Chemometrics of cannabinoids: THC under strain – Ezine

Under new strain

A chemometric approach has shown that many strains of marijuana (Cannabis sativa) have almost identical levels of the psychoactive components tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), despite the urban folklore and street names badociated with different "products".

"It is estimated that there are several strains of cannabis currently being cultivated," explains Susan Murch of British Columbia's Okanagan in Kelowna, Canada. "We wanted to know how different they really are, given the variety of unique and exotic names."

Cannabis growers have historically bred and crossbred different strains of the plant with the aim of producing with different levels of THC, CBD. Of course, given their history as an illicit drug and growing plants by the members of the world, they have actually had access to different types of plants. Moreover, there are few records of the parenting of different strains that might be sold on the streets.

Informal breeds

"Murch adds." "In a structured program we would keep track of the lineage, such as where the parent plants came from and their characteristics. With a structural improvement, which is the current norm, the particular plants have been selected for a certain characteristic and then given to a new name. "The nature of the invention has a chemical breakdown of the many strains around. Given the growing acceptance of this drug, it is necessary to understand more about the "products" being used.

Elizabeth Mudge, working with Murch and Paula Brown of the British Columbia Institute of Technology, reviewed cannabinoids in 33 strains of cannabis from five producers. Mudge's work shows that most strains, regardless of their origin or name, had the same concentrations of THC and CBD. In other words, these claims are essentially the same as the effects of their effects on the bodies of users. The team also showed that the potent strains of cannabis impact the genetic diversity within the crop, but not THC or CBD levels. By contrast, the chemometrics did reveal differences in a previously unknown cannabinoids. These novel compounds, present only at low levels, may well have implications for the overall pharmacological effects of cannabis and may serve as inspiration for new pharmaceutical agents.

Additional cannabinoids

"A high abundance compound in a plant, such as THC or CBD, is not necessarily responsible for the unique medicinal effects of certain strains," explains Mudge. "Importantly, given this finding, THC and CBD in their medicinal products. Murch adds that given that patients, with a range of conditions such as cancer, chronic pain, and multiple sclerosis, are using medicinal cannabis, their choice is incomplete. The team suggests that their research is a first step towards establishing an alternative approach to clbadifying medicinal cannabis and providing consumers with better information.

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