Of the 113 medicinal cannabinoid molecules that can manifest in a particular strain of cannabis, cannabinol (CBN) is one of the more common. What is unique about this cannabinoid, however, is the fact that its presence is typically due to the degradation of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) via exposure to air. This process involves the oxidation of THC, which converts it to CBN. Cannabinol is either non-psychoactive or very mildly psychoactive (proving that THC is not the only cannabinoid to deliver psychoactivity).
CBN has proven to be the most sedative cannabinoid, delivering its knockout punch in relatively low doses. Only 2.5 to 5 mg (considered a microdose of THC) of this special cannabinoid are required to equal the same sedation level of a mild pharmaceutical sedative (such as 5-10 mg of diazepam). In addition — and unlike most cannabinoids and terpenes present in cannabis — CBN delivers a mild psychoactive effect in many consumers and patients.
The Details of CBN
According to Steep Hill Labs in Berkeley, California, “CBN is synergistic with both CBD and THC for inducement of sleeping. When mixed in the correct ratios, CBN becomes an effective sleep aid of five to six hours duration.” This is of obvious benefit to insomniacs. Considering that chronic pain is one of the most common reasons for insomnia, CBN offers the ability to hundreds of millions of patients who suffer one or both of these conditions.
In addition to its pronounced and standout sedative effect, CBN has been found to provide pain relief, promote the growth of bone cells, act as an antibacterial, function as an anti-inflammatory, serve as an anti-convulsive, and stimulate appetite (helpful for those suffering from conditions such as Crohn’s disease and wasting syndromes like AIDS).
The cannabinoid also is helpful for those suffering from conditions such as glaucoma because it reduces intraocular pressure in the eye. When consumed together, CBN and THC have been shown to provide significant relief for such patients. It has also been found to fight pain in a similar manner and mechanism to THC. In addition, it fights free radicals in the bloodstream.
Like CBD, cannabinol acts as an alternative to psychoactive THC for consumers and patients who cannot tolerate psychoactive effects due to their job or potential adverse reactions (such as paranoid and panic attacks).
The Research
Various research studies have shown cannabinol to be an effective analgesic (pain killer), anti-inflammatory, and sedative.
A 2015 study entitled “Turning Over a New Leaf: Cannabinoid and Endocannabinoid Modulation of Immune Function” published in the Journal of Neuroimmune Pharmacology cited the effect of CBN on the human immune system.
“It is now recognized that other phytocannabinoids, such as cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabinol (CBN), can alter the functional activities of the immune system,” concluded the study’s researchers.
A 2008 study entitled “Antibacterial Cannabinoids from Cannabis Sativa: A Structure-activity Study” and published in the Journal of Natural Products found CBN, along with other major cannabinoids, to demonstrate considerable anti-bacterial efficacy.
The study reported that “All five major cannabinoids (cannabidiol [CBD], cannabichromene [CBC], cannabigerol [CBG], tetrahydrocannabinol [THC], and cannabinol [CBN] showed potent activity against a variety of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains of current clinical relevance.”
One of the factors that make the Emerald Cup so important to California’s cannabis market is its continued strive for excellence and innovation. For the 2022 awards, the judging process is undergoing a transformation and with it comes a new cannabis classification system that will classify entries based on terpenes, flavour, and effects for anybody — from customers to budtenders, dispensaries, judges, and cultivators.
Cannabis Is More Than Just THC
The days of just searching out the highest THC totals are rapidly receding as research has now proven that terpenes are at the base of the entourage effect that customers desire are rapidly fading.
Terpenes, on the other hand, have mostly added to the consumer confusion already caused by overly broad Indica/Sativa/Hybrid terminology, whimsical strain names, irrelevant THC/CBD percentages, and other ambiguous factors that make selecting the best or correct strain a less-than-satisfying ordeal for even the most experienced cannabis connoisseurs.
The Emerald Cup competition will serve as a testbed for a new classification system for cannabis flowers. The event organisers and their testing partners at SC Labs decided to further break down the flower categories based on the chemometrics of each cultivar (better known as “chemovar” — the evolution of the term “dominant terpene”) evolving beyond last year’s flower category sorting by primary terpene content, in order to level the playing field and eliminate as much bias as possible in the blind/anonymous sampling done by Emerald Cup judges each year.
This paradigm-shifting insight sparked months of additional research and discussion, culminating in the Emerald Cup Cannabis Classification System based on PhytoFacts® powered by SC Labs.
The all-new classification system builds on last year’s approach of sorting flower entries by primary terpene content, leveraging a decade of Cannabis phytochemistry research between PhytoFacts®, developed by Napro Research in 2013, and a powerful database of over 250,000 terpene tests aggregated by SC Labs, dating back to their launch of terpene testing on Cannabis in 2013. The key class names were chosen to represent current terminology, are widely used in the business and are familiar to dispensaries and consumers. Each class is further explained using taste notes, effects, and popular strains or cultivars to promote understanding and acceptance.
The New Cannabis Classification System
The classes of the Emerald Cup Cannabis Classification Based on PhytoFacts® powered by SC Labs include:
Common Cultivars – Classic Bubba Kush, GSC, Gelatos, Cakes
Any shift in codominance of Caryophyllene & Limonene
“Exotics” (Rare Terpene Combinations) Class
True ‘Hybrid’ varietals
Tasting notes – varied based on chemistry of entry
Effect – varied based on chemistry of entry
Common Cultivars – rarest terpene profiles entered into the Emerald Cup Competition
This game-changing development in cannabis classification levels the playing ground for the 2022 Cup as well as market competitiveness amongst brands. The system seeks to become an open-source, globally recognised grading solution for Cannabis, with six simple classes/names/descriptions. In the same way that a Chardonnay would not be tested against a Merlot in the wine business, this new system permits strains with comparable profiles to be judged against each other. This new classification system will also be used at the California State Fair Cannabis Awards in July 2022.
The 2022 Emerald Cup Awards will be presented live on stage on May 14th at the Green Street Festival in Downtown Los Angeles, California.
Space Coyote, the totally cosmic cannabis company, has launched the Sativa Preservation Society Project — a movement that protects Haze genetics while paying homage to the custodians and cultivators who kept the seeds alive.
Celebrators of the cannabis culture’s stoner heritage, Space Coyote’s aesthetic and ethos embraces the vibes and psychedelic Seventies scene, where the creativity and community of cannabis intersect.
Co-founder and self-confessed ‘Sativa Diva’ Libby Cooper calls it the “ultimate passion project”.
“We’re truly passionate about saving these genetics that are the actual grandmothers of every modern-day sativa strains that people love — all of these desert strains, all of the fruity strains,” Cooper tells me from the Space Coyote van en route to Hall of Flowers.
Founding the Sativa Preservation Society Project
The concept of the Sativa Preservation Society Project was years in incubation as the Space Coyote team deliberated over how to bring it to life. It was important for them to give back to the community while helping to educate about the history of cannabis culture.
The stars aligned earlier this year when the team met Bam Vachher-Gnanathurai, nursery and plant breeding manager from the Posibl Project in Salina. A mutual love of the unique effects of Haze genetics made for a truly cosmic outcome.
“Bam is super passionate about sativa,” said Cooper. “When we went and met up with Bam for the very first time, he rolled a blunt from Cuban Black. It was such an amazing experience to smoke that flower.”
“The initial conversation of the Sativa Preservation Society coming to life happened during that smoke session. It was like, ‘holy shit, we could actually do this.’”
The Haze Experience
The Sativa Preservation Society Project is launching with three incredibly rare cultivars — Cuban Black Haze, Uptown Haze (also known as A5 Haze), and C5 Haze — all of which were originally cultivated in the 1980s by legendary grower Neville Schoenmaker. The flower will be available as bagged eighths and as infused prerolls.
Cooper likens the Haze experience to being “a bit like mushrooms” — colors are brighter, your smell is enhanced and your hearing is sharper.
“It’s really like a cup of coffee without any jitteriness or anxiety usually associated with sativas. This is pure energy without any sort of adverse effects,” explains Cooper. “You really feel as if your eyelids are getting peeled back — you’re awake, you’re uplifted. Basically, I smoke it and I immediately start stretching.”
“Many sativa genetics are dying out due to a number of reasons,” says Cooper. “Typically, they are more difficult to grow, have a longer curing time, and the fluffy buds are easily crushed in transit.” All of which makes sativas less cost-effective in California’s highly competitive legal market.
“This truly is the first time these original sativa strains are going to be commercially grown,” says Cooper. “It really wouldn’t have been possible, funnily enough, without this group named Posibl.”
Learn more about the Sativa Preservation Society Project in the video above. While you’re at it, find your nearest Space Coyote here.
If you’re looking for a premium cultivar with legendary genetics and a euphoric high, look no further than Peach Oz, the latest addition to Wonderbrett’s stellar strain menu.
A cross of Peach Rings with OZ Kush and a descendent of Zkittlez, the sweet, stimulating citrus taste profile of Peach Oz will get your creative juices flowing.
While the cultivar may be new to the public, according to Wonderbrett Co-Founder and famed Breeder Brett Feldman, it’s five-years-old in the world of genetics.
“There’s only a small handful of heady smokers who follow these things,” says Feldman. “I wanted to bring it to the masses to share the experience with everybody. That’s where my passion comes from with this strain. Similar to an amazing dish at a restaurant, you want to share it with your friends.”
Grown in small-batches at scale from the company’s state-of-the-art Long Beach cultivation facility, the strain was first created by Dying Breed Seeds, then perfected by Cannabis By Corey, before making its way to Feldman.
Bursting with flavors and aromas that bring to mind the sweet ocean breeze and fragrant fruit orchards of the California sunshine state, Peach OZ’s four dominant terpenes: Caryophyllene, Linalool, Limonene and Humulene, create a distinct sweet taste of ripe peaches, citrus candy and cream.
“When any strain has that unique, recognizable consistency in its flavor, whether that be peach, lemon or orange, that’s what myself and other breeders appreciate most and look for when bringing a genetic like this to market. It’s mind-blowing what Peach OZ can do that, translating a fruit flavor to a smoking experience,” explained Feldman.