Cannabis
Is Nano-Cannabinoid Technology the New Frontier of Medicine?
The Honest Marijuana Company is currently working on a nano-cannabinoid technology that will deliver cannabinoids in a time-released fashion.
One all-natural cannabis growery is changing the face of cannabis-based medicine, one microscopic molecule at a time. This spring, the Honest Marijuana Company (HMC) will introduce one of the industry’s most innovative products yet; nano-cannabinoid technology. The formulations — which will come in capsule, topical and other forms — allow users to feel the effects of cannabinoids in one minute or less.
The patent-pending technology turns non-water-soluble substances like cannabinoids (including THC and CBD) into nano-sized particles that range from 18-24 nanometers, according to the Colorado-based company. Twenty nanometers is roughly a thousand times smaller than the diameter of a human red blood cell. These microscopic cannabinoids can travel quickly through transdermal or other membranes, and directly into the bloodstream.
Nano-Cannabinoid Technology 101
There are many ways to “shrink” particles into nanoparticles. It can be done through sound waves, or by turning a hydrophobic substance into a water-soluble substance through emulsion (mixing or suspending fat/oil in water so it can be dissolved in water).
Though the overall process of creating nano-cannabinoid technology remains proprietary, it basically boils down to making particles small enough so that they are water–soluble and will transfer through the skin, Anthony Franciosi, HMC’s head grower, explained to Cannabis Aficionado.
In comparison to other forms of consumption, this technology allows for a quicker, cleaner, and more efficient delivery. One obvious reason is that it provides an alternative to smoking and the inherent harm and indiscretion that comes with it.
Nanotechnology in medicine is particularly efficient because it increases the bioavailability of a particular compound — in this case, cannabinoids. Merriam-Webster defines bioavailability as “the degree and rate at which a substance is absorbed into a living system or is made available at the site of physiological activity.” To oversimplify: when a substance passes through the human system, its bioavailability is reduced because, well, our metabolisms.
Unlike eating an infused edible, effects of nano-cannabinoids can be felt immediately (within 45-65 seconds) as the medicine doesn’t need to be digested — just absorbed. The digestion process lessens the efficiency of cannabinoids; skipping that process effectively makes them more active (or, more potent). It also means customers will need less medicine to feel desired effects. In pharmacology, that’s called “skipping the first pass.”
PHOTO: Courtesy Honest Marijuana Co.
According to HMC, by the time THC enters your system and bloodstream after eating an infused edible, it is already not THC. It becomes a THC derivative — a different formula known as 11-Hydroxy-THC. The compound has pain-relieving and sedative values to it, but THC in the purest form is more stimulating and psychoactive. The company’s formulation delivers THC directly into the system without it converting into the 11-Hydroxy-THC. In the pharmaceutical terms, it is called “skipping the first pass.”
The company plans to use the new nano-technology to create a new generation of transdermal patches, creams, and topicals. They have almost completed their formulation for a dissolvable oral strip, Nanobidiol™.
The new technology is yet another successful attempt by HMC. to create clean products. Their growery is renowned for cultivating some of the purest cannabis around. They are also known for introducing organic hemp-wrapped blunts, and the first-of-its-kind tin can packaging for cannabis.
Their world-class growing methods use “living soil with plant-based nutrients, organic teas and probiotics to bring out the fullest genetic expression of every strain,” said the company’s head grower, Anthony Franciosi.
“We use highly efficient environmental controls and lighting in conjunction with organic inputs to try to create the cleanest marijuana we can,” Franciosi explained. “We collect a good portion of the water we use through collection tanks attached to our environmental controls and reuse it continuously.”
Organic soil-grown cannabis tends to have a wider cannabinoid and terpene profile, Franciosi added, “and in my opinion has a much better taste.” The fact that you can consume it knowing precautions were taken to protect the environment, and that no harmful chemicals were added, add to the experience as well, he explained.
Discretion and efficiently are also key to that experience as well; the role of technology is to boost those benefits. In the growery, this means using innovative lighting, climate control, and sustainable water collection systems to produce pure, sustainable products. Outside of the greenhouse, that means creating cleaner ways to consume cannabis.
HMC “use highly efficient LEC lighting, which ensures a 30 percent lower power draw on the community’s resources.” Furthermore, the facility’s chilled climate control system “uses 30 percent less electricity than a standard HVAC system.
Cannabis
Cannabis Classification System Announced for 2022 Emerald Cup Awards
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:
“Jacks + Haze” Class
- Mostly ‘Sativa’-leaning varietals
- Tasting notes – Fruity, Pinesol, Haze
- Effects – Energizing, Cerebral, Artistically Inspiring
- Common Cultivars – Classic Trainwreck, Jack Herer, Durban Poison, Super Lemon Haze
- Terpenes Profile: Terpinolene, Caryophyllene, Myrcene
“Tropical + Floral” Class
- Mostly ‘Indica’-leaning varietals
- Tasting notes – Sweet, Floral, Tropical Fruit
- Effects – Calming, Soothing, Relaxing
- Common Cultivars – Super Skunk, Hawaiian, In the Pines, Dream Queen
- Terpenes Profile: Ocimene, Myrcene
“Sweets + Dreams” Class
- Mostly ‘Indica’-leaning varietals
- Tasting Notes – Fruity, Sweet, Woody, Hoppy, Herbaceous
- Effects – Relaxation, Couch Lock, Analgesic
- Common Cultivars – Blue Dream, Tangie, Forbidden fruit, Grandaddy Purple, Purple Urkel, Grape Ape, Cherry AK, God’s Gift, Purple Punch
- Terpenes Profile: Myrcene, Pinene, Caryophyllene
“OGs + Gas” Class
- True ‘Hybrid’ varietals
- Tasting Notes – Gas, Fuel, Sweet, Citrus, and Pepper
- Effect – Uplifting, Stimulating, Analgesic, Relaxation
- Common Cultivars – Classic OG Kush, ChemDawg, Sour Diesel, Gorilla Glue
- Terpenes Profile: Any combination or shifting codominance of Caryophyllene, Limonene, Myrcene
‘”Desserts” Class
- True ‘Hybrid’ varietals
- Tasting Notes – Deserts, Doughs, Citrusy & Spicy
- Effects – Stimulating, Racy, Uplifting, Comforting
- 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.
Cannabis
The Sativa Preservation Society Project Will Protect Rare Haze Genetics
Cannabis
Peach Oz: This Sweet And Juicy Cultivar Will Stimulate Your Creativity
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.
Peach OZ is available at select dispensary and at Wonderbrett’s flagship dispensary in L.A.