We’re transitioning to a new patient system to improve your experience; if you experience any issues or need assistance during the transition, please reach out to us at info@releafspecialists.com.
We’re transitioning to a new patient system to improve your experience; if you experience any issues or need assistance during the transition, please reach out to us at info@releafspecialists.com.
You may have heard someone say, “Cannabis wasn’t this strong years ago.” There’s truth behind that statement. As Bob Scherer explains on the podcast, many people who used cannabis decades ago are surprised by the potency of today’s products.
Modern cannabis has changed thanks to advances in plant breeding, growing techniques and scientific research. Although higher levels of THC tend to attract the most attention, alterations to the overall cannabinoid profile of the plant have also impacted the way cannabis looks, smells and affects users. The evolution of cannabis helps us understand why cannabis today is so different from cannabis of previous generations.
Cannabis, Bob Scherer, explains has not just changed overnight through natural processes, but has been selectively bred over the years. Growers repeatedly selected plants with desirable qualities, mainly those that naturally produced higher levels of THC, and bred them for several generations.
As the demand for stronger psychoactive effects grew, THC levels in many of the commercial strains increased, while balanced cannabinoid profiles became less common. Bob notes that older cannabis typically contained a broader mix of naturally occurring cannabinoids, including CBD, CBG and other minor compounds, which contributed to a different overall experience.
Today, medical cannabis breeding is shifting direction. Many breeders are now trying to breed in more balanced cannabinoid profiles to better meet the needs of medical cannabis patients rather than just trying to maximize THC.
Decades ago, cannabis plants naturally produced less THC while containing higher levels of CBD and other minor cannabinoids. The synergy of these compounds created a different overall experience than many modern strains.
As demand for more powerful psychoactive effects increased, growers began selectively breeding plants that naturally produced higher levels of THC. This natural breeding process over generations has slowly increased thc levels and decreased cbd in many commercial strains.
Today, medical cannabis breeding is going back to balanced cannabinoid profiles, making strains with higher levels of CBD, CBG and other beneficial compounds, instead of focusing on maximising THC.
Modern weed didn’t get strong overnight. Over time, natural selective breeding took place with growers always selecting plants with desirable traits, such as higher THC production, stronger aroma, better growth characteristics, etc.
This process has drastically altered the cannabinoid profile of many modern strains of cannabis.
Cannabis genetics are more important than potency. They affect:
Today’s breeders can breed strains for different purposes based on their cannabinoid composition.
It’s a common assumption: The higher the THC, the better the cannabis. But THC is only one of dozens of naturally occurring cannabinoids in the plant.
THC is the active ingredient, but cannabinoids like CBD and CBG also play a role in the overall experience. That’s why two cannabis products with the same THC percentage can hit you completely differently.
Increasingly, medical cannabis programmes are encouraging patients to think beyond THC numbers and to consider the full cannabinoid profile.
THC is the main psychoactive cannabinoid, and is what most people think of when they think of the effects of cannabis. Today’s breeding has greatly increased THC levels from what they were decades ago.
Older cannabis strains had naturally higher levels of CBD. Today, breeders are purposefully breeding strains with higher levels of CBD so that medical cannabis products can be more balanced.
CBG is getting more attention in medical cannabis research. It is found naturally at low levels, but breeders are now selecting for higher levels of CBG in some strains.
Cannabis contains dozens of other cannabinoids that researchers are still studying. These compounds all add to the overall chemical profile of the plant, which may influence the performance of different strains.
THC percentage is only a part of cannabis quality.
Many products on the market today have THC levels above 25%, but potency is not the whole story, quality and suitability matter too.
Other factors that affect the experience are:
Balanced cannabinoid profiles tend to be more helpful to medical cannabis patients than just grabbing the highest THC product from the shelf.
Innovations in cultivation have transformed cannabis production.
Modern indoor growing enables the growers to control:
Growers hinder pollination, leading plants to put more energy into flower development than seed production, which results in higher cannabinoid levels and more uniform harvests.
Growing Indoors Offers:
Outdoor cultivation offers:
But ultimately, quality is most influenced by experienced growers, not just the growing environment.
The craft and the quality of the flower is what boutique cannabis is all about. What growers usually want to do is:
Commercial cannabis production concentrates on:
Each approach serves a different purpose in today’s cannabis industry.
Today’s cannabis is so much more than the old flower.
Post-harvest, processors extract cannabinoids from plant material to produce concentrates and distillates used in:
It also allows producers to use more of the harvested plant and maintain product consistency.
Cannabis research is ongoing.
Future developments will include:
In the future, cannabis breeding will likely be about creating products designed for particular therapeutic purposes, rather than just maximising THC levels.
Thanks to advances in genetics, cultivation, and plant science, today’s cannabis is more potent than it was decades ago. Selective breeding has increased THC levels, and controlled cultivation methods allow growers to maximise the genetic potential of each plant.
And at the same time, medical cannabis research is igniting renewed interest in CBD, CBG, and other cannabinoids that make up the overall effects of the plant. Understanding cannabinoid ratios, cultivation, and genetics helps patients make better choices than just reading the THC percentage.
Whether you are trying a medical marijuana card for the first time or renewing your certification, Releaf Specialists makes the process easy and convenient. Our licensed physicians conduct medical marijuana evaluations for eligible patients via secure telehealth appointments, empowering you to confidently navigate your state’s medical cannabis programme.
Book your appointment today with Releaf Specialists and move forward in gaining safe, legal access to medical cannabis under the guidance of a physician.
