The Quest To Discover More About The Cannabis Plant and Its Derivatives

Out of the more than 100 compounds found in the cannabis plant, the phytocannabinoids were the first to be identified. These are CBD, THC and CBN, cannabinol. In 1988, scientists were studying how THC manifested its effects, and the endocannabinoid system was discovered in humans. This discovery led to exploring how the cannabinoids might be utilized for useful, therapeutic purposes. This included both the plant chemicals, phytocannabinoids, and the synthetic variations created in laboratories.

Hemp is a type of cannabis that has been used to produce seeds and fibers for manufacturing, while cannabis, especially with THC, has been used for recreational products. Since cannabis is illegal at the federal level, retailers and farmers became interested in growing hemp for CBD. The 2018 Farm Bill declassified CBD derived from hemp, as long as it contained less than 0.3% THC, on the basis of dry weight.

Patient and consumer demand are increasing for cannabinoids, as is the need for greater knowledge and understanding of cannabis and cannabinoids. More high quality clinical trials will be needed and conducted. As of now, the cannabis strains, or cultivars, used for both recreational and medical use, are the same plants, which are also grown in the same conditions. They also undergo the same extraction process for the useful substances that are harvested and sold. It is the reason for use that separates the plants and terms legally. Medical cannabis laws are in flux constantly, but currently, 38 states, and the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam and the US Virgin Islands have many programs for access to medical cannabis.