Despite the growing popularity of the magical compound CBD, it may be difficult to find a whole-plant, high-CBD product full of valuable terpenes. The product we just described is usually the most effective for consumers and has a higher capacity of treating a range of health conditions or providing powerful prevention. With the rise in popularity of words such as marijuana, weed, cannabis, hemp, and other synonyms, the confusion regarding the matter is only naturally occurring.
And even if you have done your research and you know exactly what you are after and what is most suitable for your condition, where do you find it? The modern trend of CBD consumption is moving towards high-resin cannabis plants, containing full-spectrum terpenes. However, a problem arises due to the existence of significant quantities of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in such plants.
Why would THC be a problem?
THC is another natural compound found within the cannabis plant, including both marijuana and hemp. However, its levels found in hemp are little to none, making the product preferable for a number of reasons. THC is the psychoactive substance found in cannabis and can expose the consumer to mind-altering experiences, heightened senses, and can even cause paranoia or anxiety if taken in higher doses.
The substance is not advisable for people of older age or youngsters, or may simply not be of interest to some. Although it provides a range of health benefits, CBD has been proven to have a more gentle effect on the mind and plays the role of a strong remedy for the body.
Hemp is the answer
A potential solution to the problem of THC-rich marijuana or cannabis can be the cultivation and consumption of hemp. Even if THC is found in hemp, its quantity is far under that of CBD. In addition, when found in certain ratios, CBD can cancel out the effect of THC when consumed, meaning that the consumer’s safety can be guaranteed.
In addition, from a legal perspective, hemp is better appreciated and is subject to other rules and regulations from those applied to THC.
In 2018, President Donald Trump officially signed a farm bill, which legalized hemp in the U.S. With the free cultivation and production of hemp and CBD-related products, the CBD market has drastically boomed in the states, opening up a new horizon both for producers and consumers.
Although CBD is still a controversial topic due to its association with drugs, if regulated and monitored the compound can be included in a range of products such as high quality oils, edibles, tinctures, vapes, and more. The condition of CBD-products being legal and available for consumers is that they include low to zero levels of THC. The exact level of THC found in CBD-products cannot exceed 0.3% in order for the product to be legal.
Low-resin industrial hemp – no terpenes
The bad news is that low-resin industrial hemp is not rich in terpenes, while marijuana is blooming with these aromatic and valuable substances. Consuming CBD extracted from hemp with low or no levels of terpenes can leave consumers feeling flat. But what are terpenes in reality?
Terpenes are aromatic metabolites, which can be discovered in the oil of plants. They are highly diverse as more than 20,000 terpenes exist, with around 100 produced solely by the cannabis plant. Terpenes are valuable for people as they play the role of natural guides for establishing which strains will be most beneficial for our endocannabinoid system. The cultivation of terpenes happens under strict regulation and monitoring of temperature, humidity, and more.
The upcoming of high-CBD hemp
The creation of hemp can have diverse goals and purposes and will vary from producer to producer. If the ultimate aim is to give rise to hemp rich in terpenes, a possible solution is to breed terpene making into CBD-producing hemp plants. However, the end result will not always be successful as terpenes are located in the resinous flower tops of the cannabis plant, where THC is stored. Therefore, the chances of ending up with a THC-rich product are high.
An alternative method around genetic hemp is the production of high-resin marijuana plants with a combined ratio of THC and CBD compounds, along with the full diversity of available terpenes. The THC can then be extracted from the product in order to strengthen the seed line, giving rise to something new. This method results in a range of different strains, which are extremely strong in CBD but lack the typically high levels of THC. This not only opens up new territory for experimenting with new strains, but it also provides a new set of health benefits for consumers, as every strain will have its own, unique influence on the body.
The farnesene terpene
An interesting terpene that hemp producers have turned an eye to is farnesene. Producing high-CBD hemp can include doses of this terpene, which plays its own magic for consumers. The terpene naturally occurs in cannabis and other plants but is mostly found in apple skins. It carries a specific green apple aroma, which provides a rich taste and smell for the end hemp product. Its role for the cannabis plant is to serve as an insect repellent but it has substantial value for the consumer as well.
Farnesene is also an active part of turmeric and carries specific anti-inflammatory characteristics. In addition, it has certain tumor-inhibiting traits, which could be used for curing conditions such as colon or pancreatic cancer. Farnesene is also successful in helping with spasm relief and preventing tooth decay.
Giving rise to other cannabinoids
High-CBD hemp can also be genetically controlled to produce larger quantities of other cannabinoids, which are otherwise not in high quantities in the plant. For instance, minor cannabinoids such as cannabigerol (CBG), cannabidivarin (CBDV), and cannabichromevarin (CBCV) each carry their unique medical benefits for the body. Developing specific cultivation and extraction methods can result in a product containing a CBG:THC ratio of 100:1. There is literally no limit as long as there is sound knowledge behind the production of high-CBD hemp.
These cannabinoids, along with the dominant CBD cannabinoid, can have a soothing effect for a range of conditions. For instance, CBG plays an active role in the treatment of glaucoma as it decreases intraocular pressure. Its anti-inflammatory capabilities are not to be underestimated, as well as its ability to protect neurons and prevent nerve cell degeneration in the brain. The cannabinoid also has substantial antibacterial traits and can be helpful in the fight with cancer.
Another homolog of CBD, cannabidivarin has the power to treat nausea, seizures, and therefore be helpful with decreasing the discomfort of epilepsy. CBCV, on the other hand, can play the role of an antidepressant, an antibiotic, analgesic, and antifungal product. And all of this simply extracted from cannabinoid-rich hemp!
Choosing CBD products
We can see why the production of high-CBD hemp is likely to drastically increase in the future, with demand rising by the day. Consumed predominantly for medical purposes, CBD is a valuable natural source that can help consumers improve their overall health or assist in the fight with certain diseases and conditions.
When looking into standard marijuana or hemp plants, the different extraction methods will give a different CBD product, meaning that the concentration of CBD will highly vary. When purchasing CBD-related products, it is essential to understand the THC:CBD ratio of the product, its CBD concentration, origin, and other information which may be useful. The future is oriented towards the creation of high-CBD hemp and we are excited to see what innovation will bring forward.
