longer have to come from plants at all. When we think of THC, we think of the iconic seven-bladed leaf that has stood for cannabis consumption for decades. But if bioengineering has its way, that token may cease to be relevant. Independent corporations and medical researchers are exploring ways to grow cannabinoids using bacteria. These biosynthetic cannabinoids, made by microbes, can be produced completely in a lab environment, taking plants and growing out of the process entirely.
Is that a good thing? It’s hard to say. In the long term, producing our cannabinoids this way would save money. Right now, cannabis products are fairly expensive, but if they were cultivated in labs, the cost could be reduced to about a fifth of what we currently pay. That’s great for consumers, but maybe not so awesome for the economy. One of the factors that have motivated states to legalize cannabis en masse is the fact that creating a new industry will stimulate the economy and lead to new jobs and a new source of revenue. If cannabis products are rendered less expensive and growers are made obsolete, it might have an adverse effect on the economic stimulus we hoped to see. And if that happens, it’s possible that the push for legalization might slow down in some places.
It’s impossible to know for sure. But one thing is certain—progress is being made.
Magic Mushroom Uses Humans have been using magic mushrooms for millennia, mostly for spiritual and healing purposes. In recent decades, scientists have studied their effects, exploring their potential for mental health treatment. Psilocybin, the primary psychoactive compound in magic mushrooms, has proven to be particularly useful. For instance, psilocybin therapy shows promise in treating conditions…
NPK isn’t some trendy Gen Z abbreviation circulating on TikTok; it actually stands for nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus—the cornerstone of nutrients for developing cannabis plants. NPK and cannabis are a fundamental dynamic for optimal results from your cannabis harvest. There’s a lot of information available regarding the best NPK ratio for cannabis; however, growers obtain…
Planning a Puerto Rico getaway and want to stay compliant with local cannabis rules? Good call. Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory with a medical cannabis program (no recreational sales). The island recognizes specific out-of-state patient credentials and also offers a short-term “travel med card” option so that qualified visitors can purchase legally at licensed…
Many people interested in the benefits of shrooms search for alternative ways to consume them, such as smoking. People who ask, ” Can you smoke shrooms often?” hope to experience psychedelic effects without eating mushrooms. Online claims and social media posts frequently suggest smoking as a shortcut, but science says otherwise. Smoking magic mushrooms does…
Nitrous. Xanax. Cocaine. Molly. Ketamine. LSD. Go to enough parties, and you’re sure to see one or more of these drugs being freely used and passed around among friends. The 2020s aren’t the first decade to experience an explosion in recreational drug popularity – nearly every era throughout the 20th century saw the rise of…
Sign up for our newsletter
Learn the process in your state
All Rights Reserved Veriheal Inc. ©
Terms Privacy Policy Advertising Agreement Content Disclamer
Get your medical marijuana card today
Sign up in under 5 minutes
Start By Selecting Your State
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Puerto Rico
