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Cannabis : Essential Insights for Beginners
November 22, 2024
For anyone entering the cannabis industry, a solid grasp of the plant’s biology and chemistry is crucial. Knowledge of where cannabis comes from, its strains and properties, and how it is processed into the products sold today is essential. This understanding ensures that you can provide reliable information to customers, enhancing their trust in the products and your expertise. While a degree in plant biology or chemistry isn’t necessary, familiarizing yourself with the basics of cannabis science is beneficial.
I recommend exploring topics such as plant physiology and the endocannabinoid system to build a strong foundation. Online resources like Leafly, Weedmaps, and Ganjapreneur offer comprehensive articles that can deepen your understanding of cannabis. Below, you’ll find a glossary of important terms that I’ve mentioned throughout this post. With these basics in hand, you’ll be well-equipped to explore more specialized areas of interest within the industry.
The cannabis industry presents a complex landscape with varied paths, each offering unique opportunities and challenges. Whether you’re looking to engage in cultivation, extraction/manufacturing, dispensaries, or a mix of these, understanding the specific market and licensing requirements where you plan to operate is crucial.
At PurePressure, we specialize in the mechanical aspects of cannabis, producing extraction tools that aid other businesses in creating consumable products. My internship here has enriched my understanding of solventless manufacturing processes, along with valuable insights from Agrify’s other brands that focus on different segments of the industry. For aspiring business owners, it’s essential to target a specific segment of the cannabis market—be it consumers of extracts, flowers, edibles, or another niche—to increase your chances of success.
To get started, I recommend visiting your state’s cannabis regulatory website for detailed information on licensing and compliance. Understanding the different business types and their corresponding licenses will guide you in making informed decisions about your entry into the cannabis industry.
After grasping the fundamentals of cannabis and the various business models and licenses, the next step is to keep abreast of industry innovations. The cannabis sector is dynamic, with continuous advancements in cultivation, extraction, and sales practices.
For current news and updates on federal and international cannabis policies, websites like MarijuanaMoment provide daily insights. The history of cannabis consumption spans thousands of years, during which both the cultivation techniques and the plant itself have evolved significantly.
Currently, cannabis extraction is a rapidly growing field, attracting both seasoned users and newcomers alike. This area of the industry was particularly appealing to me as I sought to understand the latest breakthroughs. Among the types of extraction—hydrocarbon, ethanol/alcohol, and solventless—my experience has primarily been with solventless methods at PurePressure, though I’ve found the following resources extremely helpful for learning about all types of cannabis extraction:
These resources offer foundational knowledge that can help anyone understand the basics of cannabis extraction, regardless of their previous experience. As the industry continues to grow and innovate, staying informed and educated will be key to navigating this evolving landscape successfully.
Definitions:
Cannabinol (CBN): A mildly psychoactive cannabinoid found in cannabis in very small quantities. It is a crystalline substance with the formula C12H26O2, emerging as a derivative of THC breakdown. CBN is known for its purported sedative effects.
Cannabinoid: A class of diverse chemical compounds that act on cannabinoid receptors in cells that alter neurotransmitter release in the brain. Cannabinoids include compounds such as cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabinol (CBN), which are found in cannabis and have varying effects, some of which include psychoactive properties like those found in THC (tetrahydrocannabinol).
Cannabis: A genus of flowering plants in the family Cannabaceae, which includes a single species, Cannabis sativa, divided into two primary varieties: C. sativa, known for its tough fibers and taller growth, and C. indica, which is shorter and bushier.
Decarboxylation: The chemical process that occurs when cannabis is heated, transforming acidic cannabinoids such as tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCa) into their active forms like tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). This reaction involves the removal of a carboxyl group and is essential for activating many of cannabis’s psychoactive and therapeutic effects. Decarboxylation is influenced by factors such as temperature and duration of heat exposure.
Terpenes: Volatile aromatic molecules found in cannabis and many other plants, which produce a variety of distinctive scents. Terpenes play a key role in differentiating the effects and flavors of various cannabis strains, contributing to a strain’s unique profile by influencing its sensory attributes and potential interactions with cannabinoids.
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC): The primary psychoactive component of cannabis, responsible for the plant’s intoxicating effects. THC interacts with the brain’s cannabinoid receptors, resulting in effects ranging from euphoria and altered sensory perception to potential therapeutic benefits for a variety of symptoms.
