The further along we get, the further away we get from what it is. But that might be just my opinion.
I’m probably dating myself here, but once upon a time there was a brown brick, crappy local home grown, and the super greens that rolled through around Christmas and maybe some hash. And that’s if you were lucky. Wow, I’m really showing my age here.
With the implemented medical models that have been rolling out since 1996, innovations have been implemented allowing for a larger spectrum of products. Now one can find multi-textured concentrates like crumble, rosin, and shatter (just to name a few), full plant oil extraction for oral/edible consumption, CO2 extractions for e-cig type devices, sublingual sprays or slips that work just like a Binaca blast or Listerine breath strip, transdermal patches, suppositories, droppers, inhalers, capsules, chewable tablets(just like a Flintstones vitamin), an array of culinary delights, and it all came from what? The same flower.
Now even Big Pharma has moved in with products that are inspired by this little flower. Abbott Products has had Marinol (synthetic THC) around for years giving it to cancer patients to help stimulate appetite and alleviate nausea associated with chemotherapy treatment. Epidiolex, a CBD rich oral application from GW Pharmaceuticals that went into drug trials with pediatric epilepsy. At least that one is a real Cannabis extraction unlike the new Syndros(sounds more like a new super-villain) which just got FDA approval and is made by Insys Therapeutics. This is also the same company that makes Fentanyl, which is 50-100 times more potent than morphine. And they got the fed to make their drug a schedule 2. Oh, and by the way, Syndros is nothing more then a new oral version of Dronabinol (synthetic THC) which is Marinol. But I have to pose the question “Why are they focused on only 2 molecules?”
The last time I looked science has identified 400 different chemicals in the cannabis plant(drug free.org), 60 of which are cannabis specific. All these different chemicals intersect and support one another, referred to as “The Entourage Effect”. How can we be looking at only one or two? This is why the anecdotal evidence shows things such as RSO (Rick Simpson Oil) has cured certain cancers and Marinol never cured anything. Strains such as Haleigh’s Hope and Charlotte’s Web seem to have greater results than Epidiolex in children with Epilepsy. I think it is contributed to it being all of the plant and not just 1 of the molecular components. In an effort to move forward, it seems to have stepped back. Plus this puts Big Pharma in a position of controlling Cannabis while moving away from the natural source of these products.
But it’s not only this you see. If you take a look around one can find many versions of “Frankensteins Monster” lurking within the bleeding jaws of capitalism. A bunch of people hopped right in line and said “Yes Daddy, please.” Then there it was… Delta 7, 8, 10, V, 42, 69, 71, 420, 666, and 710. It’s like once the Hemp Bill dropped every MSO Hemp producer hired as many mad scientists they could get their hands on to create as many variables of it within the confines of the current laws. What did they make? A whole bunch of crazy.
The problem here is that many of the compounds that are being constructed here normally count for less than 1% of the genetic makeup of the plant. So, where does it come from? By synthesizing it through other cannabinoids, generally CBD. This is called isomerization, which is relatively simple but involve combining lots of potentially dangerous chemicals to degenerate the molecule to turn it into other things, like Delta 8. Because of this, only licensed chemists and experienced manufacturers should manipulate things like CBD into different versions of THC so you get a guaranteed clean product.
This flower has come a long way over time. Some of these creations are pretty awesome, while other will leave you asking “why?” But we need to ask ourselves “Has it gone too far?” And if it has gone too far the next thing we need to ask ourselves is “How do we get it back?” Do we even want it back? Or do we just leave it in hopes that it gets so twisted it just eats its own tail?
PS
The cannabis industry has evolved faster than the data to support its products.
